last one- i promise

Okay so this is the last part of my 3rd blog assignment-



So I like the way this clip is using a pop culture medium to comment on pop culture. The blonde, teenage, skinny, sunbathing, less than articulate girls are supposed to represent that of those that appear on the reality T.V show laguna beach. The way that Peter comments "it isn't easy growing up anywhere" is just another way to show that as a culture we are so consumed by the glamorous celeb-reality T.V shows, are mesmerized by the drama in their lives, and that these teenagers make up the majority of the teenage population




Again "Family Guy" comments on popular culture by referencing Britney Spears' latest tabloid tales. This clip comments on the actions Paris and Britney engage in, as well as playing up the fact that almost ANY American was aware of Britney's antics.

So overall, "Family Guy" confirms certain levels of sexuality in pop culture by portraying them in a satirical way. Those viewers who watch "Family Guy" and are unable to see the elements of satire are in danger of taking the opinion of the one presented to them (Like all the middle school and underaged viewers...) However, in actuality the show comments on many different aspects of pop culture ranging from gender roles to celebrities and perpetuates these ideas through a T.V show watches by thousands of viewers. Not only are these viewers getting THEIR daily dose of popular culture, thanks to the satire of family guy they are getting it twice.

Family Guy and understanding gender

This blog post is dedicated to understanding how "Family Guy" is an important aspect in the analysis of gender and pop culture. This blog site is a tool where I am analyzing gender and popular culture in terms of the show "Family Guy" for a women and gender studies class. In no way am I talking badly about the show- in fact, I happen to be a big fan; however it is interesting to see the ways in which T.V shows perpetuate and mock stereotypes of popular culture.

In case you are not getting your daily dose of pop culture, "Family Guy" is a satirical cartoon. Like all T.V shows, each episode has some type of issue or focus. I will be using different episodes to analyze the way in which the content contributes and challenges areas of popular culture.

Blog assignment #1, part 2

In terms of Masculinity this show also reveals a lot of what we value as a society. In this particular episode the only male object of analysis is Sharon's husband and his behavior towards her beauty. In the show he is overwhelmed with happiness by her transformation. This reaction is loaded with insight into the concepts of masculinity and femininity. Although her husband would probably not be considered incredibly attractive, it is not a mutual makeover. Sharon uses plastic surgery, makeup, and fashion, to make herself the best looking person she could be yet her husband does not change at all.

This is not a chance occurrence, most participants on this show are females. This reveals that it is more acceptable for women to undergo a complete physical transformation because it is important for women to look their best, while men remain unchanged without worry.

Again this shows the emphasis of beauty in regards to women, and the importance of the physical in relation with femininity. In these terms, women are shown as being the inferior to men in that it is more acceptable to them to change themselves in order to please their spouse. The pleased reaction of men once a women has undergone such a radical transformation shows the emphasis men place on the physical attractiveness of their partners. Perhaps this is men looking at women as an extension of themselves?

Lastly, in relation to the Kate Bornstein Quiz that was taken in class this topic relates greatly to the fact that women score lower just because they were women. (Again, women are categorized as being inferior to men) Masculinity defines men as being more powerful, less emphasis on physical beauty, and worthy of changed in order to be pleased. Because my blog is based around Family Guy, check out this clip that relates to the topic.

Blog assignment #1, part 1

After watching an episode of “Extreme Makeover” I couldn’t help, but be appalled at what I saw. The episode was one where the contest, a woman who had locked herself away in order to undergo a total transformation, was revealed to herself. A funny concept, isn’t it? Being revealed to ones self? You would think you would be the only person you would not have to reveal yourself to; unfortunately our society has taken an ugly turn in regards to what we value morally and as entertainment.
The episode I watched was the 5th episode of the 1st season. A 27-year-old woman named Sharon was the subject of the show. The wife and mother for three children talked about her poor self image and living in the shadow of her “much prettier” twin sister. To solve her physical inadequacies she underwent rhinoplasty, a chin implant, breast augmentation, and teeth whitened and straightened.

As if going through this process was not painful enough to watch the most unbearable part of the show is the reaction of the subjects’ family. A woman, barely resembling what she once was, in presented to her family. They all wait in anticipation of Sharon’s return and upon seeing her are so thrilled they are brought to tears by her beauty.

What messages do shows of this nature send to the viewers about the concepts of masculinity and femininity in popular media? What kinds of images does our society portray as beautiful. Young girls growing up are giving dolls to play with that portray the “ideal.” Although the image of Barbie was always a bad model for young girls, the idea of that model being attainable is even scarier. “… Barbie demonstrates that femininity is a manufactured reality. In entails a lot of artifice, a lot of clothes, a lot of props…” (Dines, 95)

Shows of the “Extreme Makeover” nature provide a vehicle for women to obtain this unnatural sense of beauty. Plastic surgery, impossibly toned bodies, big breasts, white teeth, and clear skin shape the definition of beauty in our culture. These shows promote images of women that epitomize this sense of femininity and show the reactions of their loved ones being pleased. These shows are more dangerous than the “Barbie image” little girls used to have, because our culture is now creating the opportunity to become real life Barbie Dolls.These shows put completely emphasis on the way women look- they need to be pretty, in shape, and fashionable. They need to be trimmed with all the right accessories and be willing to undergo what ever necessary to obtain this definition of femininity. After all beauty is pain, right Ladies?


Extreme Makeover images


work cited:
Dines, Gail and Humez, Jean M., eds. Gender, Race, and Class in Media. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2003. 95.

Topic change

I changed my topic to focus on the same issue, but using the t.v show family guy. The reason for this change is based on the large viewer audience of Family Guy and the age group that watches this show (younger group of viewers)
Also Family Guy uses satire to address a lot of issue I would like to analyze and discus.
Stay Tuned!