First off, I'm digging this conversation about Angela's post. Nice work, folks!
Secondly, my argument for the day is admittedly reductive and concrete, but it's hump day, so I'm begging for a little slack. Upon listening to M83's Before the Dawn Heals Us last night (and BTW, Dawn is the messiest post-shoegaze masterpiece out there, so pick it up promptly), after our class met, I was reminded of this Pitchfork article that calls attention to Anthony Gonzalez's own brand of resistance to power. It was probably a dumb move on his part, which is why he eventually apologized. Regardless, we now have some hump day fodder. Which leads me to all of these points:
After yesterday's conversation, I wanted to call all of your attention to some of the examples that I can conjure which suggest that heterosexual relationships--that frequently normalize heterosexual, childbearing sex--are still at the center of contemporary representations of romance. It's also fitting to note that many of these representations emerge from "reality" and "family" television, so make of that what you will.
Let's start with the uber-example.
Then there's this one . . .
and this one . . .
and this one . . .
and we can't forget about this one, no matter how "secret" these lives are . . .
and this one . . . (How perfect would it be if Casey and Cappie get together?!?!? I mean, their names rhyme! How cute!!!!) . . .
and this one . . .
and we'd be remiss if we didn't look here--no matter how horrifying--too . . .
and here . . .
and here, to be thorough about all of this . . .
and here, at least.
So I ask again, progress anyone?
One of the important things to remember about television is that it's all about money. Shows that target the largest group of people will make the most money: i.e. shows that target the mothers who stay at home and play TLC all day or the singletons who tune in to live vicariously through the Bachelor and Bachelorette. But I find it interesting that the one show that openly displays homosexual relationships is the show most aimed at the youth: Greek. There have been several homosexual (or in one case, bi-curious) characters whose story lines are followed closely and whose sexual interactions aren't hidden from the viewer.
ReplyDeleteSo, what I see in the examples listed above is a tendency to direct heterosexual television programs at the following: women who are already married with children; young, straight adults who are seeking idealism in their love lives; and high school teenagers. (I'm not a follower of Bones, so I'm not sure about that one). The only show that unabashedly portrays homosexuality is the show aimed directly at the college students of my generation. This would imply that young people have no problem accepting homosexuality as a norm, but that the generations above us might. So, perhaps in terms of social acceptance, we are the dawn of progress. Thoughts?
Yeah but, not to imply that I watch Greek or anything, can't we argue that the homosexual relationships on that show are still closeted? Isn't the whole drama about whether or not the two gay guys can show their affection for each other, literally, outside of the closed space of the dorm room (or, ironically, in the incredibly homosocial world of the fraternity house--a space that is rigourously constructed as hetero in the show)? The rest of the (heterosexual) romance is normalized, isn't it? The lead girl is an occassionally aloof blonde, and her love interest is a typical male lead character, an occassionally macho, sometimes sincere, guy who frequents straight strip clubs to "feel better." Perhaps simply having homosexual characters on the show is not tantamount to subverting--or resisting--norms?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aubrey that media representations are largely dependent upon what networks believe will get them the highest ratings and therefore advertising revenue. I also agree with Prof. Fisher that the non-normative relationships are displayed, yet not necessarily subversive against gender norms. In my opinion, however, such realistic representation of the struggles of discovering one's sexual identity is progress, if slight; if enlightened viewers objectively and empathetically take in these representations, perhaps they will come to better understand sexual identity struggles and therefore act for greater equality for non-normative sexual lifestyles.
ReplyDelete