Blog 2 The Mary Tyler Moore Show:

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was produced and shown in a time where equality between Men and Women was still lacking, and their was a pre set standard of life in which women were expected to follow. One of the major requirements, for women, being that they get married and have a life that is centralized around the house and not a job. In fact, during that time it seems as if it was almost awkward or uncomfortable to be around a woman who was out of place. Out of place meaning of course at a job or out of the house. It is out of these uncomfortable and awkward situations in which the comedy of the Mary Tyler Moore Show presents itself.

From the episode in which we watched in class, one can easily see the different uncomfortable situations and how they bring about laughter. As stated above these uncomfortable situations in which I speak about stem from the changing social norms from the past strictness to the future equality. The first example I noticed came from when one of Mary’s fellow employees gave her a house warming present. Although this may not seem like a presentation of stereotypes at first glace, it was what the present represented that would cause it to fit in this category. The present was a decorative representation of the seven food groups. While yes this is funny because it is such a silly and humors present, I believe it also represents that women must always have images of food, and what kinds of food to feed their family close at hand. The reason why this may feel like an uncomfortable situation for Mary is because she does not have a husband nor does she have children in which she must cook for.

The incident of Mary receiving the decorative fruit model of the seven food groups presents the idea than during this time every woman does not need instruction on how to probably cook food for their family. As we see from Mary herself not every woman is a homemaker anymore. Thus Mary receiving such a present is pointless to her, or essentially pointless to women of the changing times.

As we discussed in class, 30 Rock is a show that has its roots from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In 30 Rock, many of the same characters are represented one way or another. With similar characters, similar situations arise. Just like during the 1970’s, women are once again becoming significantly more independent and there for 30 Rock carries on some of the similar ambivalence and awkwardness of the changing social roles.

Bolonik, Kera (2007-04-06). “There’s ‘Moore’ to ’30 Rock’ Than Meets the Eye”. Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20033306,00.html
Zynda, Thomas H. “The Metaphoric Vision of Hill Street Blues.” Journal of Popular Film and Television 14.3 (1986): 100-113. Print.

Blog 1: Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is an American television series than ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2007 (Gilmore Girls). The show is considered a drama but also a comedy. During its run, the show was nominated for many different awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Gilmore Girls stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as mother-daughter combination, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.  Throughout the series we ride the roller coaster that is their life.

Amy Sherman created Gilmore Girls. This was her first project as an executive producer. Before Gilmore Girls, she acted as co-supervising producer of many “Roxanne” episodes. She was also consulting produced of a short-lived series called Over the Top (Gilmore Girls). It is safe to say that Gilmore Girls was Amy Sherman’s most successful project.

In the first episode of the series, the viewers are introduced to the main characters. We learn Rory has been accepted into a prestigious schooled called Chilton Preparatory School. Unfortunately, Lorelai does not have the monetary means send her daughter to this school, but Rory’s grandparents do. Lorelai is forced to go and ask her parents for money. Since Richard and Emily Gilmore are wealthy, they are more than happy to loan their daughter the money but it comes with a catch. Lorelai and her parents have been estranged for quite some time. In order to end this, Richard and Emily agree to lend the money if Rory and Lorelai will attend Friday night dinners at their house each week. Rory is extremely excited to be going to a new school until she meets a cute boy. He makes her think twice about leaving her current school, Stars Hollow High (“Tv.com”). This episode does a good job of introducing the characters without giving too much away. From the beginning, one can see how the characters’ relationships can provide endless entertainment.

Gilmore Girls is American classic because of the values that is displays. It puts emphasis on the importance of familial relationships and accurately shows the struggles that today’s youth goes through as adolescents mature into adulthood. Because of this, Gilmore Girls paved the way for many shows including The O.C. and One Tree Hill. Like Gilmore Girls, these shows explore the ups and downs that come with growing up.

Although it is a show that the whole family can sit and watch, Gilmore Girls definitely appeals more to women. A major reason for this is that there are so many female characters. Naturally, women find more entertain value out of this then men do. Because the main characters in the show are spread across three generations, women of all ages may like this show. Young girls can really relate to that coming of age of many characters while the older audience can appreciate the clever puns that the show is known for.

“Gilmore Girls”. The Internet Movie Database. 2011. 6 Jan 2011.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238784/

“Gilmore Girls: Show Overview” TV.com. 2011. 14 Jan 2011.

http://www.tv.com/gilmore-girls/show/44/summary.html?tag=page_nav;main

Week 3 Schedule

Week 2 (January 10-16)

Monday
No Class

Wednesday
Class Activity:
Critical Approaches to Television/Applying Critical Approaches to
Television
Assignments:
Blog post
Wee – “Selling Teen Culture” (listserv)

Friday
Class Activity:
Screening – Veronica Mars
Assignments:
Bavidge – “Chosen Ones” (e-reserve)
Dudek – “Over My Dead Body” (online)