“Parks and Recreation” is a comedy TV show that centers around a fictional town in Indiana (called “Pawnee”) and its city parks department. The show itself and its actors have won 20 and been nominated for a total of 117 awards (IMDb), and for a number of good reasons. The third season starts after a few months of the entire parks department being shut down due to budget cuts, and opens with all the characters quitting their temporary jobs on the spot and returning to work. Unfortunately for them, funds are still low. To raise money for the department, the main character- Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler)- is working to organize a harvest festival for the town. Throughout the season, the financial success of the festival is the goal of the …show more content…
Specifically, the protagonist, Leslie is characterized as an enthusiastic, thoughtful, and determined workaholic. Her portrayal, as well as that of the other characters, was massively improved from season one. Previously, the show consisted of mostly slapstick humor and a lot of stereotypes; it later gained a lot more depth and development. However, the exaggerated personalities are part of what makes the show funny, and were improved rather than replaced. Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) and April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) are a great example of this. The two are polar opposites in manner, and both are extremely impulsive and immature. Their personalities and relationship probably aren’t realistic for their ages, but rather than try to normalize them, the writers showed them growing as people. April, especially, who is known for being dispassionate and grumpy, was able to let go of a strong grudge and also find something to care about. On the show’s wikipedia page, one of the co-creators (Michael Schur) clarifies that this was his intention: “I am a big believer that [characters] should be in a very different place at the end of every season than they were at the beginning… follow through on the characters, and what [their] lives had presented them (wikipedia).” Characterization is one of the most significant things that keeps the show moving along and
The story A Television Drama, by Jane Rule is an exciting story about an unusual event, which the main character, Carolee Mitchell, experiences the end of. The story is about her quiet street becoming unusually busy with police officers, and how the man who is being chased by these officers ends up being outside her front door. Through the point of view of the story, the characterization and character change of Carolee Mitchell, and the setting of the story, A Television Drama is an exciting read. The story conveys how important it is to be aware of ones surroundings, and what is happening around oneself through these elements.
Different Strokes a comedy sitcom, first aired in 1978, and lasted until 1986. This sitcom consisted of a widowed Manhattan millionaire, Phillip Drummond , who adopted two orphaned brothers. Arnold who was 8 years old and Willis who was 12. The boys' mother was Drummonds housekeeper who became very ill, so Drummond made a promise to her that he would take care of her two sons after she passed away. Drummond treated the two boys like his own. He also lived with his daughter, Kimberly, who was 13 years old, and his current housekeeper. This sitcom showed typical life lessons in growing up, and social problems that were occurring during that time. Some of the aspects of this show were both positive and negative.
Central Park Five is a documentary that revealed the stories of the five boys, now grown men, whose lives have been destroyed for really being in the wrong place at the right time. The documentary traces the lives of the five men—Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Kharey Wise, Raymond Santana, and Kevin Richardson, that were convicted and years later found not guilty of assault and rape of jogger Trisha Meili that occurred in 1989. Even though justice was eventually given to the five men, it did not return the adolescent years that ripped from them and mental torture they had endured from the city of New York, media, and police. The story of the case unfolds chronologically through the stories of the five teenage boys from before the investigation until their interviews in the film. Only four of the five exonerated teens are interviewed on camera, Antron McCray chose to participate with only a voiceover in the film. The police and New York City prosecutors and police chose not to take part or appear in the film in anyway. As viewer only the absence of any participation of New York City authorities only demonstrated lack of responsibility for the destruction of the lives of the five teenage boys.
Furthermore, the show is in its fifth season and cast members change with the wind so to speak, yet the characteristics seem to be of the same.
Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond is a family sit com television show about a married father of 3 children residing across the street from his parent’s house, therefore, his family are constantly interrupted by the kids, his brother, and parents. Season 1 episode 1 starts off with Raymond and his wife struggling to balance life with kids, work, and family. Since his wife is a stay at home mother of infant twins and a 3 year old girl, Raymond allows his wife to take a day off with her girlfriends and to enjoy herself without the supervision of his parents, inviting them without permission or an advance notice. As a result, Raymond’s failure to satisfy his family by lying soon gets caught. The scene allows him the perfect opportunity to voice out his feelings about the privacy of his own house.
Television provides an avenue for which we can analyze people, cultures, and more. My favorite show is Family Guy. The show often pokes fun at either social norms or popular trends occurring in current society. Its humor is supported by the relationship of a talking baby named Stewie, and a talking dog named Brian who live in Rhode Island. Through out the many seasons of Family Guy, the viewer can see through a sociological perspective how all three common theories in sociology are used on Stewie and Brian.
Christmastime is a time of joy, peace and love. It is also a time where people put aside their differences, accept one another for who they are and practice unconditional love. Right? Well, apparently not if you happen to lean towards the left politically. After all, there is nothing that liberals won't attack these days. Nothing that is considered out-of-bounds or wholesome enough to be beyond reproach. Case in point, a recent article by Carol Costello, the host of "Across America With Carol Costello" recently penned a piece where she presents the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" as sexist. Isn't that taking things a bit too far?
This essay will examine my thoughts and those of David Sterrit on the critically acclaimed television show The Honeymooners. First, I will talk about the Honeymooners and it’s setting in postwar America. Secondly, the social and cultural issues the series portrayed. Next, would be the psychological perspective and the aesthetics of the show. Finally, the essay would conclude with my thoughts on how the Honeymooners were impacted by these aspects, but also how the show managed to leave a legacy in television today.
The Fosters on ABC Family, is a family based—teen drama that has had four successful seasons, and counting. But, it is not just another teen drama, there are quite a few things about this show that are unique and that stand out. One of those things, is the fact that the two main characters of the show Stef and Lena, are a lesbian couple, who are married and raising their children. Stef was married to a man, Mike, had a son with him, and divorced him once she met Lena and fell in love with her. That is one example of a topic that other shows may not necessarily focus on, and in this show especially, the role of gay pride is very prominent.
First titled Life and Stuff, Roseanne aired its first season in 1988 and its last season in 1997. The show starred Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner and John Goodman as Dan Conner. The couple lived in Lanford, Illinois with their three children Becky, Darlene, and D.J. They are a blue-collar, working-class family with both parents working outside of the home. They struggled just to pay the bills and put food on the table, sometimes each working two jobs. It portrayed real life issues such as pre-marital sex and pregnancy, financial struggles, sexuality, infidelity, death, drugs, and much more. In the first of its nine seasons, Roseanne (Barr) works at Wellman Plastics, along with her sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) and friend Crystal (Natalie West). Dan (Goodman) works as a self-employed drywall contractor for his company, Four Aces Construction. Roseanne's parents, Beverly (Estelle Parsons) and Al Harris (John Randolph), drive their two daughters crazy. Teenage Becky (Lecy Goranson) begins dating her first boyfriend Chip (Jared Rushton. Darlene (Sara Gilbert) wonders if she can still play baseball after having her first period. This season also deals with the issue of death, a terrifying tornado, Dan and his father’s relationship struggles, and Roseanne and her friends quitting their job. In season two, Jackie decides to become a police officer and begins a serious relationship with Gary (Brain Kerwin). Roseanne runs through a plethora of jobs, with shampoo woman at the beauty parlor being most influential. Roseanne also deals with issues of attractiveness when Dan's poker buddy Arnie (Tom Arnold) passionately kisses her. She is slightly disappointed when he does the same to Jackie. Crystal and Dan’s father begin a romance. Becky h...
“Everybody Loves Raymond” is a television show that only few people today can actually say they had not seen this sitcom. It was one of the highest rated show during it run on CBS television network but has anyone ever noticed how much of a gender stereotype bonanza this show was? Most sitcoms follow the same pattern with the primary goal to make us laugh that, we tend to ignore the obvious and just assume this was the expected behavior for men, women even children in our society. I watched the first two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, the show was about a stay at home mother Debra and her husband Raymond who goes to work, while her in-laws who lives across the street are always barging in to her home without a thought about what
Television is a highly entertaining way to pass the time whenever we may want to relax or may not have anything to do. Some believe that watching television is nothing more than staring at a box while others believe that it can help us become aware of things we may not have noticed before such as social issues or in some measure get our brains thinking. This paper will point out the similarities and differences of Antonia Peacocke 's essay "Family Guy and Freud: Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious" and Steven Johnson 's "Watching television makes you smarter" aswell as
The 1960’s was a decade filled with revolution across America, in the forms of both counterculture and pop culture. The second wave of feminism ran rampant, powered by Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. The role of the housewife began to be placed under the microscope and women started to wonder aloud whether they were truly happen being second-rate to their husbands. The television sitcoms of the 1960’s displayed this change in thinking, one sitcom specifically being I Dream of Jeannie. The plot of I Dream of Jeannie centered on an astronaut named Major Tony Nelson and his incidental discovery of a genie in a bottle. This genie, named Jeannie, saves Nelson from the island he is stranded on and she stows away in his luggage to follow him home. The rest of the storyline is devoted to Jeannie fulfilling Nelson’s wishes as he struggles to keep her existence secret from the rest of the world. The key conflict in every episode usually entails Jeannie making a wish against Nelson’s orders and working to fix the consequences of what she’s done, commonly saving Nelson from various predicaments. However, due to the feminist relevance of the time period, the show’s plotline should be analyzed for an underlying meaning. This second meaning focuses on Jeannie’s role as a woman in a country with rising feminist values. Despite the fact that Jeannie is subservient to Tony Nelson, she is still ultimately an independent and capable woman, thus representing the feminist movement of the 1960’s.
HBO's Sex and the City has become a cultural icon in its 6 seasons of running. Based on Candace Bushnell's racy book Sex and the City, the show exhibits an unprecedented example of the sexual prowess of women over the age of 35. The result is an immense viewing audience and an evolving view on the "old maid" stigma that a woman's chances of finding love are significantly reduced after thirty-five. In this paper, we will closely analyze the characters and themes of Sex and the City to explain the significance of what the show represents in American culture.
In Paul Scheuring’s 4 season thriller there is no Gods you need to sacrifice for but rather the bond of family worth doing anything for. In Prison Break, protagonist Michael Scofield would go any extent for his family. Michael had his life together with a masters as a structural engineer while his brother was just a high school dropout. However when Michael finds out that his brother was accused for killing the vice president’s brother and put on death row, Michael gave up that future of his filled with opportunity to save his brother. How far would you go for others? Michael got a full body tattoo and got himself incarcerated in order to break Lincoln, his brother, out. He did this for him because he loves his family. Although Scofield is