Influence of American TV Shows - Essay Example

?TV Paper INTRODUCTION In the present emerging world, the impact of globalization has largely driven the approaches adopted by modern societies. Though modern technological aspects are considered to have made the life of a person easier nevertheless it is also determined to have negative effects on an individual’s life. Television as a mass media has played a key role in the evolution of societal standpoint in various fields. The influence of American TV shows is measured to be long-drawn and lasting on every individual watching the shows, located anywhere on the globe. Although the effect of all American shows is ascertained to be positive according to the American context however when telecasted at the global level these shows seem to be at times criticized to a great extent (Hickman, “The Effects of Media Globalization”). THESIS STATEMENT The paper aims to provide a descriptive study of the American television romantic sit-com named Sex and the City. The paper would also contain multiple issues that have been addressed in the book Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker by Ellwood Griscom (Jr.). The paper would also provide arguments as well as discussion concentrating on the issues of class, Americanization, cultural imperialism, and feminism among others. DISCUSSION About the Show. The American television romantic sit-com ‘Sex and the City’ is considered to be one of the most well-known shows in the American television history. The commencement of the show was in the year 1998 and the original run ended in the year 2004. The show is mainly based on the life of four female friends who throughout their different natures and changing sex lives remain inseparable and believe in each other. The show has been nominated for Emmy Awards more than 50 times and for Golden Globe Awards in excess of 24 times, thus placing it among the top programs in the comedy series category (Home Box Office, Inc., “About the Show”). Though the show is measured to have promoted Americanization and helped in portraying the life of how American people live however it has been largely criticized by many critics at the global level for concentrating solely on American culture and practices. Issue or Concept from the Book in the Show. The different issues that have been identified in the book are stated hereunder: Americanization The first issue that has been identified within the book name, “Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker” by Ellwood Griscom (Jr.) and TV romantic sit-com Sex and The City is Americanization. It was viewed that the show “Sex and The City” mainly concentrated on promoting activities that were considered normal in the American context. Additionally, the concept of changing sex-partners frequently has also been focused considerably. Considering the above mentioned facet, it can be stated that the television sitcom “Sex and The City” promoted the living habits of the Americans which can be considered as a way of promoting them in other parts of the world (Griscom (Jr.) 230-233). Cultural Imperialism The second major issue that has been critically evaluated in the book and can also be ascertained in the show i.e. ‘Sex and the City’ is the notion of cultural imperialism. The term ‘cultural imperialism’ is depicted in order to ascertain the supremacy of a particular society over the other presumably inferior societies. In this framework, it has been viewed that the show “Sex and The City” endorsed certain activities that are not usually considered ethical or is accepted in other societies located world-wide. The show has been determined to promote activities such as frequent change of sex partners. Many critics also do believe that the show has tried to influence women and young girls to vie against each other in the modern days (Tomlinson 1-19). Considering the above stated facets, it can be asserted that the show “Sex and The City” promoted certain activities that are mainly seen in the western countries of the world, thus in turn promoting cultural imperialism. How Does The Show Approach The Issues. The different approaches that have been adapted by the show i.e. “Sex and the City” to promote the identified issues are stated hereunder: Americanization The show named ‘Sex and the City’ is considered to be one of the most revered televisions romantic sitcoms not only in America but also in various parts of the world. The show mainly portrays the life of four female friends and also highlights how modern women have changed their way of spending life with the rapid changes in the society. Many critics in the home country have stated that the show has been a pioneer in developing modern way of living in America. However, the show has been largely criticized at the international level for portraying the practice of changing sex partners as a normal habit. The show also promoted the desire to have expensive products as a way of portraying an individual’s personality and social status amid other high class people in the society. For instance, a research conducted between the year 2001-2004 found that females aged between 12-17 who watched the show on a regular basis were twice as likely to get pregnant as they considered the practice of having sex to be normal which in turn caused a rise in teenage pregnancy (Wigmore, “Sexually Charged Shows Such As Sex And The City And Friends To Blame For Rise In Teenage Pregnancy”). Cultural Imperialism The American television romantic sit-com named ‘Sex and the City’ is recognized to be amongst the most discussed television sitcoms amid TV critics around the globe. The issue of criticism relating to American TV shows has been viewed from the past. With the increasing technological developments, it has become easy for every individual to access data or videos that promote a specific cultural practice. However, in this context, the concerned show is regarded to have highlighted the qualities that a woman should have in order to meet the current challenges. However, different practices such as the use of expensive brands, the habit of promiscuity and femininity have been largely criticized in certain other countries as they are not considered to be ethical according to certain culture. Underlying Message That Each Show Disapproves Or Promotes. With reference to the book, Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker by Ellwood Griscom, the underlying messages given in the main show along with certain other landmark shows that disapprove or promote are listed hereby: Sex and the City The TV show named Sex and the City is recognized to be another American sit-com that has been in discussion amid a number of critics. Although if viewed globally, the show promotes cultural imperialism however if analyzed or studied on a humanitarian ground the show highlights or promotes the importance of friends, romantic relationships and friendship in an individual’s life (Home Box Office, Inc., “About the Show”). The Cosby Show The Cosby is the highest ranked television show in the American history. The main aim of this show was to highlight the contribution of the African-American household in developing American culture and other vital aspects in the nation (Winzenburg, “TV’s Greatest Sitcoms”). ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ or Oprah is considered to be one of the most coveted talk shows in the global context. The show mainly aims at highlighting different intriguing elements from the American culture along with teaching new facets to its viewers regarding changing perspectives of different class of people in the real world (Carr, “A Triumph of Avoiding the Traps”). It can be critically argued that three evaluated shows represent three different types of television programs. These shows have emerged as a few of the landmark works in the global television history. The contribution of the evaluated shows have often been negated by a number of critics by highlighting the negativities that have from time to time cropped up from these shows such as promiscuity, femininity, promotion of native branded products to the global audience along with representing women in a derogatory manner among others. However, if analyzed in a positive way, all the shows portray the role of American culture in changing views and bringing modernization that are determined to be vital constituents in today’s world. CONCLUSION The contribution of television series in bringing new changes in the society is measured to be vast. There exist numerous television sit-coms around the globe that are made considering the normal living habits of one’s country or region. However, it has been viewed that when these TV sit-coms are telecasted at the international platform, they often raise a conflict with certain living habits of individuals residing in different nations or following different religious beliefs. With reference to the above discussion, it can be viewed that the major reason behind ardent criticism of the popular TV sit-com i.e. ‘Sex and the City’ is because of its excess promotion of the use of expensive products and the promotion of certain non-universal practices at the international level. Thus, it has been determined that television shows often bring with them certain intricacies that might be lauded in their home nations but might in turn bring in defame and criticism in the global arena. Works Cited Carr, David. A Triumph of Avoiding the Traps. 2009. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Ellwood Griscom (Jr.). Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker. The United States: The University of California, 2008. Print. “About the Show.” Home Box Office, Inc. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Hickman, Mary. The Effects of Media Globalization. n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Tomlinson John. Cultural Imperialism: A Critical Introduction. The United Kingdom: Continuum, 1991. Print. Wigmore, Barry. Sexually charged shows such as Sex and the City and Friends to blame for rise in teenage pregnancy. 2008. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. “TV’s Greatest Sitcoms.” Winzenburg. 2004. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Read More