Old Specification Module 5 Mass Media - Television

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We are going to study Television as a cultural phenomenon in a series of case studies. You will need to watch some programmes, read some articles and discuss, either face-to-face with your peers or on your Social Networking group.

You might want to look at the powerpoint TV and Popular Culture, which I have produced which gives an over-view of Television and the issues you will need to know about for the exam.

Case Study 1:  Representation - Homosexuality and Youth on TV

Key Questions

1. What purpose does representation of different groups such as homosexuals, young people, ethnic groups etc have, for the audience who are watching TV programmes?
2. Are the cultural needs of all groups the same?

Independent preparation work – Watch a clip of Ally McBeal. FOX's hit dramatic and humorous show tells the story of the trials and tribulations of a 28-year-old lawyer by the name of Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart), who is just fresh out of Harvard Law School. Ally was harassed at the firm where she was originally working, and when she told the firm's partners, she ended up losing her job. However, she then runs into an old friend and he offers her a new job at his brand new firm where she meets tons of new people and her old boyfriend, Billy with whom she'll lead her new life full of cases and Ally's fantasies.

Read “The Ally McBeal in us: The importance of role models in identity formation” and make notes on what role models are and how the viewer is affected or uses role models in forming their own identity.

1. What is a ‘role model’?   How do they affect us and our identities? How does Television help this to happen? Recap on hwk article about Ally McBeal.
2. Write down five adjectives (physical or character) popularly used to describe a. Gay men b. gay women
3. Write down any gay characters in any TV programmes you can remember.  How do they match up to your adjectives?   How do they compare to non-gay characters in the same programme?

Watch an episode of Will and Grace - any episode will do. If you can't find an episode on any TV channel at the moment, use this link to watch on Youtube. If you have the episodes on DVD, Season 1, Episode 6 is a good one to watch.

• What differences do you notice between the gay characters, Will and Jack? Look for things like use of language, dress, body language, jobs, relationships with others.
• What do you notice about Grace's behaviour - towards Jack and towards Will.
  

Read the article Homosexuality on Television: The Heterosexualization of Will & Grace in Print Media and answer these questions.

1. Why does “Will and Grace” have two gay males who are ‘polar opposites’?
2. Why did the first attempt to portray a gay character, in the series “Ellen” not succeed?   Whose needs triumphed?
3. What did NBC include in “Will and Grace”’ to ensure its success?
4. Why is the character of Will seen as more true to life?
5. How are the characters of Will and Grace played to deflect criticism from right wing groups?
6. Why are they spoken about in terms of ‘romance’ and ‘coupledom’ and how does this affect the way both heterosexual and homosexual viewers see the programme?

Try to watch an episode of "The L-Word" clip here (is graphic) on Living TV and compare the portrayal of lesbian characters to those of the homosexual males in Will and Grace. What similarities and differences are there?