When thinking about people like Oprah and Dr. Phil, I find myself slightly frustrated. These once regular people, have inherently become idols and role models that carry the socio-cultural power which impacts both young and old during many lazy afternoons on the couch.
I personally, used to like Dr.Phil, and other television shows that dealt with relationships, careers or the new fall fashions. I used to look forward to watching these shows on a pretty regular basis on my own time, as well as with my friends.
It was only recently that I came to a new conclusion. My new perspective on these types of talk shows originates from the fact that the only reason they are popular is because "they appeal to audiences' insecurities and thirst for entertainment" Basically, it seems as though millions of us get pleasure and entertainment from people's misery, their weight loss/gain, their broken hearts and the new season fashions that are made out to seem affordable, but in reality, really aren't.
"Oprah Winfrey is a brand in the same way that Nike, Kodak or Honda are brands". This statement is most certainly true, and just like most of us illogically get drawn by the brand name on a pair of shoes, or a logo on a digital camera because they are 'known' and popular, millions of us continuously get drawn to Oprah magazines, Oprah books, Oprah talk-shows etc, because we believe in the advice given by this 'brand-name person' who doesn't actually do all that much, yet racks in the cash.
All in all, people like Dr.Phil and Oprah, who offer the same advice as many other psychologists, talk show hosts or even regular people like you and I, will always get the attention and the money. Not because their advice or opinions are actually better than any other, but because their names constantly reassure our insecure and fashion obsessed culture.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
A hidden influence
During today's media and technology class, the topic of TV shows and films came up. The class was discussing the ways in which most TV shows that children and teens watch nowadays, constantly send out misconceptions and unrealistic goals that create needs as well as rude behavior towards parents, siblings and others.
These popular shows include Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, My Super Sweet 16 and 90210, just to name a few.
These shows tend to have a few things in common. They are all dominated by rich upper-class white teens with unrealistic bodies, who don't eat and who go behind their parents backs, maintaining a distant relationship with them at all times.
These shows are not necessarily popular for those reasons, but rather because they create a sense of fantasy filled with all the material possessions one can ever have or want. People of all ages watch these shows, although, it is unfortunately, the younger crowd that get negatively influenced by the messages these shows send out, because these children have not yet been taught how to separate the good connotations from the bad. This ties into the idea of media literacy, and how I strongly believe it should be enforced into the curriculum. This way, when students watch these shows, they can have their own opinions about them, as opposed to the ones their crowd of friends may tell them to have.
Although I follow all of the shows mentioned above, I am able to ignore their negative aspects and simply enjoy a good, overly-dramatic, unrealistic, time consuming show without having my life revolve around it, or be compared to it. If only I was able to see through them at a younger age...
These popular shows include Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, My Super Sweet 16 and 90210, just to name a few.
These shows tend to have a few things in common. They are all dominated by rich upper-class white teens with unrealistic bodies, who don't eat and who go behind their parents backs, maintaining a distant relationship with them at all times.
These shows are not necessarily popular for those reasons, but rather because they create a sense of fantasy filled with all the material possessions one can ever have or want. People of all ages watch these shows, although, it is unfortunately, the younger crowd that get negatively influenced by the messages these shows send out, because these children have not yet been taught how to separate the good connotations from the bad. This ties into the idea of media literacy, and how I strongly believe it should be enforced into the curriculum. This way, when students watch these shows, they can have their own opinions about them, as opposed to the ones their crowd of friends may tell them to have.
Although I follow all of the shows mentioned above, I am able to ignore their negative aspects and simply enjoy a good, overly-dramatic, unrealistic, time consuming show without having my life revolve around it, or be compared to it. If only I was able to see through them at a younger age...
Monday, January 12, 2009
My first blog
This is my first web blog. It wasn't as complicated as I thought to make. I actually like the format, and the way it is organized. I'm not quite sure what I am going to write about yet, but I'm sure more ideas will come as the semester progresses.
Although I'm enjoying my classes this semester so far, I do miss being on stage. I taught for 3 months, and it sort of feels weird coming back to be a student when I was just a teacher. It almost seems as though I have taken a step back...
Only one more year to go!.. I have to keep telling myself that :)
Anyways, that's all for now...
Although I'm enjoying my classes this semester so far, I do miss being on stage. I taught for 3 months, and it sort of feels weird coming back to be a student when I was just a teacher. It almost seems as though I have taken a step back...
Only one more year to go!.. I have to keep telling myself that :)
Anyways, that's all for now...
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