I was really shocked by the TV program that we watched the other day in class. I have never seen a show like this before, and to be honest, I didn’t even really know any shows like this existed. I think it was bold and daring of the producers to create this show and I’m proud of them for doing so. Even though there were many parts that I found unrealistic, I thought the TV show made many good points about heterosexuality and homosexuality. I think this show is geared towards homosexuals and heterosexuals. I don’t think I would necessarily be interested in watching this show on a daily basis, but I would be interested in seeing how the TV producers carried on the show and changed it in future episodes and seasons. I wonder if it continues to be unrealistic? Perhaps I will look into a synopsis of future episodes.
For my second formal writing I would like to use the “Real Housewives of Orange County” TV show. The show portrays women who live in Orange County as, slender, wealthy, gorgeous, and having the perfect life. My sister lives in Newport Beach, in Orange County, so I thought it would be interesting to use this show for my paper because I have been to Orange County many times. This show portrays an image that if you are from Orange County, you will portray these qualities. I think it also puts pressure on women who live in this area as well. I asked my sister how she felt about the show. She said that the show is unrealistic and makes her feel like she needs to fit into a particular mold of people. She admitted that she does watch the show and finds it entertaining. However, she said she must not take it too seriously or else she will drive herself crazy. I thought it was interesting and enlightening to hear her views about this show.
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Emily...I have to admit that I also love watching that show :) I think it's the drama that pulls me in really. This is a really good idea and it was something I was thinking about doing on my paper as well. I think this show is the epitome of what "beaty" is defined as in our society. I think it shows the wrong definition of a beautiful woman and how they should be. Not only are the women misleading but the orange county men as well. They are portrayed to have a lot of money...most at least....and take care of their wives while the women take care of the house and kids. This is a typical housewife....I like this idea and you could really expand on it.
ReplyDeleteI think this will be a really good topic for you to write about for essay 2. Women everywhere feel like they need to fit into a particular "mold" and I completely agree that this pressure is even stronger in areas like Orange County-especially because of shows like this! It would be cool for you to also include info on what YOU know about Orange County, and use your sister as a source for completely understanding the pressure and stereotypes women from OC face from this show. Women do have to realize you can't take shows like this at their face value! What specifically do you want to know more about Orange County? What do you think the main powerful messages are sent through this TV show? I love your idea!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this show, so I think it would be interesting to read some of the things you come up with and to learn more about the show from this viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteI think that drawing from your own experiences of visiting Orange County will really enhance the content of your paper, because you will be able to contradict or support ideas from a first-hand basis.
Em,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea to do your paper on! Firstly, I think that we are used to seeing the "perfect" woman as younger. This show is telling us to be perfect even when we are in our 40's. I think it is ineresting that your sister lives there and you can talk to her about it. You should ask her to do a photo day and walk around town and take photos of people she sees and send them to you to see if the show really does portray the real women of Orange County. I know there are also lots of things on the internet about these ladies on the show that you could read about! Good luck on your paper. I think it will be great! :)
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect show to focus on for your essay. One thing you might want to look at is the familial relationships - between husband and wife, mother and son/daughter, etc., as well as the friendships between the women. From my understanding, the show encourages heteronormativity through both family and friend relationships. Do you think that is accurate?
Right now, the main thing for you to work on is to choose a few episodes, watch them, and see what comes out of them in terms of the ideas of beauty and heteronormativity. It also seems like you can use the Kilbourne video, as well as the Bordo article "Beauty and the Reproduction of Femininity" and Yep to help you get at the angle you want to take. I'm interested to see what you come up with. ~Megan