Comments for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air http://com489group8.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:53:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Question # 7 by ericm5 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-51 ericm5 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:53:58 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-51 I agree that the puppy episode paved the way for LGBT characters to take on lead roles on prime TV, but I believe that the significance of the episode is associated to the support showed by the general public for Elen coming out with her sexuality. People from all different back grounds encouraged the episode. With out such massive support and audience the show would have probably never screened and the ratings would have dropped.... The support increase the amount of "respect" which then allowed LGBT to take on more "regulatory" roles. Eric Murillo I agree that the puppy episode paved the way for LGBT characters to take on lead roles on prime TV, but I believe that the significance of the episode is associated to the support showed by the general public for Elen coming out with her sexuality. People from all different back grounds encouraged the episode. With out such massive support and audience the show would have probably never screened and the ratings would have dropped…. The support increase the amount of “respect” which then allowed LGBT to take on more “regulatory” roles.

Eric Murillo

]]> Comment on # 9 Stages of Recognition by Vinh Nguyen http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/9-stages-of-recognition/#comment-50 Vinh Nguyen Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:27:34 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/9-stages-of-recognition/#comment-50 I also think that today's shows are much more open minded and inclusive toward the LGBT community. Although we watch all these shows in class with a critical lens, I think we should also talk about how much our society has progressed from even one or two decades ago. I also agree that LGBT characters should be placed in between ridicule and respect, because although there has been much progress, there is still a long ways to go. In class we talked about just showing gay people or minorities on T.V. isn't always a positive thing. Sometimes there shown just as a stereotype and don't ever delve into their social struggles or cultural difference as described in Clark's assimilationist model. Vinh Nguyen I also think that today’s shows are much more open minded and inclusive toward the LGBT community. Although we watch all these shows in class with a critical lens, I think we should also talk about how much our society has progressed from even one or two decades ago. I also agree that LGBT characters should be placed in between ridicule and respect, because although there has been much progress, there is still a long ways to go. In class we talked about just showing gay people or minorities on T.V. isn’t always a positive thing. Sometimes there shown just as a stereotype and don’t ever delve into their social struggles or cultural difference as described in Clark’s assimilationist model.

Vinh Nguyen

]]> Comment on # 9 Stages of Recognition by Vinh Nguyen http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/9-stages-of-recognition/#comment-49 Vinh Nguyen Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:26:55 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/9-stages-of-recognition/#comment-49 I also think that today's shows are much more open minded and inclusive toward the LGBT community. Although we watch all these shows in class with a critical lens, I think we should also talk about how much our society has progressed from even one or two decades ago. I also agree that LGBT characters should be placed in between ridicule and respect, because although there has been much progress, there is still a long ways to go. In class we talked about just showing gay people or minorities on T.V. isn't always a positive thing. Sometimes there shown just as a stereotype and don't ever delve into their social struggles or cultural difference as described in Clark's assimilationist model. I also think that today’s shows are much more open minded and inclusive toward the LGBT community. Although we watch all these shows in class with a critical lens, I think we should also talk about how much our society has progressed from even one or two decades ago. I also agree that LGBT characters should be placed in between ridicule and respect, because although there has been much progress, there is still a long ways to go. In class we talked about just showing gay people or minorities on T.V. isn’t always a positive thing. Sometimes there shown just as a stereotype and don’t ever delve into their social struggles or cultural difference as described in Clark’s assimilationist model.

]]> Comment on Question # 7 by mundta http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-48 mundta Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:20:51 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-48 The significance of this episode is well stated. It paved the way for other, future prominent LGBT characters on primetime television. What I think we all have failed to mention, however, is the significance of a lesbian character, not just simply an LGBT character. Typical depictions before this seemed to be white and male, and Ellen, as white and female, made an important step in recognizing another gender, and pushing the boundaries of "heteronormativity," and even "homonormativity." These two groups of LGBT people are represented currently (though stereotypically), and other groups, such as minority LGBT characters, transexuals, and bisexuals are still in the stage of non-recognition. The significance of this episode is well stated. It paved the way for other, future prominent LGBT characters on primetime television. What I think we all have failed to mention, however, is the significance of a lesbian character, not just simply an LGBT character. Typical depictions before this seemed to be white and male, and Ellen, as white and female, made an important step in recognizing another gender, and pushing the boundaries of “heteronormativity,” and even “homonormativity.” These two groups of LGBT people are represented currently (though stereotypically), and other groups, such as minority LGBT characters, transexuals, and bisexuals are still in the stage of non-recognition.

]]> Comment on Question # 7 by shellyoberstein http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-47 shellyoberstein Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:00:13 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-47 The "puppy" episode did bring about a change in primetime television but it could be thought that this episode also eventually led to the cancelation of Ellen's Show. The article we read criticized Ellen's decision to come out, saying that it was only for ratings. She was also criticized for not being "gay enough" or using the word lesbian. In fact, she decided to come out so that she would be comfortable on her own show. And even though the show was canceled, Ellen has gone on to become a veru sucessful talk show host and has hosted the academy awards. The Ellen show is an early example of Calrk's theory of representation. Ellen falls under respect because her show is introducing the audience to the broad relm of her character and the real world situations. Shelly Oberstein The “puppy” episode did bring about a change in primetime television but it could be thought that this episode also eventually led to the cancelation of Ellen’s Show. The article we read criticized Ellen’s decision to come out, saying that it was only for ratings. She was also criticized for not being “gay enough” or using the word lesbian. In fact, she decided to come out so that she would be comfortable on her own show. And even though the show was canceled, Ellen has gone on to become a veru sucessful talk show host and has hosted the academy awards.

The Ellen show is an early example of Calrk’s theory of representation. Ellen falls under respect because her show is introducing the audience to the broad relm of her character and the real world situations.

Shelly Oberstein

]]> Comment on Question # 10 by monroed http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-10/#comment-46 monroed Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:53:07 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-10/#comment-46 That's a great definition of queer studies. The only thing that it is missing is the fact that queer studies also deals with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fields of study. I agree with you about your reading of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air under the scope of queer studies. The Fresh Prince does not incorporate any themes covered within queer studies nor does the show itself incorporate any LGBT characters. In that sense one could say that the show is guilty of non-recognition as could be read under Clark's model. The show is more so about race and class difference than sexual identity. David Monroe That’s a great definition of queer studies. The only thing that it is missing is the fact that queer studies also deals with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fields of study.

I agree with you about your reading of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air under the scope of queer studies. The Fresh Prince does not incorporate any themes covered within queer studies nor does the show itself incorporate any LGBT characters. In that sense one could say that the show is guilty of non-recognition as could be read under Clark’s model. The show is more so about race and class difference than sexual identity.

David Monroe

]]> Comment on Boom Bye Bye by jnash100 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/boom-bye-bye/#comment-45 jnash100 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:41:12 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/boom-bye-bye/#comment-45 It is really interesting to me that it was it was only this song that got a rise of negativity from the gay community. Jamaican dance hall music is especially known for gay bashing. The fact that it is outlawed in Jamaica is clearly the reason the writers of the music feel it is acceptable and it wont affect anyone. I think it is important that music spreads to other places so that reactions to the music can be vocalized and the writers of the music can see that it does affect people negatively. Jennifer Nash It is really interesting to me that it was it was only this song that got a rise of negativity from the gay community. Jamaican dance hall music is especially known for gay bashing. The fact that it is outlawed in Jamaica is clearly the reason the writers of the music feel it is acceptable and it wont affect anyone. I think it is important that music spreads to other places so that reactions to the music can be vocalized and the writers of the music can see that it does affect people negatively.
Jennifer Nash

]]> Comment on Question # 7 by lloxford http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-43 lloxford Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:19:34 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-7-3/#comment-43 Hi Catherine, I totally agree, "The Puppy Episode" changed the face of sitcom television. However, I would argue that LGBT characters were not int he 'non-recognition' stage of Clark's theory. Since the beginning of television (and before in plays) there have been representations of LGBT characters. Granted, they were not flattering, and nowhere near accurate, but they were present, nonetheless. Back in early film, LGBT characters were either used as comedy or as villains. They were kept in this stage (I would argue as 'ridicule') until Ellen Degeneres made the decision to come out. Few roles before her were as able to portray semi-normal gay life to mass audience. She did, as you stated, create significant change in sitcom TV. Laura Oxford Hi Catherine,

I totally agree, “The Puppy Episode” changed the face of sitcom television. However, I would argue that LGBT characters were not int he ‘non-recognition’ stage of Clark’s theory. Since the beginning of television (and before in plays) there have been representations of LGBT characters. Granted, they were not flattering, and nowhere near accurate, but they were present, nonetheless.

Back in early film, LGBT characters were either used as comedy or as villains. They were kept in this stage (I would argue as ‘ridicule’) until Ellen Degeneres made the decision to come out. Few roles before her were as able to portray semi-normal gay life to mass audience. She did, as you stated, create significant change in sitcom TV.

Laura Oxford

]]> Comment on Boom Bye Bye by lloxford http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/boom-bye-bye/#comment-42 lloxford Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:09:03 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/boom-bye-bye/#comment-42 By the way, for those of you who weren't in class, apparently they did pull the song in the US after boycotts. FYI... Good luck tomorrow!! By the way, for those of you who weren’t in class, apparently they did pull the song in the US after boycotts. FYI… Good luck tomorrow!!

]]> Comment on Question 8 by Movies With Numbers in Their Titles » Blog Archive » Question 8 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-8-2/#comment-41 Movies With Numbers in Their Titles » Blog Archive » Question 8 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:38:45 +0000 http://com489group8.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/question-8-2/#comment-41 [...] Question 8By shellyobersteinThe three comparison exercises which compared white women to women of color, man and woman, and a straight character and an LGBT character in a cultural text helped me to draw some very interesting conclusions based on the media that I …The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - http://com489group8.wordpress.com [...] [...] Question 8By shellyobersteinThe three comparison exercises which compared white women to women of color, man and woman, and a straight character and an LGBT character in a cultural text helped me to draw some very interesting conclusions based on the media that I …The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – http://com489group8.wordpress.com [...]

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