A common television series that is often used to show popular culture is known as, The Office, a show we have watched in class. There are actually plenty of other shows that display stereotypes and often exemplify satirical elements. One category or group of people that hadn't been mocked publicly on T.V. were the rich, white community. This category is one that can be made fun of, using the right humor. This is where the television series, Arrested Development gets its humor and displays it on an episode-by-episode basis. The television show is about a wealthy family who's father runs the business but gets arrested for embezzlement. This is where middle-son Michael has to come in and save all the families problems. Michael is the normal one of the family as every other character has some sort of stereotypical trait of a spoiled rich child.
The show gets its humor from poking at the stereotypes. A specific example of a stereotype that was used in Season 1 describing Lucille (the wife of the man arrested and Michael's mother). Lucille is an older women who is known for being catered for and is stuck in her own little bubble. She makes this known that she lives up to this stereotype based on the gif below. In the gif she is quoted saying "I mean, it's one banana, Michael. What could it cost? 10 dollars?" Her son Michael goes on to ask her if she's ever been to a super market and she replies, "I don't have time for this." with and attitude. This is an example of the show focusing on the stereotype of rich white women. These women are often judged by society because people assume they are all catered for with normal daily tasks, like going to the super market. The show specifically includes this because of the comedy that people get from this stereotype.
The show gets its humor from poking at the stereotypes. A specific example of a stereotype that was used in Season 1 describing Lucille (the wife of the man arrested and Michael's mother). Lucille is an older women who is known for being catered for and is stuck in her own little bubble. She makes this known that she lives up to this stereotype based on the gif below. In the gif she is quoted saying "I mean, it's one banana, Michael. What could it cost? 10 dollars?" Her son Michael goes on to ask her if she's ever been to a super market and she replies, "I don't have time for this." with and attitude. This is an example of the show focusing on the stereotype of rich white women. These women are often judged by society because people assume they are all catered for with normal daily tasks, like going to the super market. The show specifically includes this because of the comedy that people get from this stereotype.
In the second image with multiple scenes below there is another example of a stereotype displayed in the television show. This time the stereotype is one of a rich man's son who is entitled, wants no responsibilities, yet tries to fool people into thinking he's a working man. The pictures is Gob the oldest of the four kids being thrown into a situation where he wants people to think he's in charge, yet panics and shows himself being incompetent. This is stereotypical of a spoiled rich kid who thinks he could handle responsibility yet, shows he is unable to perform and prove he is responsible. The quote that is being said throughout the scenes is, "I'm in charge now. I speak for the this family. I mean... I could if you wanted me to. I;d rather not, obviously. Don't know what I'd say. Why do I have to be the one? I don't need this. Why does this have to become my problem? No, I'm out. Forget it. Find somebody else. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of doing everything for this family." This is ironic because he was never in charge.
Between the two pictures below, and how I described the stereotyping that goes on in the television series "Arrested Development" it is east to see how this show catches peoples eyes by targeting on the negatives to society. Noticing these things are interesting because it shows what people enjoy for entertainment. This leads to a bigger topic on why people enjoy these certain shows. Maybe it's because of the truthiness that comes with the shows? or maybe it is people getting away from their own lives to watch another family go through events that one could only think about going through. Whatever the reason is, the writers of these types of shows know it, and will continue to make it, until it stops selling. 
Works Cited
“Arrested Development.” Fox, 2004.
BluthCoBlog. “Thebluthcompany.” The Bluth Company, 15 Dec. 2010, thebluthcompany.tumblr.com/post/2317320982/gob-im-in-charge-now-i-speak-for-this-family-i.
GIPHY. “Lucille Bluth Banana GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY.” GIPHY, GIPHY, 22 Mar. 2018, giphy.com/gifs/lucille-bluth-banana-oblivious-yJu2jIQZgPubm.
I found everything that you discussed extremely interesting and I can agree with. I think this pop culture artifact could be connected to another social issue at play, sexism. Following along with the stereotypical "basic white people" analysis places the roles of the characters in a sexist setting. I have never watched this television show. But from what it seems, the mother plays a role where she is pampered, non-working, and does dainty household chores, such as preparing meals. Where as the father, tries to preserve the masculine image of a hard-working man. This image could easily be viewed as sexist, because not all women see themselves as pampered, non-working, stay-at-home mothers.
ReplyDeleteThis was really well written, I have never seen the show but from your very detailed examples and claim I could totally imagine the show in my head and even what the characters would look like. I think your right on with all your points, its weird to me people get humored by this show because you can pretty much predict what the characters are going to do or how they'll react to something. It doesn't seem like a good plot line, just another show to make fun of certain people.
ReplyDeleteI think you did vey well providing examples to support your claims. I definitely agree this show takes a different angle than most shows before it. It is very uncommon to see a show actually mocking the stereotypes of the rich white people that dominate our society. It seems like all of our TV shows today have to be mocking something to be funny today.
ReplyDeleteThis is great example of a show punching up. Michael and George Michael are the common men that the viewer can relate to and the viewer sees just how ridiculous wealthy people can be. The awkward silences in the show are almost a cue for a rich person to do something stupid.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that you did a great job of supporting your claims with examples. I liked the images you provided as well. I have seen a few episodes of this show and can agree that many of the characters embody the stereotypes of rich white people. Great post!
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