1. Unit 9 Day 11 (1950s Pop Culture) Quote: “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” - Lucille Ball Focus Question(s): How did mass media’s effect on popular culture in the 1950’s impact pop culture and our lives today? Objective(s): Explain how the invention of the TV changed people’s lives in the 1950s and how these changes affect us now. Specified Content: T.V., advertising, rock ‘n roll State Standards: Strand 1 Concept 9 PO 3 a

2. 1950s Pop Culture In 1950, only 9% of American homes had TVs. By 1960 almost 90% of American homes had TVs. The 1950s was the “golden age” of TV with popular comedies such as I Love Lucy which began in 1951.

3. Edward R. Murrow, a veteran radio broadcaster, introduced on-the-scene news and live interviews with his two news shows. Westerns, sports events, dramas, and children’s shows, such as The Mickey Mouse Club, became huge.

4. TV advertising also became a major business during the 1950s. In 1950, businesses spent $170 million on TV advertising but by 1960 they spent almost $2 billion.

5. Rock ‘n’ roll is a form of music that evolved in the 1950s out of rhythm and blues, country, jazz, gospel, and pop music, creating a truly American sound that combined the musical contributions of both blacks and whites.

6. Activity: Choose ONE of the two options below: Advertisement Draw an advertisement from the 1950s –Use what you have learned in class, such as women’s roles and popular culture Draw a second, modern advertisement on the back to show the differences between America in the 1950s and today Diary/Journal Entries Write a journal entry as if you were a teenager in the 1950s –Mention favorite TV shows, musicians, etc. –Must be at least 5 sentences long Write a second journal entry as a teenager today, highlighting the differences between the 1950s and 2010s

8. Example Journal 1950s Today I watched my favorite TV show, I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball is so funny! The candy factory episode really made me laugh, although my dad is worried about losing his job. Later, I listened to Elvis Presley. I love his music! This new rock ‘n’ roll music is wonderful to listen to! 2010s I watched American Idol on TV today. The competition between the musicians is so much fun to watch! I like watching the show but I would rather listen to my favorite artists, like Adele or Taylor Swift, instead. I used to want to be a singer when I was little but now I want to be a doctor!

9. Ideas for the 1950s Advertisements Clothing Cars Refrigerators Laundry machines Laundry Soap Food Soft drinks Electronics Pop Culture Chuck Berry Buddy Holly Bill Haley & His Comets Ray Charles Frank Sinatra Johnny Cash Father Knows Best Leave it to Beaver The Ed Sullivan Show The Twilight Zone