1. Gender and Television Situation Comedy
British and/or U.S. TV Sitcoms

2. OCR Specification
Representation of the construction of gender in characters; construction of characters by appearance and dialogue; the character’s function in the themes and narratives of the programmes; stereotypes and archetypes; casting issues; characters’ values and beliefs and how they are positioned by the narrative and preferred reading of the programme

3. Representation -Definitions
The process by which a media text represents an idea, issue or event to us.
1. The Media do not PRESENT reality they RE- PRESENT it.
2. The media only represent things AFTER they have occurred.

4. How Representations Work
1. A Representation is composed of repeated elements.
2. We are invited to identify with or recognise the representation.
3. The media makes categories of people, events or ideas.
4. Representations contain a point of view.
5. Representations have mode of address.

5. Stereotypes (1)
A simplified and highly judgemental type of representation.
E.G. The tough loner cop who is unmanageable by those in command.
Or. The long suffering wife/house keeper.

6. Ideology and Representation
“the media serve the interests of the state and corporate power; which are closely inter-linked, framing their reporting and analysis in a manner supportive of established privilege and limiting debate accordingly.”
Noam Chomsky

7. Questioning Representations
Who made it?
When was it made?
Where was it made?
What are its social/political/ cultural origins?
What are its purposes?
Who benefits from the representation or whose point of view does it support?
Who does not benefit?
Who or what is not shown?

8. Exercise (representation)
1. Dress up as a well known stereotype and take a photograph of yourself. Repeat till you have a portfolio of at least four images.
2. Write notes explaining each stereotype and its defining features. Point out where you have seen this stereotype before.

9. Construction of Gender
Survey the way Men and Women are represented in a number of Sitcoms form 1960’s to now.
Are there patterns of change?
Study theorists such as Giddens and Butler to test empirical research.
Construction of Gender
See TV Sitcom and Gender Representation.doc

10. Construction of Characters
Appearance
Study costume, hairstyle, movement
Interactivity with other characters
Dialogue
Who has the comedy lines?
Who is the feed?
Who wrote this series (M/F)

11. Themes and Narrative Themes Central ideas repeated in series.
See

12. Stereotypes and Archetypes
Study Major Characters – to what extent are they stereotypical? – do they develop? Are they built on a complex narrative foundation?
Minor characters – are they more likely to be stereotypical.

13. Casting Issues
Links with Institution and the profitability of the shows.
Are the leading performers celebrities / comedians?

14. Values and Beliefs
Key Issues here are the effects of Representation on the Audience.
Social and Historical factors important
i.e. Media Effects Theory.
Links to Digital Brain - Audience

15. Preferred Reading A term coined by Stuart Hall
Every Media author has a “preferred meaning “ which he/she hopes the Audience will use.
Theories of Active Audience allow audience to have power to negotiate meaning or reject the preferred reading of the author.
See