It is the unexpected similarities in the development of the wide range of male-characters in each show acted as the determining factors. These comedic moments often coincide with the widely and fiercely debated role of masculinity in America.įor the purposes of this study an analytical comparison of masculinities between How I met Your Mother and Modern Family initially felt like an arbitrary choice the first follows a group of friends who live in the city and the second follows three families who live in suburbia. Its audiences are allowed to laugh at the challenging or uncomfortable situations regarding masculinities because they take place within the context of comedy. The sitcom is successful because its characters and episode subjects are rooted in the social, cultural, and political discourse of its time – it not only reflects American ideology but also works to shape that ideology.
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The recent media and political discussions surrounding the definitions of “marriage” and “family” create opportunities for prime-time television series to address these issues in a way that may challenge the dominant ideologies of Americans – what a “man” is, who a man “should” be with, what a man “should” do.
There is a relevancy to this study of the portrayal of masculinities in this society that struggles with defining masculinities (and consequently male sexualities) every day. The study of these character developments, specifically the development of masculinities within sitcoms is the purpose of this study. Because of its common use and established role, the word ‘sitcom’ assumes a definition– many scholars allow the term to define itself without constructing the genre to develop a “map” of how the narratives and characters have developed over the years into what they are on contemporary television. Prime time is rife with them some are considered classics ( All in the Family, The Cosby Show, Cheers), and others are quoted long after they are off the air ( Friends, Seinfeld, Will and Grace). The situation comedy, or the “sitcom,” is an established part of daily television.
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