Sex and the CIty- Proposal

For our final essay, I have chosen to write about the popular show Sex and the City. This would be a very interesting show to rewrite and analyze according to heteronormativity .

Sex and the City is a show based on 4 very different women who are all best friends. All of the characters play roles that challenge heteronormativity. In my essay, I plan to rewrite parts of episodes to make them support the idea of heteronormativity instead of challenge it. I plan on replacing the female characters with male characters.

Rewriting this show in this way would change the whole concept completely. Not only would this change the idea of the show, but it would attract a completely different audience. The audience of Sex and the City is made up of mostly females. I think that if the show were to be rewritten it would attract people of both genders. Also, I believe that the show would not be nearly as popular or entertaining because it would be too "normal" if men played heteronormative roles.

For my research, I can find reviews on this show and also find research done about how this show effects women, whether it be positively or negatively. This would give me a better idea about how a show like this with all men would effect its audience. Also, I will need to research how men and women are typically portrayed in the media to add more support to my ideas.

Lastly, although I am rewriting Sex and the City to support heteronormativity, it will also prove that a show that challenges heteronormativity is much more appealing to watch.

What's Next??

When I hear the name "Laguna Beach," I think of blonde, skinny, spoiled girls. Let's face it, this is the image MTV has given our its viewers. One girl in particular that comes to mind is Heidi Montag, who fits this stereotype perfectly. Recently, Montag had ten plastic surgeries in one day to "improve" her already Barbie-looking image.

As most would agree, Montag had an already perfect, beautiful body that did not need to be touched. Apparently, she did not feel the same way. In one day, Montag had her breast implants increased to DDDs, an eyebrow lift, ANOTHER nose job, lipo on her neck, stomach and thighs, a butt augmentation, botox in her forehead, fat injections in her cheeks and lips, a chin reduction, and last but not least, Heidi had her ears pinned back.

At first, I did not believe this because it seemed so ridiculous and unnecessary. Then, I proceeded to call Montag an idiot for messing with her body and for spending so much money just to live up to the "Laguna Beach" image that is so unnatural and unattainable. But, after multiple articles and reading what Montag had to say about the surgeries, I actually felt bad for her. I felt bad that she could be so uncomfortable in her own skin that her obsession with perfection lead her to undergo million dollar, life-threatening surgeries. Montag told The Huffingston Post, "I was made fun of when I was younger, and so I had insecurities, especially after I moved to L.A. People said I had a "Jay Leno chin"; they'd circle it on blogs and say nasty things. It bothered me. And when I watched myself on The Hills, my ears would be sticking out likle Dumbo! I just wanted to feel more confident and look in the mirror and be like, "Whoa! That's me!" I was an ugly duckling before."

Yes, we all have imperfections that cause insecurities, but what actually leads people to go as far as Montag did? First, I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that she became famous and was constantly in the spotlight because as we've talked about many times, the media puts so much pressure on women. Also, since the show "Languna Beach" is a drama-filled show, Montag probably felt like she had to compete with the other beautiful girls that were on it.

Montag just goes to prove that perfection and the image that the media portrays is impossible to reach. Why are girls trying so hard and going to extreme measures to be something that is unattainable? While writing this, I thought of Jean Kilbourne's movie, "Killing Us Softly," and I remember her showing advertisements promoting breast implants and creams that make women's breasts larger. She also talked about an advertisement telling girls everything that could be wrong with them. In class, I laughed at this and thought, "Who would listen to this and actually take it to heart?!" Well, I guess these advertisements DO actually have an effect on people like Montag. Therefore, Kilbourne was exactly right: These advertisements are killing us (women) softly. They are killing natural beauty. They are killing girl's self esteem. But, worst of all, they are leading girls to do things that could ultimately kill them.

Modern Family

For my next essay, I chose to write about the ABC comedy, "Modern Family". I chose this show because it is based on 3 very different types of families or families that challenge heteronormativity and the stereotypes they face. One family consists of two gay men who have an adopted baby girl. The second family sounds "normal" with a husband, wife and three kids, but does not function like a typical family. The third family consists of an older man who is married to a young, beautiful, Hispanic woman who has a young son from a previous marriage.

Throughout the show, the stereotypes of these families are emphasized. As we talked about in class, the gay couple plays a very comical role. As a result, it is almost as if homosexuality is being mocked. This couple obviously challenges heteronormativity due to they mere fact that they are gay.

Further, in the "normal" family, the wife is the rule-maker and the person who runs the house. Meanwhile, the dad is the fun one with no rules, who is told what to do by his wife. I thought this would be good to investigate and write about because in a way it goes against what the norm is in the media. The woman, in this case, is the aggressive, powerful character while the male is the more passive and obedient one.

Lastly, in the family with the older man and the young wife, the wife is really ditzy and it seems as though she relies on him for support. Rightfully so, she is often accused of being a gold-digger. This family challenges heteronormativity because this is not the typical family structure and it shows the problems they face because their family is difficult for society to accept.

The show "Modern Family," portrays each family comically. The fact that they are portrayed in this way is very stereotypical. Although it is comical, I think that it could be potentially harmful to families that are like these but do not act as these ones do.

In this paper, I will analyze how these families challenge heteronormativity and the effects that this may have on the audience.