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.
Considering I own half of the series of Sex and the City and have seen every episode, I love this idea! I think you have some very great ideas! It might also be interesting to research the creator of the show and see how she came up with ideas to develop the four different women. I'm sure you would be able to find some interviews about her discussing each character and what she wanted them to represent. Through doing this, you could discuss the male characters in great detail which could make for a very entertaining paper.
ReplyDeleteHi Maya,
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of presenting SATC as a show about four men. It would be interesting, too, to create these men in the models of the women to see how men could be constructed in a similar light.
One issue that I see you potentially having is that there is A LOT of scholarship on SATC. So I think that you will need to figure out which literature is relevant to your focus, and which you can throw out. There is definitely going to be some literature that focuses on the representations of women on the show, and the potential impact on women. You might also look into the idea of male-driven shows, and see how men are typically represented. (Entourage immediately comes to mind.) Then your rewrite could respond to those types of shows as well. I'll be interested to see what you come up with! ~Megan
I think this is a great show to analyze for the research project. I considered using it for my 2nd essay, but decided against it because I assumed a lot of others would do it - I was wrong. I think your re-write, with men in the four roles, will be very interesting, and I find it intriguing that you state that a show that challenges heteronormativity is more appealing to watch - I've never thought of it this way, but now that I have it seems to be true. I think you will have an easy time finding sources on this since it is such a popular show. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteMaya,
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I have always been a big fan of this show, I think mainly because they way the show the lives of the four women. I think it's a really great idea to re-write the show with four men,and I'm curious to see how it turns out!
Do you think you'll make it exactly like each of the women? This would be fun because it would be interesting to see a man act as reserved as Charlotte can sometimes, or to see a man handle having a baby the same way Miranda did!
More than anything, I think it would be cool to see how Big and Carrie would be reversed, because there's so much background there!
I think this will be a really creative aspect to the show, and will be a lot of fun to write!
What you have is great, I cant help but to think a little bit of Entourage when you say you would rewrite it with 4 guys. I think you are going to have a ton to write about because that show is already full of what we are discussing in class, and you will definitely find more when you do the rewrite. I agree with you statement that the show would be too normal if it were 4 guys, maybe you can come up with some ways to make it a little bit more out there and not so laborious. Overall great work, good luck with the project.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it will be an interesting paper to read when it's all finished! There is a new TV show (not even sure if it's aired yet) but it's called...something on the lines meeting in the middle, or cross roads (sorry I even tried looking it up) but this show looks to be about 3 or 4 middle aged men. I hardly remember what the commercial was about, so it must not have been as entertaining or interesting as my beloved Desperate Housewives. So you are right about the idea of shows are not as exciting when they follow heteronormativity. If I see another preview for this show, I'll write down the name and let you know because it would be a great source to draw inspiration when rewriting Sex and the City!
ReplyDelete