My media example is about a popular TV series called ‘Entourage’. It portrays Vincent Chase, living his high life. He enjoys hooking-up more than steady relationships. He is a movie star, what would you expect? The series shows what we want to see. Men idolize characters like Vince who put in no effort to charm women. The show provides a perfect gift to the lustful whims of men. Series of this kind are the ones that gain popularity in popular culture.
They say it’s ‘for guys’. Well that’s what one would expect to see in a show ‘for guys’. Women in the show have the appeal that men seek. Skinny women with so much make up that they do not look like themselves. They are crafted to-be-looked-at. The series revolves around powerful males with successful careers. Almost all women in the series are without intelligence and have no trait that goes beyond their good looks and features. The trailer I’m showing depicts how women are just small pleasures for these guys. They are, unfortunately, nothing but sex objects. Turtle (the guy with the hat) says, “Am I the only one who is guaranteed sex tonight?” This shows the kind of life they assume to be good. Well it may be good for them, but is it? Turtle was, at the time, in a relationship with a star. Ironically, he met her on the plane and hit it off, if you know what I mean. Entourage’s second last season attracted many viewers. Vincent Chase’s newest conquest featured pornstar Sasha Grey, appealing isn’t it? Well, at least the viewers think it is.
Vincent Chase gets what he wants. The series depicts and reinforces that everything can be attained with the power of wealth. There is an episode where Vince goes far beyond his budget and purchases a Rolls Royce because his entourage thinks it will be cool. Of course, any woman would get into a Rolls Royce easier than into any other car. Well it displays the extravagant spending that almost dictates popular culture. We are known by what we have, and not by who we are. We instantly judge people based on what they have. Brand-consciousness has caused the wealthier to look at people with a discerning eye. Well money gets us everything in popular culture. Of course, if I was a girl, I would choose to get into a Rolls Royce over any other car. It’s sad but true.
There are also few examples of women in power. There is Amanda, a rival of Ari Gold (Manager of Vincent Chase for a brief period when Vincent fires Ari) and also Barbara (Co-owner of Ari Gold’s company). Even though Amanda is talented and successful, constant disparaging by Ari shows how females such as Amanda are still regarded inferior to the more powerful males like Ari Gold. Ari goes on to have problems with his wife too. He fails to co-operate in marriage consultancy sessions and tries to force issues onto his wife. This shows how males try to dominate marriage and make it work in their favor. Obviously his wife is upset and on one occasion he buys her a sports car to please her. This fact shows the typical male belief, ‘Get her something precious and it will all be fine’. It enforces, time and again, the shallow belief that women are more pleased with gifts.
Males are superior and anything associated with being feminine is an insult to them. The characters commonly insult each other by tags such as “pussy”. They associate all that is feminine with being weak and unable. Also, heterosexuality seems to overpower homosexuality. Ari Gold’s assistant Lloyd is a homosexual male. Lloyd has all the skills to be a manager but Ari keeps him as his assistant and tortures him till it shatters him from within. He promises him a promotion by the end of the year if Lloyd loses weight. He would just add another ten pounds if in a foul mood. Though we know Ari still accepts the fact that Lloyd is gay and he actually cares for him. He wants to toughen him up to face the cut-throat Hollywood world. After Lloyd leaves Ari he gets him back and gives him the position he deserved. Though we see a humane side of Ari the constant abuse Lloyd faces sends out the signal that heterosexual males have the power to bully the smaller section of homosexual males.
The show is yet running in its last season. We know it accurately tells us about popular culture. The series is supposed to be humorous but it reinforces some of the beliefs in today’s society. It affirms a particular lifestyle to be good and also superior to the other ways. It disregards minorities and strengthens the already strong majority.
I think it is interesting that you put the video in the beginning, so that the reader can understand a bit about what your are writing about right away. The idea that Entourage shows women that are obsessed with money and fame and therefore drop at the men's feet is interesting. I think that you could find this in a lot of movies, so you might want to touch on one more example to add to the point. There are six paragraphs. I think that there could be a more clever way to start the post that would lead in nicer than just saying "my media example is..". The conclusion paragraph is very effective though. You might want to be a bit more clear when you says things like "we" maybe instead say the audience or viewer. I think maybe one more media example or picture would help the post to be a little more visually appealing, but other than that good job!!
ReplyDeleteI like how you build up your thesis with a multiple reference. You did not simply summarize the story of the shows, but actually analyzed those examples to lead out your point. You used this technique through out the whole paragraph parallely, so the readers could get your next point faster and clearer.
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree with what Casey said about the final paragraph. Your last paragraph reinforces what you have said, and also has a good sense of conclusion, leaving the readers rethink about your thesis.
I think, if you could polish the beginning sentence to transit the audience from the video clip to your words smoother, you will grab your readers' attention more effective.