When I started reading Amusing Ourselves to Death, something caught my attention. On page 4, it stated how President Richard Nixon offered Senator Edward Kennedy advice on making a serious run for the presidency, which was to lose twenty pounds. It also said “though the constitution makes no mention of it, it would appear that fat people are now effectively excluded from running for high political office.” Now only is this happening in politics but everywhere and on TV shows. Disney Channel is constantly portraying the perfect family and kids, and you don’t usually see actors/actresses being overweight, or having acne or any "beauty defects" on any Disney show. It is really odd when you actually see a person under that category on a Disney show. But why would they want to portray this perfect image? What’s wrong with being a simple kid on a show no matter what you look like? Why is America trying to portray this image from perfect presidents to perfect teenagers on TV? What do you think about this?
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I think network producers like those who work with Disney, want the teenagers who watch their shows to see other teenagers, not that look like them, but other teenagers in which the teenagers watching want to look like. I'm sorry if that is confusing. Okay, for instance-- Say I like watching girls on T.V. that are super tall and have nice boobs and nice clothes. But then if you look at me, I am average height, flat chested and wearing clothes that are obviously not as expensive as theirs. But I would only watch T.V. shows with those super-model girls on them because that's what I want to look like, not that I do look like them because obviously I don't. I think it's a psychological thing those networks do to grasp their viewers, which Postman does talk about in Chapter 9: Reach Out and Elect Someone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Breahna and I think she answers your question perfectly, Daniel. TV show producers not only choose actors and actresses that can act, but they make sure that they look and act like the so called "average teenager." What's funny is that there is NOTHING average about them at all. Many of us have seen or heard about the show "Degrassi." Now I will admit that at one time or another, I wished my life was filled with drama like this show. Then I realized that high school life is nothing like this. This show exaggerates what really goes on in high school. For example, it shows girls who throw up to make themselves look "prettier" and getting plastic surgery. I don't know about you, but I have yet to meet someone at school who has done either of those. By doing this Degrassi seems to persuade other teenage girls that this is the right thing to do or that everybody is doing it. If there is a show out there that displays the truth about teenage life or simply entertains us without persuading us to do bad things, then I think it's about time I changed the channel.
ReplyDeleteThis “Hollywood” image that everyone is talking about is nothing new. Once upon a time Hollywood would search for people they thought portrayed beauty. Then they would give these people singing lessons, acting lessons, dancing lessons, cut their hair, dress them, tell them who to date to help their image, etc…Let’s face it, we all like to look at things that we considered gorgeous, but in reality how real are their looks? These Hollywood stars were as prefabricated then as they are now. Now if you see an “average teenager” on a show, it’s a show about plastic surgery. There is also a show to discuss which celebrities have had what done to their body trying to perfect it. “Show business” goes for what they see as the ultimate sale. As humans we all have a low self esteem about our own looks, especially at a young age. You will find that even these “perfect people” that Hollywood has created have a low self esteem. They also are always looking at the actor/actress next to them and comparing themselves and what they have. As Postman said most people would change the channel if the person is not responsibly attractive to the people, and not pay any attention to that person either.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Jessica Frantz.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post to an extent, I just had to reply to say not everyone has low self esteem when it comes to their looks so you cannot speak for all on that. Yes, at a young age we may be "insecure" with the way we looks at times but low self-esteem is not the word for it. I understand that is your opinion and I agree when you talk about celebrities being concerned with their looks. Miley Cyrus, I think, is a perfect example! She says she is perfectly comfortable in her own skin, and who am I to doubt that? But she is 17 years old, living alone and dressing like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Beyonce. Flashing as much skin as she does doesn't give me the impression that she is comfortable in her own skin, even though she is showing a lot of it! It just makes me look right through that and make me think she is actually insecure and is comparing herself to Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry...etc. Her living alone and doing all this "grown up" stuff for a 17 year old girl just makes me believe she is trying to hard to be likable by fans, other gorgeous celebs, whoever because she feels she has to be perfect. So as far as "celebrities are not that perfect" I totally, 120% agree.
Anyone who has to constantly compare him or herself to other people is insecure, whether it's obvious or not. We shouldn't exclude celebrities in any matter, either.
ReplyDeleteI agree that celebrities are not perfect, and they, too, have their insecurities. But what sets them apart from average people like us are their glamour, beauty, fame, and fortune - things that many of us will do anything to acquire. Obviously, these characteristics of celebrities are what attracts us to admire them and watch them on television. These characteristics are also why, I believe, that the entertainment world consistently portray
ReplyDeletethe perfect image. Big time directors and producers will not invest on someone unknown or someone that does not have the "perfect image". Why? Because we, ourselves, would not bother to watch these unknown or unattractive people anyways. I think the reason why the television and movies almost always portray the "perfect image" is because it is what we WANT to see. It is what we EXPECT to see. In my opinion, we are a huge reason as to why the entertainment corporations often portray the perfect image. I am not saying that we are the only reason, but isn't it plausible that they do this to simply meet the audiences' expectations and satisfy our admiration towards celebrities? Think about it.
Breahna brings up a good point, when Miley Cyrus started on Disney Channel she looked little and innocent. Now she shows more skin than knowledge. She doesn't show innocence at all. Did she change her look, or did Disney change it for her? Though we don't know, i say she wanted attention and felt "insecure" so she started dressing like she does now, short shorts and a tank top. But did Disney have something to do with it? She is sadly following Britney Spears' footsteps and hopefully she will not end up like her. Britney Spears also started off innocent and well we know how she ended up. Her music video "Gimme More" was just horrid. Will Miley end up like her?
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