Performing Race in Flavor of Love and The Bachelor

In Thursday's class discussion, we watched video coverage on two dating shows which were Flavor of Love and The Bachelor. Before we viewed both dating shows, we got into pairs of two to compare and contrast what we already knew about the shows. It was more of a stereotypical exercise, to see how a black dating show and a white dating are totally different in so many ways. What my partner and I came up with for the dating show Flavor of Love was how the star of the show, Flavor Flav, seem as if he was not actually looking for love; he was more of a comedian if anything. Flav made it more entertaining with small humorous tactics or sayings that he kept doing in all his seasons of Flavor of Love. We thought of the girls on the show as being 'hood'/'ghetto', loud, abusive, fighters, aggressive, comfortable with there sexuality (amongst each other and Flav), alcoholics, always crying, disrespectful, and not female like in some ways; just to name a few, but I'm sure the list can go on and on. I am one who has never seen the Bachelor, besides in class on Thursday. From what I have seen so far on this dating show, the guy seems more into the women and wants to settle down. The show gives the traditional impression of finding the perfect woman, wanting to settle down, looking for marriage someday down the road, and have kids. After seeing both aspects of these dating shows, I have came to the conclusion that Flavor Flav never cared about these women, for the simple fact, that he gave them nick names instead of knowing them by there real names. He took them to place within the American nation like a Las Vegas or a Miami, but never nothing out the ordinary to show these women something new and adventures. Despite of everything on the show, all he wanted to do was have sex with these women and they were willing to give it up to him because they see money/dollar signs, but put on a front on top of that to get a deal somehow. You see how New York got her own show! Now, from checking out The Bachelor, this guy feeling were so involved with these women. He took the women to Africa, some where out the ordinary; like a bran new environment or different world. He also brought his entire immediate family to meet these women because he felt that was being real to himself, the women, and his family; as if wanted everyone's opinion and thoughts about what he's about to embark on for his future with one of the women. As we wrapped up both dating shows, our class and the professor discussed the stereotypes of the shows. For instance, if The Bachelor had 'ghetto' versions on the show, how it was on white-centered network, if participants on both shows were putting on a performance just for the ratings or were they actually falling in love even though cameras were around 24/7, when confession time came around on both shows; how the white women spoke out against the guy and the other women, and how the black women spoke out against Flav and the women in the house, and then we compared and contrast both dating shows from our view points as a class. 

Stereotypes Extend into Television and the Video Age

At the start of Tuesday's class, our professor asked everyone to get in groups of three or four. The reason for this was to have an exercise among each other on discussing stereotypical ways that Hollywood portrays every cultural background. So, my group first thought about Black Americans/African-Americans. We viewed them as being loud, comical, strung out on drugs, living in a bad environment, being 'hood' as some say, having low income housing, being so aggressive towards themselves and others, not being too knowledgeable about life or situations that may come along, not making school a priority, etc. We thought about Latino Americans as being gang members, body tattooed up, having young beautiful females with a lot of children, fast talkers, etc. We thought of Asian Americans as people who are very smart, they all look alike, own many Chinese restaurants or  food businesses everywhere, very artistic, martial artist, etc. My group never discussed Caucasians Americans/White Americans, Native Americans, or even Arabic Americans because we ran out of time. The professor then had a few power point slides on cultural stereotypes in films from the first fifty years to this present day. She discussed the stereotypical ways on how Native Americans, Black Americans, Latinos, and Asians were viewed or seen in movies from then to this upcoming age and how things have change in some ways from a minority aspect. Meaning, how the color barrier has been broken in the film industry, how film made television so diverse with more minority actors having there own show and network, and changes with role playing has become a whole lot popular now, just from famous minority actors venturing out to different roles. If we think about Josephine Baker,Halle Berry, Bill Cosby, Dorothy Dandridge, Sammy Davis Jr., Morgan Freeman, Gregory Hines, Lena Horne, James Earl Jones, Spike Lee, Eddie Murphy, Sidney Poitier, Richard Pryor, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and the list goes on and on, but we think about how these great actors and actresses have paved a way for so much and not just in the movie industry, just in life in general all around the world. 
 

The Roots of Racial Stereotypes in American Entertainment

In Thursday's class, we discussed the topic The Roots of Racial Stereotypes in American Entertainment, which we covered stereotypes (shortcut to character development, often prejudiced; negative towards a person or group of people based on comparison, and the different cultural groups that were discussed in the chapter). Our professor also showed videos and film clips of movies that gave examples of how stereotypical this world really is from different cultural backgrounds. As I reviewed the notes and checked out a couple of the film clips that she posted, I thought of the an interesting film that I have seen many times and have in my movie collection titled, Higher Learning. Just to give you a brief overview of this film, its about young people from different countries, races and social backgrounds were forced to integrate when they enroll in Columbus University, where West Indian Professor Maurice Phipps (Laurence Fishburne) teaches political science. The students have to deal with problems such as financial difficulties, harassment, personal safety, self doubt, sexuality, and racism. Already under pressure to perform in the classroom, in athletics, or in social settings, the students are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, misunderstanding and their need to fit in. The three main characters are Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a white girl from Orange County who struggles with her sexuality; Malik Williams (Omar Epps), a black student who has to rely on a sports scholarship to pay his fees; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a white student from Idaho who is unable to make friends at college and gravitates towards a group of neo-Nazi skinheads. I feel this movie was a perfect example of the notes and movie clips Dr. Horvath was explaining to us last week because the whole film stereotypes what not just Hollywood view different cultures, but how the world sees different races and how we are exposed as one nation with numerous races.

Here's a link to the trailer of the film Higher Learning below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4KVCVX1MrQ 
   
 

DIVERSITY IN THE LAND OF MAJORITY RULE

On Tuesday, we discussed the topic Diversity in the Land of Majority Rule, which we covered issues such as; What is a "minority"? (Small in number, Small in power, Umbrella term for non-white, and Can think of it as NOT THE DOMINANT GROUP), Useful Metaphors (The Melting Pot), Increasing Minority Population (Reasons, Effects, Implication for affirmative action education-entrance curricula, methods, etc., International Phenomena), and The Future ("Minority" will mean any subgroup, Nature of coverage, and More media and more people of color). With having this topic on mind and the issues that covered it, I thought about my own surroundings and how I am a minority in many ways here in this nation called America. For instance, I feel as a minority just being a black male when we are seen as criminals, gang members, "ghetto", "hood", ignorant, loud, baby-daddies, unemployed, drug dealers, settlers, and the list can go on and on depending on who you ask. I also feel as a minority as being a black male in college and even more as a minority at a four year institution. We are viewed as strange in some situations such as walking pass a female of another race in which she will clinch her purse as if we would want to steal it. In there minds, we are thieves no matter if we are dressed in professional attire or not. Another situation or issue that comes to mind, if we are shopping at stores, different assistance's of the stores follow us in uncomfortable ways which is racial profiling. They will act as if they are cleaning up an area, but in all actuality, they are checking to see if we are shop-lifting. These are just a few scenarios that do occur and that I've seen or been apart of within my twenty-five years being on earth.

FOOD NETWORK COMMERCIALS

In Thursday class, right before Spring Break, our class got together and made our professor a nice little baby-shower feast. There was shrimp pizza, chips and spinach dip, cakes, cookies, trail mix, and drinks. There was a dish our professor brought which was so delicious; it had black beans, cilantro, and avocado in it. I can't remember the name of this particular dish, but it was so, so good. I can truly go for some of that right now just thinking about it. So as class began, we were chowing down some of these great dishes that my classmates and professor brought in, but on top of that, we went into a class discussion about the Food Network and how its advertised. We covered the instructional genres, cooking instruction shows, techniques to create fantasy foods, the new domestic cooking shows, food and traveling, and the Avante-Garde cooking. From looking at these points and topics that we talked about, made me think about what's actually being viewed during commercial spots when these different cooking shows are not on air during those thirty seconds to a minute segments of the show. So, I Youtube a couple of cooking shows from the Food Network and discover that majority of the commercials are dealing with food. There was one commercial that stood out the most when I was searching for commercials titled, Alton Brown "egg" commercial Food Network, it was about some boys hiding behind some bushes and throwing eggs at cars, but they ended up throwing some eggs at the wrong van. The lady jumped out the van and chased one of the boys down as if she was going for a defensive football tackle...lol...but as soon as she caught one of the boys, she educated the young boy about eggs as he was looking at her so confused, and then she left...lol!!! You would of thought she was going to show him some sort of discipline act for throwing eggs at her van, but that was her method of discipline after tackling the boy. Other commercials were mainly about foods you buy at the grocery store so you and your family can enjoy a delicious home cooked meal. There was another commercial about Kodak films, but it showed the family at the beach catching lobster, then taking them back to their beach house to cook them. Then you had your basic commercials about different cooking shows, what each one presents differently, and the time its aired on the Food Network; from East Meet West with Ming Tsai, Iron Chef, etc. Then there was the commercials about Reynold's Wrap and how you can store your foods after your done cooking, so it can stay fresh the next day for left-overs. Basically, most of the commercials that are aired during these food segments are predominantly based on food; how you cook it, store it, eat it, prepare it in many ways, or what new foods are out there to try instead of what your use to cooking and eating all the time.         

SIR RICHARD BRANSON

In Tuesday's class, we continued the discussion on Reality TV and the Economy with the general term ideology; which comes from the political context, reinforced in media fantasy as a marketing force in TV. While in a class discussion on this, our professor then gave us three specific concepts that covered ideology which is entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and consumerism. Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods" (Wikipedia.com). Self-reliance is the reliance on one's own abilities or decisions (Dictionary.com). Consumerism is the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy (Dictionary.com). After grasping an understanding of what these concepts actually meant, I thought of a famous individual who just may fit perfect into the stereotype of these ideas and notions of ideology. His name is Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson; a British entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin Group of over 400 companies. The way Sir Richard Branson express his entrepreneurship throughout the media, especially throughout his businesses is taking part in the Global Entrepreneurship Week which includes thousands of events for 10 million entrepreneurs, industry experts, policymakers and politicians in 102 countries. This movement celebrates innovation and creativity and helps entrepreneurs develop the knowledge, skills and social networks to help them grow sustainable businesses. Not only is he apart this great movement of entrepreneurs, but he partnered a school in South Africa called the Branson School of Entrepreneurship. From my own personal opinion, with having the title "Sir" at the beginning of your name shows that you declare some sort of self-reliance. He's a billionaire with so much drive, ambition, and has long-term goals in being so adventurous in things globally, it almost seems as if he has the right to make the decisions or specific choices as he please. The man has one of the worlds most impressive track records to where that's self-reliance within its own domain of achievements. Sir Branson uses consumerism in his everyday life are within this businesses and companies that he own to help the economy. From his first magazine when he was sixteen to give the people something to want to read, to the 70's starting his own audio record mail-order business turning it into a chain of record stores, to Virgin Records, then later becoming VirginMegastores, to the 80's with Virgin Atlantic Airways, and then expanding it the Virgin Records music label. This is not even the half of his businesses that he owns. This was actually something small that grew into global use that he invented to help the economy out. This dream of his has grown to a reality, which motivates other entrepreneurs around the world to do more in there businesses or organizations that they may have.       

In yesterday's class, we continued the topic on Ideology and the different sources that are used with it. Noted from the power point in regards to sources of ideology, media reflects norms of the moment. In other words, what we see and hear on television, movies, radio, newspaper, etc., has some type of affect on our everyday life in society as a whole and individually. From a the news media, if watched or read, this creates ways of how we look at our world in ways of wanting or not wanting to make a change in different aspects of not only your life, but family and friends, and also others around you. It may not always be for the good or the bad, but mainly what are settling for from what's being seen and heard in reality. From the movies media, we know everything isn't a fairy tale, but we use different genres of films to correlate with our personalities at times. It can be something simple as a message from some movie and we will run with it and apply it to something in our lives; this is something I do a lot as a individual who's a big movie buff. From the TV media, it was noted as it creates a window to other worlds, meaning, television shows are produced as not just being seen as one issue/problem/situation, but seen in many genres that life throws at you. For example, shows aired on BET, MTV, VH1, TLC, Life Time, Bravo, and etc. Then our professor went into Reality TV and the Economy. This explained how prevailing television has become over the course of two decades and the influence of reality television on ideology. One sitcom or television show that I feel fits this topic and lots of people tune into it will have to be The Game. This show has a tremendous buzz and its ratings are off the charts. People around not only the nation, but the world are really watching this show faithfully. If you read or watch news stories on this sitcom, it really has a huge influence on people around the world. The show digs deep into actual problems and traits that we as people portray in our lives daily; no matter if you have money or not, we all still go the same trials and tribulations at time.          

WORLDSTARHIPHOP/YOUTUBE

In class on Tuesday, our professor informed us on Ideology. This term means a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc., and underlies political action. Its the set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible. This is a speculation that is imaginary or visionary and is the study of the nature and origin of ideas. As it was noted by our professor as a way of seeing the world in its appropriate roles, the stage of success its in, and the negatives such as criminal/immoral/wrong doings in society. In other words, how do we define success as a society. Going more depth into ideology, we really use the use of images to view how we are as a world in the media. For example, what are our worldviews from every point on earth (how America is viewed), our belief system (America feels we are the best), and Values (America's most precious and desired beliefs). When looked at as a group, the images that we give off are visible, common, and have power behind them. So, to sum this issue up from a media stand point, media is a major source of ideology which we are socialized into roles in terms of what we want to do and what we don't want to be in the environment we choose to adapt to. My reasoning of choosing WorldStarHipHip and YouTube because after looking into what ideology really is and how is actually exist in our world, these are two sources of media that is portrayed in our society and era today that I use daily for entertainment and news purposes on what maybe going on around me and the world  everyday. These media sources is something that can trace back from decades to this present time. Up-to-date visual aid is another important part of these cites because not only are you reading about a specific news story or some kind of good/violent/funny/sad act of such, your also viewing on what's going on. My opinion on these two specific media sources and how ideology is correlated with them, is that I see so much wrong doing on our side of the world in some random neck of the woods or cities. It's a lot of violence or criminal activity in America, but if you watch closely, lots of countries feed off our energy in doing such acts all the time. You may see these people from other forms of life dressing like us, dancing like us, listening to the same genre of music like us, or even try to run the same government as we do. There's really not much positive that occur in our media around the world. Like someone mentioned in class the other day, America is like the big brother of this so called "family-world" because every country on every continent looks up to us and tries to see what we are about to do or say next; follow the leader is what there doing and we're giving it in all shapes and forms. If this is what this world is coming to on a daily, then Barack Obama said it best, "Change needs to come, but its starts with us individually" and I agree with that quote 110%.       

'FAMILY GUY'/'THE SIMPSON'S'

In class on Thursday we watched a few YouTube videos on this show called Wife Swaps. Our professor gave a few aspects that were correlated to this show. In different episodes, it showed gender roles; men were the dominant and women had rules, but no one followed. Another aspect was the class (working, middle, upper); with the working class they seem to be looked at as not neat, clutter, dirty, lazy, and out of shape; middle class was looked at as being average in many ways (comfortable with life, happy); and the upper class was scene as being snotty, bougie, beautiful, materialistic, clean, and in shape. Genre was explained from the notes as elements that make it factual and informative:  its factual because what's being viewed is how these people are really living and we see there true attitudes towards one another. And stereotypes was examined by seeing drama, hearing racial stereotypes, and viewing stereotypical characteristics. A couple of shows that I normally watch that deals with these different aspects in life are Family Guy and The Simpson's. In both of these sitcoms, gender roles was seen as the male being the average American middle-class working man who rules the home, but still have a soft spot for obeying his wife. They really don't show how they look after there children; something like a dead-beat dad, but lives in the home with his family. The women are seen as the stay at home mom with rules and goals for her family, but at times, no one seems to follow and goes on there on path in life; even the babies. As stated before, they are the middle-class American who really don't frown upon the working-class citizens, but always want to live like the upper-class citizens because they have money, power, and respect. The type of genre used in these reality cartoon sitcoms would be informative and not factual because its more of a cartoon then real life, but gives information about life situations. Now, these shows are always showing drama among members in family, but more with outside individuals like friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Racial stereotyping plays a huge part in these shows because since these are cartoons, the producers may feel that they can get away with racial criticism. The characters are very stereotypical because you see a family with three kids and a dog, the husband is out of shape, the wife is in shape, the middle child (usually a girl) is always smart, the oldest child (normally a boy) is someone who not knowledgeable about things, and the baby is someone who always gets into things or makes away to get lose so the family can search for them.            

FAMILY MATTERS

In yesterday class, we took the time out to watch a few wedding shows that's aired on the televised network TLC; we discussed Marketing, Heteronormativity, Consumerism, Traditional Family Values, and Adherence to Generic Elements. Marketing was described as extraordinary marketing strategies to plan and pay for the wedding. Heteronormativity spoke on how gays are not really promoted in some areas of these shows or what role homosexuals did play, but mainly how men and women are traditionally normal and anything else was out the norm; as in gays or lesbians. Consumerism was explained as fulfilling consumer needs and wants from the bride or groom standpoint, and also both sides of the family. Traditional Family Values gave you the understanding that families are more hands-on when planning and dress picking for a wedding. The last discussion dealt with Adherence to Generic Elements which was the reinforcement of norms and the effects of reality television that gave exposure. Today, I'll be talking about a few of the above terms we discussed in class yesterday and correlate it to the show Family Matters, but first to give you a brief overview of the show. It was an American sitcom about a middle-class African-American family living in Chicago, Illinois, which ran on national television for nine full seasons. The series was a spin-off of Perfect Strangers and revolves around the Winslow family. Midway through the first season, the show introduced the Winslow's' nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White), who quickly became its breakout character and eventually a main character. Family Matters aired from September 22, 1989 to September 19, 1997 on ABC, and on CBS from September 19, 1997 to July 17, 1998. With 215 episodes, Family Matters is the second-longest-running U.S. sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast, second only to The Jefferson's. This family sitcom incorporated Heteronomativity, Tradtional Family Values, and Adherence to Generic Elements by them having a mother and father who were together and happily married, even stuck together when trial and tribulations came along. Everyone in the family even friends were heterosexuals and never showed interest in the same sex. The children were well manor even the kids they brought into their home that were raised by the parents and grandmother so these kids could be put on a better track in there lives. Lastly, it effected the viewers of the show by showing how the average American family do go through issues and situations, but gave you the sense that there is a right way of handling problems in our everyday life; not just with relatives.   
     

Why Do Women Still Earn Less Money Than Men?

In today's lecture we discussed the disproportion of gender roles in society. We discussed how women are portrayed cooking and baking for family and friends, whereas men cook and bake for a business purpose or goal. Another issue pertaining to the gender roles issue is that women are still payed less than men. In the article I found titled, Why Do Women Still Earn Less Than Men? from the TIME.com, gave a passage which discussed why men make more when having a job or career then a women. And then gave some statistics on why women choose to take time off work to take care of womanly issues. In my opinion, women shouldn't be penalized for giving birth or raising a family due to taking time off from there career or job just because this is something they have take care of. In the article, it stated that women working in the United States still earn seventy-seven cents to every dollar that a man earns. This number was even less for Latino and African American women. Men tend to be doctors, business executives, lawyers, and scientist,while women tend to work in the education and nursing field. I believe women shouldn't receive less pay when they have the same educational backgrounds as men tend to have. They also meet the same job qualifications as men do, so with saying that, there should be equal pay with both genders.  

   

The show 'The Game' vs. the show 'The Cosby's'

In today's class, we talked a lot about Modernist vs. Post-Modernist. Modernist was explained as being a uniform reality, all women are oppressed, nature and nurture develop identities, and seek change. My definition on Modernist is modern thought, character, or practice in this present time and era. Post-Modernist was explained as many realities to each of us, oppression depends on context, socialization is the source of identities, and it seeks understanding. The term Post-Modernist is a movement away from the viewpoint of modernism or finding the understanding of new characteristics. In the show The Game, it gives the viewers or watchers a televised way of what new changes has come about in this modern time; especially in the world we're living in today. It shows the cost of how to live, the brand new cars, the up-to-date houses, the different fads of dressing, the hairstyles, how technology is used on a daily, how individuals deal with there problems, situations, and issues with a career, co-workers, relatives, friends, or lover, and the way relationships are being handled now days; in many different, hurtful ways. Now, on the family original The Cosby Show, it gave us (the viewer or watcher) a proven example of how post-modernist was used. It showed you how relationships with family, friends, lovers, co-workers, associates, and strangers were actually taken into consideration. The types of clothing that was being worn; there may have been a certain style of dressing, but that wasn't a big deal. It was all about where was your mind at, meaning, the knowledge you carried. The types of technology they had were the rotary phones, the big floor model television sets, and the old record player. I see now how modernized we are as people today, for the simple fact, that we have to keep up with time or it will pass you by.         

OLD SPICE: HEART OF A CHAMPION STARRING NFL SUPERPERSON RAY LEWIS

When reviewing the rhetorical tactics of the notes, and comparing it with three Old Spice commercials starring Ray Lewis (professional NFL player from the Baltimore Ravens); a few of these points came about as I watch these commercials over and over again.  Vividness means to have full of life; vigorous; lively; striking, but from the notes it say personalize the message.  This took place in the first commercial  when Ray Lewis was hyping his defense or team up before going out on the field for the game, but his motivation speak was on Old Spice deodorant and how electrifying you will be when wearing it.  When acknowledging guilt, this happened in all the commercials because it gave the viewer the knowledge of knowing if they go out and get this deodorant, they too will know none of this will ever happen when applying this deodorant to themselves.  So, it gave false advertisement in a way, but pumped it up so people will go out and purchase it because of the name.  With being off redemption via mortification is accepting the blame and changing your own behavior.  In the last commercial, as Ray Lewis was running down the field, he stopped and was talking to a bear about why people want to be like him and be around because of the deodorant.  In all actuality, the creators of the commercial would take the blame for knowing that a bear can't actually talk to you, due to some deodorant, and the viewer would want to change there behavior for the simple fact that if a celebrity tells you to do something doesn't mean its true or the right option.  It's just a way to promote and sale a product.  Deny scapegoating (deny guilt) and develop ethos (ethics), didn't take place in these three commercials as I was viewing them.  Overall, the commercials were somewhat silly and didn't make sense for the most part, but these were the only three points that applied to the commercials.           

NEW OLD SPICE COMMERCIALS

One commercial that always seems to come on lately and has caught my attention is the Old Spice commercial with the guy who's talking about how good the body wash really is, but the slogan say, "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like".  Now, its a series of these commercials also.  In this commercial, he changes scenes over and over again, giving the thought of no matter what your man does all day, he will always smell fresh around the clock.  Now, there is a second one with the actor, Terry Cruz, which is hilarious and it is the Old Spice / Flex with him having his muscles talking to him and becoming over pumped with using this body wash.  And there's a series of commercials with him in it too.  The identification of this commercial with using a persuasive and rhetorical tactic is letting the viewer know now (mainly for the ladies) that your man can smell as fresh as they are, no matter what circumstance your man may be in; you will smell so great all day long.  But breaking it down a little more, I would say, in the first series of commercials the first guy made it seem as if he wanted the ladies go get a bottle of Old Spice body wash, so there man can look, feel, and especially smell like the guy in the commercial.  He was also gave the sense that if your man had this body wash, he will do something that the lady might love.  Now, from watching Terry Cruz Old Spice commercials, it was mainly giving the viewer (mostly male) the encouragement to go out and buy a bottle of this particular body wash because it protected  against all kinds of odors. Then it crossed over to him showing what odors it fights off.  Turning the scene into him as a giant fighting off these odor as if he was in an old Power Ranger/Godzilla type of setting. It was truly hilarious.        

My Wife and Kids

One of my favorite shows that I've been watching lately that's aired on regular television now late at night and use to watch it a lot when the show was aired on ABC from March 28, 2001 to May 17, 2005 is the hilarious sitcom My Wife and Kids.  I use to watch this television series from eighth-grade to my senior year of high school before it went  off air.  The main reason why this sitcom is so hilarious and extremely funny because the character Michael Richard Kyle (played by Damon Wayans), is a very comical and entertaining actor; especially from his early work in his career.  He is someone I can relate to when I have a family, a profession, and household of my own one day.  I can relate to him for the simple fact that when it comes to family, no matter what the outcome may be, he's there for them.  When giving the option of showing manhood to his son, he's an example of that.  Also, when giving knowledge or receiving it from his wife and kids, no matter what situation may have occurred, he's one to take hold of that.  But on-top of all these great characteristics that defines him as a father figure, husband, man, or even mentor; the best one of all is how humorous he is on the show.  Every episode has a very funny and catchy story point.  It will have you laughing so hard to where you may have a felt like you just left the gym after an intense ab workout...lol...SERIOUSLY!  From the Humanistic scholarship as qualitative science: contributions to mass communication research by Klaus Bruhn Jensen mentioned in the article and discussed in class from the notes gave three meanings of how media is constructed in social reality. Discourse was the first one, which is a way to create knowledge and truth.  From my understanding of discourse and how it was incorporated in the show would be how you have your typical American family seen on television which is something you'll notice in your everyday life with the dad, mom, and children who goes through average, daily struggles.  With Subjectivity (from the Jensen article) giving a way on how language has a position and (from the notes) what is valued/excluded played a part in the show by the parents expressing themselves in a way of giving there children something to learn from and carry on with them through life; which is something some, but not all household do today.  And lastly Context, (from Jensen article and notes in class) which is a system of stories.  This term was used in many episodes of this sitcom by showing change throughout the years of this television series which its viewers may take what they incorporate in the sitcom and apply it to there everyday life from my understandings.