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.