Comparing Television Shows from the 60s and 90s
Comparing Television Shows from the 60s and 90s
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to show that society has changed its views over the last thirty years which is greatly seen in television viewing. By evaluating two television shows, one from the 60s and one from the 90s, will show the similarity of these two shows and how society has broadened their acceptance of things once considered immoral, and indecent (Shapiro, 2007).
The first show aired September 18, 1965. I dream of Jeannie is about an Astronaut by the name of Tony Nelson who returning to earth in his space capsule, lands on a deserted island. On this island he finds a bottle. Upon opening the bottle in a stream of vapor appears Jeannie. She is a genie that has been placed in the bottle by an evil Jinn whom she refused to marry.
Jeannie has been in the bottle for 2000 years and is so grateful to Major Nelson that even after he told her she was free she vowed to serve and take care of him. As time transpires Jeannie falls in love with him, and the show is filled with the comedic antics of Jeannie as she attempts to get Major Nelson to fall in love with her.
The second show aired October 07, 1998. Charmed is about 3 sisters who find out that they have descended from a line of witches. Each sister is endowed with a special gift. One has the power to move objects, one has the power to stop time, and the third has the power to see the future. Their powers combined translate to the effect of the power of three which makes them a very powerful force to be reckoned with.
They are plagued by creatures of the underworld and do battle with warlocks, demons, and other denizens of evil. They goal of the evil ones is to get the sisters heirloom, the magical spell book, thus weakening their power and enabling them to overpower and defeat the power of three.
Target Audience
I dream of Jeannie was a comedy show that targeted all ages. It was innocent enough to catch the attention of adolescents, yet mature enough to keep the attention of adults. The jokes were presented in a terminology that was readily understood by old and young alike. Jeannie was easy to relate to by the younger audience because she was always doing something that would land her in trouble.
She would first attempt to creatively get out of trouble without taking responsibility for her actions. When all of her efforts failed, she would realize that the right thing to do would be to face her problems head on. In todays world in light of her creativity in trying to make things right, Jeannie may well have been viewed as a Creative Artist in bringing creative solutions to fruition (Rabideau, 2010).
When she faced her problems and was responsible for her actions, things would always turn out right. The show delivered a lesson that was valuable for any age to learn. It also gave advice to women that when you love someone, dont give up on them, stay strong and attentive and you just may win his heart after all. In other words, Love him unconditionally as absolute, with no conditions or reservations (Russell, 2007).
Charmed was a drama show that targeted teen viewers. It was a draw to teens as it represented the fashions and fervor that was real and tangible to them (Hollingsworth, 2009).
Remarkably it also held their attention with its magical calling, something that teens yearned for. The possibility to have magical powers to make your life the way you want it to be. The target was geared toward teenagers, although the show itself with its mysticism spilled over into adult viewing. This may have been due to the adult themes that may have been a bit mature for most teenagers.
The three sisters are living life like normal girls their age, with the exception of having to defend their home front from evil. The story line focuses on their wants and desires in life as they embark on adulthood in facing society and the world. The message the show delivers is that bad things happen to good people and in knowing this, try to remember to keep your guard up while still not missing out on what life has to offer in finding the path to happiness. It also speaks strongly of family ties and going that extra mile to keep your loved ones safe from harm.
Television Show Content
The reality of sex was evident in both television shows. The display of its relevance as a reality of life is what helped to make the shows believable and easy to relate to in taking in the morals of each show. Television defined for Americans the social issues of race, gender, violence, sex, work, consumption, behavior, and values in the decades following WW II (Morrow, 2008).
In I dream of Jeannie, it was pushing the envelope a bit in the allowance of Jeannie wearing a midriff and baring part of her midsection. The allowance stopped right above the belly button, as displaying her belly button would be considered as going too far and would be viewed as an immoral display. Therefore Jeannies bottoms were made to ensure that they covered her belly button appropriately as well as being wide and not tight fitting.
The touching that was acceptable was displayed often by Jeannie who would throw her arms around Major Nelsons neck bringing her face close to his as she pleaded for his affections. She would be rewarded at times in receiving a kiss, and during one episode Jeannie turns the innocent kiss into a passionate one in which Major Nelson who at first is surprised, then responds to the kiss in turn. Kitzmiller (2010) advised that the show relied on the sexual tension between Jeannie and Major Nelson
In Charmed, sex was kept low key, in honoring the tradition of seeking true love. It was depicted according to the times of free sexual expression. Once one felt that they had found their true love it was acceptable of the times to have sex with them before marriage. The reality of this expression was that more times than not the happy couple fails to marry, and ultimately breaks apart.
This can be looked at in two ways which provides clarity for two views. Those who believe that marriage should occur before sex, would be satisfied to say that why buy the cow if the milk is free, meaning that the man hasnt any motivation now to proceed in doing the right thing in respecting her virtue thus opts to not commit. While others may say sex before marriage is important and should be one of the deciding factors before getting married (Klaus, 2008).
General Content
The underlying theme of these two television shows that was apparent is the main characters were seeking to be loved and understood for who they were. The concept of love is timeless. It is unchanging from societys views of television from the 60s to the 90s and actually beyond.
The search for true love is evidenced in I Dream of Jeannie as Jeannie strives to make Major Nelson see her for who she really is, and to see the love that she feels for him. All that she really wants is for him to understand her and to love her in return. She tries all manner of things for this to happen, even using her magic when her patience runs out. In the end she realizes that if someone does not love you of their own accord, then the love is empty and unfulfilling. She also sees the difference when at long last Major Nelson realizes that he truly does love Jeannie. Not only does he return her love, he also asks her for her hand in marriage.
I Dream of Jeannie is a comedy. It is a love story that is subtle and cloaked in good hearted nature. The comedy keeps the problems that Jeannie faces from seeming as serious as they are, while still allowing for her frustrations to be easily recognized.
The search for true love is evidenced in Charm by both Piper and Phoebe. Both points of view are demonstrated. Piper in her budding romance with Leo displays a romance that is virtuous built on a friendship of respect. Despite many setbacks it leads to mutual love and ultimately to marriage (much like Jeannie).
Phoebe on the other hand lacks endurance in her quest for true love. She dresses provocatively, is easily distracted, hops into bed pretty fast, and is quick to call it quits. Her heart is held at bay and beats for only one true love, but unfortunately he is a demon, and cannot be trusted. This predicament lends understanding to Phoebes looking for love in all the wrong places with no commitment in sight.
Positive and Negative Effects
The content of these two television shows can give mixed messages to viewers. In light of the times for each, both the positive and negative effects were surprisingly similar.
A negative aspect contributed to both shows is that they had an all white cast which could imply to minorities that whites thought only of themselves as having magic, and therefore of being the most powerful. It could send the wrong message to minority children, and adversely affect their self esteem which could have repercussions into adulthood (Martin, 2008). The greatest impact is to the lasting effects in racial profiling. As these minority children grow into adulthood the inequality they are faced with only confirms what they learned from television shows therefore increasing their belief in the media (Salvatore, 2007).
This is especially true of the 60s as racial tensions were prevalent throughout the nation. The tendency to create a perception of being an outsider could affect both adolescents and adults (Robinson, 2008).
A positive aspect for I Dream of Jeannie is that she is portrayed as an individual that is good and although she makes mistakes from time to time, she knows what is right and what is wrong. She always does the right thing in the end. This lends support to the fact that we are all human and we make mistakes. However going further to show that in going back and making things right, we will have done what is right, thereby learning from our mistakes.
A positive aspect for Charm is that the sisters, who are witches, are portrayed as good witches. They practice Wicca, a form of witchcraft that is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of thinking and life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists (Herne, 2010). In this way they are measured as super heros, working to save the world and its inhabitants without needing to be called upon. It is their mission in life to keep the world safe and their magic provides insight as to dangers that need to be addressed. The message received is awareness of the importance of taking care of the world and each other.
Social Groups Negative Positive Effects
Social groups of men and women could be negatively affected in relation to both television shows in regard of the assertive sexual natures of the women. The sex content of both shows could relate to the added dominance of the male perspective in accordance to the offered submissiveness of female interaction. The thought of a woman expressing her sexual freedom is still not an acceptable behavior in society. It is still judged by males the same as it was 30 years ago, in light of respect and honor. They will take what is given, but will not give respect in return (Kim, 2007).
A negative aspect relevant of I Dream of Jeannie and impacting social groups, is that it could be taken as women are only good for making trouble for their significant others. It sends a mixed message that implies a woman will do whatever she needs to, even going against ethic values to attain what she wants. In a more severe light it portrays women as loose, or easy to bed in trading sexual favors for what it is they desire (Moseley, 2008). It could also send the message to minority groups that white women are selfish seeking instant gratification in view of the actions and behaviors exhibited by Jeannie and the lengths to which she would go to get what she wanted. She may have well been seen as a selfish feminist (Tyler, 2007).
Jeannies provocative outfit did not help her position with Major Nelson. He had a sense of moral ethics and the behavior of Jeannie in pursuing him so flagrantly was met with frustration. His obvious attempts at dispelling her advances were shown in a direct manner in sending the message that women need to stay in a submissive pattern of behavior and remember their place. This reaction and portrayal keeps women trapped in the vestige of a world in the age of Modernity in Postmodernity times (McPherson, 2008). It also implied that Jeannie did not have high standards, but this was offset as not to associate it with her being a white woman, but more reflective of her Genie status.
A positive aspect of I Dream of Jeannie impacting social groups, is that she for all of her wrong doing, turns her antics around in the continual process of humility. Within the television setting of an air of humor and laughter she continually learns that she needs to take responsibility for her actions and must think more of how her actions affect others. In achieving this, she learns that being selfish is only self serving and does not provide happiness, as it takes the mutual involvement of others for true fulfillment in obtaining what is desired (Stokoe, 2008).
A negative aspect relevant of Charmed and impacting social groups, is that the violence contained on the show and targeted to the social group of teens, could result in an increase of teen violence. Teens are learning violence from television shows, it contributes to aggressive behavior exhibited by teens, but is not limited to teens. Especially in the type of violence seen on Charmed, wherein the violence is thought to be justified to those who receive it. This leads to looking down on others and affects interpersonal behavior. It is also responsible for 3 personality traits trait anxiety, sensation seeking, and psychoticism (Nabi, 2008).
Phoebes expression on sexual freedom, could relate to the social group of teens that premarital sex is ok, and with the power of the media could translate to societal acceptance. This increases the likelihood of teen sex before teens are mature enough mentally. It could have long lasting effects impacting romantic relationships as they become adults. Research has shown that in a study involving a group of teens between the ages of 12-17, in watching sex on television and becoming sexually active 61 of females and 39 of males regretted their involvement and wished they had waited (Martino, 2009).
A positive aspect of Charm impacting social groups is that beyond the negative impacts of the violence viewed on the show, it was purportedly necessary in the victory of good versus evil. Society has been taught by the media that violence is justifiable in protecting ones self and is in fact lawful in the act of self defense. The 3 sisters on Charmed were merely acting in self defense or in the defense of others who were weaker. They performed rituals in absolving danger and their magic proved to be very strong, intimidating most of the denizens of evil in whom they encountered. Society could view this as mixed signals as violence is considered to be evil in context. However research is exploring the concepts of acts that are considered by society of being evil, but in reality the need to understand evil is necessitated as both biological and sociocultural environmental causes (Peters, 2008).
Social Groups Cultures
Social media portrays how people live their lives as well. One example is of how well one has achieved in life places them in a better position to judge others. It also adds to low self esteem levels and points out inequality of educational opportunities, housing, job placement, and a slew of economical issues that exist. Ones ranking is closely tied into what type of person they are viewed as. Policemen are supposed to be viewed as caring, to serve and protect the nation and those in need. However, the media has shown so many prime situations of police corruption that society no longer has trust in its police force. Minorities have been stereotyped so derogatively that they are judged extremely by their white counterparts as lacking education, and the necessary components to be a viable asset to society. Even if it is known better by many educated whites, those whos lives are lived mainly in front of a television will believe that the media is representative of the times (Mastro, 2006).
In I Dream of Jeannie, Jeannie was viewed as a Genie, which in reality did not exist. Therefore any interpretations of her behaviors would need to be taken with a grain of salt per se. However in viewing Major Nelsons character, he represented the persona of the American (white) male, college graduate who is successfully employed in a white collar position as an astronaut. His demeanor at times was upset by Jeannies antics which in a way actually caused a change in Major Nelson. He became less uptight as he realized that societys views did not have to be played out so formally. Major Nelsons best friend and co-worker, Roger, was an easy going, go with the flow type of character who believed in and trusted Major Nelsons judgment on matters. He also showed Jeannie the same loyalty and was many times caught between the two. Social groups could identify with the relationships and social standings of the characters in relation to ethical standings and societies expectations of those statuses and standards. The same did not hold true for minorities who during those times were just being allowed to attend college. Even in todays society it holds true that white males are more likely to win promotions than any other person no matter what working class they are in (Wharton, 2005)
In Charmed the 3 sisters were at first seen as three normal young women. After they found out their lineage and embraced it, their views of the world changed. Subtle on the external representation, yet internally they had a fire burning. This fire was always simmering beneath the surface waiting to ignite in readiness to handle the call to arms. They were a reality based foundation of sibling love that proved time and again to be unconditional. Piper was seen as the most mature and responsible. She appeared born to be a wife and raise a family. She exudes patience and determination, and has the drive and motivation to handle whatever comes along. Social groups of women could identify with Piper as being a superwoman. The three sisters are nothing alike, and when they invoke the power of three this could motivate social groups of women in their relationships with other women in their lives, be it siblings, best friends, or friends, in feeling closer to them. A feeling of empowerment much as professed by Helen Reddy in her song I Am Woman. (Arrow, 2007).
Conclusion
The media today in reflecting television shows has changed remarkably from what was accepted 30 years ago. Sex, violence, and language are now shown freely and used frequently throughout television viewing (Pomerantz, 2006). What has not changed is the ability to be human. The need for love and attention is felt by all, whether it be demonstrated in a comedy television show, or one filled with drama. The point gets across. Because when it is all said and done, the bottom line is that no matter what went on before, it is the aftermath that is important. The media sets the stage for society. It wasnt ever meant to be that way, however it has evolved in the Postmodernity of the times as being the standards by which most hold true as dearly as they do to the American flag.
The best a person can do is to stay true to themselves in staying reality based and remembering that what is viewed on television, unless stated otherwise is not real life situations. They are controlled environments and even more than that because all actions, behaviors and verbalizations are pre-ordained. They are scripted. Life would be grand if we were all able to live our lives by what we wrote. But then again, it would also be quite boring, and perhaps not so much worth living.
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