1950 s Family Dynamics Todays Topic Televisions and

1950 s Family Dynamics Today’s Topic: Televisions and the Evolution of the American Family

The American Family via TV Sitcom Interpretation Sitcom = Situation Comedy: a humorous drama based on situations that arise in day-to-day life s n ru y l l a Usu nutes i 22 m

Indian Head Test Card = TV Sign-Off

FCC = The Federal Communications Commission (created in 1939) (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable

FCC Regulations (since 1952) • prohibits "obscene and indecent" material: • Programming is considered obscene if "the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material appeals to the prurient interest; that the material describes or depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive manner; or taken as whole, the material lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. “ • to require balance and "fairness" in political programming (dropped in the 1980 s) • insist that a certain percentage of each broadcast week be devoted to what it termed "public use. “

Father Knows Best 1950 s Subject Matter: White Collar Suburban American Family https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=MRF 3 A 6 pf. Wz. Y

Father Knows Best 1950 s ? s i h t e ik l t i s i l a i c WHY o s e h t g n i t c s e l 0 f 5 e 9 R 1 e h t f o s e r u y s l i s m a pre f l a e d i e h t y e b b m to s i n u m m o s c n t a h c g i i r F e m A t c e f r e p being. Middle Class Dad works, Mom at home Parents = very involved Kids = very respectful = whole house revolves around the children

I Love Lucy 1950 s Subject Matter: Blue Collar Urban Breaking the Rules! Stars a Woman Interracial couple Season 4 Lucy = Pregnant http: //xfinitytv. comcast. net/watch/I-Love-Lucy/8580340462745885112/4147267549/I-Love-Lucy---Job-Switching/videos

Bewitched 1960 s Middle Class Dad works, ? s i h t e Mom works part time k i l t i s i WHY ; Parents = less involved m s i n i r e Fem g st n o l o 1 atdecade that shows n h t s e l a m e F Imperfect marriages t a h w Strong o d o t t n (fighting) Wa ld o t e r a they Kids = not really the center of the home Anymore https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j. AG 2 p 6 Bio. A 0

All in the Family 1970 s -Lower Middle Class -Daughter is a Baby Boomer all grown-up -Archie Bunker is a racist/sexist -Spent 5 yrs as CBS’s #1 Hit (Cosby Show & Idol) -Forever changed TV…no topic was too controversial https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=tt e 2 Eh. G-UPg

All in the Family Disclaimer: The program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd they are.

Archie and Edith Bunker's chairs on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Then-US President Richard Nixon can be heard discussing the show (specifically the 1971 episodes) on one of the infamous Watergate tapes

Charles in Charge 1980 s e this? Middle Class WHY is it lik. Upper Big house, . s 0 8 9 1 e h t In t if h S Economic family can afford k r o w o t d a h s t n e r a Both p Nice things t u b , y e n o m e r o m d to live. Ha (kids get allowance) s id K. e m o h t a e less tim Also more $ = more kids d e n o d n a b a g n li e e f t f were le Both Parents work. h c u o t f o t u o e r e w s t and paren Parents = less involved Kids =rebellious, look to other kids for how to act https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j. SJf 8 ox. DH 8 s

The 1980 s in general Breakfast Club and 16 Candles 1. ) Lots of teenage rebellion 2. ) Lack of parental control (“parents just don’t understand) 3. ) 1 st signs of dysfunctional family life!

is it like this? Y H W Married with Children 1990 s r e h ic r Lower middle class t o g h ic r s 0 8 9 1 e h In t h ic h w r e r o o p t o g r Poo p a g le b Parents= These are the a e ic t o n e r o m a d create spoiled 1950 s le. between peop kids grown up! w their “glory days” TV = nein Cable. Trapped. t e y d e r o s n e c y ll u Hadn’t been f ! t n e Kids = totally rebellious id s e r p e h t is n o t Clin es? ? to do everything Valutrying opposite of their parents https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=62 rfl. PH 6 ZRk