And Drama the Cases of Jack Bauer, Sophia, George Lopez, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Jack Mcfarland
10 ADULTS IN TELEVISION SITCOMS AND DRAMA The Cases of Jack Bauer, Sophia, George Lopez, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Jack McFarland PREVIEW: POPULAR CULTURE THEMES of this age group has yet to be represented. Similarly, although there is greater diversity in In this section, you will meet a cast of characters the representation of different racial and ethnic who have reached into our living rooms (and groups in prime-time television, questions hand-held digital devices) directly from the world remain as to whether the roles and actions of of television. Each as unique and different from these characters are a fair representation or the others as is humanly possible, these characters simply perpetuate stereotypes (Graves, 1999). of television sitcom and drama have richly storied Although television comedy is clearly designed lives and offer us a glimpse into the fundamental for laughs, and dramas centering on crime, struggles of the adult experience. Now that the police, or the legal system titillate, provoke, and troubling and angst-ridden years of childhood and shock us, it is important for counselors to con- adolescence are well behind them, they face chal- sider whether or not the depictions of mental lenges that are anchored firmly in the present but illness are accurate and fair (Hyler, 1988; Hyler, that have significant impact on their futures. Gabbard, & Schneider, 1991). And finally, This particular group of characters varies although television shows like Ellen, Will & considerably in age, race, culture, and sexual Grace, Modern Family & and Glee have invited identity. It is important to consider how these conversations around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and different contextual features are represented on transgender (LGBT) issues (Hart, 2000; Quimby, television.
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