Childish men in family sitcoms?
ollie_c
Posts: 1,474 Forum Member
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Hi
I am currently writing out a dissertation for my Media degree, and my topic has been analysing how a majority of modern sitcoms (90s onwards) based around families have shown that men behave more childishly than the women (I've tried sticking to UK only).
There's not a lot of program's that I've found so far that differentiate from this concept, but would like to ask whether anyone here on these forums have watched any sitcoms that do in fact show men have more of a responsible behaviour than the women and if there isn't, why has the concept remained the same?
I would just like to hear other opinions so I can get different aspects from a mixture of different people.
Thanks
I am currently writing out a dissertation for my Media degree, and my topic has been analysing how a majority of modern sitcoms (90s onwards) based around families have shown that men behave more childishly than the women (I've tried sticking to UK only).
There's not a lot of program's that I've found so far that differentiate from this concept, but would like to ask whether anyone here on these forums have watched any sitcoms that do in fact show men have more of a responsible behaviour than the women and if there isn't, why has the concept remained the same?
I would just like to hear other opinions so I can get different aspects from a mixture of different people.
Thanks
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The 2 that spring to mind are perhaps Gates - where all the female characters were a bit mad with a couple of blokes in the background trying to rein them in, or Gavin and Stacey - I think Mick and Gavin were fairly sensible.
Ab Fab had very silly women but not many male characters to counterbalance.
As to your question why that formula has remained the same maybe it reflects real life
What have you got so far ?
In one tiresome 2 minute scene she attempts to say the word "Penis" and fails.
:eek: that doesn't sound very family - friendly!
I don't think i have seen one where anyone acts responsibly or if they do, they drive their wives to drink or drugs or both. "The Brittas Empire" springs to mind.
Oh I see, family comedies.
Maybe the OP has a point, but as they are pushing for a pointless Media Studies degree, I feel we shouldn't be giving them any help at all.
Ooh, never seen Gates before, I shall have a look at that, cheers. Gavin and Stacey's a good one too, thankfully I've got that on dvd so I can watch that later
Yeah it has been a tough topic, but fun to research as it's been a challenge. The only family sitcom so far that I've watched a few episodes of that seems to be a little bit balanced is Outnumbered, but it still doesn't role reverse from the respected gender.
Thanks for all you replies so far, highly appreciated.
Rab (Gregor Fisher) was always going out and getting drunk and there was a lot of childish humour in there, including the new episodes, much to the dismay of his wife Mary (Elaine C. Smith)
Can't think of any british comedies (from recent years) with a dominant male lead. Even though most comedians are male. Although most of the "seats" in standup
However, I have a theory as to why men are poorly represented in sitcoms,
Most TV advertising is aimed at women. Whether that's because they are easier to sell things to, or because all the products (and techniques) that work for men: booze, fast cars, cigars, fast women have been banned from ads - I can't say. There is also still (even after 20, 30, 40 years) a backlash against some of the "sexist" comedies of the 60's and 70's - so programme makers are afraid of alienating women viewers by making them appear to be the target for humour - although it seems to be acceptable for men to be the butt of a joke.
But given that most ads are for stuff women buy (and those ads portray men in negative ways, too), it follows that the main reason for making TV programmes would be to attract a female audience. Hence the programmes would tend to have women lead characters, themes that appeal to women and role models who are women, too.
Casting a dominant male when that character could be female wouldn't help get women to watch a programme.
They have these two tropes (amongst others):
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BumblingDad
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WomenAreWiser
I find this a very interesting topic. I think I remember reading a few articles on it when I did a bit of film and media at university but focused more on US shows (e.g. Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin and others that I can't remember). There is a definitely a silly father/sensible mother cliché.
One of the TV Trope links has Keeping Up Appearances as a subversion. It mentions Richard vs Hyacinth, but I suppose Daisy and Onslow could also count - if I remember correctly neither were particularly sensible but I think Onslow was not quite as daft as Daisy.
Other than that I'm having trouble thinking of examples whether the father is the responsible one.
Bill could be immature in 2point4 Children but Ben was usually the most stupid. Ditto My Family, neither Ben or Susan were particularly responsible but when responsibility was required it tended to come from Susan.
I think it is just more acceptable for the man to be the 'buffoon' character. It usually seen as endearing in a man but just annoying in a woman (see, for example, some people's opinions of Miranda). It fits in with the 'aren't men daft' sentiment.
Also, family sitcoms are usually very role-based and those roles tend to be fairly standard. The main female character is the mother - she looks after the family so has to be seen as the sensible one. The father is usually the breadwinner, that is how he looks after the family therefore allowing (for comedic purposes) him to be silly at home.
Silly female characters tend to be single or mainly single (e.g. Miranda, Bridget Jones, Linda LaHughes). When they are being childish it is often as part of their dating adventures, an exaggeration or to show how utterly stupid they are. Can you imagine them as the 'mother' character in a sitcom?
Even single male comedy characters have an element of childishness. Clownishness is naturally a way of deriving comedy. I am struggling to come up with any sensible (adult) male main character. Even the henpecked husbands of 'strong' female characters tend to be a bit daft.
Perhaps there could be a brief comparison with sitcoms of the 60s, 70s or 80s? There is more possibility of finding the 'traditional', 'conservative' father character in those periods. Although, the existence of Frank Spencer shows that male idiocy is nothing new in family sitcoms.
Very interesting topic.
The Vicar of Dibley with Alice believing in the tooth fairy, easter bunny and loving the wombles. Geraldine could be a bit childish and yet motherly to the villagers.. again not family as such.
Garth could be more grown up at times in Birds Of A Feather.
I'm stumped to be honest, I can't think of a proper one at all.