Assignment 5-1

The Hills is an MTV reality show that showcases the lives of numerous young people in Los Angeles, California. According to wikipedia.org, The Hills premiered on May 31, 2006. In addition, this show is about the personal life of former Laguna Beach star, Lauren Conrad as she moved to Los Angeles. This show helps the younger generation define popular culture, and has added to the list of numerous reality shows we as Americans have grown to love. At times this show seems to be scripted to add extra drama to it, but this show is very entertaining.

This shows adds to the argument that we as a society are too obsessed with the life of celebrities and people that seem to fit the mold of the American Dream. Lauren Conrad, the main character in the show was not a celebrity to my knowledge before the show, so I decided to look up her background to see how she became so popular, and to try and understand who so many young girls model their image after her.

Lauren Conrad is a tv personality, author, and fashion designer. In addition to all of that, she is beautiful. During her senior year of high school she appeared in the reality television show Laguna Beach. The Hills is a spin off of that show. The Hills documents her move to Los Angeles, and her work at Teen Vogue. Not only do you get to see her life, but you also see the life of her friends and family members.

It is important to remember that you never know what kind of life a person has behind the glitz and glamour, but after researching the show The Hills and Lauren Conrad, I can see why people like her so much.

References

wikipedia.org.(n.d.).Lauren Conrad. Retrieved on June 22, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Conrad

Assigment 4-1: Analysis of Desperate Housewives

Kyle MacLahlan

MacLachlan to quit Desperate Housewives?

Desperate Housewives began its season on October 3, 2004. In the spring of 2007, this show was said to be the most popular show worldwide demographically, (wikipedia.org, n.d.). The setting of the show is set on Wisteria Lane. A group of 5 women are seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor, as they work through numerous many different issues involving family and domestic issues. In this seemingly perfect neighborhood the characters lie, cheat, back stab, and even commit crimes. This series is very entertaining, and with all the different personalities featured in this show, we share at least one characteristic of the characters featured in the show. MacLachlan plays the spouse of Bree on the show (actress Marcia Cross's character), and has admitted that he may not commit to another season in the show, in the article titled MacLachlan to quite Desperate Housewives. He became a father at the age of 49 years old, and admits the demands of fatherhood surpass the demands of the show. MacLachlan states "It's such a huge change having children. It's not about me any more - it's about my family, (2009).

I'm happy to see that MacLachlan sees how important the role of a father may be, especially when you're an older father. Time is so precious, and the early years are years you will surely miss, and can never get back. Desperate Housewives has helped define our culture, and without or without MacLachlan, I'm sure the show will do well.

References

wikipedia.org (n.d.). Desperate Housewives. Retrieved on June 11, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=884607

World Entertainment News (2009). MacLachlan to quite Desperate Housewives. Retrieved on June 11, 2009 from http://uk.news.yahoo.com/1/20090611/ten-maclachlan-to-quit-desperate-housewi-c60bd6d.html

Same Sex Controversy: Assignment 3-1

Sam Sex Marriage

One of the most hot topic issues of today involves gay marriage. Wikipedia.org describes popular culture as ideas or perspectives influenced by the mass media. I believe the media has greatly changed the way gay people are viewed in our society, along with the way marriage as a whole is viewed. In the article Gay groups grow impatient with Obama Martin discusses the frustration gay and lesbian couples feel with the inaction Obama has taken against the issue of gay marriage being legalized, (yahoo.com, 2009). This article also states, “Obama is out of step with his party, which is overwhelmingly in favor of marriage at this stage,” said David Mixner, a veteran gay rights activist. Obama’s promises of change are falling short.

His most important campaign promise that has not been fulfilled includes the repeal of banning openly gay and lesbian service-members.
Most public opinion polls show that more than 40 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage laws, (Martin, 2009). Legalizing same-sex marriage will also boost our economy. Gay marriages will generate $64 million dollars in additional tax revenue, and $9 million dollars in marriage licenses fees, (cbsnews.com, 2009). In addition to the state revenue that will be received, allowing same-sex marriage will add and additional $60 million dollars to our economy via the wedding industry.

I believe same-sex marriage should be legalized. Statistics show that our popular culture even includes the acceptance of this kind of marriage, and would give our economy a much needed boost. I define popular culture as a set of behavior or characteristics that are generally accepted within a culture, and I believe same-sex marriages fit this characteristic due to the media, and knowledge we as Americans have gained throughout the years. I do not believe anything in life is cut and dry, or black and white, and that includes the issue on same-sex marriage.

Video on same sex relationships:
http://www.thedailytube.com/video/18209/iowa-gay-for-marriage-and-you

Same-Sex Marriage Is Kosher!

Poem written by: Stanley Siegelman
Published June 04, 2008, issue of June 13, 2008.

That same-sex marriages are cool. A girl may now a female wed,Two males may share a marriage-bed. It’s legal, on the up-and-up,So drain the brimming loving-cup! This novelty connubial iIs all quite constitutional. The justices from bench explainAnatomy is not germane.What counts and matters, they enthuse, is being free to pick and choose. When one selects one’s future mate, It’s O.K. now to deviate. And nodding, everyone agrees it’s alright to take liberties.’Cause liberty, the gay folks shout, is really what it’s all about. Will our good judges now endorse new guides and standards for divorce?Expect some fresh, creative torts to be debated in the courts!
Religionists, of many sects,Are angered, outraged, sorely vexed. The justices’ decree they spurn And vow the law to overturn. Society is plagued by plights: Religion versus civil rights!

References

Cbsnew.com (2009). Study: Gay Marriage Good for Economy. Retrieved on June 4, 2009 from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/09/national/main4167209.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._4167209

Martin, J. & Smith, B. (2009). Gay groups grow impatient with Obama. Yahoo News.
Retrieved on June 4, 2009 from http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090604/pl_politico/23328;_ylt=Amn_8EMERWOzparrpv392UNxFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTJyMnRnZ3N2BGFzc2V0Ay9wb2xpdGljby8yMDA5MDYwNC9wbF9wb2xpdGljby8yMzMyOARjcG9zAzcEcG9zAzcEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNnYXlncm91cHNncm8

Siegelman, S (2008). Same-Sex Marriage is Kosher. Forward.com. Retrieved on June 4, 2009 from http://www.forward.com/articles/13501/