American Pop Culture History Final

Falcon

- First black American superhero - First appearance in 1969 - Works alongside Captain America; gains mechanical wings from Black Panther, and has ability to talk to and control birds - Emerged alongside Black Panther as result of pressure Stan Lee felt for Marvel to be more inclusionary

Primetime TV in the 1990s

- Television in the 1990s is defined by a couple of trends: o The dysfunctional, working-class family sitcom o The law enforcement drama o The young adult sitcom

BIPOC Representation in Media: Part One

- Though plenty of work remains in terms of BIPOC representation (especially in regard to queer characters), the 2010s are defined by a greater number of BIPOC actors and actresses featured in leading roles o Greater number of wide-release films with all-Black or all-Asian cast - As of 2015, about 92% of directors were male, 86% of movies helmed by white actors - In January 2015, all 20 actor/actresses' nominees were white o This was repeated again in 2016 - #OscarsSoWhite began as a hashtag, created by April Reign o Began a conversation about diversity in Hollywood, and the need for more diverse membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which vote on the Oscar nominees - The resulting backlash in 2015 and 2016, forced the Academy to make changes in its membership - The 2017 Oscars saw Moonlight (2016) win Best Picture, and Viola Davis finally win her Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress in Fences (2016) o The 2017 Oscars set a record for the number of African-American winners

Battle of the Sexes

- Took pace around time that Title 9, barring gender discrimination in education programs, was passed by the US Congress - Billie Jean King was No 1 female tennis player, who helped to establish women's tennis association and was focused on pay inequity in the sport - Bogg Riggs was a retired No. 1 men's tennis champion from the 1940s, who described himself as the number one male chauvinist in the world - Riggs publicly challenged King to a match in 1973, at which point she had held the No. 1 title for 5 years - Battle of Sexes took place in 1973, and was spectacle with corporate sponsorship and lots of pageantry o King lost first round ,but rallied to defeat Riggs

Woodstock

- Took place in Bethel NY about 140 miles from Woodstock, which was heart of folk music o Began as a promotional camping, looking to draw attention to a new recording studio by Media sound - Learned into counterculture moment and the same vibe as Summer of Love that took place in San Fran in 1967 - Took place in August 1069, logistical nightmare o Thousands of early fans, clogged roads, breakdowns in sanitation and food o Local community rescued the event, despite opposition it to prevent starvation § Very establishment they opposed saved them - Grateful Dead, CCR, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who - Campbell: Bands performed covers of beatles songs like sgt pepper and the white album, though they weren't there, musical influence was like psychedelic rock

The Hydrogen Bomb

- US achieves it s first Hydrogen bomb on November 1,st 1952 Operation Ivy o Rumblings of a large earthquake in the Pacific; governments refuses to confirm hydrogen bomb o Witness report claims to have seen twenty mile wide mushroom cloud and hydrogen bomb is 1000x more powerful - Second major set of tests in March 1954; Operation Castle o Bravo hydrogen bomb is a lot more violent than expected; 28 Americans and 236 Pacific Islanders need to be evacuated from a nearby island o Fisherman on the Lucky Dragon become seriously ill

Disney Renaissance

- Walt Disney died in 1966 and brother Roy O. Diseny died in 1971, which led to a decline in the production quality of Disney animated films; they lacked "sparkle" - It was in the late 1980s that the Disney Renaissance begins, when Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin, of Broadway fame, were brought in to work on The Little Mermaid (1989). o It was a box office hit, saved the Disney Animation Studio form being closed, and won two Academy Awards (Best Song and Best Score) - Ashman and Menkin followed up with Beauty and the Beast (1991), which was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and won the Golden Gloce for Best Picture o Beauty and the Beast (1991) made $100 million at the box office - The third project, Aladdin (1992), was in progress when Howard Ashman passed. Another broadway legend, Tim Rice, was brought in to help complete the project o Aladdin (1992) became the highest grossing animated film until that point - Finally, The Lion King (1994) saw Time Rice, partner with Elton John and Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack. The film won Best Original Song and Best Original Score at the Oscars, and the Best Picture at the Golden Globes o It would make $1 billion on its first run, and remains the highest grossing, "traditionally animated" film of all time.

Jurassic Park

- was directed by Steven Spielberg, and told the story of a theme park, created by an eccentric millionaire, housing dinosaurs that were reanimated from fossilized DNA o CGI allowed for digital dinosaurs to be depicted that were life-like § Contrast this with old "monster movies" - giant ants, Godzilla o Theme of the movie, ironically, is about how technological innovation will never be superior to nature, and can wreak havoc (where have we seen this before?)

MTV's The Real World

- which premiered in 1992, was the main reality-tv show of the 1990s, and marked a diversification of the MTV's television offerings o Inspired by a PBS reality-documentary, An American Family, which followed the Loud family in 1973, across twelve episodes § It was popular because it reflected many of the troubles that Americans were facing - marital troubles, work pressure, child-rearing issues - All reality-tv is inherently unreal, presence of camera changes behaviour - The Real World sought to collect seven individuals from all-walks of life, throw them into a living situation together, and create conflict - MTV's audience at the time was largely young, and white; "diversity" on The Real World tends to be offered by one or two POC - The show did help address social issues, such as racism and fear of HIV/AIDS

Ronald Reagan

1st president to serve 2 terms since Dwight Eisenhower (1952-1960) Served as Governor of Cali 1967-1975 Lost the Republican President Presidential Nomination to incumbent President Gerald Ford in 1976 Career started over radio, before moving to the movies in 1930s-1040s Served as president of the screen of actors guild (SAG) 1947-52, 1959-60 Cooperated with HUAC during Hollywood investigations Provided FBI with names of communism supporters Hosted General Electric Theatre (1953-1962) As POTUS Reagan was conservative and led an admin skilled in using the media to project the message Appealed to nostalgia of 1950s Wanted return of "family values" Focus on unrestrained capitalism and small gov Anti-communist 1st president involved in show business Donald Trump was the 2nd

Law and Order

is a law enforcement drama that splits its time between the arrest (law) and the court-room (order), its cases were often dramatized from real life crimes that made headlines in the United States.

Glee (Queer Representation Part 1)

is at the forefront of LGBTQ+ representation in the 2010s, and addressed these issued through teenage characters o For many queer youth, characters on Glee were finally a mark of representation, which included Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss), as well as Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) o Later seasons did feature a teacher who transitioned, as well as a transgender student, who was in the progress of navigating their gender identity

NYPD Blue

(1993-2005) was a "gritty" cop drama, that was unafraid to show violent crime; it was a bit of a culture shock following the PG Reagan-era. The show was a realistic portrayal of the crime scenes cops faced, and the reality of the job

Titanic

- (1997) was directed by James Cameron and utilized a fictional love story to follow the departure, sail, and sinking of the RMS Titanic. Previous movies had been made, but CGI allowed for much more realistic rendering of the ship, and its sinking o Film cost $200 million to make, but would make $1.8 billion on its initial run o Won 11 Academy Awards, and remains one of the highest grossing movies of all time o Similarly tells a story about how technological innovation cannot conquer nature

Lucky Dragon

- 160 km for bravo's explosion site, when at 645 they witnessed the hydrogen bomb test o Were not aware of the expanded exclusion zone - Ship and crew were coated in radioactive coral dust o Quickly became incapacitated wit radiation poisoning with itchy skin and blistered, swollen hands and limbs, vomiting and dizziness's hear falling out o Not a sunburn - Eisenhower Admin, following news reports, tries to calm panic by releasing educational video for Operation Ivy retests o Footage leaked by media; feeding the panic

Roseanne

- 1988-1997) followed the blue-collar, midwestern family of Roseanne and Dan Conner, and their three children. The show reflects a family and town going through factory closures, layoffs, and recession. The show is blunt about financial hardship, and while relatable, did not end with a moral lesson at the end of every episode Law & Order (1990-2010, 2021-Present) is a law enforcement drama that splits its time between the arrest (law) and the court-room (order), its cases were often dramatized from real life crimes that made headlines in the United States

Simpsons

- 1989-Present) was created by Matt Groening and airs on FOX. It drew inspiration from shows like All In The Family and The Honeymooners. Many of the shows plot points centre around a working-class family trying to keep up with technological and social change o Homer Simpson works for a nuclear plant. In 1979, there was a nuclear accident at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, and in 1986, Chernobyl in Ukraine exploded. The Simpson's raises questions about nuclear safety, environmental regulations, and unfettered capitalism

Hijacking, Terrorists, and War on Film

- 9/11 immediately brings changes to films for short period anything involving mass destruction or terrorism was edited or adjusted in films o Lilo and Stitch was reanimated to remove a 747 flying through Vegas - War films like Black Hawk Down and Behind Enemy lines were released soon after 9/11 do well o Rentals of Die Hard and True Lies Surge - Similar to the popularity of shows like 24, public is looking for both a patriotic outlet (War films) and a desire for revenge, or to psychologically prevent disaster (terrorist films) - Flight plan and red Eye both explore domestic terrorism and set on airplanes, renewed fascination with idea of terror in the skies o Snakes on a plane with Sam L Jackson play FBI agent ,escorting a mob informant to trial ,and facing a plane loaded with aggressive snakes by the mob - Jarhead is set in Iraq, but during the Gulf War and follows story of a real-life Marine, Anthony Swofford, how served - highlights harsh conditions troops faced - Traitor and Body of Lies are first films Post 911 that focus on Islamic extremist terrorism - Hurt Locker which won six Oscars, first movie set during the Iraq War, and follows the fictional leader of the IED disposal unit.

Overt Sexualization of Ads

- A core element of postfeminist, is the idea that women have moved from objectification to willing subjectification o Miss Representation notes that in media, the power is in men's hands - as a result, how can women be willing participants - In 2005, Paris Hilton starred in ad for Carl's Junior burger o Height of =Simple Life fame o Depicts Hilton in a bikini, washing a Bentley, while eating a burger o 52% of Americas polled found it offensive, 43% said it increased their likelihood of visiting Carl's Jr (not mutually exclusive) - Ten years later, Carl's Jr began to get criticism for this type of advertisements, and moves away from them in 2017 o In 2018, they release a parody of Hilton ad, starring Celeste Barber o Demonstrates transition from postfeminist to fourth wave feminism - Jessica Simpson also washed a car in a bikini in 2005, in her Boots are made for walkin music video - a tie to the Dukes of Hazard o Video depicts Simpson as a waitress, serving men and being harassed, before ending with her washing a car in a bikini o Pink panned the concept the following year in her stupid girls music video.

Internalized Misogyny

- Argues that women, operating in a misogynistic society, take on ideals and viewpoints that subconsciously project sexism o In theory, you can also apply this theory to the large number of men, who wouldn't consider themselves sexist and argue that they are feminist - The Depp Heard trial of 2022 provides a good example of internalized misogyny o Depp had many women flock to his side, despite arguably abusive and terrible behaviour by both parties - Postfeminist really showcased internalized misogyny with pop culture o Why were the late 1990s and early 2000s like this § Clinton Monica Lewinsky Scandal · Cultural shift; the media begins looking for scandal $$$ § The belief that feminism had gone too far § 9/11? Comfort in distraction ,scandal.

Bob Dylan

- As a genre, folk music has traditionally been transmitted orally, no specific artist attached o Community songs, passed down, amended - Folk as a genre is focused on ballads, draw on mythology, hero's tales spirituality and local events - Dylan is one of most influential musicians, blende folk ballads and blues o Racial injustice, antiwar protest, nucellar weapons - Born 1941 in Minnesota to Jewish immigrants, his early influences were Elvis and Little Richard, also Willie Guthrie - 1965, Dylan criticized for starting to use an electric guitar; began experimenting with sound but never lost ability to address thought provoking issues o Blowin in the Wind (push for civil rights), Times are A changing, become traditional protest songs

Death of Blockbuster and Rise of Netflix

- At its peak, in the early 2000s Blockbuster dominated the movie/tv show rental industry, with 9,000 stores at 65 million customers in the USA o "Binging" is a concept that first originated with Blockbuster, as you could rent entire seasons of a television show - Netflix was founded in 1997 and grew throughout the early 2000s o Subscription service, offering unlimited rentals with no late fees o The flat and light format of DVDs made them easily shippable - Netflix began to offer video-on-demand in 2007, starting with 1000 titles o By 2009, streaming content was a majority of Netflix's business o The app was available on many "smart" DVD and Blu-ray players, and you could get app access discs for consoles like the Nintendo Wii - In the period between 2007-2011, you see other companies move into the digital space re: movies and television - both Apple and Amazon focused on digital rentals and purchases, versus streaming early on.

Muhammed Ali

- Born Cassius Clayy, taunting his opponents, sharp jab, vocal support of civil rights, black power, and against Vietnam war o Wone Gold medal at 1960 Olympics in light heavyweight at 18 o Won heavyweight title in 1964 o Changed name and joined Nation of Islam - Refused the draft to Vietnam, convicted in 1967 of draft evasion o Why should they ask me and others to put on an unfirm and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs on brown people in Vietnam while blacks in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights o Appealed to Supreme Court, conviction overturned in 1970 on a technicality

Rap in the 1990s

- By 1997, rap is 9% of the music industry and was worth about $12.5 billion in profits - Illmatic (1994) by Nas (Nasir Jones) is considered to be one of the most influential albums in the rap genre. Heavy jazz influence, which becomes definitive of "East Coast" rap. o Jones grew up in Queens, NYC; the son of a jazz/blues artist o Parents divorced in mid-1980s, and Jones dropped out of school in the eighth grade o Album is heavily influenced by his teenage years; references his parents divorce, rampant crime in Queens, drug use, and the shooting death of his best friend o Album opened at #12 on the Billboard 200 - The Chronic (1992) by Dr. Dre is the artists's first solo album, after leaving N.W.A., and is considered one of the most influential albums in establishing "West Coast" rap o West Coast rap, known as "g-funk" or "gangsta-funk" is influenced by psychedelic rock; use of electronic synthesizers and deep bass o Album brought criticism; "misogynist sexual politics and violent revenge scenarios" § Targeted towards Dr. Dre's conflict with N.W.A. members, Ice Cube and Easy-E o "Nuntin' but a 'G' Thang" reached #2 on the Billboard Top 100

Clueless, Romeo and Juliet, 10 Things I hate About You (Teenage Box OFfice)

- Clueless (1995) follows Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) as she attempts to set up two high school teachers and gives a new student a makeover; her love interest ends up falling for the student she makes over. Based on Emma by Jane Austen o Romeo and Juliet (1996) is a post-modern retelling of the story, with original text, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. It is set in a futuristic Californian City o 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) tells the story of Cameron, who falls for popular girl Bianca, who is not allowed to date because her older sister Kat isn't dating yet. Cameron schemes to set up Kat with bad-boy Patrick Verona, which Bianca hopes will allow her to date Joey, not Cameron. Based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

CGI Blockbusters

- Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) helped to produce a new generation of "blockbuster" movies in the 1990s o Technology allowed for more realistic special effects, that provided opportunities to take viewer's imaginations further than before

Popualr Cutlure Wars

- Concerns about the impact of popular culture on the social fabric are nothing new - A "culture war" is defined as a struggle between two (or more) groups in projecting the dominance of their social beliefs and values o The 2010s have been defined by a renewed social conservative movement, lef by Evangelical Christians that are overly white and heteronormative, who are suspicious of government overreach and project traditional social values - Most recent example is probably Candace Cameron Bure (Full House) vs. Hallmark Channel, over their decision to air one Christmas film featuring gay male leads o Bure condemned the move as an "attack" on "traditional marriage" and has formed her own production company to make Christmas romances o Was there an absence of cheesy, heteronormative Hallmark Christmas films? - Another example is Colin Kaepernick, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, whose career in the NFL was ultimately blacklisted because of his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest Black lives being lost to police shootings o Donald Trump made "kneeling" an issue, calling on the NFL to remove players - Finally, Taylor Swift was condemned for her 2019 "You Need To Calm Down" song and music video, alongside her support of the US Equity Act

Miss Representation Documentary

- Core idea behind this documentary is that the medium is the message taken from Marshal McLuhan o How women see television, is a direct result of a media landscape controlled by men - Women are 51% of the population, yet: o 16% of protagonists in movies and TV o 3% of power positions in media o 71% of female TV characters are in their 20s/30s o 65% of women and girls will have an eating disorder in their lifetime o 50% of girls, between 6-8 years old, want to lose weight

24 (2001-2010)

- Counterterrorism on shows like 24, became a psychological release for the public a way to prevent 9/11 and get revenge - 24 premiered on Fox in 2001, and lasted eight seasons on FOX, format followed live clock, and 24 hour long episodes that progressed events in real time o Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), a counterterrorist operative, races against the clock. The clock to stop terrorist attacks o The time crunch of the show sees an ends justify the means approach emerge, and the show glorifies torture - Newsweek referred to it as a neoconservative sex fantasy o Favourite of Bush admin officials - US military got ideas from shows like 24 in terms of torture o Abu Ghraib prison scandal in 2004, where pictures of prisoner ;humiliation and abuse surface in the public sphere - Across 8 seasons, the show did depict Americans of all races portraying their country; however, the show received criticism for its degree of focus on Islamic extremist terrorism

Hanoi Jane

- Despite the misinformation around the Hanoi Jane moniker, many Vietnam veterans remain very angry at Jane Fonda o Fonda has expressed regret for the trip to North Vietnam, and has apologized for phots atop anti aircraft gun - Fonda was heavily involved in civil rights movement, the fight for indigenous land rights, in feminist causes, as well as the anti war movement o Became an anti establishment figure who easily drew ire from the right wing and social conservatives - Fonda, during the Vietnam war spends a lot of item working with soldiers groups and veterans against the Vietnam War o Their stories told a different narrative from the government - Fonda was one of 300+ activists to make public trips to North Vietnam, and she collected evidence that the US was continuing to breach Geneva Convention in targeting civilians - this was post Mai Lai Massacre o Misinformation emerged about Fonda and this trip, painting her as treasonous, anti-American - condemnation of celebrity involvement in politics

Black Panther

- Early mainstream black superhero, first African superhero - First appearance in 1966 - Secrete identity is T-Challa of Wakanda; powers comes from an ancient herb o Wakanda rich in vibranium, metal that absorbs shock - Previously a symbol of black WW2 tank battalion, as well as symbol of black power organizations

Harry Potter

- Embodies similar themes as Lord of the Rings o Good vs evil; people coming together to defeat evil - Why are Millennials so obsessed with Harry Potter? o Many were children/teenagers when Harry Potter reached peak fame (200-03) - Harry Potter books and movies offered an escape in a post 9/11 world that was violently upended for children and teens o Beyond escape/comfort, they provided a less complicated version of good versus evil - easier to understand - Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) as a film, was the first move to be fully produced post 9/11 and its darker tone is representative of a changing world

Eminem

- Eminem (Marshall Mathers) succeeded where other white rappers faltered in the 1990s, because he was embraced and mentored by Dr. Dre o Mathers grew up urban and poor, raised by a single mom who struggled to hold down a job - they moved from apartments to housing projects, to relatives' houses § Dropped out of high school at seventeen; failed Grade 9 three times o Mathers' background gave him legitimacy in the rap industry, as did his ability to address his privilege and ask listeners to look past his whiteness - The Slim Shady LP (1999) was produced by Dr. Dre, and moved Eminem into the mainstream; quickly followed by The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) o Albums brought same criticism as Nas/Dr. Dre - references to drug addiction, sexual violence, and mental illness - also homophobia - The Slim Shady LP is described by Mathers as a "cartoonish" horror album o The video for "My Name Is" does make interesting social commentary

Lord of the Rings

- Fantasy films in the post 9/11 era tended to be focused on the concept of good vs evil, tended to simplify things much more than real life - Three films of trilogy released in 2001-2003 - Premise of an absolute evil in Sauron, Orcs o Contrast this with the complicated nature of Afghanistan/Iraq Wars, civilian causalities, and xenophobia - Islam vs Islamic Extremism - The trilogy shows different races (hobbits, dwarves, elves, men) working together to defeat Sauron - metaphor for a untied world post 9/11 - The trilogy helped people to grieve. The characters, like American's in post 9/11, were facing dark, grave, and momentous events o Frodo: I wish none of this had happened o Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

Girl Power Movies (1990s)

- Female characters in film in the 1990s, as per third wave feminism, tend to define themselves outside the confines of a male relationship - A League of Their Own (1992) is a fictional retelling of the All-American Girls baseball league, focusing in on the Rockford Peaches - Thelma and Louise (1991) is probably the ultimate "girl power" film of the 1990s, and tells the story of two women who embark on a road trip, but end up killing a man who tries to sexually assault Thelma o Box office success for Dr. Riley Scott, it made $45 million on release o Both Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars; that is the last time two actresses from the same movie were nominated for Best Actress o Writing for The Atlantic in 2011, Raina Lipsitz noted that it was the "last great film about women," and pointed to the coincidence that it was

Them 1954

- First of giant bug films, tells the story of a colony of giant mutant ants that were created form the 12945 atomic tests in the New Mexico desert o Two queen ants have escaped the nest, by the time it is discovered o Air force pilto who witnesses one in Texas is dismissed as insane, as is a hospital patient, who is dismissed as a drunk o Stand in for many anti nuclear activists - Film concludes with an attack by giants ants on LA; army needs to destroy remaining colony - Movie raises real concerns about what unknown dangers radiation poses to human beings - Similar to anti nuclear activities

Previous Feminist Waves

- Five Wave: Early 20th Century, concerned about suffrage, prohibition ,child labour, race suicide - Second Wave (1960-80): Gender equality, reproductive rights, pushed against domestic continent - Third Wave: 1990-2000s: Take back female power, focus on reproductive rights, specifically abortion access, concern about violence against women ,embracing overt female sexuality

Nuclear Fear at the Movies Overview

- Five wave of monster movies date to 1930s, reflected the powerlessness felt during the Depression that criticized capitalism and tech - Monster movies of the 1950s (second wave) continue to be concerned about technological modernity - Way to process how humanity can destroy itself, gives way to paranoia - Three types of Nucellar Fear monster films o MonsterMovies o Annihilation Movies o Alien Movies

The Iraq War (Primer)

- Following 9/11 looking int how it could oust Saddam Hussein in Iraq o Many of same officials who served Bush Sr, served Bush now. Desire to oust Hussein festered since 1991 Gulf War - Star of Union 2002, declares Axis of Evil that includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea - UN Security Council brokers UNSCR 1441 in November 2002, to allow for UN/IAEA teams to enter Iraq in search of WMDs (nuclear bio, or gas based o By March 2003, UN/IAEA finds no evidence - October 2002 US Congress grants Bush power to use military force against Iraq - February 2003: US tells Security Council they have proof, based on intelligence, that Saddam Hussein is linked to Al Qaeda and that he had a biological weapons (anthrax) program - US and UK invade Iraq in March 2003, despite most of NATO - including Canada and France, standing against them

Friends

- Friends ran for ten seasons from 1994-2004, and followed the lives of six twenty-somethings, starting out their lives and careers in New York City - Part of the appeal of Friends, was that it reflected a demographic (young & single), that was largely not reflected on television - sitcoms tended to be about families o This was a sitcom about "chosen family" - There isn't much of a running story line, other than Ross & Rachel's on-agaon, off-again relationship. It just follows the six friends as they experience love, unemployment, marriage/divorce, and eventually children - The show recently gained a new following on streaming platforms, and has drawn criticism for its all-white cast; not reflective of New York in the 1990s o This represents a larger problem about racial diversity in television in 90s

Godfather, Taxi Driver and Star Wars

- Godfather: o Like 1930s mobster, metaphor for capitalistic America - driven by profit and prone to violence. It reflects concerns about economic decline, corruption in society at the time - Taxi Driver: o Paint's picture of NYC as one of mismanagement, economic ruin and rampant crime. De Niro who compares NYC to open sewer, is Vietnam vetgs suffering form PTSD who takes job as a nighttime taxi driver - Star Wars: o Moral compass to replace declining Western genre of films

Beatlemania

- Group formed in late 1950s, first studio album, Please Please Me released in March 1963, and their second wit the beatless in November 1963 o Ambition was to be bigger than Elvis - Beatles albums were heavy on new music; which ran contrary to the norm at the time - The song I want to Hold your hand rocketed them to fame in US in January 1964 o Appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 - Similar to Elvis, The Beatles begin releasing movies as a vehicle for their music - A Hard Day's Night and Help! - The Beatles represented a break with the past; they were energetic and optimistic in their early music o They played with gender norms: Edwardian suits and longer, bowl cut hair § Mocked gender conventions while obeying them - By 1965, their cute period ended; beetles chafed against fame and stadium touring o While touring the US in 1965 they med Bob Dylan, who introduced band to weed - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Brand o Rolling Stone magazine would later refer to it as the most important rock and roll album - Sgt Pepper is presentative of the late 1960s hippie culture; it is a concept album, it plays with sound, it is psychedelic in nature o Concept albums were in their infancy at this time; the focus had been on singles - The White Album has a similar psychedelic vibe, was influenced by the Beatles tri to India o Song revolution was released as a single days after conflict between anti war protestors and police at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago o The Beatles, while sympathetic to antiwar protest and the counterculture movement, take on those calling for violent overthrow

Paris Hilton

- Heir to a hotel fortune, began her career in the early 2000s as a model; she quickly developed a reputation for being a stylish, vapid airhead o Hilton ahs recently reported that this persona was a mask, result of processing teenage abuse and trauma - Fox sought to profit off Hilton's tabloid fame through reality show in 2003 o The Simple Life starred Hilton alongside friend Nicole Richie, and placed socialites n real world potions outside their comfort zone like working as cleaning ladies, helping birth a cow, working as camp councillors - Just prior to the start of The Simple Life, Hilton's ex-boyfriend released a sex tape o Hilton was 19 years old when it was filmed; released on internet/DVD o Revenge porn o Hilton bore the burnt of the media backlash; it was assumed to be a public relations stunt by Hilton to generate buzz for the simple life § Post feminist assumption that overtly sexual Hilton must have released it

I Spy, All in the Family, Carol Burnett Show, Mary Tyler Moore show, MAsh, Jeffersons

- I Spy o followed two spires, one white and one black. Cosby's character was a Rhode Scholar and Culp's equal. Show was banned from many Southern Tv stations - Caro burnet Show: o Sketch comedy, first of such programs to be female led. Her characters challenged traditional images of womanhood. Burnett inspired many female comics, from Tina Fey to Allison Janney - Mary Tyler Moore Show o Saw Moore, an unmarried woman, working in tv newsroom. Her social fie and surrogate family were her colleagues. In later seasons, Betty White played Sue Ann, took on happy homemaker characters - All in the Family - Mash: o Fictional medical unit during Korean War, mixing comedy and drama, in criticizing the American military industrial complex - The Jeffersons o Spin off of All in the Family ,Follow George. First sitcom to show rich AA family following American Dream - first sitcom featuring interracial couple, as family friends and then in laws

Vietnam War (1954-1975) Primer

- In 1954, Vietnam split int two halves, communist north and capitalistic south, following French colonial defeat by local forces - US military advisers were present form the mid 50s to 1964, aiming to assist the south Vietnamese in repelling north Vietnamese efforts to reunify the country - By 1964, the new US president Lyndon Johnson was faced with a decision, after North Vietnamese gains: let South Vietnam fall or commit combat troops to Vietnam o Johnson dispatches 200000 troops, begins bombing campaign § Heavy soldier attrition between 1965-67 - American dropped Agent Orange on Vietnam to uncover Viet Cong routes - it stripped trees of leaves; also used napalm to bomb North Vietnam positions and civilian villages - Mai Lai Massacrer committed by 20th Infantry Regiment against residents of the Stu Vietnamese hamlet. They were suspected of harbouring Viet Cong guerrillas - Vietnam War resulted in 58,00 deaths, 300000 wounded, 1.1 million north Vietnamese dead, 250000 south Vietnamese dead, and 2 million civilians dead.

The Flying Saucer (Primer)

- In June 1947, amateur pilot Kenneth Arnold reports seeing nine bright objects, moving at incredible speed over Washing Sate o They glowed blue, moved in echelon formation - In July 1947, Mac Brazel discovers debris on his ranch in Coron, New Mexico, was unaware of Arnolds sighting when he found the debris o Local Army Air Base, based in Roswell ,recovers the debris reports flying saucer § Quickly retracted as weather balloon - Why did aliens become so popular in the 1950s o In times of anxiety or uncertainty we create monsters o Spaceships and aliens are a metaphor for modernity § Disavowal of tech

Anti War Music (Iraq War)

- In contrast to Vietnam era anti-war, protest music crosses genres, from punk rock, to pop and even country - Green Day's album American Idiot (2004) transforms the punk group from teenager "slackers" to prominent political critics through their music o The song Holiday which opened lecture, takes on the Iraq War and American's criticism of allies like France who refused to go along o The song American Idiot is a criticisms of America media and the broadcasting surrounding the Iraq War § Billie Joe Armstrong: A war bought to you on TV, 24 hours a day, and it became like entertainment - The Dixie Chicks ran afoul of the Bush admin for openly criticizing the Iraq War only days before it began in March 2003 o Natalie Maine's: We're ashamed that the President is from Texas o Country music stations dropped the group, fans destroyed their CDs o Their return album, Taking the Long Way, featured the hit Sing "Not Ready to Mae Nice that continued to remain defiant tour faltered, however - Pink released her fourth album, I'm Not Dead featuring Dr Mr. Presidents o The song was hit in Canada and Europe, but didn't get much airtime in the USA o Incredibly effective and defiant criticisms of Bush admin not only on Iraq, but also on poverty, and LGBTQ issues.

Invaders from Mars (1953)

- Invaders form Mars tells story of an alien invasion of a small town o Aliens have ability to control minds; and slowly a child protagonist notices the adults in the town behaving strangely - The aliens are attempting to sabotage a local atomic rocket project - Aliens are ultimately confronted by the military and destroyed - Again, we see concerns about nucellar capabilities of mankind, although these aliens were not a friendly as the ones in The Day the Earth Stood Still

Godzilla

- Is originally a Japanese not an American film o Entitled gojia means gorilla whale - Film was inspired by director Ishiro Honda's visit to Hirohsima o Godzilla metaphor of atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki o Move begins with sinking of two fishing vessels (parallel to Lucky Dragon) - Monster is awakened by hydrogen bomb testing in the Pacific; begins attacking ships before turning its sights on Japan o Godzilla breathes radioactive fire - American releasee which was heavily edited, removes references of bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hydrogen tests in Pacific and the presence of radioactive tunaf ish caught by these tests

Janet Jackson

- Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake headlined Superbowl halftime in 2004 - At the end of the performance, duetting Rock Your Body, MTV planned for Timberlake to tear at Jackson's top revealing a red lace bra o Wardrobe malfunction saw Jackson's breast revealed on live TV - 540,000 FCC complaints, many result of parent organizations pushing Americans to express their displeasure at the indecent behaviour o Jackson forced to issue apology absolving CBS < NFL and MTV of all responsibility - News narrative assumed Jackson planned it as publicity stunt framed it a s desperate attempt by an aging female singer and her previous album had gone double platinum - Jackson was disinvited to the Grammys (Timberlake wasn't) and her new album failed to sell o Radio station and MTV pulled Jackson's music

Cuban Missile Crisis (Primer)

- Kennedy informed that Soviet Union is developing ballistic missile sites in Cuba o Bombing invasion of Cuba vs blockade - October 22 1962 - Kennedy addresses the nation, informs them of soviet missile sites in Cuba, orders a blockade of the island o Kennedy in message to Khrushchev demands removal of missiles Russian replies that missiles are defensive and condemns US blockade - Some Soviet ships turn around, others are searched and let through; US doesn't challenge at least on ship - October 26: New images show missile sites near completion; will be operational shortly o Khrushchev send s a message ,offering to remove the missiles, in exchange for a non invasion pledge, but quickly adds another public demand removal of US missiles in Turkey - October 27 1962 US U-2 plane shot down over Cuba o Kennedy replies to Khrushchev's first offer, ignores Turkey, but gives private assurance missiles will be removed at a later date - October 28 Khrushchev publicly agrees to Kennedy's offer.

Tarantula

- Mad scientist story: a doctor has been conducting experiments on animals and insects by injecting them with a radioactive element o Tarantula escapes the lab; leaves a trail of destruction in its wake - Similar to Them, story is set on the outskirts of desert in the West, in Arizona not far for New Mexico and weapons tests were occurring - Prometheus type story; similar to Frankenstein o Scientists are the new modern Prometheus and notion if we are playing with fire o Provide with means for civilization not form, but created evil, Films brought concerned of nucellar weapons, but impact on scientists

Framing Britney Spears

- Media treatment of Britney Spears in the early 2000s is another example of postfeminist discourse within popular culture o Early interviews with Spears, who was lates teens/early 20s, frequently involved discussion of everything form her underwear to her breasts - The public breakup between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in 2002, saw Britney take the blame for the break up o Timberlake quickly released a music video alluding Spears cheated - With his scandals in 2002-03 with Spears, and in 2004 with Janet Jackson, Timberlake in neither scenario was assumed to be at any fault o Example of how media is less friendly to women than men o Returns us to the example that men control a large majority of positions in the media industry

Anti War Protests and Rights Movements (Primers)

- Mid 1960s and through mid 1970s was one of most transformative periods in American history - Besides anti war demonstration, growing gay rights, civil rights, feminist movements seeking the ERA and gender based protections - Period of legislative change, spurred by protest movements o Civil Rights Act of 1964 o Voting Rights act of 1965 o Title IX in 1972 baring gender discrimination in education o Decriminalization of same sex intercourse o Removal of troops from Vietnam in 1973 - So con backlash to progress sees Nixon elected by Americans to presidency in 68 and 72 by Silent Majority

BIPOC Representation in Media: Part Two (Moonlight, Get Out, Black Panther, Crazy Rich Asians, PArasite)

- Moonlight (2016), Best Picture Oscar winner, in a semi-autobiographical account of the life of actor and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney o Coming of age story of a young black man, who is coping with poverty, the drug addiction of his mother, and coming to terms with his sexuality - Get Out (2017) was Jordan Peele Best Original Screenplay at Oscars; the film was also directed by Peele o Psychological thriller/horror that follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), as he spends a weekend at his girlfriend's Rose's parents' house. Something isn't right during this retreat, and the film makes commentary on racial micro-aggressions and how unrecognized white privilege can be as harmful as overt racism - Black Panther (2018) is the first mainstream superhero movie with a majority of Black cast; grossed $1.3 billion at the box office becoming the highest grossing film from a Black director - Crazy Rich Asians (2018), was only the second Hollywood film to feature a majority Asian cast, after The Joy Luck Club (1993) o Follows a Chinese-American professor, as she travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's wealthy family; earned $239 million at the box office, becoming the highest grossing romantic comedy in a decade o The film brought controversy over casting, as Singaporean Chinese characters were often portrayed by actors of other ethnicities; certain Asian actors were excluded from auditions for not being "ethnically Chinese-looking" enough - Parasite (2019) is a South Korean film, directed by Bong Joon-Ho, who won the Best Director Oscar, while the film itself became the first non-English film to win Best Picture o The film is a social commentary on social inequality and income disparity; this is why it resonated so strongly, as these are not problems limited to South Korea

911 (Primer)

- Morning of September 11, militants from Al Qaeda hijacked four US airliners, shortly after taking off o Flight 11 Boston to LA hijacked 15 minutes post takeoff, flown into North Tower o United airlines 175 Boston to LA hijacked 30 minutes post takeoff, flown in South Tower at (:03 o American Airlines 77 DC to LA was hijacked 35 minutes after takeoff, flown into Pentagon o United Airlines 93 Newark to San Fran hijacked 46 minutes into flight, bound for Captiol or White House, crashed into ground in Shanksville PA at 10 AM § Passengers overpowered hijackers to retake cabin o South tower collapsed at 10 AM and North Tower followed at 1028, majority of those who died were tapped above impact zones o 2977 people died, at the WTC< Pentagon and Planes o Resulted in US led international collation, NATO led Article 5s invading Afghanistan and toppling the Taliban government that harboured Osama Bin Laden

Bridget Jones Diary

- Movie is commonly cited as an example of post feminist discourse in popular culture o Bridget Jones, as a character, has benefitted from feminist progress in the mid to late 20c in her 30s, professional career, single, and childless o Nonetheless, Jones is unhappy and her road to self fulfillment comes through finding the right man, settling down, and having a child - Jones love triangle with her hyper sexualized boss, and childhood friend only possible because of sexual liberation - Film ushes idea that to become self fulfilled she needs a husband and children, and that feminist gains are the threat to that realization - Jones diary, is way to self monitor, tracking her weight loss, diet, attempt at stopping smoking - Movie is a contradictory archetype of post feminism - liberated woman, held up as a cautionary tale o Tagline of Poster: Uncensored, Uninhibited, Unmarried

Music in the Era of Nuclear Fear

- Music that discusses nucellar war more heavily focused in 1970s and 1980s, when children of the 1950s early 1960s grew up like Queen's Hammer to fall - Protest songs of late 1960s about nuclear war o Bob Dylan's a hard rains a gonna fall and let me die in my footsteps is a Criticism of Fortress America and dangers of nucellar war and a Reference to poison - Simon and Garfunkel's The Sun is Burning is a re-recording of Ian Campbell's 1963 song o Draws parallel between the life giving power of the sun, and the life taking power of nuclear bombs; both fuelled by nucellar fusion

Streaming Culturee Part 2

- Netflix began to get into content creation. Early successes included The Crown (2016-), Stranger Things (2016-), and Thirteen Reasons Why (2017-2020) o "Bingeable" format, 8-10 episode "seasons" released at once o Staggered content, so a new season of a show emerges monthly - Streaming services can take risks in content creation that television networks cannot; lack of advertising, diversity of content to choose from - Netflix's Thirteen Reasons Why, based on the book by Jay Asher, addresses matters of suicide, bullying, homophobia, and sexual assault o The show brought criticism from mental health professionals, leading to edits and a warning, as the show was considered "triggering" with how graphically it depicted some of these matters - Apple TV+ and The Morning Show (2019-), stars Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon, and tells the story of a popular morning show host (played by Anniston), whose co-worker is fired as a result of sexual misconduct allegations o The show aired in the wake of the #MeToo movement and draws parallels to sexual misconduct allegations against Matt Lauer of the Today Show.

Rise of Solo Artist (Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, Beyonce, Kesha, Lizzo)

- Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" (2010) and "bubble-gum rap." This song rocketed Minaj to fame, and she has since spoken about how her outlandish costumes, like in the "Super Bass" video, are meant to take focus away from "sex appeal" and place it on the art - Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011) became an LGBTQ+ anthem, and is representative of Gaga's larger focus on individual's empowerment and embracing self-love - Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass" (2014), a song about celebrating larger body types and owning the "skin your in." The song affirms that all bodies are worth celebration - Beyonce's Lemonade (2016) visual album, that dealt with issue of black generational trauma, the legacies of slavery, and the impact that had on black women. It is a Black feminist album - Kesha's "Praying" (2017) emerged at the heart of the #MeToo movement and spoke about the sexual abuse she had experiences, with a focus on the difficult healing process - Lizzo's "Juice" (2019) again celebrates body positivity and takes on the fashion and diet industry's ridiculous "beauty" standards.

Limited Nuclear Test Ban (1963)

- October 7, 1963 Kennedy signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; that had been agreed to by representatives of the US, Soviet Unio and UK o US Treaties require senate reification, which came on September 24 by a vote of 80-14 - Treaty banned nuclear testing underwater, in the atmosphere, and in outer space o Did not ban underground testing, primarily because verification was too intrusive in the view of the SU o Treaty further agreed to limit radioactive debris from testing to a nation's borders o Pledged to work towards an end to all testing, to the arms race, and to the eradication of nuclear weapons

Dr. Strangelove

- Post Cuban missile crisis criticism of looming threat of nuclear war, and concept of Mutually Assured Destruction - Directed by Stanley Kubrick, tells story of rogue military general who launches nucellar bombers against the Soviet Union o President and NSC are unable to call them back o Soviets have a retaliation trigger, the Doomsday Machine that will unleash nucellar war o President and NSC turn to former German nuclear scientist Dr. Strangelove for advice on the survival of humanity - Film is comedy criticism of era including questions about masculinity, American leadership, nuclear accidents, and rogue generals

Queer Representation in Media Part 2

- Progress was made in the 2000s and the 2010s, in regard to LGBTQ+ representation, by presenting characters within the bounds of heteronormativity (Cory Albertson) o Tends to be a "masculine" and "feminine" partner - In Modern Family (2009-2020), Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker are coded heteronormatively; Mitchell is depicted as calm, rational, and a provider, while Cameron is often depicted as the more emotional one o The pair are married, and raising an adopted child, Lily § Domestic, nuclear family - Queerness becomes acceptable, one screen, through a "just like you" trope - A similar depiction plays out in The Fosters (2013-2018), which follows Stef Foster and Lena Adams, a married couple raising three children, while taking of two more foster children o Stef, a police officer, is more serious, rational (masculine), while Lena is a teacher turned vice principal, leads with her emotions and is empathetic (feminine) - A majority of queer characters in media in the 2010s, beyond being coded heteronormatively, are also white - their whiteness also impacts acceptance o Problem of very few queer characters of colour in popular culture

Rise of Rap

- Rap has its origins in black street culture (South Bronx), and despite going mainstream, still exists in "folk" culture forms o Dates back to African/Jamaican poetry - Early rap artists use medium to communicate a sense of frustration/despair o "Great Migration" didn't lead to investment in communities; poverty, crime, drugs, failing infrastructure, underfunded schools - Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" was the first song to break through from the R&B charts to the Billboard Top 100 chart - Run D.M.C's "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith made it to the Top 10 - N.W.A., a rap group that included Dr. Dre, Easy-E. and Ice Cube, released the album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1990 o This album shaped rap music in the 1990s o A "gangsta rap" album, it contained hardcore, violent imagery § The song "**** The Police" brought FBI investigation

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act 1994

- Reagan's policies led to a rise in poverty - which hit African American households 3x as hard as white households o Half of African American children lived in poverty - Republicans and Democrats blamed African Americans - single-family households, "laziness," and prevalence of individuals on welfare - As poverty rose, crime rose as well, leading to the "Crime Bill" of 1994 o Clinton campaign promise to make Democrats look "tough on crime" - Resulted in 25 year low in violent crime, and a 46 year low in gun deaths o Resulted in the highest number of incarcerated Americans in history o Focused on punishment, rather than rehabilitation or prevention o Disproportionately, African Americans ended up incarcerated - "Crime Bill" would come to pose problems for Hillary Clinton in 2016, as well as Joe Biden in 2020

Stupid Girls

- Released in 2006, Stupid Girls was the key single of her album I'm Not Dead o The song reached #2 in Canada, and #13 in the US - Won MTV's Music Award's Best Pop video in 2006 - Overt criticism of post feminist culture, and the idea that smart and sexy have to be mutually exclusive o Takes Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson to task - Is this video feminist? Or by criticizing other women, does it become problematic, despite its message? o Generational difference? Millennials vs. Gen Z?

Rocketship X-NM

- Rocketship is one of the earliest poster alien films o Three years after Kenneth Arnolds flying saucer sighting - Story of an American space crew, forced to divert to Mars o Discover the remains of a civilization of Martians that have destroyed themselves in a nuclear war o Those who remain, are terribly disfigured and manage to kill half the crew o Scripts was changed after the 1949 Soviet Atomic test, to include plot point of a civilization ruined by nuclear war

Wave of post-feminism runs alongside third-wave feminism in the late 1990s and early 2000s

- Rosalind Gil argues that postfeminist is a sensibility that embraces themes from both anti-feminism, and third wave feminism o Femininitty as Bodily Property § Appearance through one's body focused on thin and sexy o Objectification to Subjectification § Moving away form showing women as objects of male gaze, shows women taking active role this Subjectification, using liberated status to make them look like sexualized subjects o Self-Surveillance and Discipline § Regulation with femininity from actresses to baseball players, new intensity in regulation of the body like diet culture focused on double zero body o Individualism, Choice, and Empowerment o The Makeover Paradigm § Strong trend towards making over ones life o Natural Sexual Differences § Backslide, focus in era on inherent differences between men and women ,genetic differences and personality traits.

Diet Culture and Fatphobia

- Self-regulation is a crucial facet of post feminism, and diet culture was a major part of popular culture in the early 2000s o Pressure on female celebrities to be extremely thin, however these same celebrities would also generate coverage for being too thin § It was a catch 22 - Female celebrities who gained weight, saw coverage of baby bumps, while those who didn't conform, were frequently called fat in the media o Bot Alicia Silverstone and Drew Barry,pre were frequently derided as overweight - Diet culture and the push for female celebrities to be extremely thin, also led to fatphobia in popular culture; typically overweight female characters were the funny friend o Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect provides comedic relief o Fat Monica in Friends, was employed in four episodes for comedic effect § Teenage Monica is depicted as losing weight, only because Chandler calls her fat o Gwyneth Paltrow played an overweight character, Rosemary in Shallow Hal, that was the target of a number of fatphobic jokes o Melissa McCarthy was often cast, early in her career, as the fat friend

Sex and the City

- Six seasons on HBO, 1998 to 2004 - Follows Actress Bradshaw (SJP), a sex columnist and her three archetypal female friends o Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), a publicist and fully liberated modern woman, embraces raw sexuality, forswears relationships o Charlotte York (Kristen Davis) is a traditional romantic, in search of a husband, career goes out the window when she marries o Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), third-wave feminist, lawyer, cynical about men and relationships - Ground-breaking in its open discussion of female sexuality, at least in the early seasons o Male characters relegated to labels lie Mr Big o Female characters are each other's stability/family - As the show progresses, all of the characters end up seeking out long-term commitments, marriages, and sometimes children o Nixon's Miranda is the most oblivious transformation, transitioning from skeptical feminist, towards married other, focused on fashion

August 29, 1949

- Soviet Union successfully tested their first atomic bomb, RDS 1 o September 4rrd US Air Force sniffer jet detected radiation 300x the normal elves of Alaska - Us Intelligence estimates didn't expect a Soviet bomb until 1952 o Fuel for HUAC and anti-communist investigations o Couldn't achieve bomb without soviet spies - Survival Under Atomic Attack booklet, 1950 o Compares radiation from a nucellar bomb to a sunburn o States that it's not always fatal - Top Secret Report to Truman in 1946: o Of the survivors in contaminated areas, some would be doomed to die of radiation sickens in hours, some in days, others in years o Government worked to downplay the fear

Amazing Spiderman

- Spider Man first appearance is in Amazing Fantasy #15 August 1963 o Teenager Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider, and gains superpowers (super strength, agility, spider sense for danger, ability to climb walls) o IN contrast to Cold War sorties, Spiderman is enhanced n positive way by radioactivity, a lot of which comes down to moral character of Peter Parker - The Green Goblin, alter ergo of Norman Osborn, is result of scientific experiment with super serum gone wrong - causing Osborn's mind to split in two, and the psychopathic goblin emerges - Dr octopus, nuclear scientist by trade, who was working on a sustainable fusion reactor, when an accident fused mechanical AI robotic arms to his body, driving him insane - Spider Man's major villains raise concern about nuclear tech and technology modernity, even as those things created spider man himself

Streaming Culture Part 1

- Streaming Culture has not only changed the way that we consume media, but also the way that media is produced: o Traditional TV shows are produced 22-24 episodes, airing weekly o Netflix, traditionally aired a "season" (8-10 episodes) all at once - Streaming allowed for new fans to fins older shows (Friends), and for viewers to "catch-up" on shows still airing on television o How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) was an early benefactor of streaming culture. It's fan base and viewership actually grew in later seasons, because fans "caught-up" on early seasons on Netflix o The start of its seventh season (2010) on television saw viewership up 30% o Other shows like Manifest (2018-2021; 2022) and Designated Survivor (2016-2018; 2019) have been given new life on Netflix after being cancelled on television. Viewership on Netflix helped bring shows back for extra seasons

Rise of Solo Artist: Taylor Swift

- Taylor Swift, drawing inspiration from artists like Shania Twain, began performing at age 11 - worked to break into country music - Big Machine Records signed her, and in 2006 she released a self-titled first album, eith a number of successful singles including "Our Song" o Won ACM's Top New Female Vocalist in 2007 - "Love Story" off Fearless (2008) was the first country song that made its way onto the Billboard Pop charts o This album won her a number of awards, including Artist of the Year at the AMA's and Album of the Year at the Grammys - Swift first hit the top of the Billboard 100 with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - In the 2010s, with albums like Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017), Swift's voice grew, and she became the embodiment of fourth-wave feminism o She has been unapologetic in her empowerment

Teenage box Office in 1990s

- The "teen film" continues to be a popular genre into the 1990s o Typically a romance-comedy, similar to 1980s o Emergence of satire, horror, and alt-teen films

Backstreet Boys

- The Backstreet Boys were formed by music producer Lou Pearlman in 1992/93. Their first, self-titled album was released in 1996, and was popular in Europe o First U.S. exposure was through Backstreet Boys (1997), which merged hit songs from first and second European albums o Millennium (1999) debuted as the #1 spot on the Billboard 200, sold over a million copies in its first week in the US

Spice Girls

- The Spice Girls formed in the earl 1990s, through an audition process - "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls was the lead single from their album, Spice (1997) o The song spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top 100 o Spice (1997) helped to revive the pop music industry in the United States - Strong corporate branding; deals with Pepsi, Cadbury, Polaroid - The Spice Girl's lyrics embraced the "girl power" of third-wave feminism, encouraging women and girls to be fierce, independent, assertive, and to retain their power

Rise of the Internet and the PC

- The era of the growth of the personal computer - It was not until the mid 1980s that the first Macintosh and windows came out - History of internet goes back to 1950s o Created by government to pass intel during the cold war - Personal and corporate access was not common until the 1990s

Seinfeld

- The show centres around four, unmarried friends in their early 30s, living in New York City - there is a similar lack of diversity to Friends o The show's main character, Jerry, is Jewish - but that's about it - Seinfeld aired for 9 seasons, from 1989-1998, and was famously a "show about nothing" - mainly plots tended to revolve around minor observations or annoyances about daily life - The show does draw on an old Jewish vaudeville trope in its plot-lines o Schlemiel (brings misfortune to others) o Schlimazel (brings misfortune onto themselves) - Unlike Friends, the characters don't really grow. They are notoriously self-centered, a little egotistical, and selfish o Last gasp of the materialistic, narcissistic Reagan era? o Is it a social commentary; are the characters victims of the 1980s individualism?

Teh Female President

- There side of the political idealism on TV is that Americans begin looking for a different type of leader - It was not until the mid-2000s that Americas being to take the idea of a female president seriously o Clinton's candidacy in 2008 - Commander in Chief is the first show on tv in the 21st C to seriously consider the concept of a female president o Critics complained it was simply laying groundwork for Clinton - Iraq War has dragged on two years, no WMD are found, Bush's approval drops below 50% for the first team - The Show follows Mackenzie Allen, an Independent who becomes president after her Republican running mate dies in office o Strong focus on using the military to enforce human rights o Show still leaned into her position as am other, trying to balance both her role as president and her family

The Marvel Universe during 911

- Tim Gruenwald points to Marvel films, form Iron Man to Captain America civil War serving as a psychological release in a post 9/11 world o They allow the rewriting and re-enactment of the traumatic experience" and "can help familiarize the unfathomable and thus contribute to healing - Superhero's depictions tend to reflect the era o Superman during great depression, Captain America during WW2, Spiderman during nuclear Fear and Black Panther for Civil rights o In contrast to two expansive, deadly, and unsuccessful wars, these films provide victory and restitution for destruction in a matter of hours on film - At the same time, these films serve a propaganda element; they reinforce the idea of America as the good guys in the war of terror - Gruenwald addresses the topic of civilian casualties and how Marvell films have an obsession with avoiding collateral damage o This is not reflective of the reality of US wars

Peter Paul and Mary

- Traditional folk group of Mid 1960s, known for their blend of ballads, protest songs, and children's songs o They often covered others songs in folk tradition o Made it to Billboard #2 spot with a cover of Bob Dylan Blowing in the Wind in 1963 - Preformed their over of Dylan's song, plus If I had a hammer, at the August 1963 March on Washington - Puff the Magic Dragon was based on a children's poem by Leonard Lipton o Children's song or celebration of weed?

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

- Twilight Zone is one of the only television shows in this era dealing with science fiction, monsters and fear of tech o Domestic comedies variety shows and Westerns far more popular o Could this have to do with the tv being within the domestic sphere and the protection the home was thought to offer form the outside world - The show was creation of Rod Sterling, and typically followed ordinary humans beset by supernatural phenomenon o Sterling wanted to use the show to address fear about tech, conformity, discrimination and other issues § Shelter episode in 1961 is an nuclear alert goes out during a dinner party ,and neighbours plead with their should be allowed refuge in their bomb shelter

Will and Grace, Buffy, Grey's Anatomy (Queer Representation in Media: Part One)

- Was the first network television to feature gay male protagonists; it played into a number of stereotypes including male promiscuity and the GBF (gay best friend) o Willow & Tara in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer (1997-2001) was an early representation of lesbian romance on TV o Callie Torres in Grey's Anatomy is early bisexual representation - Movies in the early 2000s tended to treat the "gay" character as comic relief, often the GBF, and they were stereotypically effeminate, while their homosexuality was often not directly referenced

Political Idealism (West Wing Response to 911)

- West Wing: ran on NBC for seven seasons, and told the story of fictional Democratic admin under President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) - Show began during Clinton's last year in White House, but following Bush's narrow win, show become a sort of left wing counterpoint to republican's in the Whites House o In contrasts to neocon's who viewed world in black and white terms, leading to the Iraq War, the Barlet admin was idealistic (in a way only TV can be) - As the Iraq War intensified, the show offered an idealistic and hopeful vision of politics o Did this contribute to Obama's win in 2008? - West Wing surged in popularity again, via streaming platforms, during the Trump admin o Americans again seek out idealism and political hope - Offers a restoration of faith/hope in the presidency following the damage of Lewinsky scandal under Clinton and the Iraq War under Bush.

Nsync

- also formed by music producer Lou Pearlman, had a similar trajectory as the Backstreet Boys. They were formed in 1995, and had early success in Europe - in particular, Germany o First album, NSync (1998) was unsuccessful when released in the United States, but their profile continued to rise between 1998-99; especially following an appearance on Disney Channel in 1998. o No Strings Attached (2000) sold 2.42 million copies in the first week, and was the top album in 2000 § "It's Gonna Be Me" reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100

Transparent (Queer Representation Part 1)

- an for five seasons, starring Jeffrey Tambor as Maura, as a trans woman, navigating a transition later in life, with her family o Tambor, a straight cisgender actor, received criticism for portraying a trans woman; this is similar to the criticism that Jared Leto received for Dallas Buyers Club (2013) o Discussion in the 2010s as to whether LGBTQ+ roles should be reserved for LGBTQ+ actors § In the past, LGBTQ+ actors have had to hide identity to gain roles.

They Aren't Sending Their Best Donald Trump

- rhetoric against Mexicans and Latin Americans, it was nothing new - Patrick Kelly points to television and video games in the decade leading up to the 2016 presidential campaign, and the negative portrayal of Latinos o Breaking Bad (2008-2013) and Weeds (2005-2012) feature white protagonists who turn to the drug trade because of socioeconomic issues § Their characters interact with "cartel" contacts and drug "king pins," traditionally portrayed as Latin American, who are seen as violent, blood thirsty, and sociopathic § These shows create the same biases about the dangers Latin Americans pose, as movies and television shows did in depicting "terrorists" as predominately Middle Eastern o Grand Theft Auto, the video fame franchise, often depicts Mexican and Latin American characters as members of urban drug cartels or gangs - Following the economic downturn of 2008, Latin American and concern about "job theft" became a straw-man on the right, to divert concerns about job loss that were actually the result of the 1980s and 1990s free trade policies

The Cosby Show (80s Family Sitcom)

Centered around the lives of Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) an obstetrician, and wife Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) an attorney and 5 children Not fully scripted In contrast to the Jeffersons, TCS was 2st tv sitcom to feature upper-class Black family - 2 educated, working parents - Was focused on everyday problems - Return to a traditional, family-values approach to tv Criticism that the show glossed over very real social issues (feel good, utopian) - Hiring disparities, higher instances of poverty, issues of school integration: Black communities issues - Fears that Americans could simply point to this successful (fictional) Black family as an example that all racial problems were over - Need paternal guidance to fix problems - Gives the idea the American dream is accessible for all

The Golden Girls (1985-1992)

Counterpoint in the "family sitcom" genre, 4 women over the age of 50 - 3 widows, one divorcee - Contrast the cast of Sex and the City reboot Bea Arthur (Dorothy) divorced after husband left her for younger women - Rue McClanahan (Blanche) widowed Southern Belle, highly sexual, speaks of free spirited youth - Betty White (Rose) from an immigrant family, widowed, traditional small town American values Estelle Getty (Sophia) Dorothy's elderly mother - Mix of characters, pasts, and values, allowed for the show to take on and debate a number of social issues from different perspective - 2 gay characters across the seasons, (Blanche brother and Dorothy's college friend) Gay and lesbianism was taboo at the time, but accepted on the show

Growing Pains

Followed parents Jason and Maggie Seaver raising their 4 kids and homeless teen Jason worked out of the house, stay-at-home father "father knows best" is basis of show Children get in trouble, stern and loving paternalistic fixes everything In tackling social issues (drugs, homelessness) the "lessons" remain socially conservative - Drugs and alcohol bad - Homelessness solved simply by charity

Jefferson Airplane (Psychedelic Rock)

o Formed in 1965 in San Fran § Second vocalist, grace Slick, brought with her two of their famous songs somebody to love and white rabbit o Heavily involved in hippie culture; played at music festivals including summer of love and Woodstock o White Rabbit 1968 is overt example of psychedelic rock in the late 1960s § Was written while on an acid trip and speaks directly to drug culture § Themes: Following your own curiosity, being open, shirking parental condemnation

The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)

o Parallel here is Soviet tech superiority and war victory, thus losing the freedom that Americans hold dear - Story takes place in Washington DC were a visiting alien space craft arrives to warn humanity that they have reached a tech threshold o The alien Klaatu warns humanity that if their violence spreads to outer space, they will be destroyed

Family Ties (198201989)

Said to Reagan's fav show - Original intent was to satirize the "traditional family" - Both parents left-leaning hippies Michael J Fox played oldest child who idolized Richard Nixon Running joke in the show as family is not conservative Children were showing different ideals than parents

Pink Floyd (Psychedelic Rock)

o Psychedelic rock gets it name from hallucinogenic drugs in production of music § Style uses electric guitars, sound effects, long ,drawn out instrumental solos o Pink Floyd Births, gained popularity in US part of 60s British invasion in music o Influences' are BB King, bob Dylan and the Beatles o Like Beatles, released concept albums must famous being Dark Side of the Moon § Questions capitalism ,greed, conflict, als explores mental illness, as band processed the departure of vocalist Syd Barrett who developed schizophrenia from LSD usage § Entrance of electronic music is most important part

The Graduate, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

The Graduate: o Tells the story or recent university graduate Benjamin Braddock who returns home aimless and unsure what to do with his life. HE chafes against his parents romantic match, has affair with his matches mother - Mrs Robinson, played by Katherine Hepburn only to end up running off with match - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner: o Follows young women who brings home older, black doctor who she met in Hawaii, to meet seemingly liberal parents. Early film to address inter racial marriage, only six months after Supreme Court struck down laws in 1/3 of us states still banning inter racial marriage

On the Beach (Annihilation Movie)

o President Eisenhower so concerned about impact that the movie had on public that he discussed with cabinet how to counter the themes explored in the movie o Movie is based on best selling book in 1957 § Tells story of world that has destroyed itself in nucellar war § Survivors in Australia, including the crew of a USS submarine, await the arrival of the lethal cloud of radiation drifting towards southern hemisphere § Morse code signal detected coming from California, providing hope of survivors but it turns out to be a hydro power station that remained active o Move ends with words there is still time, comes up in a lot in letters from public to American politicians

Jimi Hendrix (Psychedelic Rock)

o Black, rose in predominantly white, mainstream music industry § One of the most talent guitarists of all time o As a teenager, engrossed in Nashville R and B scene, playing backup guitar for number of artists in mid 1960s § Moved to England in 1966 § Influence of the British rock and roll scene, on the American music industry o Hendrix relied on strange sounds, electronic guitar, disjointed rhythms and notes in music o Died of drug overdose in 1970 § Many artists in era did: two members of Fleetwood Mac, One member of Rolling Stones, § President Nixon declares war on drugs seen as problematic to national order, causing lawlessness and social breakdown

The Day the World Ended (1955 Annihilation Movie)

o Follows seven survivors of a nuclear holocaust that has left the city blanketed in fallout o Key theme were are seeing across movies posters, and plots is women in distress o Survivors in the film, were forced to leave a shelter that only had enough suppliers for 3 people § Several succumb to radiation poisoning § Others are attacked by a mutant, three eyed monster that has been created by radioactive fallout § Only 2 survive, after the rain washes away the fallout o Typical of annihilation movies to provide some form of hope; even when nearly or everyone dies

Fourth Wave Feminism

renewed surge of women's activism in the early 2010s, sharing many of the same features as third wave feminism - Key tenants o Intersectionality o Internationalism o Solidarity o Decentralization - Women's March of January 2017: o Response to trump's comments and behaviour during the 2016 presidential campaign o Primarily focused on Washington DC, where half a million people gathered: but 3-5 million participants nation wide o Placed women's rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ rights rant and centre - #MeToo Movement: o Originates with Tarana Burke's activism, beginning in 2007, to empower young women of colour to share their stories of sexual violence, promote empowerment, empathy, and encourage healing o Burke's hashtag gets appropriated in 2017, following a flood of allegations against Harvey Weinstein, becoming the rallying cry for a movement