Conclusions

In my study of various forms of media, I have determined that media and popular culture plays a critical role in the views of body image amongst the American population. From commercials to television shows and movies, we are inundated with an image of beauty. While for many that image simply is not attainable, it still remains the norm and what people look to as the definition of an ideal body. 

Real Bodies?

Part Two: The Real World 

"This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World."

Since 1992, viewers have tuned in to MTV to watch their longest running show, The Real World. The show is one of the first commercially viable reality television show and was created by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. The show just wrapped its 22nd season and MTV has signed on for four more seasons. 

The premise of the show is simple: strangers who auditioned with MTV are selected to live in a house together. They have some sort of job, but the main action is with all of the drama that ensues when these people "start getting real". 

At first the show displayed a wide assortment of body types in both the male and female cast members, however in the last couple of seasons that trend has changed. All of the cast seems to fit in perfectly with the American ideal of body and image. 

Some past casts of MTV's The Real World

Although the show does showcase a very diverse group of races, ethnicity's and sexual orientations; it seems to only focus on casting people with "ideal bodies". All of the men have well defined or overly defined muscles; the women on the show have skinny frames and ideal body types as well according to American standards. 

Conclusions: Real Bodies?

From analyzing several reality television shows including the ones showcased in the blog it is very

clear that the body images displayed in these shows are not "real" in terms of what the body of an

average person would look like. Rather these people are selected because their bodies meet the

ideals of American society as being attractive and desirable.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009

I recently watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion show for research purposes. What struck me while watching the show was that every single model who walked the runway had the exact same body type. They all were toned and skinny with large breasts. There was absolutely no diversity of body image in the show and it is clear that the brand is showcasing the American standard of ideal body image. 

Sitcom Body Standards: Fat Guys are Funny

The sitcom is a mainstay on American television, over the years it has changed along with America however one unique trend can be found throughout the history of the sitcom.
A trend amongst sitcoms, particularly family sitcoms, is to have an overweight male as the lead role. Ever since the Honeymooners, an overweight male has served as the main character and the main way for the sitcom to get laughs.
Also interesting is that in these sitcoms, the leading lady that plays alongside the overweight male is almost always in line with the ideals of body image in American society.
Below are some examples of shows from the past and present where an overweight male is crucial in getting the laughs in a televised sitcom.

The Honeymooners

The Honeymooners first premiered in 1955 and while the show only ran for 39 half-hour episodes, it is largely considered one of the best sitcoms of all time. Taking place in a Brooklyn apartment building, the show focuses on the lives of four people. One of which is Jackie Gleason's character, Ralph Kramden, an overweight bus driver who was essential to the shows comedic success. 

Roseanne

Roseanne first premiered in 1988 and ended in 1997. The sitcom was widely acclaimed and revolved

around the lives of the Conners, an American working class family struggling to get by. Dan Conner,

played by John Goodman, is the father figure on the program and often times the butt of the jokes

or instigator of jokes. His large size often contributes to the comedy of the program.

King of Queens

King of Queens is a sitcom that ran from 1998 until 2007 on CBS. The story revolves around Doug

and Carrie Heffernan, who live in a house with Carrie's eccentric father. Doug Heffernan is played by

Kevin James and is an overweight delivery driver. His wife Carrie is skinny and would fit into the Ameican

ideals of body image.

Family Guy

Family Guy is an animated family based sitcom that first aired on the Fox Network in 2000. The story

centers on the Griffin family, Peter and his wife Louis are the main roles. Peter Griffin is an overweight,

dopey character who is at the center of the comedy in the show.

Reebok EasyTone Shoes

In a recent ad campaign, Reebok has unveiled new footwear that is designed to help tone your legs and shape your butt. The commercial not only exemplifies the American standard of body image, it also shows how people are looking for a quick fix to achieve the "ideal" body image.

Glee- Diversity of Body Images

The new Fox sitcom Glee hit the air this fall and has instantly become a success. Part of the reason for that success is the showcasing of diversity of body types amongst the cast members. 

Although there is the traditional cheer leaders and jocks who all showcase the stereotype of body image in America- males with washboard abs and cut physiques and females with a well toned body- there are other examples of main characters with alternative body types. 

For example their is an "overweight" girl who sings and is one of the major talents in the Glee club. There is also a skinny homosexual male who at first is picked on but then finds belonging in the Glee club. The major theme of the show is that no matter who you are or what you look like, you deserve to belong to something and find happiness. 

Here is a promo from Glee that shows the diversity of body image in the show. 

Under Armor Commercial

This commercial for the brand Under Armor, showcases the stereotype for the ideal body image of males in America. 

Furthermore, the advertisement implies that if you wear their apparel, a body type similar to the men in the commercial can be achieved.