Assignment 2-2: Icon Analysis

Contemporary icons have an immense placement in today’s society. This is a very broad topic indeed, but I have chosen to narrow it down to animated television sitcoms. There are three icons in particular that I have chosen to analyze. First, is a sitcom called Family Guy. It was created in 1999, but cancelled twice after its release on Fox Network. However, there was an outcry from the viewers and it was returned to the air. Second is The Simpson’s, which is a sitcom that has depicted a dysfunctional middle class family for more than two decades. Not only has it been crowned the 20th century's best television series, but it is also the longest running American sitcom. Lastly, is the quirky sponge at the bottom of the sea who is reffered to as Sponge Bob Square Pants. A fry cook sponge in the little town of Bikini Bottoms, is one of the highest rated childrens television sitcoms.

I have chosen Family Guy as a contemporary icon due to its re-appearing sitcoms. After being cancelled in 2000 and again in 2002, Family Guy boosted back on the air due to DVD sales and the massive amount of viewers watching reruns on a different station. Family Guy was the first show returned to the air based off DVD sales. An icon is referred to as one who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol. It took great devotion in order to keep this icon continuous.

The Simpson’s was selected on the basis of outstanding achievment. To be deemed the longest running American sitcom, the show had to hold a great deal of admoration in its viewers. I believe this shows a great deal of diligence and servitude. There has always been a long standing controversy over the views and opinions expressed in the sitcom, but it has always kept its ground on holding the personality of the characters.

Sponge Bob Square Pants has been a much viewed sitcom in the presence of my own home. This sitcom qualifies as an eminent symbol of a contemporary icon. Not only does this show capture the attraction of children, but also manages to reach out and grasp the teenage and adult viewers. There is a lot to say about a concept that can embrace such a genre of viewers.

As. 1-4: Week Written Analysis 1.

In a world ever-growing of popular culture, I believe one in particular has changed the video viewing world as we know it, the Blue-ray player and disc. It was not long ago when we sat in front of our televisions pulling at the tape that was eaten by our outdated VHS players. Today, a dual layered, optical disc sends us through an unimaginable HD (high definition) experience.

This new revolutionary form of viewing may have many benefits, one being scratch resistant, but has this new video player and disc been found appealing in the eyes of the consumer? It is hard not to base my own opinion when trying to get the “vast majority” of how the product is rated; so I set off reading forums, forums, and more forums. Although this topic does not pull as many hits off Google as how to get your eaten tape out of a VHS player, I have a very good idea how many consumers feel.

There is always a shifted opinion when it comes to anything pertaining to popular culture, but consumers feel these devices are hurting their pocket book. The average Blue-ray disc player ranging in the $350 market and the disc itself is averaging $20 a piece for a writable Blue-ray disc. As any of us computer people know we can buy a pack of 20 regular DVD’s for that price. It seems that popular culture has seemed to play a positive role on this equipment for the most part, and the want surpasses the over-priced devices. We have come from kicking our VHS player the size of a small oven to adjust the tracking, to slipping our Blue-ray disc into the side of our LCD televisions. I do not believe this is the last to come in this unlimited want society. For now, however, Blue-ray has definitely left its spot in popular culture.

As. 1-2: Popular Culture Blog.

Who would guess that ABC's Dancing with the Stars would have something in common with CMT's My Big Redneck Wedding? Who would have thought that contemporary and renaissance paintings by artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo would somehow be associated with Brooklyn’s best graffiti artists? As farfetched as those analogies must sound, popular culture is what holds these very diverse anomalies so close together. The understanding of popular culture is what makes the business and culture world go round, and the pocket books go broke. Although not to be misunderstood, popular culture isn’t always a materialistic item. It could be the way you walk, talk, or smell; it could even be the way you sit. Popular culture to me is a very complex and perilous thing. It could be the sole reason for the Ferrari you drive and the beach house in Palm Springs, or it could be the underpass on Hwy 35 of Rosedale street that you call home. To me it all comes down to choices, and this is what so significantly determines the variety of cultural experiences. In 2005 a book was published by Stephenie Meyer led by a series of three more, which triggered in my opinion mass hysteria. Twilight, which tells a story of a young girl head over heels for a vampire, sparked a “pop” culture craze. The final book in the series Breaking Dawn sold a whopping 1.3 million copies in its first day of release. “These record-breaking figures prove that Stephenie Meyer is a pop culture sensation,” said David Young, CEO, Hachette Book Group USA. Although this is a very straight forward example of pop culture, it can’t always be so defined. The media and advertising companies think they have it figured out. I read an article that titled “ Teen Christian Campaign against Popular Culture,” how can that be when some would argue Christianity is popular culture in itself. Is there anything in our life that hasn’t been determined by popular culture?