how do tv shows reflect american culture

Television Shows Reflect American CultureThere are many movies and
television shows that reflect American culture. A show or movie must
address some current societal problem or trend in order to truly reflect
American life; murder, rape, racism, and, on a less serious note, parties,
shopping, and sports are topics that deserve serious consideration by the
public and the media. The show Beverly Hills 90210 attempts to be
an accurate portrayal of the life of a typical well-off American teenager
growing up in the 80's and 90's. The producers of the show attempt to
integrate many real life situations into the show. By doing this they are
suggesting to the audience, which happens to be geared toward
teenagers, that what the characters do in the show is the ideal way to
deal with these types of situations. Many aspects of
American culture are represented on the television show Beverly Hills
90210, or just 90210 as it is commonly referred to. Three to four years
ago it dealt with the subject of murder or homicide. One of David's, a star
in the show, best friends was playing with a gun which he had acquired
during a summer vacation to the mid-West. The friend shot himself by
accident; what followed was a time of mourning for David and a
recollection of many fond memories of the times they shared together.
This episode's tragedy brought the characters in the show closer
together. Many innocent children, and sometimes adults, are killed
accidentally playing with guns, or by drive-by random shootings. This is a
major problem in the United States and the show is trying to get the
message out that it is not a safe thing to do. It also raises the question as
to why access of guns is so readily available to anyone. Every night
on the news, someone can see many incidents in which there is suffering
resulting from guns. Furthermore, the availability of guns makes the
public scared. Children have images of adults using guns for hunting or
game. In the adolescents' mind it appears that guns are not a bad item to
own, when in reality guns are extremely dangerous weapons. Beverly
Hills 90210 makes a strong attempt to impress upon its viewers that

these accidents can be avoided if people take the proper precautions.
The show sends a message to the younger generation, which are
becoming more and more violent, to stay away from things that result in
violence like guns. A gun is an item which should only be in the hands of
a properly trained and skilled user, in order to avoid horrible tragedies.
Another incident of tragedy occurred last season. Dylan's
girlfriend, whose father was an organized crime figure of some kind, was
gunned down by a bullet intended for Dylan. Ironically, the hit-man was
hired by her very own father. Not many parents go out and hire people to
kill their children's boyfriends or girlfriends. However, in this circumstance
there was a history between Dylan and her father. Her father had killed
Dylan's father before they had meet. Dylan was attempting to get
revenge for his father's murder. In the meantime, Dylan has fallen in love
with his daughter. The two lovers had just married and planned on a
happy life when tragedy struck. In many ways, this incident portrays the
negative images that organized crime reflects on the American culture.
Although organized crime rings are decreasing, the problem of organized
crime is still a detriment to American society. The producers are doing a
good deed in showing this because it sends a message to teens;
hopefully, they will want to become productive members of society and
will not want to get involved with the harmful aspects of the American
culture. The show also deals with the topic of suicide. One of the
newer stars of the show, Valerie, moved to California after her father
killed himself because she could not stand to be in the house where such
a horrible thing had happened. Valerie did not speak of the incident very
frequently, but she was obviously disturbed about something. Her
experience was extremely valuable in later episodes when David's mother
was having mental problems and he contemplated committing suicide.
Valerie was able to talk to David and relate to how he was feeling about
the whole situation. Although in real life the problem might not have been

resolved as easily, the show provided a good portrayal of what a teen
contemplating suicide would hope that a friend would do for him/her.
Teen suicides are rising because of many influences: drugs, alcohol
abuse, mental and physical abuse, alienation from parents, poor
performance in school, low self-image, rejection by peers, sexuality, or,
as in this situation, a death in the family. Many teens today feel
themselves slipping off the edge and they need something to help them
through though times. They turn to drugs and other illegal substances
when these situations arise. Young people today seem to confide more
in their peers than in their parents. Many of them think their parents do
not understand them. Their friends provide comfort and advice which is
valued. Although parents may not provide guidance that is
appreciated, they do provide money to their offspring. One of the more
common stereotypes of American life fits right in with the materialistic
values promoted by our society - in print, in television, in commercials, in
movies - in other words, in all aspects of the media. All economic
echelons of society in the United States are encouraged to purchase
name brand clothing and other apparel. The "American Dream" of
shopping and credit cards is a reality in the show. The setting of the
show is Beverly Hills, California, the home of all the popular trends and
famous stars. This location, along with rich parents, provides for the
perfect situation to make them look like rich brats. Although Beverly Hills
90210 is not a perfect reflection of American culture, it does lend itself to
the stereotype of having a huge wardrobe and living the "American
Dream". In the five years during which 90210 has been on the air,
the show has dealt with many topics. From the Persian Gulf War and
high school, to AIDS and the Internet, the show has reflected many
aspects of American culture. Beverly Hills 90210 sends a message to the
viewers to make the best of one's life. Hopefully many of the viewers will
be able to attain the "American Dream" that is the essence of American

culture.