Social Integration - Music Artists

 Music plays a huge role in peoples lives and the help of social media has greatly broadened the audience for music so more people can easily search and listen to an artists work. The idea of inclusion is considered to be an important therefore people may listen to a particular artist or genre in order to involve themselves in a conversation made by a group or friends. Sites like Youtube allow viewers to search popular music and even rare music from artists as you may be borderline obsessed with a certain artist or group. Social integration can also apply to movies and television as again people may watch a particular film or show in order to be able to be included in discussions about the show/film. 

 Talking from personal experience I have witnessed and triggered social integration within my group of friends. Recently one of my friends introduced me to Australian hip hop artist Iggy Azalea (right) as my friend is very current within the hip hop and rap genre of music. I have fallen in love with the Australian rapper and her music is meaningful often talking about her gamble of a trip from Australian to Miami at 16 with practically no money at all. Although she is currenlty considered to be a up and coming artist, her songs 'Work' and 'Bounce' have climbed the charts being in the top 20 songs on the UK's Official Charts. Her new song 'Change Your Life' features rapper and mentor T.I and is expected to appear in the top 10. Another artist that I was introduced to was Taylor Swift who I was introduced to by one of my friends who loves country music and is one of Taylors biggest fans - I did the same by introducing her to glitter princess Ke$ha (below). The use of social integration has allowed people to communicate and discuss topics, it gains an interest about a certain media and creates conversation about it - as now I can talk about Iggy Azalea & Taylor Swift music. 

Entertainment - Keeping Up With The Kardashians

 Keeping Up With The Kardashians is a reality television show featuring the lives of the Kardashian/Jenner family and the drama that follows them in their socialite lifestyle. The show has been named the 'mother of all reality shows' due to its 7 year run (at this moment) and the family has signed the biggest paid contract in reality television history of $40 million dollars for a run until 2015. The show has been an international success for its audience and has created a worldwide brand - the Kardashian brand that in 2011 it was reported to be worth $65 million dollars and the show has created worldwide fame for the family - specifically Kim, Kourtney & Khloe Kardashian. The family has been a story of success for the tabloids as most magazines sell more if a Kardashian is on the cover but the lies often result in the sisters publicly slandering the magazine - whether is be by public statement or Kim Kardashians $10,000 tweets. 

 The show is relate-able to the audience because primarily it is a show based around a family. But mainly this show is extremely entertaining due to the clashes the family engages in but also how each of the dubbed 'cast' has their own out of this world personality. Situations in the show have been critisised for some of its scenes as some people view them as 'manufactured and staged' like Kim's 72 day wedding to basketball 'star' Kris Humphries but the family and Kim have honestly said how it is a reality show, they are followed by cameras for approximately 7 hours a day and the relationship wasn't staged. The aspect of reality in the Kardashian shows are real and the family has completely opened their lives to the viewing public and world - for example the birth of Kourtneys two children Penelope & Mason and also the pregnancy struggles that Khloe faces. Although the family has been catipulted into instant stardom it has not changed their overall message that family is the most important thing in life. The network has shown various spinoffs documenting the sisters expanding their DASH store  - opening them in major cities like New York & Miami. All of the shows are instant hits in the ratings as the family has become a statement of reality TV stardom currently unmatched by any other celebrity, It is currently filming its 9th season and sets to continue to showcase the meteoric rise of the Kardashian/Jenner family.

Information - E! News

The E! network has been the breeding ground for instant celebrities, the network has helped publicise celebrities through international successes with shows like; Keeping Up With The Kardashians, All About Aubrey and Fashion Police. The format of the network is generally reality shows but they have branched out to producing topical shows or chat shows and as of recently the show is producing its own soap opera style show. The network received rebranding to make it a pop culture expert channel with simplistic graphics in either monochrome or pastel colours as its main focus is to keep up with current trends. E! News focuses on updating its viewers on breaking celebrity news and news breaking stories in popular culture.

E! News is a 7 day a week news show which specialises in keeping the public up to date with current trends and news in pop culture. It entertains the audience with its modern feel with close ties with interactivity to its viewers through social networking sites like Twitter - the show has segments like 'Chat Pack' and 'Sweet and sour tweets' where tweets are used to voice peoples opinions on a certain topic. The hosts of the show alternate daily but primarily host Guiliana Rancic and Terrence Jenkins. As it is an information show it is also a respectable journalistic website with people working behind the scenes at the show to write stories to post on their websites - the most important and often controversial are aired on the show to create a buzz about the show. They will often invite celebrities onto the show to have a candid chat in their talk show set up stage to compete with shows like 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' & 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon'. E! has also been one of the first channels to do live red carpet footage hosted by internationally renound comedienne Joan Rivers and her daughter Melissa. E! News now capitalises on the slogan 'The place for pop culture' as it is now identified as a pop culture network and show.

Personal Identity - Summer Heights High

 Summer Heights High is an comedy sketch show produced and starring Australian comedian Chris Lilley. It centres around three characters; the eccentric drama teacher Mr G, the introverted trouble maker Jonah & the bitchy snob Ja'mie. The show is primarily filmed in Summer Heights High school with extras being actual teachers and students that attend the school, Chris Lilley provides endless amounts of humour when playing these characters with each of the other characters being played perfectly to fit certain stereotypes found in schools. The shows relate-ablilty is key  as it features very common situations in schools for example; when a photo of all Ja'mies friends with insults on them gets sent the them and counselling is set up for the group to resolve the situation.

 The audience of the show is middle class people aged between 16-35 and the characters each show this with their ages, therefore you can identify with each of the characters. You can also identify with the situations that occur within a school but also see how these characters are actually showing you the types of people that go to schools. The actual genre of the show is mockumentary being a fusion of the words mock and documentary meaning it is to showcase certain situations in an informative way - being the types of people and situations that happen in schools but also the mock part adds comedic value to the show to make it entertaining. The documentary/reality style format also adds comedy as it makes the show seem more real and emphasises that there are characters like this found in schools. I personally can identify with the characters of Ja'mie and Jonah as they both are a similar age to me and I have witnessed those types of people at school - but generally everyone that attended school would be able to relate/identify.

Sexuality - Will & Grace

Will & Grace is an American Sitcom lasting for 8 seasons, it depicted the lives of four friends; WIll, Grace, Jack & Karen living in New York and their lives as they each come from different levels of success in their careers and personal lives. Again it has a similar format as Friends and is filmed in easily identifiable locations like the apartment. Some of the situations and characters are un-relatable to the audience but the show uses this to their advantage to add comedy in the style that you will grow to know these people, and see how they deal with these situations - like when socialite Karen hires a makeup counter girl to be a surrogate in order to keep her marriage alive and because she is jealous of Grace getting attention for being pregnant.

The show features two openly gay characters from different sides of the dubbed 'spectrum' - Will is openly gay but has a extremely masculine character, whereas Jack his best friend is also gay but very flamboyant and feminine. It can be seen as positive and negative representation because of someone people describe Jack as being a stereotypical gay character by being incredibly style conscious and bitchy, However Jack is a powerhouse of humour with his one liners and incredible bond with Karen. Like New Girl,Will & Grace does not discriminate due to sexual preference this is made obvious as Jack eventually has his own show and works in the entertainment industry and Will is a successful lawyer. The show represents the gay community in a positive way an example would be that two of the lead roles are played by gay characters. Will & Grace aims its show primarily at the gay community because of some of the language and themes run throughout and the show capitalises on its market by having gay icons like Cher star in cameo appearances. Will is represented positively because of his intelligence and wit but also his serious and caring side to him, he also has a very important job of a lawyer but retains his charm and affection for all of his friends. 

The use of sexuality is easily identified throughout all 8 seasons of the show because of the characters and situations used. You can also get a positive reception from characters like Jack that make humorous comments towards the gay community which shows that he can have a laugh about his sexuality. The character of Karen has often been involved with bisexual tendencies to add comedic value to the show as she is married, but also to broaden its market - all of the characters have a certain sexual preferences which allows the show to reach a wide audience. 

Age - Spring Breakers

Spring Breakers is a 2013 crime film focussing on 4 girls that rob a restaurant to afford to go to spring break, do endless partying, doing drugs and getting arrested. The film has received a lot of criticism for the glamorisation of crime and substance abuse but also the often 'lazy' dialogue - as a lot was improvised to create a natural flow throughout the film. However the directing was praised due to the camera emphasising the neon jungle theme and the realism of actual teens at spring break. The film has often divided its audience by some people describing it as a cult classic and others labelling it as unrealistic and immoral. 

 The film represents teenagers in a highly negative light, teenagers are subjected to many stereotypes like being in gangs, partying and committing crimes - this film does well to show these stereotypes. It does bring the issues to the surface the problems of spring break and do parents actually know what their children are doing whilst on spring break? It also suggests that teenagers are easily led taken specifically by the character of Alien (James Franco) who involves the girls is his criminal activity. The four girls specifically live up to stereotypes and emphasise what the media is saying about teens, the constant use of drugs highlights a bigger problem with spring break. Controversially the character of Faith (Selena Gomez) originates from a strong Christian background and this film showcases that her religion is almost forgotten when she goes on spring break - her actions often described as 'sinning' by herself. The promiscuity and raunchiness of the characters also generates a negative representation of girls as it suggests that all college girls are like this even though this is evidently false. It also strengthens sexual culture of women and the strong sexuality is seen as the characters are often wearing bikinis - including when they do join Alien on their crime endeavour. The absence of older people in this film suggests that they are the control and without them the teenagers are running wild, Evidently shown as the judge is the only older authority in this film and he puts the girls in prison; Spring break overall is a haven for teens that go to party and drink without their parents. Alien although maybe older, is only vaguely older than the girls and lives up to a masculine role but is represented badly due to his control over the girls and overpowering possession and persuasion. 

 I easily identified these aspects of representation because the film features generally around the five characters (above) and the actions that they commit. The excessive partying and drug use lives up to lingering stereotypes and shows teenagers in an even worse light than they already are, the film glamorises crime that are committed by the girls and creates a gang like feel as all of the characters committing the crimes are enjoying it and the police are no where to be seen - suggesting that there are no repercussions for your actions. I personally loved this film but the negative image of teenagers is evident as it does strengthen a stereotype but does make you open your eyes that there are teenagers that are like this and spring break can be a toxic place. 

Race - New Girl

 New Girl is an American sitcom based around the lives of four roommates living in an apartment and all of the hilarious events that occur from this. The show is often described as a distant spinoff as the pop culture phenomenon Friends as it has a similar format and style, with a group of twenty somethings living in an apartment trying to figure out their personal and professional lives. The show overall receives highly positive criticism due to the comedy value and relate-ability  of each of the situations - like heartbreak & redundancy. The cast also demonstrate that they were born for these roles; like the character of Jess is played perfectly by Zooey Deschanel due to her quirkiness & positivity. Which contrasts with Jake Johnson's broody character of Nick Miller and how the two dynamics clash which makes for hilarious television. 

The show represents different dynamics positively by not discriminating against any race/rel

igion or sexuality. This is often shown through the characters whether they be primary or secondary characters - for example Jess' friend Sadie is a lesbian but has a high power job of being a doctor. It shows that just because you are a certain race or sexual preference does not and should not discriminate of what career you allowed to take. Religion also plays a big part of this show of having two different religious beliefs and bring together different cultures in order to create comedy but also inform you about different beliefs. Specifically Judaism & Hinduism are focussed on with Schmidt (right) is jewish and works in a respectable marketing company and has a strong career. Hinduism is focussed on more in season 2 when Cece (right) decides to have an arranged marriage in order to have children, she is of indian heritage and again is represented positively due to her job as a model but also how she is confident, intelligent and also headstrong. Finally the character of Winston is also represented positively due to his incredible wit and humour and how although he is seen as an outcast, he still delivers one liners that ultimately make a scene - he works at his dream job at a sports radio and the show highlights his ambition of one day having his own show.

As I actually watch the show itself, I identified the different representations of the characters easily as the show deliberately encourages you to be yourself and is shown through the characters. It does not discriminate against any religion, race or sexual preference by including all types of people and often giving these people successful careers and high comedic content. New Girl also subtly brings different types of people together to promote the idea of equality and how acceptance is key. Overall New Girl has a positive influence over people because of the message it is trying to promote in an entertaining way, it is obviously successful as the show gets high rating and has been commissioned for a third season.

Gender - Real Housewives of Everywhere

Franchises like the Real Housewives have opened up a world of scrutiny regarding the lives of the women on these shows. There are/have all together been 8 American Real Housewife shows including; Atlanta, DC & Beverly Hills. These shows have created 'Bravolebrities' - celebrities of the company Bravo - which follows the lives of a group of upper class women living their everyday lives and the drama that ensues it. The show dictates which housewives are replaced and who are brought back depending on their 'storyline', which is why shows like this fall under criticism for trying to manipulate scenes in order to create drama. The producers often cast women with strong personalities that they know will clash with other housewives. Generally the franchise does well in the ratings and comes on top of other shows on the channel or above other shows on different networks.

The show receives negative backlash due to some of the women on the show, like Kim Zolciak (Pictured left) who was described as a wig wearing, chain smoking alcoholic by some viewers. Whereas other housewives have had to face public bankruptcy, suicides and alcohol/drug addiction - which poses the question, Do these shows actually ruin peoples lives? The shows are represented negatively due to the impression that all girls should be married and subservient to their husbands. But also gives women as a whole a bad name as on the show they typically argue and have cat fights over the smallest subjects, it raises the impression that all women are backstabbers and bitchy. The show also glamorises the idea of wealth and appearance are more important than brains and personality, as a lot of the women (Specifically the Orange County housewives) come across as airheads with stereotypical appearances - being; bleach blonde hair, orange tans, snow white teeth and carrying dogs in their designer handbags. Shows belonging to this franchise anger people because they do not agree with the women's fame and how they degrade any achievements any female has made in their life - like how Hillary Clinton is at a high position of political power. Some people also disagree with the 'Housewife' element of the show because it makes it appear that all women should have this role and stay at home with the children, But this has totally changed as women are finally seen as equal and people like Oprah Winfrey & Hillary Clinton are embodying success as a woman. 

This was identifiable as the women on the show are considered to be negative and how the whole basis of the show can have a highly negative effect on teenage girls that would watch the show, as they may grow up with the impression that they will marry into wealth and have their own reality TV show. The real housewives are a fixation of popular culture as they are often described as 'war zone shows' by journalists and jokes are made constantly about these shows because of how degrading they are to women. Although people do disagree with the show it is still watched by millions of viewers and is unlikely to disappear any time soon, which just shows that the criticism and negative representation does not affect viewership.

Class - Courtney Stodden

 This newspaper article is about American TV Personality Courtney Stodden after being evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house and being reunited with her 53 year old husband Doug Hutchison. Although she is a celebrity in her own right and falls under the category of being upper class due to her wealth, she downplays this by the way she dresses and her often criticised rise to fame. Her background includes coming from a modest town - Tacoma, Washington DC - raised by a middle class family. 


Courtney has often been scrutinised by the media by the way she dresses, her marriage but also her choice to have breast implants at 18 years old. She is generally represented negatively as people don't agree with her choices in life, also they don't believe she is a role model. She is also represented negatively due to people thinking it is wrong that she is 19 and dresses overtly sexual. However shows like Celebrity Big Brother have allowed her to get over peoples pre-conceptions of her and look past the judgement of appearance because she actually is a positive and caring person, beyond her appearance. 

 I have identified this by looking at magazines and newspapers which brand her as 'superficial' and a 'slut'. Even some papers refusing to report on reality stars like; The Kardashians & Courtney Stodden - as they disagree with their rise to fame and who aren't considered to be a justifiable talent and therefore are not seen as role models. The only way perhaps Courtney would generate a good image about her is if her image was no more, people are judgemental towards her and already form an opinion on her regardless of her personality.

My Favourite Film

My favourite film is The Amazing Spiderman because I love comic books and I'm obsessed with Marvel & DC. I also love this film because the two main roles of Gwen & Peter were played by my favourite actors/actress - Emma Stone & Andrew Garfield.I'm a fan of the original Sam Ramni shot films but felt like the franchise did need a reboot and Marc Webb did the franchise justice. Although this film was the worst commercial Spiderman film, it still did receive $753 million dollars worldwide which still made this film a commercial success internationally.