The Modern I love Lucy Family How Gender Roles Have Changed By: Kelsey Walsh, Adam Tyler, Claire Hannum

Introduction  Sitcoms both reflect and dictate social norms  As society progresses, popular television shows and the lifestyles of their characters often progress as well

Introduction  I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom. The black and white series originally ran from October 15,1951 to May 6, 1957on CBS. I Love Lucy was the most watched show in the United States in four of its six seasons, and was the first to end its run at the top of the Nielsen ratings.  Nielson Ratings- for all 6 seasons it was in the top 5 rated shows

Introduction Con.  Modern Family is an American comedy which debuted on ABC on september 23,2009. Presented in mockumentary style, the fictional characters frequently talk directly into the camera. It is about Jay Pritchett, his second wife and step son, and his two children and their families. Lloyd and Levitan conceived the series while sharing stories of their own "modern families.  Nielson ratings- 8.7, 14,437 viewers

History  Sitcoms began as radio shows in the 1920s  Amos ‘n’ Andy ( )  The Jack Benny Program (1932 – 1955)  Blondie (1939 – 1950)

History Con.  Shows Through the Decades  1950’s  based on the nuclear family  1960’s  started using magical powers/ atypical situations  1970’s and 1980’s  started dealing with serious issues  greater independence for female characters  1990’s  based on family

History Con.  Gender Roles through the decades  1950’s and 1960’s  actors were very true to their own gender roles  1970’s  actors branched out, women became more independent

History Con.  Examples   I Dream of Jeannie I Dream of Jeannie  The Munsters The Munsters  The Mary Tyler Moore Show The Mary Tyler Moore Show

History Con.  ure=related

History Con.  I Love Lucy  Multi-camera setup  Shot in front of a live audience  Desilu Production Studios  Modern Family  Single-camera setup  Interiors shot at Fox Studios in Culver City  The Dunphy house  Dunleer Drive in Los Angeles

Critical Analysis  I Love Lucy  Parents need to know that this still-hilarious 1950s comedy classic is entirely tame by contemporary standards, though some episodes do show the characters smoking or drinking.  The old-fashioned family stereotypes (like the clueless housewife and the patronizing husband) are prominent

Critical Analysis Con.  Modern Family  Cam and Mitchell's toddler daughter mimics her dads' uncouth language, and begins repeating the "f-word" at the most embarrassing of times.  Fans of the gay couple Cam and Mitchell were miffed that the two very-much-in-love partners had never kissed on screen.

Not so ‘Modern’ Family  Phil as the Patriarch   Cam as the mother  Mothers Day Episode Mother

Main Divergent Points  Stereotypes  CBS felt that many people would not watch the show because an American women was married to a Cuban man, and that did not happen in reality.  Lucy always needed the approval of her husband. He was the breadwinner so she had to do as he said.  Latino stereotypes prevail in both I Love Lucy and Modern Family

Stereotypes on TV  I Love Lucy  Arroz con pollo Arroz con pollo  Modern Family  Sofia Vergara Sofia Vergara

Alternative Creative Approaches  Breaking traditional Gender Roles  Cross-dressing  Un-Lady like  Physical comedy  Mirror image of 1950s  “I Loathe Lucy” SNL

Rationale  I Love Lucy  Realistic  The most influential series in TV history  Accidental invention of the re-run

Rationale Con.  Modern Family  Award-winning  Modern approach to Nuclear Family  Progressive

Bloopers and Gags  Modern Family  Outtakes Outtakes  I Love Lucy  The trouble with shooting live The trouble with shooting live

Conclusion  Gender roles have changed drastically since the 1950’s  New issues with gender roles have arisen  Men playing the housewife  Women are more independent

Conclusion Con.  Both series have a strong grasp on the current issues of their time  The humor is what keeps the two series going, but their groundbreaking techniques are what make them so continually popular  The future leaves room for much more growth in terms of gender representation, but these series give us reason to believe that growth WILL happen over time