TV rich with poor life lessons
Deprived of TV during my pre-college years because of my mother’s decision to cancel the service, I decided to live out my dream of being a TV junkie for a day.
If anyone says you can’t learn from watching TV, it’s a lie. I learned plenty that day, especially about a certain sect of American society.
Many shows offer glimpses into the lives of the wealthy, such as tours of the homes of the rich and famous, teen dramas featuring the lives of the rich in a soap-opera context, and “reality” shows depicting wealthy teens squandering their money.
I found myself dizzy watching show after show fixated on wealth and luxury. In a country of diverse socioeconomic construction, American entertainment media fails to cover the entire spectrum, succeeding in full coverage of only the top tier.
So why is Hollywood using this particular formula? What’s the deal with the bombardment of extreme wealth?
The formula works primarily because it’s popular with viewers. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The O.C.” is viewed by 6.5 million people weekly, the majority of them under 35. The show’s popularity since its debut in 2003 has even caused the county itself to often be referred to as “The O.C.,” much to many residents’ chagrin.
True, television and fascination with the wealthy have always coexisted (think “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Dynasty”). However, shows are increasingly targeting younger audiences, with MTV pitching shows such as “Laguna Beach,” “Cribs” and “My Super Sweet 16.”
“In Hollywood, there’s been a surge of orienting towards youth. ... (Today’s) youth have more spending power now,” said sociology graduate student Nancy Yuen. “There are more media sources telling us what to buy. There’s so much cross-promotion everywhere.”
Thus, the entertainment business is aiming for our pockets. Glamorous lifestyles portrayed on television can boost the economy, therefore creating more business and furthering the production of these shows.
As I watched Marissa from “The O.C.” relax by the pool with her house (or rather, a museum) reflecting in the water, and later a 16-year-old drive a $75,000 Beemer away from her lavish birthday party, I couldn’t help but think: Is this really how some people live? Do such lifestyles exist?
This is more mind-blowing than The Discovery Channel, folks.
It’s frightening that young viewers receive such a heavy dosage of the rich, because we’re put out of touch with reality.
Of course, TV can never be a reflection of reality, but it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate some elements of the existing diverse socioeconomic structure, especially since the rift between the rich and the poor is growing larger.
While it is true that this country offers more social mobility than most, according to The Los Angeles Times, the disappearing middle class is a growing pattern nationwide, “where rich and poor live in separate neighborhoods, surrounded by others like themselves,” particularly in Los Angeles .
And exposure to the upper class through media inspires emulation from those who can’t afford it. According to Newsweek, a growing number of enterprises rent out luxury cars, designer jewelry and purses for a fraction of the item’s original steep price.
Perpetuating the economy is good, but it would be even better for the media to expose true American society. While I doubt that television will ever be socially enlightening, the media’s restricted coverage stalls creativity, further averts our eyes from the rest of society, and fixates upon petty materialism.
Who knows – maybe a teen soap based on the slums in L.A. could be the next big hit. After all, who would have ever thought that a bunch of super-rich teens spending their days at the beach and moaning about boy/girl drama could be so entertaining as to sweep the youth generation?
It certainly would be refreshing to watch the change. And perhaps, maybe for once, we’d be able to learn something real from watching TV.
If you own a $75,000 car but don’t have a license, e-mail Yoo at lyoo@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.
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