This is the class blog for Dr. Lisa Burns' MSS 349/PO 348 Fall 2014 Political Communication course at Quinnipiac University.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Hollywood's Take on Politics - November 18th
Which movie or TV show offers your favorite
representation of politics? Be sure to offer specific examples to support your
answer. You only need to refer to one class reading in support of your
response.
While politics is deemed a “serious” subject, there are certain television shows that have been created to not only enhance what happens in politics, but also perhaps exaggerate what truly occurs, for example, in the White House. A particular image surrounds this portrayal on these television shows. My favorite representation of politics through a television show would have to be Scandal.
This show stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope who is a former media relations consultant to the President. She dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation's elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter-both professionally and personally-but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. In other words, Pope has an affair with the President and the show offers a glimpse into what life is like “behind the scenes” at the White House according to the show’s creators. It has been said that this show was based on former President George H.W. Bush’s administration press aide Judy Smith and her job. However, Smith did not ever have an affair with Bush like Olivia Pope does with the president in Scandal. Some, or most, of the events that happen on Scandal are exaggerated slightly for entertainment purposes.
One of the most important principles I have learned in this class is that maintaining a positive and reputable image is key in the political process. I am sure that Olivia Pope is constantly concerned with ensuring positive image among her clients. “The theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177).
What I like about Scandal is the fact that it demonstrates factual occurrences on the show regarding crisis management and some White House activity, but it also adds its’ own twist through exaggeration. For example, characters on the show speak confidently and very quickly which isn’t common in the “real world”. The show demonstrates melodrama in Washington D.C. which is not actually common in real life in D.C. Scandal paints a picture of White House “drama” that is far from what actually occurs on a daily basis in the White House. In addition, the show keeps me on the edge of my seat and is a source of escapism from otherwise “boring” political life. I also enjoy Olivia’s political style, which is different from boring pantsuits and bland colors.
We have had scandals in the past. For example, the scandal between former President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. However, I don’t remember any Olivia Popes coming out to twist the situation and manage the crisis. I just remember Clinton attempting to apologize and say nothing happened.
In summary, I would enjoy hearing more about the people who play Olivia Pope in the real world. Scandal offers a glimpse into presidential and political life and a fun twist on this life is an added bonus.
Sources:
Benoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
I can easily be called a news addict based on how much I watch and read actual news, but I am also a big fan of television shows that revolve around politics. And though I desperately want to discuss my obsession with ABCs “Scandal” for this blog post, I feel it is my civic duty to discuss Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” as the television show that offers my favorite representation of politics.
I’ve only begun watching “The Daily Show” this semester, thanks to this class actually, and I can wholeheartedly declare I have fallen in love with it. Jon Stewart and his team of writers are a special kind of genius in my mind. They produce a show that is entertaining, hilarious, and informative in unconventional ways. The program packs multiple punches each episode, and it makes politics something people want to watch, listen to and talk about. And though the show often relies on comedic opinion and drastically sarcastic innuendos to draw in laughs, if you are even minutely into politics, you will love “The Daily Show.”
As an aspiring journalist who watches hours upon hours of actual political news coverage, I can affirm that “The Daily Show” represents politics in a special way that allows a younger crowd to feel interested. I am the first to note that everyday politics is often boring, uneventful and even irritating with everything that is going on, but what Jon Stewart and his team does is compile the most notable, the most intriguing, the plain funniest, and the weirdest moments in our lovely political system, and mash it all up into a captivating 22-minute program. Jeffrey Jones writes in Entertaining Politics: New Political Television and Civic Culture how our society is combining the media and politics. “Indeed, politics and popular culture are essentially opposite sides of the same coin” (Jones, 24). This statement, though seemingly odd when first reading it, is entirely true! Thanks to our incessant crafting of political figures into celebrities, we are more and more making politics a pop culture event. And people like Jon Stewart and his writers are taking full advantage of our crafting, and are producing quality television about it all.
But on a more serious note, I think “The Daily Show” represents politics in a respectable way because it draws the viewer in to actually pay attention to details normally not covered by news outlets. Stewart has the advantage of expressing his opinion on his show, which helps viewers understand how ridiculous, important, sad or hilarious certain political news may be. Take his clip from an episode that focused on the recent Florida gubernatorial debate, and the “ball fan” debacle. Most news outlets were unable to report on how utterly ridiculous it was that a political figure was halting a debate because his competitor had placed a face underneath his podium to keep his lower body cool. But when Stewart got his hands on it, it became hilarious, but truthful, television that showcased some of the unbelievable crap we focus on in politics.
Stewart also did a fabulous job covering the race between two New York politicians, one who was fending off nearly 20 federal charges…and still won! The reason, time and time again, that Stewart best represents politics on television in my mind is because he gets down to the bare bones of things, and laughingly makes voters and viewers realize how corrupt our system is. He is able to do so in a way that nobody else really can, and it’s highly impactful. As Jones continues to write, people who follow certain television programs end up using the information presented by those programs to understand and discuss daily topics. “And people talk with television, using its narratives as part of how the world is to be understood and explained” (Jones, 30). Overall, the point is that the media now plays an extremely significant role in politics. And while legitimate journalism and proper political coverage is desperately important to keep an eye on our country’s leaders for Americans, comedians like Stewart are helping inform the American people in ways never thought of before. It is comedic genius, very informative, and discreetly super-intelligent for viewers who already have a grasp on America’s great political system.
Works Cited Jones, Jeffrey. Entertaining Politics: New Political Television and Civic Culture, 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010.
Television shows and movies are a great way to depict politics to the average American. Whether the shows give a positive or negative depiction of politics it can form someone opinion on the dos and don’ts on American politics. House of Cards is my favorite TV shows that depicts the complexity of politics in the United States. Although, it is a television show and is mainly crafted to be dramatic in order to create suspense and get viewers to watch it, it seems very believable and accurate. This show is about a politician who works himself in the food chain. He starts off as a congressman, and then becomes Vice President then he becomes President. In my opinion on of the most accurate parts of the show is how they get to pass legislation. His wife wanted to pass legislation that helped against rape and sexual violence. In the efforts to get this passes, the offer congress people things they might want like infrastructure in their district or even money to fund their projects. Kevin Spacey that plays the main character, Francis Underwood, walks us through the darks side of politics; having to cover up secret, using the media to your advantage, manipulation of people and making the system that is in place work for you and even breaking the rule. The plot and basis of the story seem accurate. There is a lot of things that go on that mislead people like murder and putting people in jail that know too much. This makes you question, can a politician with enough power actually do these thing, because everything else in the show seems so believable. This show is the perfect balance of the truth and tale, which makes one of my favorite shows that depict politics. Another show that is very interesting is Scandal. This show is believed to be someone correct because Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, is based off of a real person. Judy Smith is the real person Olivia Pope was based off of and she served under Bush Senior. Although they didn’t have an affair, it makes you think that everything else is real. The stories she had to cover up and the people she had to work for within the political system. The simple fact that it is based off of a real person gives you the illusion that most of it is real, which add to appeal of the show. This show shows the important of image. Olivia Pop works on crisis control, which shows how much image is important. “The theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177). This shows really depict all the work it takes to make someone or something appear nice, it shows how little the American public can actually know and how much politician control what you actually see. Shows like these add to the skeptical view people have on the government. Although these shows are entertaining it is scary to think how accurate they might actually be. Benoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
I really enjoys political movies and TV shows and although I find political dramas like House of Cards, The West Wing, or my personal favorite The Ides of March, entertaining I think political satires paint a more accurate picture of life in the political world.
Although it has been 17 years since its release I think “Wag the Dog” remains one of the best political satires around. In the movie an eccentric producer played by Dustin Hoffman is tasked with fooling the media by creating a fake war for the President. At times the movie is eerily realistic. Especially when you consider what might have been going on at the end of the Clinton administration.
As Semiatin notes “Television contributed directly to the decline of issues and the rise of personality and individual character.” (141) So who better to defuse a political scandal than the ones who usually report on it.
The plot of wag the dog revolves around the political equivalent of oceans 11, A crew of film producers, speech writers, and presidential aides, all brought together by a mysterious ‘spin doctor’, played by Robert Deniro and tasked with the dilemma of keeping the president’s sexual affairs with a firefly girl out of the media’s attention for 11 days till his expected re-election.
At its core the movie is a dark comedy and not a “serious” look at politics and the media in America. Taking that into consideration the film becomes more and more eccentric as it goes. But certain things don’t seem so farfetched.
In 1998 the Clinton administration launched its most aggressive strike against al Qaeda when U.S. cruise missiles were sent to six terrorist compound sites in Afghanistan. Many people thought that the attack did not follow the president’s pattern of behavior when dealing with the Middle East and accused him of trying to distract the public from the current Lewinsky scandal. (Gellman)
This theory was passionately put to rest by House Speaker Newt Gingrich who said. "By doing this we’re sending the signal there are no sanctuaries for terrorists." In addition Gingrich adviser Rich Galen e-mailed conservative radio talk show hosts saying: "Speaker Newt Gingrich has made it clear to me" that the attacks were necessary and appropriate this is a time to put our nation’s interests ahead of our political concerns. I am asking you to help your listeners, your friends, and your associates to look at this situation with the sober eyes it deserves." (Gugliotta)
Even still, many accused Clinton of using Afghanistan as a distraction. Sen. Dan Coats said: "The president has been consumed with matters regarding his personal life. It raises questions about whether or not he had the time to devote to this issue, or give the kind of judgment that needed to be given to this issue to call for military action." (Gugliotta)
As we all know the media loves a conspiracy and the conservative Media Research Council noted that "every network did raise the "Wag the Dog" scenario." (Baker) in addition Frank Bruni of the New York Times devoted a whole story to the notion. (Bruni) Frankly, it looks as though the media did a lot more to question President Clinton than did the GOP leadership.
The nineties had wag the dog but the most recent example of great political satire has got to be “In The Loop.” The film takes place in America and England during a run up to war in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. The story is set in motion when British Foreign Minister Simon Foster blunders with one poorly chosen word during a radio interview. He calls the war "unforeseeable." Damage control is immediately launched as the effects of Foster's slip of the tongue ripple through the political landscape.
Watching in the Loop you are hit with the disturbing realization that the movie is much more accurate than anybody would care to imagine. See if this sounds familiar, A U.S. president is pushing for a war in the Middle East, going for a U.N. resolution though there's no reliable intelligence to back him up. And the Brits are staying carefully neutral, to give their prime minister room to maneuver.
In the Loop’s nonstop, verbal action makes "Wag the Dog" seem mind numbingly slow. If the corridors of power really are this dysfunctional, let's at least hope they're this funny, too. You laugh because the alternative would be to weep for us all.
One of my most recent favorites was 2011’s Ides of March. Not only does the movie have a star studded cast featuring George Clooney, Ryan gosling, and Philip Seymour Hoffman among others it also follows a great plot line. George Clooney directs and stars in the movie, as a Democratic candidate for the presidential nomination. His campaign, however, is really a backdrop for power plays and infighting among the campaign staff.
"The Ides of March" borrows quite a bit from some recent campaigns and scandals. Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), the main character in the film, is struggling to get a crucial political endorsement and a primary victory for his candidate. Stephen's also fighting temptation from the rival campaign and from an attractive intern who becomes trouble as the Democratic primary approaches. For me the film was sort of less about politics than it is about moral dilemmas that people face when they're in those kinds of situations.
I realize that my selections might make it seem as though I have a cynical or jaded view of politics but I feel I am more of a realist. Movies like Wag the Dog, In The Loop, or Ides Of March, focus on the spin and public relations work that goes into campaigns, an area that I think carries more influence than we imagine.
Works Cited
Gellman, Barton, and Dana Priest. Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Gugliotta, Guy, and Juliet Eilperin. "Tough Response Appeals to Clinton Critics." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Baker, Brent. "CyberAlert -- 08/21/1998 -- Wag the Dog?" Media Research Center. N.p., 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Bruni, Frank. "Is Life Imitating Art? 'Wag the Dog' Springs to Many Minds."The New York Times. The New York Times, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Semiatin, Richard J. "Campaign Press Coverage." Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2008. N. pag. Print.
While politics are a complex and serious issue and something that is often avoided, especially for entertainment purposes, films and television series have begun to to tackle the difficult subject. Giglio writes, “Hollywood is in the entertainment business all right, but the industry also delivers political messages in selected films,” (2-3), as he introduces readers to how film and politics came to be. While films have historically featured political plots, characters or scandals for many different purposes, like Giglio mentions, television has begun to follow suit. There is no show that better depicts politics than ABC’s hit drama, “Scandal.” Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, the ultimate political fixer, partially tasked with helping to maintain President Fitzgerald Grant’s positive image. As the former Communications Director for the White House, Olivia resigns when it becomes clear that her personal relationship with the President is affecting her job and ability to help him maintain a positive image.
Ironically, as fans of the show know, Olivia herself is one of the President’s biggest scandals, as the two engage in inappropriate sexual relations throughout the show and his political career. The sex scandal affects all aspects of both Olivia and the president’s lives, job as President of the United States and his marriage to Mellie Grant.
If we’ve learned anything by studying political communications it’s that image is everything in politics. Image is also a huge theme throughout the series, as seemingly every character faces a scandal at some point. The emphasis that “Scandal” puts on image is why it is my favorite representation of politics in television, just because of how important image is in real life. Of course, none of this is to say that “Scandal” depicts the most accurate representation of politics or life in the White House. It does, however, offer an interesting and eye-opening look at some aspects to life as the President that many would not even think about.
Another politically-based television series that offers a great representation of politics is “The Good Wife.” The series follows the Florrick family through many political and sex scandals. Peter Florrick, a former State’s Attorney, is sent to jail after it is discovered that he participated in a corruption scandal. In the show’s opening scene, his wife Alicia stands by his side in a press conference as he admits his indiscretions to the public, a scene very similar to many real-life political scandals. His reputation and image are tested throughout the series, as his scandals continuously get in the way of his career and personal life.
While the show focuses on both politics and the legal system, it is interesting to note that “The Good Wife’s” creators, Michelle and Robert King, used some famous political scandals, from Eliot Spitzer to John Edwards, as inspiration for the show. In an article titled “The Good Wife: Non-Lawyers Behind That Lawyer Show,” Michelle King says, “We came up with the idea about a year and a half ago. There had been this waterfall of these kinds of scandals, from Bill and Hillary [Clinton], to Dick Morris, to Eliot Spitzer, to name just a few. I think they’re all over our culture. And there was always this image of the husband up there apologizing and the wife standing next to him,” (Bitter Success). This further proves the heavy emphasis that image and scandals have on politics as a whole, especially when analyzing how this action was represented in the very first scene of the entire series.
Another aspect of politics that is well represented in both “Scandal” and “The Good Wife” is the importance of family. Dr. Lisa Burn writes, “The press and the American people have been fascinated by the first lady since the beginning of the nation’s history,” (3), and the role of the first lady is extremely prominent in “Scandal,” as the President and his wife’s relationship is tested throughout the show’s scandals. In “The Good Wife,” the Florrick’s children are constantly in the media and brought into the scandals, whether they like it or not.
It’s interesting to watch the trend of politics in television grow, especially in recent years. Even shows that aren’t necessarily about politics, like “Parenthood,” have begun to feature political storylines. In season five the NBC drama, Kristina Braverman decides to enter the mayoral race against opponent Bob Little. While the show’s biggest scandals are usually about sibling rivalry, this arc allowed politics to take the spotlight. During the race, image becomes extremely important, as Kristina’s opponent uses her husband’s past in the media to negate her image. The way this specific show depicts politics is very interesting, as it shows how brutal even smaller political elections can get. The fact that a family drama, like “Parenthood,” would feature a political storyline also shows just how important and prominent politics are becoming in the media and entertainment industries.
WORKS CITED:
Burns, Lisa M. First Ladies and the Fourth Estate: Press Framing of Presidential Wives. DeKalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 2008.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.
Success, Bitter. "The Good Wife: Non-Lawyers Behind That Lawyer Show - Bitter Lawyer." Bitter Lawyer. Bitter Empire, LLC, 4 Jan. 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
The shows that grab my attention are usually the ones with a lot of comedy and subtle humor, with characters that I can relate to or can’t help but love. When having to choose what my favorite politics based television show is, I have a hard time. I love VEEP for its sarcasm and sassy portrayal of a woman dominating the political field (with a few mishaps along the way), and I also love Parks and Recreation. Both shows are completely different in nature, with the uniting factor being a woman in a political position. But, Leslie Knope is very different from Selena Meyer. I think Parks and Recreation is my favorite show out of the two because of its focus on small town politics. I was able to see first hand how small town politics work when I was calling in vote totals for the Associated Press in the midterm elections. I felt like I was working in the town of Pawnee, Indiana (where Parks and Rec is set in). These television shows are so popular with people because it brings elements of humor into a world that some people may see as dark and cynical. In his book, Giglio writes that, “Political activities in feature films frequently express individual behavior that is motivated by self-interest; bad politicians act out of greed and ambition while good politicians act in response to the deeds of bad. Few act out of a deep commitment to democratic principals” (95). While this may be the case with the big screen, I do not believe that Parks and Rec falls into this trap, and I think that is why I like it so much as a political television show. Leslie Knope is a committed small town politician who follows the rule and has a genuine love for politics. Her work is monotonous and she has to deal with a lot of problems that come with being a democracy; like attending town hearings where citizens yell at her even though she is trying to improve the town. There is hardly ever a bad guy who acts out of greed. If anything, Parks and Rec centers around the disillusion of politics and how one woman fights with that and her belief in democracy. The show focuses on how hard it is for politicians to make change because of the rules and red-tape.
And even though Leslie Knope is a determined character infused with way more optimism than one would ever expect, she does experience her share of ups and downs in the political circuit. In one episode, she is voted out of her position of city councilwoman because of the influence that big business had over her town people. The show might focus on a boring town and tiny bureaucratic issues that councilmen face, but I think it reflects the apathy that many people feel towards politics that don’t deal directly with the presidency. With humor and a quick wit, Parks and Rec is the friendly version of VEEP, and I believe it gives viewers a little more interest in their own town’s politics even if it is through satire.
I personally don’t watch anything about politics because politics is probably one of my least favorite subjects, so it was hard to pick a show or movie that had the best representation. I also don’t watch a lot of TV in general so I couldn’t think of anything that even had to do with politics besides My Date with the Presidents Daughter, which I probably saw when I was ten. But I then decided to watch a few episodes of Parks and Recreation because my boyfriend is a big fan. I decided this was my favorite representation of politics. Parks and Recreation isn’t at all about the US government or the president but instead about a towns government specifically their parks and recreational department. The one of the main characters Leslie does mention that she wants to eventually be president though. The show is a comedy so it was interesting and funny even though it focused on some political issues. Not only do I like the show because it was funny but it represents politics in a positive way. “NBC’s PARKS AND RECREATION, never shying from political controversy, examines current beltway tensions in ways one might expect from a more overtly political program.” (Gannon). The show focuses on tensions in government while still making them funny proving that politics may not be as serious as everyone thinks. The reason I like Parks and Rec’s representation the best is that their small town government is run how government should be run. The department has meetings and is very close which is how I believe more government and political figures should be. I feel as though members of the government don’t communicate in ways that they should. But the characters of Parks and Rec do communicate with each other and get along rather well. I also really like how right from the beginning the characters get the people in the community involved. I feel like that is also not done enough in real government. The show really gives people who don’t like politics an inside view on how it works. In the pilot episode the cast goes door to door to have a empty lot made into a park and many people disagree or actually agree but cant attend the meeting. At the actual meeting hardly anyone shoes up and Leslie receives so much scrutiny from the people of the community. I don’t think people realize how harsh politics are and how hard it is to actually get people to side with you so the pilot episode is a good example. Leslie helps people get the idea of a woman in power. I think this is awesome because she’s ambitious and strives to be at the top. This shows other women that they can be involved in politics or government even if its something as simple as a parks and recreational department. Parks and Recreation is really a great example of how politics should be and a great type of entertainment. “Historically, the studios decided serious films on politics would not fill theater seats.” (Giglio, 94). Unlike those serious films, Parks and Rec could fill theater seats if it were a movie. It’s actually the one of the longest running comedies on NBC. It has a great representation of politics while also keeping the audience laughing so I would definitely recommend it to someone like me, who doesn’t like politics. Works Cited
Gannon, Matthew. "“Parks and Recreation”: TV’s Most Progressive Show." Saloncom RSS. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. .
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.
Politics’ is a serious subject, and when Hollywood steps in and creates it’s own form of politics, the actual idea become different “… What is truly alarming, however, is that Hollywood money gains the industry an unequal amount of access and inordinate amount of influence while it blurs the line between public office and celebrity status” (Gillio 4). The politics we know today can sometime be misinterpreted for what is actually true. There are some shows and films that give realistic ideas of what politics actually involves, and sometimes they can seem boring, but there are few that can be compelling and exciting to watch.
When we think of politics, we usually think of big name people, like the President or Senators. What is so special about politics though is that it can come from anywhere, even the small town of Pawnee, Indiana, the location of Parks and Recreations. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, a bureaucrat in the parks department and is eventually elected City Councilor of Pawnee. Her character is in love with her job and is extremely dedicated to it.
Leslie is all about the people. In the first episode she is determined to help a women, named Ann that she just met. Leslie promises to fill in a giant hole next to Ann’s house and make it into a park. This shows how dedicated someone needs to be to work in the government. You cannot just half ass something and say you are going to do it; they need to step up, take charge and fight, and that is something that Leslie always does.
I personally do not like shows about politics. I think shows like Scandal and VEEP seem like amazing shows but I have never really got around to watching them. What I like about Parks and Recs is that it gives a lighter side to the political world. A lot of the political shows today mainly focus on high profile positions; Parks and Recs shows what actually goes on in our local government and how dedicated someone needs to be to work in the government. Leslie has so much love for her town and that is what any politician should be focused on, the people they are trying to help. She is always on top of her game and always has a plan in place.
Like any politician, Leslie has her fair share of problems in her positions, which only makes her human. Politics is an ever-changing field; one day you can be on cloud 9, and the next day you are 6 feet under. But like any good politician knows, you have to keep a brave face. You cannot let the people know that you are scared or nervous, because they will loose all faith in you. That is exactly how Leslie lives her life; she takes each day one step at a time and makes sure that everything will be okay.
I think Parks and Recreation may not be the best representation of politics, but it is my favorite and I think it gives an amazing example of what a politician should be. Leslie Knope is the politician that everyone should strive to be like, because if we had more people like she we could get a lot more stuff done.
Work Cited Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.
In a failed attempt to avoid the temptation to write on “Scandal” my post follows.
It is rare to see an entirely accurate Hollywood representation of the inner workings of American government, especially in regard to historical preservation. However, the lack of accuracy can be masked by a false sense of drama, harmony, and glamour. When Hollywood produces film or television that showcases the political arena, it is a chance for the director to reveal the human aspect of politics that is otherwise never seen. In this case, my favorite representation of politics is offered in the fast-paced hit television drama Scandal, because of its ability to portray the personal side of politics in the most groundbreaking way.
Scandal depicts the inner workings of the White House in a way that is rarely, if ever, done. As dramatized as it may be, portraying the first family and President’s staff as highly dysfunctional contradicts the very beliefs engrained into the minds of the American people. The very root of this conflict is of course in the affair between Olivia Pope and the President. This exploitation is a risk, and as Gilgio writes, the creators are outliers, “while mainstream Hollywood avoids controversial subjects and ideological treatment, the few auteurs are willing to risk box office failure by exploiting the medium for politic purposes” (Giglio 11) The intensity of exploiting the relationship certainly captivates viewers, and the great cover-up provides a strong core for the show. Depicting such sex scandal goes against the typical efforts to overshadow these kinds of wrongdoings, as was done with Primary Colors and Wag the Dog during Clinton’s time in the White House.
It is undeniable that Americans have seen the faults of the first family and the White House, but never as dramatized and raw as this. In the least manipulative way it is clear that the filmmaker is attempting to reveal their extreme cynicism and distrust of American politics. As noted by Giglio, “filmmakers have viewed the medium as an instrument to communicate stories that express their personal opinions and beliefs about love, life, and politics” (Giglio 3). The creator of the show is able to do all of this. In the simplest example, the viewer watching a fighting match between First Lady Mellie and President Grant with the baby Teddy between them provides a realistic portrayal that is never seen. Revealing the secret killing of innocent citizens in the best interest of the government is an even greater leap.
In the end, it is the greater concept of Olivia Pope as the fixer that is at the forefront of the show. The show directly reveals how such imperfections in the nation’s administration are carefully hidden with well-orchestrated communication efforts. Pope finds every detail to use to her advantage, whether it is the outfit for Mellie to wear on camera or the way in which the President responds to international crisis. This element of the show further reveals sides of politics that simply are not done in a primetime television drama.
The show’s creators are unafraid to cross all boundaries that have been established by Hollwood’s past depictions of the White House, such as in TV shows like The West Wing. Scandal has shown that one series can have an assassination attempt on the President, a passionate affair, and reveal the underbelly of political manipulation. This is why Scandal is my favorite representation of politics, not because it is fully accurate, but because it is uninhibited by the trends set in place so long ago. With such a progression to dramatize politics, it is unclear what impact this might have on the mindset of the American people. One thing is clear; they crave the fast pace, the intensity, and most importantly the scandal.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
"House of Cards" without a doubt offers my favorite representation of politics in regards to a television series. Although easy to point out the show's flaws in its representation, "House of Cards" brings to light an important aspect that drives politics, money.
As Giglio pointed out, "Candidates for public office seek financial support for their increasingly expensive political campaigns" (4). In season two of "House of Cards", as the mid term elections come around, Raymond Tusk, the energy magnate, is pouring millions of dollars into campaigns through a Super PAC. Tusk attempted to funnel Chinese money through a United States based casino operator, and essential buy votes for the Republicans.
Even though it would make more sense for Tusk to funnel money through a 501 (c) 4, non profit organization because they do not have to disclose donor information like a Super PAC does, it still opens up the discussion that unfortunately, money runs politics. Tusk could be a representation of the Koch brothers, a financier that has the necessary funding to provide millions and millions of dollars to either support a candidate or attempt to run a candidate out of office. Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited sums of money from either corporations, unions, or individuals and then spend an unlimited amount of money to advocate for a candidate. The millions of dollars raised by Super PACs and their ability to endlessly spend this money on candidates heavily influences campaigns. It is unfortunate, but it is the truth. Despite the fact that "House of Cards" may exaggerate the way money is funneled into politics, it still gives truth to its viewers.
Works Cited: Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
My favorite representation of politics is the television show The West Wing. I think that the show shows politics in a realistic, if sometimes slightly idealistic, manner. In fact, it’s what first got me into politics. Some people have a problem with the show’s creator and writer Aaron Sorkin due to his tendency to be a bit preachy. I don’t mind this at all because, in my view, the show always has something to say and I can choose to agree or disagree with it. But I think that that is an example of it being realistic. The show’s characters are smart people, they don’t just tell us that they went to Harvard or Princeton to show us they’re smart, it shows it through these sometimes preachy lines. People in politics are preachy because they do have strong viewpoints, and therefore, so do the characters on the show. I love how the show handles real-life situations that are faced in politics. In the show’s third episode, it deals with the “proportional response”, which is a military attack that is on par with an act of aggression taken against a country. The President is dealing with an attack that downed a helicopter carrying his new White House physician. The President questions the virtue of a proportionate response. The episode calls into question what the point of it is if your enemy has accounted for it already and asks why not strike back harder. The following episode shows them trying to pass a bill and needing the five votes. It shows how they go about getting the votes and the toll the job takes on their personal lives. There’s another episode where their down on a census methodology vote. They meet with three congressmen, of whom they need one to switch to their side, to discuss the issue. After arguing throughout the episode, two decide to leave saying they will not switch. The third says that he will switch his vote because of the arguments presented. This episode is a commentary on how the merits of argument often take a backseat to politics. The show address too many facets of politics to go into each one but it does so with interesting incite into the process while having a point to make. However it does have a tendency to provide idealistic solutions. But it’s the process the show portrays that I find so interesting. A good example is the budget fight in season five. If you take away the President’s walk to the Capitol Building to end the shutdown, the process shown is very realistic and interesting. Something else I love about it is how it looks at the President. I find the office to be so fascinating, particularly the people who hold it. Peter Rollins wrote of why character is such an appealing study for Hollywood. He says, “Hollywood’s films about the presidency seem to be obsessed with the issue. Why character? Because Americans do not merely change administrations every four years – or have the opportunity to do so; citizens in the United States have the option to change sovereigns with every presidential election…Voters do not merely expect the president to oversee the actions of the executive departments, but…they expect a president to be a symbol of national character.” (Rollins 252) The West Wing provides a very interesting look at the President’s character. Through Bartlett’s M.S. scandal, his daughters kidnapping and many other moments show us his character and I enjoy how they portray the President especially in these moments.
Works Cited: Rollins, Peter C. Hollywood's White House the American Presidency in Film and History. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2010. Print.
My favorite representation of politics through the media is House of Cards. I am not naive and realize that most of this is fiction. The average viewer, who doesn’t have the media literacy skills of me probably doesn’t understand the extent to which this show is fabricated and sensationalized. Ultimately this makes the average citizen even more skeptical of the government and politics. Why do they need to sensationalize this TV show? Because “political films are box office poison,”(Gilgo,10). The people want to be entertained so the TV show must be filled with stories of violence, sex, and over exaggerated power, as we will see in the examples I use below.
The first character that I will talk about is Remy, the lobbyist. His character represents the deal making and true politics that does go on in around the beltway. They do a great job of making this character just as powerful as the politician at times, an example is his relationship with Jackie Sharpe. Another example is how he was able to turn Clare against Frank, by allowing her to move cargo through Sudan for her foundation, in exchange for the killing of a bill Peter Russo was supporting. After Remy represents SansCorp, he then moves to represent Tusk, these are two antagonists’ figures to Frank the main politician. This reminds the citizens of the United States that money and deals run Washington D.C..
I have always said that people will kill you over a million dollars. We see in the show that a lot of people are either paid off or killed to keep Franks reputation in place. The first example of this is how the prostitute Rachel Posner is paid $10,000 to keep quiet about Peter Russo hiring her. She is then taken care of by Doug stamper who is looked at as a plumber type character out of the Nixon administration. We see Frank act as his own “Plumber” also, first when he kills Peter Russo and then when he kills Jodi Barnes. I think that this stuff doesn’t go on as often as portrayed in the show.
Another thing that is covered up by Frank for the purpose of politics is the fact that Frank is potentially gay. There have been two instances where this has been eluded to, first when he makes out with his college friends, then when he makes out with his secret service officer. This is something that I think goes on in politics to protect the image of the politician.
A character that has a pretty accurate stereotype is Mrs. Underwood. The soon to be first lady has been shown to be the woman behind Frank with her own agenda similar to Hillary Clinton. Her dad is the one who financed Frank in the first place making clear that the relationship is a political one.
In my examples we have seen how politics needs to be spiced up by sex, violence and allusions to exaggerated power. This is to make the product more entertaining, but in tern makes citizen more cynical about the system itself.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
If there’s one thing this week’s topic has pointed out to me, it’s that I clearly need to watch Scandal, seeing as everyone else is raving about it. Apparently, I’m a little behind the eight ball on this one. Without a doubt however, my favorite representation of politics comes through the NBC television series “The West Wing”.
My parents are actually the ones responsible for getting me hooked on the series, as they used to watch it when it was in regular season on NBC. As I became more certain that I wanted to major in political science, the show became more and more appealing to me. The West Wing portrays the daily lives of those directly involved with the Oval Office, including President Bartlett himself, as well as all of his head staffers. It details everything from the routine staffers go through in the press room each morning to the meetings required with legislators on the hill in order to have policy objectives met through passed legislation. A lot of the focus is placed on the personalities of the main characters and how they respond to challenges they face throughout the course of their working careers. One of the things I enjoyed most, though it’s difficult to choose just one, is the episodes that feature the tension between President Bartlett and Vice President Hoynes. In general, I feel that a lot of Americans don’t even consider the possibility that a President and Vice President don’t get along, simply because the outward appearance is maintained that everything is fine. I remember one episode where the two characters were having an argument and President Bartlett made a comment along the lines of that Hoynes should be appreciative that he was even selected to be the running mate during the campaign. This dynamic of the show certainly made me think more about the relationships between modern day presidents and vice presidents such as Bush and Cheney or even Obama and Biden. The writers of “The West Wing” really put a lot of thought into fleshing out each of the characters and I wholeheartedly feel that made the show that much more enjoyable to watch.
The show doesn’t shy away from portraying controversial topics either. In its seven season run, the series covered topics like President Bartlett’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, immigration problems, gun control, gay and lesbian rights, and foreign affairs to name just a few. This is interesting as one of the readings mentioned that, “…the presidency is a national mirror, and Hollywood, recognizing that symbolic dimension of the office, has opted to focus on the character issue and to subordinate any domestic and foreign-policy matters” (Rollins 252). I think this is one aspect that sets “The West Wing” apart from many other shows that have a political emphasis. Certainly the show places a lot of the focus on the personal lives of each character and the trivial aspects of their daily routines, but it does also focus on important issues that face the fictitious Bartlett administration, yet have very real roots in the issue. Much of the so-called wheeling and dealing that takes place in order to get bills passed or to get the votes necessary for a confirmation of an appointment are surrounding issues that were or are relevant. There was one particular episode that President Bartlett was to attend a fundraiser with a big Los Angeles mogul, but the man threatened to cancel unless Bartlett agreed to publicly condemn a piece of anti-gay legislation.
I think the realistic nature of “The West Wing” is what draws me into the show so much and makes it a popular series, even in the years that have passed since it went off the air. Americans are fascinated with the inner workings of the White House, and this show certainly fulfills the desires of the public to see how administrations operate through each aspect of the process.
Works Cited: Rollins, Peter C. Hollywood's White House the American Presidency in Film and History. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2010. Print.
Jack Holiver Hollywood’s Take on Politics 11/18/14 Hollywood tends to exaggerate the reality of politics in order to ensure entertainment for the show’s audience. Shows like these include The Newsroom, Scandal, House of Cards, etc. However, even though The Newsroom does include an over-the-top amount of drama, and may not necessarily be perceived as entirely political, given that it takes place in a newsroom, this show still gives the best representation of my political views. The main reason for this being the best representation is due to the fact that this show highlights what I believe to be one of the greatest problems the Republican party has ever faced. Will McAvoy is the main character in The Newsroom as well as the lead anchor for the news station. We are both Republican and we are both deeply concerned at the future for our party. One of the main concerns we share is the growing prevalence of the Tea Party. Personally, I find the Tea Party to be a gross perversion of what Republicans stand for. Republicans believe in a prohibitive military…a common sense government…We believe in the rule of law and order and free market capitalism. The Tea Party believes in loving America but hating Americans…they believe in loving American but hating its government…most of all, you must never, under any circumstance, seek to reach a compromise with your opponent. Or do what Democrats and genuine Republicans both call ‘governing.’ – Will McAvoy It’s frightening to think that this is a potential path that the Republicans may be moving towards. If this happens, I believe we will not see a Republican President for a very long time because Democrats, Independents, and Republicans similar to me will be hesitant in voting for a Tea Partier. The effects of politics being portrayed in Hollywood has been mentioned in Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. People have used shows and even advertisements to create a powerful message. In 2007 a young political activist took a portion of an advertisement that Apple aired in the 1980’s and added videos of Hillary Clinton campaigning. The homemade advertisement instantly sparked attention as it portrayed Clinton as this machinist dictator talking to alienated citizens. What is even more interesting is how the creator of the advertisement was able to spin the message of the Apple commercial from its original intent into a political attack. Works Cited: BayAreaKen. "Transcript: "The Newsroom" Airs the News Program We've Been Waiting for." Transcript: "The Newsroom" Airs the News Program We've Been Waiting for. Daily Kos, 27 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. Semiatin, Richard J. Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2008. Print.
The collaboration between the worlds of Hollywood and Politics has led to some interesting final products throughout the last several decades. There is a variety, ranging from the silly like “Man of the Year” staring the late Robin Williams to the three hour dramas like “Lincoln” staring academy award winner Daniel Day Lewis. One thing is similar of almost all political films however; there isn’t a tremendous amount of politics! “Despite these bursts of periodic interest, Hollywood has avoided the serious treatment of American politicians because ideological or partisan politics is bad box office” (Giglio 95). Being that politics can provide for a rather confusing movie, political films are not often made. Instead, films about specific politicians or a certain bill they passed are put into production.
I have never been a huge fan of the political film genre, but there is one show that I am incredibly passionate about that’s central focus is capital hill. I am sure that I will not be the only one to discuss this show, but House Of Cards starring Kevin Spacey is absolutely brilliant. This show has focuses on the life of Democratic congressman Francis Underwood as he makes his way to the top of the political food chain, ultimately taking a seat in the oval office as President of the United States.
The main reason that I find this show to be so outstanding is because it shows true political endeavors while still maintaining the intensity and drama that people seek in a typical dramatic series. House of Cards give the views an inside look as to how a bill gets passed, what key political roles like the secretary of state and the house majority whip do on a day to day basis, it even shows us how in depth the secret service goes to protect the President and Vice President. One of my favorite episodes in fact is one where Frank Underwood must return to his home state of South Carolina to deal with the death of a young girl due to a texting and driving incident some claim him to be responsible for. I enjoyed this episode so much because it gave a very real feeling to politics. It highlighted a man who worked on capital hill and how he had to deal with grieving parents and a grieving town, all in a very non-political way. It shed a positive light on the life of a politician, showing that it is not all just getting bills passed and bickering with people of the other party, but it is a job that when done correctly can greatly influence the lives of the people.
Work Cited
Giglio, Ernest D. Here's Looking at You: Hollywood, Film, and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2000. Print.
Political dramas are my all time favorite shows and movies to watch. There is always so much going on that there’s no way you would be able to get bored. Politics and scandal pretty much go hand in hand which is why the show "Scandal" on ABC is what I picture going on in D.C. Olivia Pope was the current president's public relations advisor before their affair got out of hand and she decided to exit before any rumors began. She now finds herself owning her own public relations firm, "Olivia Pope and Associates" or as they like to call themselves, the "White Hats". People in the public eye go to her to take care of their problems that would reflect badly on them, whether they did it or not, in either or both the court and the media. Scandal is the perfect depiction of what politics is because it is all about protecting ones image, “the theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177). Scandal is even based off a real person, Judy Smith, and some of the episodes were actually real life situations, "What I really try to do is help people that have problems and issues," Smith told ABC News in a recent interview. "They could be big or small. [I] help corporations, associations and individuals. ... We really try to help to develop a communications strategy that will help protect their reputation and their brand as they navigate through the crisis"(ABC). Some of the real life scandals that are brought to life again in “Scandal” include the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Edward Snowden NSA leak scandal, and of course they couldn’t leave out the Anthony Weiner scandal. As we see in the t.v. show, none of these politicians came back from the scandals that occurred that weren’t seeking help from a crisis manager like Olivia Pope. Once a scandal strikes you better be prepared to prove that the public is wrong or prepared to resign because in the end, whether your views are popular or not, if your image sucks and people don't like you as a person, your not getting elected. We saw this with Mitt Romney when he made the 47% comment during a fundraiser dinner. I don't know who his public relations specialist was but they didn't do their job because he never came back from it.
Benoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
Valiente, Alexa. "'Scandal' Ripped From the Headlines: 6 Real-Life Political Scandals on the Show." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
I have never been the most politically knowledgeable student at Quinnipiac. I try my best to stay up to date and follow politics and government, but there’s always so much more going on. That’s where television comes in as a particularly helpful but also dangerous tool. For people like me, television is a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on around you. Shows like “The Daily Show” present relevant and political information to the viewers through satire, making it easier to understand or more relatable. Television can also be dangerous however, as people could watch these programs without considering the satire aspect of the show. Networks such as Fox news also choose a bias agenda, in this case extreme republican, and if the viewer didn’t know better this could change their views without considering the other side of the story The US government has been depicted in a variety of different ways in the media throughout the last few decades. On political messages in film, Earnest Giglio said “Hollywood is in the entertainment business all right, but the industry also delivers political messages in selected films”(2) This is true, and one of my personal favorite films which backs this up was 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty. Zero Dark Thirty is a film depicting the finding and elimination of Osama Bin Laden by the US government. Although many details had to be kept under wraps, the movie did an excellent job of showing how different areas of the government function when under crisis. It’s all too easy to say “ oh we have troops looking for him in the Middle East” but thanks to this movie, you really get to understand that it wasn’t nearly that easy. There were different levels of approval required to make certain decisions, hundreds of people working on multiple teams to figure out one little detail, and not to mention the tremendous risk these people put themselves in just to fight for our country. Sure, there are plenty of TV shows or movies that make a mockery of our government, but for the most part, there are some pretty accurate depictions out there. Zero Dark Thirty will always be one of my favorite examples of politics and how our government works.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Petere Lang, 2002
One of my favorite representations of politics has been in media has been the relatively new hit program House of Cards. House of Cards, which stars Kevin Spacey, details the rise to power of a senator through the ranks in the US government. However, Senator Frank Underwood is really a villain who uses a Machiavellian style, deception and ruthlessness to get his way. House of Cards depicts a political world where people are incredibly self-centered and care little for each other people and most of their time their primary goal is to advance their own agendas at all costs.
House of Cards does a good job depicting many aspects of life in Washington DC and how the political process works, however, many viewers are curious about how realistic is House of Cards really? Is this show truly a representation of what political life is like for US politicians? IF this was the case I believe many people would be rather disturbed however the show remains incredibly intriguing. In Giglio’s first chapter Hollywood and Washington: The Marriage of Film and Politics, he creates a hypothetical situation in which to screenwriters debate and discuss which plot lines they plan to use in a far-fetched political drama film about the president. The plot seems ridiculous, however, what is described are two political movies from the 1990s which were inspired by events which happened during the Clinton administration.
Having revealed that a lot of real life events, regardless of how crazy they may seem, are responsible for inspiring Hollywood films, Giglio goes on to suggest that there is some truth in Hollywood renditions of Washington. It could be possible that some of the details from House of Cards, particularly about how politicians go about business day to day, are in fact real. However, some aspects of House of Cards seem to be very fictional representations of politics. One particular aspect is how no one else seems to be able to use deception like Frank Underwood does. Throughout the show Underwood is constantly scheming, saying one thing when he really means another and otherwise manipulating people to get ahead. However, he appears to be almost the only person on the show who does it. If using deception is commonplace in Washington I highly doubt that Underwood would be the only individual to us it to their advantage. To suggest that other politicians are unable to even realize the ulterior motives and actions by Underwood, while also not using any of their own I feel is pretty unrealistic and not the most accurate representation of politics.
Shows like House of Cards are entertaining and create a unique insight into Washington; however, how accurate of a representation of politics they really are is questionable.
•Giglio, Ernest D. Here's Looking at You: Hollywood, Film, and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2000. Web.
I have never seen Scandal or Parks and Rec or even the West Wing; the only political TV show I’ve seen is maybe one or two episodes of House of Cards. Because it is a TV show I understand that some situations may be over exaggerated, but that’s simply to keep the viewers interested. “Hollywood has avoided the serious treatment of American Politicians because ideological or partisan politics is bad box office” (Gilgo, 95). If there were really a show based on policies and staff meetings then obviously I don’t think it would do to well.
I believe I watched the first episode of season 1 where Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) came across a suffering dog in the street. He knew the family of which the dog belonged to but decided to do the “necessary” thing and put the dog out of it’s misery by killing it….with his own bare hands…The show differs from most, at points Underwood (Spacey) looks directly into the camera and recites a monologue. After killing the dog he said “there are times when we are required to do the unpleasant thing yet the necessary thing”.
It was also made clear that during the episode Underwood had been passed over for a job opportunity and instead of throwing a fit like most people would he takes action by continuing to be kind and hard working. While he’s faking all that Underwood is devising a plan to ultimately bring him to a seat of power and rank.
I think the shows related back to class because of all the scandals that take place. I know in class we talked about scandals revolving around sex and in House of Cards Underwood began an extramarital relationship with a young news reporter.
He has this reporter leak damaging stories about his opponents in the White House and eventually from reading what happens further on in the season Underwood eventually receives and accepts his nomination for Vice President.
I think politics are misrepresented through television shows and movies but that is solei because politics is just to boring to create a truthful real representation of what happen in the political world. People seem to enjoy the shows involved with Politics now, so although they might be representing politics falsely, the shows are entertaining to the viewers.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
Anne Noordsy
ReplyDeleteWhile politics is deemed a “serious” subject, there are certain television shows that have been created to not only enhance what happens in politics, but also perhaps exaggerate what truly occurs, for example, in the White House. A particular image surrounds this portrayal on these television shows. My favorite representation of politics through a television show would have to be Scandal.
This show stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope who is a former media relations consultant to the President. She dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation's elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter-both professionally and personally-but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. In other words, Pope has an affair with the President and the show offers a glimpse into what life is like “behind the scenes” at the White House according to the show’s creators. It has been said that this show was based on former President George H.W. Bush’s administration press aide Judy Smith and her job. However, Smith did not ever have an affair with Bush like Olivia Pope does with the president in Scandal. Some, or most, of the events that happen on Scandal are exaggerated slightly for entertainment purposes.
One of the most important principles I have learned in this class is that maintaining a positive and reputable image is key in the political process. I am sure that Olivia Pope is constantly concerned with ensuring positive image among her clients. “The theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177).
What I like about Scandal is the fact that it demonstrates factual occurrences on the show regarding crisis management and some White House activity, but it also adds its’ own twist through exaggeration. For example, characters on the show speak confidently and very quickly which isn’t common in the “real world”. The show demonstrates melodrama in Washington D.C. which is not actually common in real life in D.C. Scandal paints a picture of White House “drama” that is far from what actually occurs on a daily basis in the White House. In addition, the show keeps me on the edge of my seat and is a source of escapism from otherwise “boring” political life. I also enjoy Olivia’s political style, which is different from boring pantsuits and bland colors.
We have had scandals in the past. For example, the scandal between former President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. However, I don’t remember any Olivia Popes coming out to twist the situation and manage the crisis. I just remember Clinton attempting to apologize and say nothing happened.
In summary, I would enjoy hearing more about the people who play Olivia Pope in the real world. Scandal offers a glimpse into presidential and political life and a fun twist on this life is an added bonus.
Sources:
Benoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
(By: Taylor Popielarz)
ReplyDeleteI can easily be called a news addict based on how much I watch and read actual news, but I am also a big fan of television shows that revolve around politics. And though I desperately want to discuss my obsession with ABCs “Scandal” for this blog post, I feel it is my civic duty to discuss Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” as the television show that offers my favorite representation of politics.
I’ve only begun watching “The Daily Show” this semester, thanks to this class actually, and I can wholeheartedly declare I have fallen in love with it. Jon Stewart and his team of writers are a special kind of genius in my mind. They produce a show that is entertaining, hilarious, and informative in unconventional ways. The program packs multiple punches each episode, and it makes politics something people want to watch, listen to and talk about. And though the show often relies on comedic opinion and drastically sarcastic innuendos to draw in laughs, if you are even minutely into politics, you will love “The Daily Show.”
As an aspiring journalist who watches hours upon hours of actual political news coverage, I can affirm that “The Daily Show” represents politics in a special way that allows a younger crowd to feel interested. I am the first to note that everyday politics is often boring, uneventful and even irritating with everything that is going on, but what Jon Stewart and his team does is compile the most notable, the most intriguing, the plain funniest, and the weirdest moments in our lovely political system, and mash it all up into a captivating 22-minute program. Jeffrey Jones writes in Entertaining Politics: New Political Television and Civic Culture how our society is combining the media and politics. “Indeed, politics and popular culture are essentially opposite sides of the same coin” (Jones, 24). This statement, though seemingly odd when first reading it, is entirely true! Thanks to our incessant crafting of political figures into celebrities, we are more and more making politics a pop culture event. And people like Jon Stewart and his writers are taking full advantage of our crafting, and are producing quality television about it all.
(Cont'd: Taylor Popielarz)
ReplyDeleteBut on a more serious note, I think “The Daily Show” represents politics in a respectable way because it draws the viewer in to actually pay attention to details normally not covered by news outlets. Stewart has the advantage of expressing his opinion on his show, which helps viewers understand how ridiculous, important, sad or hilarious certain political news may be. Take his clip from an episode that focused on the recent Florida gubernatorial debate, and the “ball fan” debacle. Most news outlets were unable to report on how utterly ridiculous it was that a political figure was halting a debate because his competitor had placed a face underneath his podium to keep his lower body cool. But when Stewart got his hands on it, it became hilarious, but truthful, television that showcased some of the unbelievable crap we focus on in politics.
Stewart also did a fabulous job covering the race between two New York politicians, one who was fending off nearly 20 federal charges…and still won! The reason, time and time again, that Stewart best represents politics on television in my mind is because he gets down to the bare bones of things, and laughingly makes voters and viewers realize how corrupt our system is. He is able to do so in a way that nobody else really can, and it’s highly impactful. As Jones continues to write, people who follow certain television programs end up using the information presented by those programs to understand and discuss daily topics. “And people talk with television, using its narratives as part of how the world is to be understood and explained” (Jones, 30).
Overall, the point is that the media now plays an extremely significant role in politics. And while legitimate journalism and proper political coverage is desperately important to keep an eye on our country’s leaders for Americans, comedians like Stewart are helping inform the American people in ways never thought of before. It is comedic genius, very informative, and discreetly super-intelligent for viewers who already have a grasp on America’s great political system.
Works Cited
Jones, Jeffrey. Entertaining Politics: New Political Television and Civic Culture, 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010.
Television shows and movies are a great way to depict politics to the average American. Whether the shows give a positive or negative depiction of politics it can form someone opinion on the dos and don’ts on American politics.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Cards is my favorite TV shows that depicts the complexity of politics in the United States. Although, it is a television show and is mainly crafted to be dramatic in order to create suspense and get viewers to watch it, it seems very believable and accurate. This show is about a politician who works himself in the food chain. He starts off as a congressman, and then becomes Vice President then he becomes President. In my opinion on of the most accurate parts of the show is how they get to pass legislation. His wife wanted to pass legislation that helped against rape and sexual violence. In the efforts to get this passes, the offer congress people things they might want like infrastructure in their district or even money to fund their projects. Kevin Spacey that plays the main character, Francis Underwood, walks us through the darks side of politics; having to cover up secret, using the media to your advantage, manipulation of people and making the system that is in place work for you and even breaking the rule. The plot and basis of the story seem accurate. There is a lot of things that go on that mislead people like murder and putting people in jail that know too much. This makes you question, can a politician with enough power actually do these thing, because everything else in the show seems so believable. This show is the perfect balance of the truth and tale, which makes one of my favorite shows that depict politics.
Another show that is very interesting is Scandal. This show is believed to be someone correct because Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, is based off of a real person. Judy Smith is the real person Olivia Pope was based off of and she served under Bush Senior. Although they didn’t have an affair, it makes you think that everything else is real. The stories she had to cover up and the people she had to work for within the political system. The simple fact that it is based off of a real person gives you the illusion that most of it is real, which add to appeal of the show. This show shows the important of image. Olivia Pop works on crisis control, which shows how much image is important. “The theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177). This shows really depict all the work it takes to make someone or something appear nice, it shows how little the American public can actually know and how much politician control what you actually see.
Shows like these add to the skeptical view people have on the government. Although these shows are entertaining it is scary to think how accurate they might actually be.
Benoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
I really enjoys political movies and TV shows and although I find political dramas like House of Cards, The West Wing, or my personal favorite The Ides of March, entertaining I think political satires paint a more accurate picture of life in the political world.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it has been 17 years since its release I think “Wag the Dog” remains one of the best political satires around. In the movie an eccentric producer played by Dustin Hoffman is tasked with fooling the media by creating a fake war for the President. At times the movie is eerily realistic. Especially when you consider what might have been going on at the end of the Clinton administration.
As Semiatin notes “Television contributed directly to the decline of issues and the rise of personality and individual character.” (141) So who better to defuse a political scandal than the ones who usually report on it.
The plot of wag the dog revolves around the political equivalent of oceans 11, A crew of film producers, speech writers, and presidential aides, all brought together by a mysterious ‘spin doctor’, played by Robert Deniro and tasked with the dilemma of keeping the president’s sexual affairs with a firefly girl out of the media’s attention for 11 days till his expected re-election.
At its core the movie is a dark comedy and not a “serious” look at politics and the media in America. Taking that into consideration the film becomes more and more eccentric as it goes. But certain things don’t seem so farfetched.
In 1998 the Clinton administration launched its most aggressive strike against al Qaeda when U.S. cruise missiles were sent to six terrorist compound sites in Afghanistan. Many people thought that the attack did not follow the president’s pattern of behavior when dealing with the Middle East and accused him of trying to distract the public from the current Lewinsky scandal. (Gellman)
This theory was passionately put to rest by House Speaker Newt Gingrich who said. "By doing this we’re sending the signal there are no sanctuaries for terrorists." In addition Gingrich adviser Rich Galen e-mailed conservative radio talk show hosts saying: "Speaker Newt Gingrich has made it clear to me" that the attacks were necessary and appropriate this is a time to put our nation’s interests ahead of our political concerns. I am asking you to help your listeners, your friends, and your associates to look at this situation with the sober eyes it deserves." (Gugliotta)
Even still, many accused Clinton of using Afghanistan as a distraction. Sen. Dan Coats said: "The president has been consumed with matters regarding his personal life. It raises questions about whether or not he had the time to devote to this issue, or give the kind of judgment that needed to be given to this issue to call for military action." (Gugliotta)
As we all know the media loves a conspiracy and the conservative Media Research Council noted that "every network did raise the "Wag the Dog" scenario." (Baker) in addition Frank Bruni of the New York Times devoted a whole story to the notion. (Bruni) Frankly, it looks as though the media did a lot more to question President Clinton than did the GOP leadership.
The nineties had wag the dog but the most recent example of great political satire has got to be “In The Loop.” The film takes place in America and England during a run up to war in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. The story is set in motion when British Foreign Minister Simon Foster blunders with one poorly chosen word during a radio interview. He calls the war "unforeseeable." Damage control is immediately launched as the effects of Foster's slip of the tongue ripple through the political landscape.
ReplyDeleteWatching in the Loop you are hit with the disturbing realization that the movie is much more accurate than anybody would care to imagine. See if this sounds familiar, A U.S. president is pushing for a war in the Middle East, going for a U.N. resolution though there's no reliable intelligence to back him up. And the Brits are staying carefully neutral, to give their prime minister room to maneuver.
In the Loop’s nonstop, verbal action makes "Wag the Dog" seem mind numbingly slow. If the corridors of power really are this dysfunctional, let's at least hope they're this funny, too. You laugh because the alternative would be to weep for us all.
One of my most recent favorites was 2011’s Ides of March. Not only does the movie have a star studded cast featuring George Clooney, Ryan gosling, and Philip Seymour Hoffman among others it also follows a great plot line. George Clooney directs and stars in the movie, as a Democratic candidate for the presidential nomination. His campaign, however, is really a backdrop for power plays and infighting among the campaign staff.
"The Ides of March" borrows quite a bit from some recent campaigns and scandals. Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), the main character in the film, is struggling to get a crucial political endorsement and a primary victory for his candidate. Stephen's also fighting temptation from the rival campaign and from an attractive intern who becomes trouble as the Democratic primary approaches. For me the film was sort of less about politics than it is about moral dilemmas that people face when they're in those kinds of situations.
I realize that my selections might make it seem as though I have a cynical or jaded view of politics but I feel I am more of a realist. Movies like Wag the Dog, In The Loop, or Ides Of March, focus on the spin and public relations work that goes into campaigns, an area that I think carries more influence than we imagine.
Works Cited
Gellman, Barton, and Dana Priest. Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Gugliotta, Guy, and Juliet Eilperin. "Tough Response Appeals to Clinton Critics." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Baker, Brent. "CyberAlert -- 08/21/1998 -- Wag the Dog?" Media Research Center. N.p., 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Bruni, Frank. "Is Life Imitating Art? 'Wag the Dog' Springs to Many Minds."The New York Times. The New York Times, 21 Aug. 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Semiatin, Richard J. "Campaign Press Coverage." Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2008. N. pag. Print.
Lindsay Goldstein
ReplyDeleteWhile politics are a complex and serious issue and something that is often avoided, especially for entertainment purposes, films and television series have begun to to tackle the difficult subject. Giglio writes, “Hollywood is in the entertainment business all right, but the industry also delivers political messages in selected films,” (2-3), as he introduces readers to how film and politics came to be. While films have historically featured political plots, characters or scandals for many different purposes, like Giglio mentions, television has begun to follow suit. There is no show that better depicts politics than ABC’s hit drama, “Scandal.” Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, the ultimate political fixer, partially tasked with helping to maintain President Fitzgerald Grant’s positive image. As the former Communications Director for the White House, Olivia resigns when it becomes clear that her personal relationship with the President is affecting her job and ability to help him maintain a positive image.
Ironically, as fans of the show know, Olivia herself is one of the President’s biggest scandals, as the two engage in inappropriate sexual relations throughout the show and his political career. The sex scandal affects all aspects of both Olivia and the president’s lives, job as President of the United States and his marriage to Mellie Grant.
If we’ve learned anything by studying political communications it’s that image is everything in politics. Image is also a huge theme throughout the series, as seemingly every character faces a scandal at some point. The emphasis that “Scandal” puts on image is why it is my favorite representation of politics in television, just because of how important image is in real life. Of course, none of this is to say that “Scandal” depicts the most accurate representation of politics or life in the White House. It does, however, offer an interesting and eye-opening look at some aspects to life as the President that many would not even think about.
Another politically-based television series that offers a great representation of politics is “The Good Wife.” The series follows the Florrick family through many political and sex scandals. Peter Florrick, a former State’s Attorney, is sent to jail after it is discovered that he participated in a corruption scandal. In the show’s opening scene, his wife Alicia stands by his side in a press conference as he admits his indiscretions to the public, a scene very similar to many real-life political scandals. His reputation and image are tested throughout the series, as his scandals continuously get in the way of his career and personal life.
Lindsay Goldstein, continued
ReplyDeleteWhile the show focuses on both politics and the legal system, it is interesting to note that “The Good Wife’s” creators, Michelle and Robert King, used some famous political scandals, from Eliot Spitzer to John Edwards, as inspiration for the show. In an article titled “The Good Wife: Non-Lawyers Behind That Lawyer Show,” Michelle King says, “We came up with the idea about a year and a half ago. There had been this waterfall of these kinds of scandals, from Bill and Hillary [Clinton], to Dick Morris, to Eliot Spitzer, to name just a few. I think they’re all over our culture. And there was always this image of the husband up there apologizing and the wife standing next to him,” (Bitter Success). This further proves the heavy emphasis that image and scandals have on politics as a whole, especially when analyzing how this action was represented in the very first scene of the entire series.
Another aspect of politics that is well represented in both “Scandal” and “The Good Wife” is the importance of family. Dr. Lisa Burn writes, “The press and the American people have been fascinated by the first lady since the beginning of the nation’s history,” (3), and the role of the first lady is extremely prominent in “Scandal,” as the President and his wife’s relationship is tested throughout the show’s scandals. In “The Good Wife,” the Florrick’s children are constantly in the media and brought into the scandals, whether they like it or not.
It’s interesting to watch the trend of politics in television grow, especially in recent years. Even shows that aren’t necessarily about politics, like “Parenthood,” have begun to feature political storylines. In season five the NBC drama, Kristina Braverman decides to enter the mayoral race against opponent Bob Little. While the show’s biggest scandals are usually about sibling rivalry, this arc allowed politics to take the spotlight. During the race, image becomes extremely important, as Kristina’s opponent uses her husband’s past in the media to negate her image. The way this specific show depicts politics is very interesting, as it shows how brutal even smaller political elections can get. The fact that a family drama, like “Parenthood,” would feature a political storyline also shows just how important and prominent politics are becoming in the media and entertainment industries.
WORKS CITED:
Burns, Lisa M. First Ladies and the Fourth Estate: Press Framing of Presidential Wives. DeKalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 2008.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.
Success, Bitter. "The Good Wife: Non-Lawyers Behind That Lawyer Show - Bitter Lawyer." Bitter Lawyer. Bitter Empire, LLC, 4 Jan. 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Sarah Faidell
ReplyDeleteThe shows that grab my attention are usually the ones with a lot of comedy and subtle humor, with characters that I can relate to or can’t help but love. When having to choose what my favorite politics based television show is, I have a hard time. I love VEEP for its sarcasm and sassy portrayal of a woman dominating the political field (with a few mishaps along the way), and I also love Parks and Recreation. Both shows are completely different in nature, with the uniting factor being a woman in a political position. But, Leslie Knope is very different from Selena Meyer.
I think Parks and Recreation is my favorite show out of the two because of its focus on small town politics. I was able to see first hand how small town politics work when I was calling in vote totals for the Associated Press in the midterm elections. I felt like I was working in the town of Pawnee, Indiana (where Parks and Rec is set in). These television shows are so popular with people because it brings elements of humor into a world that some people may see as dark and cynical. In his book, Giglio writes that, “Political activities in feature films frequently express individual behavior that is motivated by self-interest; bad politicians act out of greed and ambition while good politicians act in response to the deeds of bad. Few act out of a deep commitment to democratic principals” (95). While this may be the case with the big screen, I do not believe that Parks and Rec falls into this trap, and I think that is why I like it so much as a political television show. Leslie Knope is a committed small town politician who follows the rule and has a genuine love for politics. Her work is monotonous and she has to deal with a lot of problems that come with being a democracy; like attending town hearings where citizens yell at her even though she is trying to improve the town. There is hardly ever a bad guy who acts out of greed. If anything, Parks and Rec centers around the disillusion of politics and how one woman fights with that and her belief in democracy. The show focuses on how hard it is for politicians to make change because of the rules and red-tape.
Sarah Faidell (continued)
DeleteAnd even though Leslie Knope is a determined character infused with way more optimism than one would ever expect, she does experience her share of ups and downs in the political circuit. In one episode, she is voted out of her position of city councilwoman because of the influence that big business had over her town people. The show might focus on a boring town and tiny bureaucratic issues that councilmen face, but I think it reflects the apathy that many people feel towards politics that don’t deal directly with the presidency. With humor and a quick wit, Parks and Rec is the friendly version of VEEP, and I believe it gives viewers a little more interest in their own town’s politics even if it is through satire.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You. 2002
I personally don’t watch anything about politics because politics is probably one of my least favorite subjects, so it was hard to pick a show or movie that had the best representation. I also don’t watch a lot of TV in general so I couldn’t think of anything that even had to do with politics besides My Date with the Presidents Daughter, which I probably saw when I was ten. But I then decided to watch a few episodes of Parks and Recreation because my boyfriend is a big fan. I decided this was my favorite representation of politics.
ReplyDeleteParks and Recreation isn’t at all about the US government or the president but instead about a towns government specifically their parks and recreational department. The one of the main characters Leslie does mention that she wants to eventually be president though. The show is a comedy so it was interesting and funny even though it focused on some political issues.
Not only do I like the show because it was funny but it represents politics in a positive way. “NBC’s PARKS AND RECREATION, never shying from political controversy, examines current beltway tensions in ways one might expect from a more overtly political program.” (Gannon). The show focuses on tensions in government while still making them funny proving that politics may not be as serious as everyone thinks. The reason I like Parks and Rec’s representation the best is that their small town government is run how government should be run. The department has meetings and is very close which is how I believe more government and political figures should be. I feel as though members of the government don’t communicate in ways that they should. But the characters of Parks and Rec do communicate with each other and get along rather well.
I also really like how right from the beginning the characters get the people in the community involved. I feel like that is also not done enough in real government. The show really gives people who don’t like politics an inside view on how it works. In the pilot episode the cast goes door to door to have a empty lot made into a park and many people disagree or actually agree but cant attend the meeting. At the actual meeting hardly anyone shoes up and Leslie receives so much scrutiny from the people of the community. I don’t think people realize how harsh politics are and how hard it is to actually get people to side with you so the pilot episode is a good example.
Leslie helps people get the idea of a woman in power. I think this is awesome because she’s ambitious and strives to be at the top. This shows other women that they can be involved in politics or government even if its something as simple as a parks and recreational department.
Parks and Recreation is really a great example of how politics should be and a great type of entertainment. “Historically, the studios decided serious films on politics would not fill theater seats.” (Giglio, 94). Unlike those serious films, Parks and Rec could fill theater seats if it were a movie. It’s actually the one of the longest running comedies on NBC. It has a great representation of politics while also keeping the audience laughing so I would definitely recommend it to someone like me, who doesn’t like politics.
Works Cited
Gannon, Matthew. "“Parks and Recreation”: TV’s Most Progressive Show." Saloncom
RSS. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter
Lang, 2002.
Emily Fagan
ReplyDeletePolitics’ is a serious subject, and when Hollywood steps in and creates it’s own form of politics, the actual idea become different “… What is truly alarming, however, is that Hollywood money gains the industry an unequal amount of access and inordinate amount of influence while it blurs the line between public office and celebrity status” (Gillio 4). The politics we know today can sometime be misinterpreted for what is actually true. There are some shows and films that give realistic ideas of what politics actually involves, and sometimes they can seem boring, but there are few that can be compelling and exciting to watch.
When we think of politics, we usually think of big name people, like the President or Senators. What is so special about politics though is that it can come from anywhere, even the small town of Pawnee, Indiana, the location of Parks and Recreations. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, a bureaucrat in the parks department and is eventually elected City Councilor of Pawnee. Her character is in love with her job and is extremely dedicated to it.
Leslie is all about the people. In the first episode she is determined to help a women, named Ann that she just met. Leslie promises to fill in a giant hole next to Ann’s house and make it into a park. This shows how dedicated someone needs to be to work in the government. You cannot just half ass something and say you are going to do it; they need to step up, take charge and fight, and that is something that Leslie always does.
I personally do not like shows about politics. I think shows like Scandal and VEEP seem like amazing shows but I have never really got around to watching them. What I like about Parks and Recs is that it gives a lighter side to the political world. A lot of the political shows today mainly focus on high profile positions; Parks and Recs shows what actually goes on in our local government and how dedicated someone needs to be to work in the government. Leslie has so much love for her town and that is what any politician should be focused on, the people they are trying to help. She is always on top of her game and always has a plan in place.
Like any politician, Leslie has her fair share of problems in her positions, which only makes her human. Politics is an ever-changing field; one day you can be on cloud 9, and the next day you are 6 feet under. But like any good politician knows, you have to keep a brave face. You cannot let the people know that you are scared or nervous, because they will loose all faith in you. That is exactly how Leslie lives her life; she takes each day one step at a time and makes sure that everything will be okay.
I think Parks and Recreation may not be the best representation of politics, but it is my favorite and I think it gives an amazing example of what a politician should be. Leslie Knope is the politician that everyone should strive to be like, because if we had more people like she we could get a lot more stuff done.
Work Cited
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.
In a failed attempt to avoid the temptation to write on “Scandal” my post follows.
ReplyDeleteIt is rare to see an entirely accurate Hollywood representation of the inner workings of American government, especially in regard to historical preservation. However, the lack of accuracy can be masked by a false sense of drama, harmony, and glamour. When Hollywood produces film or television that showcases the political arena, it is a chance for the director to reveal the human aspect of politics that is otherwise never seen. In this case, my favorite representation of politics is offered in the fast-paced hit television drama Scandal, because of its ability to portray the personal side of politics in the most groundbreaking way.
Scandal depicts the inner workings of the White House in a way that is rarely, if ever, done. As dramatized as it may be, portraying the first family and President’s staff as highly dysfunctional contradicts the very beliefs engrained into the minds of the American people. The very root of this conflict is of course in the affair between Olivia Pope and the President. This exploitation is a risk, and as Gilgio writes, the creators are outliers, “while mainstream Hollywood avoids controversial subjects and ideological treatment, the few auteurs are willing to risk box office failure by exploiting the medium for politic purposes” (Giglio 11) The intensity of exploiting the relationship certainly captivates viewers, and the great cover-up provides a strong core for the show. Depicting such sex scandal goes against the typical efforts to overshadow these kinds of wrongdoings, as was done with Primary Colors and Wag the Dog during Clinton’s time in the White House.
It is undeniable that Americans have seen the faults of the first family and the White House, but never as dramatized and raw as this. In the least manipulative way it is clear that the filmmaker is attempting to reveal their extreme cynicism and distrust of American politics. As noted by Giglio, “filmmakers have viewed the medium as an instrument to communicate stories that express their personal opinions and beliefs about love, life, and politics” (Giglio 3). The creator of the show is able to do all of this. In the simplest example, the viewer watching a fighting match between First Lady Mellie and President Grant with the baby Teddy between them provides a realistic portrayal that is never seen. Revealing the secret killing of innocent citizens in the best interest of the government is an even greater leap.
In the end, it is the greater concept of Olivia Pope as the fixer that is at the forefront of the show. The show directly reveals how such imperfections in the nation’s administration are carefully hidden with well-orchestrated communication efforts. Pope finds every detail to use to her advantage, whether it is the outfit for Mellie to wear on camera or the way in which the President responds to international crisis. This element of the show further reveals sides of politics that simply are not done in a primetime television drama.
The show’s creators are unafraid to cross all boundaries that have been established by Hollwood’s past depictions of the White House, such as in TV shows like The West Wing. Scandal has shown that one series can have an assassination attempt on the President, a passionate affair, and reveal the underbelly of political manipulation. This is why Scandal is my favorite representation of politics, not because it is fully accurate, but because it is uninhibited by the trends set in place so long ago. With such a progression to dramatize politics, it is unclear what impact this might have on the mindset of the American people. One thing is clear; they crave the fast pace, the intensity, and most importantly the scandal.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
"House of Cards" without a doubt offers my favorite representation of politics in regards to a television series. Although easy to point out the show's flaws in its representation, "House of Cards" brings to light an important aspect that drives politics, money.
ReplyDeleteAs Giglio pointed out, "Candidates for public office seek financial support for their increasingly expensive political campaigns" (4). In season two of "House of Cards", as the mid term elections come around, Raymond Tusk, the energy magnate, is pouring millions of dollars into campaigns through a Super PAC. Tusk attempted to funnel Chinese money through a United States based casino operator, and essential buy votes for the Republicans.
Even though it would make more sense for Tusk to funnel money through a 501 (c) 4, non profit organization because they do not have to disclose donor information like a Super PAC does, it still opens up the discussion that unfortunately, money runs politics. Tusk could be a representation of the Koch brothers, a financier that has the necessary funding to provide millions and millions of dollars to either support a candidate or attempt to run a candidate out of office. Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited sums of money from either corporations, unions, or individuals and then spend an unlimited amount of money to advocate for a candidate. The millions of dollars raised by Super PACs and their ability to endlessly spend this money on candidates heavily influences campaigns. It is unfortunate, but it is the truth. Despite the fact that "House of Cards" may exaggerate the way money is funneled into politics, it still gives truth to its viewers.
Works Cited:
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
My favorite representation of politics is the television show The West Wing. I think that the show shows politics in a realistic, if sometimes slightly idealistic, manner. In fact, it’s what first got me into politics. Some people have a problem with the show’s creator and writer Aaron Sorkin due to his tendency to be a bit preachy. I don’t mind this at all because, in my view, the show always has something to say and I can choose to agree or disagree with it. But I think that that is an example of it being realistic. The show’s characters are smart people, they don’t just tell us that they went to Harvard or Princeton to show us they’re smart, it shows it through these sometimes preachy lines. People in politics are preachy because they do have strong viewpoints, and therefore, so do the characters on the show.
ReplyDeleteI love how the show handles real-life situations that are faced in politics. In the show’s third episode, it deals with the “proportional response”, which is a military attack that is on par with an act of aggression taken against a country. The President is dealing with an attack that downed a helicopter carrying his new White House physician. The President questions the virtue of a proportionate response. The episode calls into question what the point of it is if your enemy has accounted for it already and asks why not strike back harder. The following episode shows them trying to pass a bill and needing the five votes. It shows how they go about getting the votes and the toll the job takes on their personal lives. There’s another episode where their down on a census methodology vote. They meet with three congressmen, of whom they need one to switch to their side, to discuss the issue. After arguing throughout the episode, two decide to leave saying they will not switch. The third says that he will switch his vote because of the arguments presented. This episode is a commentary on how the merits of argument often take a backseat to politics. The show address too many facets of politics to go into each one but it does so with interesting incite into the process while having a point to make.
However it does have a tendency to provide idealistic solutions. But it’s the process the show portrays that I find so interesting. A good example is the budget fight in season five. If you take away the President’s walk to the Capitol Building to end the shutdown, the process shown is very realistic and interesting.
Something else I love about it is how it looks at the President. I find the office to be so fascinating, particularly the people who hold it. Peter Rollins wrote of why character is such an appealing study for Hollywood. He says, “Hollywood’s films about the presidency seem to be obsessed with the issue. Why character? Because Americans do not merely change administrations every four years – or have the opportunity to do so; citizens in the United States have the option to change sovereigns with every presidential election…Voters do not merely expect the president to oversee the actions of the executive departments, but…they expect a president to be a symbol of national character.” (Rollins 252) The West Wing provides a very interesting look at the President’s character. Through Bartlett’s M.S. scandal, his daughters kidnapping and many other moments show us his character and I enjoy how they portray the President especially in these moments.
Works Cited:
Rollins, Peter C. Hollywood's White House the American Presidency in Film and History. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2010. Print.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThomas Chamoun
ReplyDeleteMy favorite representation of politics through the media is House of Cards. I am not naive and realize that most of this is fiction. The average viewer, who doesn’t have the media literacy skills of me probably doesn’t understand the extent to which this show is fabricated and sensationalized. Ultimately this makes the average citizen even more skeptical of the government and politics. Why do they need to sensationalize this TV show? Because “political films are box office poison,”(Gilgo,10). The people want to be entertained so the TV show must be filled with stories of violence, sex, and over exaggerated power, as we will see in the examples I use below.
The first character that I will talk about is Remy, the lobbyist. His character represents the deal making and true politics that does go on in around the beltway. They do a great job of making this character just as powerful as the politician at times, an example is his relationship with Jackie Sharpe. Another example is how he was able to turn Clare against Frank, by allowing her to move cargo through Sudan for her foundation, in exchange for the killing of a bill Peter Russo was supporting. After Remy represents SansCorp, he then moves to represent Tusk, these are two antagonists’ figures to Frank the main politician. This reminds the citizens of the United States that money and deals run Washington D.C..
I have always said that people will kill you over a million dollars. We see in the show that a lot of people are either paid off or killed to keep Franks reputation in place. The first example of this is how the prostitute Rachel Posner is paid $10,000 to keep quiet about Peter Russo hiring her. She is then taken care of by Doug stamper who is looked at as a plumber type character out of the Nixon administration. We see Frank act as his own “Plumber” also, first when he kills Peter Russo and then when he kills Jodi Barnes. I think that this stuff doesn’t go on as often as portrayed in the show.
Another thing that is covered up by Frank for the purpose of politics is the fact that Frank is potentially gay. There have been two instances where this has been eluded to, first when he makes out with his college friends, then when he makes out with his secret service officer. This is something that I think goes on in politics to protect the image of the politician.
A character that has a pretty accurate stereotype is Mrs. Underwood. The soon to be first lady has been shown to be the woman behind Frank with her own agenda similar to Hillary Clinton. Her dad is the one who financed Frank in the first place making clear that the relationship is a political one.
In my examples we have seen how politics needs to be spiced up by sex, violence and allusions to exaggerated power. This is to make the product more entertaining, but in tern makes citizen more cynical about the system itself.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
If there’s one thing this week’s topic has pointed out to me, it’s that I clearly need to watch Scandal, seeing as everyone else is raving about it. Apparently, I’m a little behind the eight ball on this one. Without a doubt however, my favorite representation of politics comes through the NBC television series “The West Wing”.
ReplyDeleteMy parents are actually the ones responsible for getting me hooked on the series, as they used to watch it when it was in regular season on NBC. As I became more certain that I wanted to major in political science, the show became more and more appealing to me. The West Wing portrays the daily lives of those directly involved with the Oval Office, including President Bartlett himself, as well as all of his head staffers. It details everything from the routine staffers go through in the press room each morning to the meetings required with legislators on the hill in order to have policy objectives met through passed legislation. A lot of the focus is placed on the personalities of the main characters and how they respond to challenges they face throughout the course of their working careers. One of the things I enjoyed most, though it’s difficult to choose just one, is the episodes that feature the tension between President Bartlett and Vice President Hoynes. In general, I feel that a lot of Americans don’t even consider the possibility that a President and Vice President don’t get along, simply because the outward appearance is maintained that everything is fine. I remember one episode where the two characters were having an argument and President Bartlett made a comment along the lines of that Hoynes should be appreciative that he was even selected to be the running mate during the campaign. This dynamic of the show certainly made me think more about the relationships between modern day presidents and vice presidents such as Bush and Cheney or even Obama and Biden. The writers of “The West Wing” really put a lot of thought into fleshing out each of the characters and I wholeheartedly feel that made the show that much more enjoyable to watch.
The show doesn’t shy away from portraying controversial topics either. In its seven season run, the series covered topics like President Bartlett’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, immigration problems, gun control, gay and lesbian rights, and foreign affairs to name just a few. This is interesting as one of the readings mentioned that, “…the presidency is a national mirror, and Hollywood, recognizing that symbolic dimension of the office, has opted to focus on the character issue and to subordinate any domestic and foreign-policy matters” (Rollins 252). I think this is one aspect that sets “The West Wing” apart from many other shows that have a political emphasis. Certainly the show places a lot of the focus on the personal lives of each character and the trivial aspects of their daily routines, but it does also focus on important issues that face the fictitious Bartlett administration, yet have very real roots in the issue. Much of the so-called wheeling and dealing that takes place in order to get bills passed or to get the votes necessary for a confirmation of an appointment are surrounding issues that were or are relevant. There was one particular episode that President Bartlett was to attend a fundraiser with a big Los Angeles mogul, but the man threatened to cancel unless Bartlett agreed to publicly condemn a piece of anti-gay legislation.
I think the realistic nature of “The West Wing” is what draws me into the show so much and makes it a popular series, even in the years that have passed since it went off the air. Americans are fascinated with the inner workings of the White House, and this show certainly fulfills the desires of the public to see how administrations operate through each aspect of the process.
Works Cited:
Rollins, Peter C. Hollywood's White House the American Presidency in Film and History. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2010. Print.
Jack Holiver
ReplyDeleteHollywood’s Take on Politics
11/18/14
Hollywood tends to exaggerate the reality of politics in order to ensure entertainment for the show’s audience. Shows like these include The Newsroom, Scandal, House of Cards, etc. However, even though The Newsroom does include an over-the-top amount of drama, and may not necessarily be perceived as entirely political, given that it takes place in a newsroom, this show still gives the best representation of my political views. The main reason for this being the best representation is due to the fact that this show highlights what I believe to be one of the greatest problems the Republican party has ever faced.
Will McAvoy is the main character in The Newsroom as well as the lead anchor for the news station. We are both Republican and we are both deeply concerned at the future for our party. One of the main concerns we share is the growing prevalence of the Tea Party. Personally, I find the Tea Party to be a gross perversion of what Republicans stand for.
Republicans believe in a prohibitive military…a common sense government…We believe in the rule of law and order and free market capitalism. The Tea Party believes in loving America but hating Americans…they believe in loving American but hating its government…most of all, you must never, under any circumstance, seek to reach a compromise with your opponent. Or do what Democrats and genuine Republicans both call ‘governing.’ – Will McAvoy
It’s frightening to think that this is a potential path that the Republicans may be moving towards. If this happens, I believe we will not see a Republican President for a very long time because Democrats, Independents, and Republicans similar to me will be hesitant in voting for a Tea Partier.
The effects of politics being portrayed in Hollywood has been mentioned in Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. People have used shows and even advertisements to create a powerful message. In 2007 a young political activist took a portion of an advertisement that Apple aired in the 1980’s and added videos of Hillary Clinton campaigning. The homemade advertisement instantly sparked attention as it portrayed Clinton as this machinist dictator talking to alienated citizens. What is even more interesting is how the creator of the advertisement was able to spin the message of the Apple commercial from its original intent into a political attack.
Works Cited:
BayAreaKen. "Transcript: "The Newsroom" Airs the News Program We've Been Waiting for." Transcript: "The Newsroom" Airs the News Program We've Been Waiting for. Daily Kos, 27 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
Semiatin, Richard J. Campaigns on the Cutting Edge. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2008. Print.
The collaboration between the worlds of Hollywood and Politics has led to some interesting final products throughout the last several decades. There is a variety, ranging from the silly like “Man of the Year” staring the late Robin Williams to the three hour dramas like “Lincoln” staring academy award winner Daniel Day Lewis. One thing is similar of almost all political films however; there isn’t a tremendous amount of politics! “Despite these bursts of periodic interest, Hollywood has avoided the serious treatment of American politicians because ideological or partisan politics is bad box office” (Giglio 95). Being that politics can provide for a rather confusing movie, political films are not often made. Instead, films about specific politicians or a certain bill they passed are put into production.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a huge fan of the political film genre, but there is one show that I am incredibly passionate about that’s central focus is capital hill. I am sure that I will not be the only one to discuss this show, but House Of Cards starring Kevin Spacey is absolutely brilliant. This show has focuses on the life of Democratic congressman Francis Underwood as he makes his way to the top of the political food chain, ultimately taking a seat in the oval office as President of the United States.
The main reason that I find this show to be so outstanding is because it shows true political endeavors while still maintaining the intensity and drama that people seek in a typical dramatic series. House of Cards give the views an inside look as to how a bill gets passed, what key political roles like the secretary of state and the house majority whip do on a day to day basis, it even shows us how in depth the secret service goes to protect the President and Vice President. One of my favorite episodes in fact is one where Frank Underwood must return to his home state of South Carolina to deal with the death of a young girl due to a texting and driving incident some claim him to be responsible for. I enjoyed this episode so much because it gave a very real feeling to politics. It highlighted a man who worked on capital hill and how he had to deal with grieving parents and a grieving town, all in a very non-political way. It shed a positive light on the life of a politician, showing that it is not all just getting bills passed and bickering with people of the other party, but it is a job that when done correctly can greatly influence the lives of the people.
Work Cited
Giglio, Ernest D. Here's Looking at You: Hollywood, Film, and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2000. Print.
Political dramas are my all time favorite shows and movies to watch. There is always so much going on that there’s no way you would be able to get bored. Politics and scandal pretty much go hand in hand which is why the show "Scandal" on ABC is what I picture going on in D.C. Olivia Pope was the current president's public relations advisor before their affair got out of hand and she decided to exit before any rumors began. She now finds herself owning her own public relations firm, "Olivia Pope and Associates" or as they like to call themselves, the "White Hats". People in the public eye go to her to take care of their problems that would reflect badly on them, whether they did it or not, in either or both the court and the media. Scandal is the perfect depiction of what politics is because it is all about protecting ones image, “the theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises” (Benoit 177). Scandal is even based off a real person, Judy Smith, and some of the episodes were actually real life situations, "What I really try to do is help people that have problems and issues," Smith told ABC News in a recent interview. "They could be big or small. [I] help corporations, associations and individuals. ... We really try to help to develop a communications strategy that will help protect their reputation and their brand as they navigate through the crisis"(ABC). Some of the real life scandals that are brought to life again in “Scandal” include the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Edward Snowden NSA leak scandal, and of course they couldn’t leave out the Anthony Weiner scandal. As we see in the t.v. show, none of these politicians came back from the scandals that occurred that weren’t seeking help from a crisis manager like Olivia Pope. Once a scandal strikes you better be prepared to prove that the public is wrong or prepared to resign because in the end, whether your views are popular or not, if your image sucks and people don't like you as a person, your not getting elected. We saw this with Mitt Romney when he made the 47% comment during a fundraiser dinner. I don't know who his public relations specialist was but they didn't do their job because he never came back from it.
ReplyDeleteBenoit, William L. "Image Repair Discourse and Crisis Communication." Public Relations Review 23.2 (1997): 177-186.
Valiente, Alexa. "'Scandal' Ripped From the Headlines: 6 Real-Life Political Scandals on the Show." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
I have never been the most politically knowledgeable student at Quinnipiac. I try my best to stay up to date and follow politics and government, but there’s always so much more going on. That’s where television comes in as a particularly helpful but also dangerous tool. For people like me, television is a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on around you. Shows like “The Daily Show” present relevant and political information to the viewers through satire, making it easier to understand or more relatable. Television can also be dangerous however, as people could watch these programs without considering the satire aspect of the show. Networks such as Fox news also choose a bias agenda, in this case extreme republican, and if the viewer didn’t know better this could change their views without considering the other side of the story
ReplyDeleteThe US government has been depicted in a variety of different ways in the media throughout the last few decades. On political messages in film, Earnest Giglio said “Hollywood is in the entertainment business all right, but the industry also delivers political messages in selected films”(2) This is true, and one of my personal favorite films which backs this up was 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty. Zero Dark Thirty is a film depicting the finding and elimination of Osama Bin Laden by the US government. Although many details had to be kept under wraps, the movie did an excellent job of showing how different areas of the government function when under crisis. It’s all too easy to say “ oh we have troops looking for him in the Middle East” but thanks to this movie, you really get to understand that it wasn’t nearly that easy. There were different levels of approval required to make certain decisions, hundreds of people working on multiple teams to figure out one little detail, and not to mention the tremendous risk these people put themselves in just to fight for our country.
Sure, there are plenty of TV shows or movies that make a mockery of our government, but for the most part, there are some pretty accurate depictions out there. Zero Dark Thirty will always be one of my favorite examples of politics and how our government works.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New York: Petere Lang, 2002
One of my favorite representations of politics has been in media has been the relatively new hit program House of Cards. House of Cards, which stars Kevin Spacey, details the rise to power of a senator through the ranks in the US government. However, Senator Frank Underwood is really a villain who uses a Machiavellian style, deception and ruthlessness to get his way. House of Cards depicts a political world where people are incredibly self-centered and care little for each other people and most of their time their primary goal is to advance their own agendas at all costs.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Cards does a good job depicting many aspects of life in Washington DC and how the political process works, however, many viewers are curious about how realistic is House of Cards really? Is this show truly a representation of what political life is like for US politicians? IF this was the case I believe many people would be rather disturbed however the show remains incredibly intriguing. In Giglio’s first chapter Hollywood and Washington: The Marriage of Film and Politics, he creates a hypothetical situation in which to screenwriters debate and discuss which plot lines they plan to use in a far-fetched political drama film about the president. The plot seems ridiculous, however, what is described are two political movies from the 1990s which were inspired by events which happened during the Clinton administration.
Having revealed that a lot of real life events, regardless of how crazy they may seem, are responsible for inspiring Hollywood films, Giglio goes on to suggest that there is some truth in Hollywood renditions of Washington. It could be possible that some of the details from House of Cards, particularly about how politicians go about business day to day, are in fact real. However, some aspects of House of Cards seem to be very fictional representations of politics. One particular aspect is how no one else seems to be able to use deception like Frank Underwood does. Throughout the show Underwood is constantly scheming, saying one thing when he really means another and otherwise manipulating people to get ahead. However, he appears to be almost the only person on the show who does it. If using deception is commonplace in Washington I highly doubt that Underwood would be the only individual to us it to their advantage. To suggest that other politicians are unable to even realize the ulterior motives and actions by Underwood, while also not using any of their own I feel is pretty unrealistic and not the most accurate representation of politics.
Shows like House of Cards are entertaining and create a unique insight into Washington; however, how accurate of a representation of politics they really are is questionable.
•Giglio, Ernest D. Here's Looking at You: Hollywood, Film, and Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2000. Web.
I have never seen Scandal or Parks and Rec or even the West Wing; the only political TV show I’ve seen is maybe one or two episodes of House of Cards. Because it is a TV show I understand that some situations may be over exaggerated, but that’s simply to keep the viewers interested. “Hollywood has avoided the serious treatment of American Politicians because ideological or partisan politics is bad box office” (Gilgo, 95). If there were really a show based on policies and staff meetings then obviously I don’t think it would do to well.
ReplyDeleteI believe I watched the first episode of season 1 where Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) came across a suffering dog in the street. He knew the family of which the dog belonged to but decided to do the “necessary” thing and put the dog out of it’s misery by killing it….with his own bare hands…The show differs from most, at points Underwood (Spacey) looks directly into the camera and recites a monologue. After killing the dog he said “there are times when we are required to do the unpleasant thing yet the necessary thing”.
It was also made clear that during the episode Underwood had been passed over for a job opportunity and instead of throwing a fit like most people would he takes action by continuing to be kind and hard working. While he’s faking all that Underwood is devising a plan to ultimately bring him to a seat of power and rank.
I think the shows related back to class because of all the scandals that take place. I know in class we talked about scandals revolving around sex and in House of Cards Underwood began an extramarital relationship with a young news reporter.
He has this reporter leak damaging stories about his opponents in the White House and eventually from reading what happens further on in the season Underwood eventually receives and accepts his nomination for Vice President.
I think politics are misrepresented through television shows and movies but that is solei because politics is just to boring to create a truthful real representation of what happen in the political world. People seem to enjoy the shows involved with Politics now, so although they might be representing politics falsely, the shows are entertaining to the viewers.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film & Politics. New York: Peter Lang, 2002. Print.
The tv is now a media for the society to be up date in news, events and even big storys
ReplyDeletewatch Noticias de Series is just adictive.