Two and a Half Men Analysis - Assignment Example

?Two and a Half Men Analysis Introduction Two and a Half Men has been a sitcom mega hit since its inception in 2003 but lately has come to dominate the airwaves comparing the character of the show with the actor in his real life. I have been a fan of this show for many years now but it has always fascinated me how well this show has been received across all age groups and by both sexes. Here is a depicted family that couldn’t possibly be more dysfunctional from every standpoint one could possibly examine. We will examine the different relationships in this household to see why these dysfunctional relationships appeal to so many Americans. We can look back at the string of similar sitcoms over the birth of TV itself that raised the bar so that Two and a Half Men could come into your home starting with All in the Family and then Married with Children leaving the wholesome shows like Father knows best and Leave it to Beaver to the nearly forgotten dusty archives. Personal Perspective The personal perspective is always important in the analysis of media considering that different people perceive different communication differently. It is well established that two individuals may look at the same object and only to come up with different conclusions. One factor that notably affects the personal perception is culture although other factors also normally play a role in the development of personal perception as noted by Hartley, Montgomery and Brennan (2002). I am not sure that any man really wants to live like either the Character Charlie Harper or the actor Charlie Sheen but it is one of those fantasies that seems to play well in the dream world. Most of us, male or female desire that one special person to have and hold so then why do so many tune into this show to watch one of the most destructive life styles ever portrayed on a regular sitcom. The characters involved in the show are clearly best fitted for their positions a feat that has seen the show gain international reputation. Some of the countries in which the series has been aired or featured include Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Ireland, Poland and Canada just to mention a few. Historical Perspective Two and a Half Men distinguishes the experiences of two brothers living together in the one bother’s Malibu Beach home. It provides the perfect opportunity to study two opposite forms of modern masculinity. “Literature on gender and hegemonic masculinity frames this research project, offering both a historical perspective and a critical understanding of media representations. I argue that the performances of hegemonic and subordinated masculinity on Two and a Half Men reconstruct and reinforce the dominance of hegemonic masculinity within our society as the only acceptable performance of manhood. Effeminate masculinity, an alternative masculinity, fails to find legitimate cultural articulation within the show.” “In an important sense there is only one complete unblushing male in America: a young, married, white, urban, northern, heterosexual, Protestant, father, of college education, fully employed, of good complexion, weight, and height, and a recent record in sports… Any male who fails to qualify in any one of these ways is likely to view himself–during moments at least– as unworthy, incomplete and inferior” (Sex and Gender, nd). If this then is what our society expects from the “perfect” man and the main character Charlie Harper has literally none of these other than white fully employed and good looking, could we assume that these then are the historical attributes alone that attract us and especially female viewers to him? Technical Perspective The technical aspect of media may be summed in Lasswell’s model. According to Lassswell, this aspect encompasses who says what, to whom it is being said and effect it that the “saying” has (Aect, 2011). Two and a Half Men as a comedy has been starred by John Cryer, Jones Angus and Charlie Sheen, individuals who have proven beyond doubt to the audience that they are capable of fitting into their roles as prominent artists and actors. No wonder the New York Times has described the show as "the biggest hit comedy of the past decade." The show is also known to have ranked among the top 20 programs, since its first airing, every single season. The show is clearly unique even in the sense that its titles are episodic titles are well chosen albeit out of context. Designed to make people laugh, the show has proven to have a string of hilarious moments in which case the audience is not disappointed. The show is presented simply and in a manner that is easy to understand even for children. Sheen’s delivery is usually based on precise timing and his acting is very natural. "At first, I watched the show with a supposedly technical perspective, observing the seven-part structure of every sitcom episode. I'm not watching this for fun," I rationalized, "I'm learning the craft" (Financial Post, 2011) Ethical Perspective In relation to entertainment media, the depiction of strong language, sex and violence is often depicted as unethical in many jurisdictions (Alia, 2004). Yet again, stereotypes are known to affect people of a certain group negatively. In One and a Half Men, care has been taken to maintain ethics in respect of the aforementioned factors. The program is suitable for both adults and children for entertainment purposes as it does not have sexual scenes or scenes with strong language. “Christian Dior suspended “without hesitation” one of its top designers, John Galliano, for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks Marianne (nd). Two days later, Mr. Galliano was terminated. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, CBS halted production of the Charlie Sheen hit television show, Two and a Half Men for Mr. Sheen’s double-hitter of anti-Semitic remarks directed at his bosses. Dior stood to lose its red-carpet exposure, as it were, at the Oscars as the starlets opt for scandal-free designers. CBS stands to lose about $100 million in ad revenues for stopping production of a pre-sold show. Two days later Mr. Sheen appeared to have taken leave of his senses in several network television interviews as he explained that no one “gets him.” How right you are, sir!” Marianne (nd). “Personally, I’m saddened to see a performer with Charlie Sheen’s talent go so far and fast around the bend. I also think that airing the interview where he disclosed his alleged supernatural powers was in the worst possible taste. It’s probably news that CBS has thrown Sheen off “Two and a Half Men” though I wish the network had done so not because he insulted his boss, but because he allegedly abused multiple women” Business Insider (2011). Cultural Perspective In North America and many other parts of the world, media plays a significant role in shaping the way people live as noted by Hartley, Montgomery and Brennan (2002). In other words, in itself it is a dominant culture, almost forming the pinnacle of the business culture. In the Two and a Half Men Show, the American culture is well portrayed as seen in how people relate with one another, how people talk to one another, gender roles as well as in the value placed in a swinging lifestyle especially by bachelors. “The world watched in awe -- the drugs have finally gotten to him! Sheen has lost his mind! The only thing missing from Sheen's rant was some Mel Gibson-style anti-Semitism. Then he came back with some Mel Gibson-style anti-Semitism. In his interviews, Sheen only called Lorre "Chaim Levine." Lorre was born Charles Levine; a Hebrew version would be Chaim. The comment struck executives at both CBS and Warner Brothers as anti-Semitic. This was around the time that Two and a Half Men yanked the rest of the season.” (Business Insider, 2011) Deborah Orr gives us an additional take on the Cultural Perspective that we are part of the (Charlie’s) problem by our constant support of his drinking and misogynistic actions on screen and so dismissive of his criminal behavior in his personal and very real life. “Charlie Sheen's mental health problems aren't funny. The actor is being mocked for an affliction, and we should consider what our laughter says about us” (Orr, nd). Critical Perspective Practically ecvery work of art is normally subject to criticism according to Scodari and Thorpe (1993). While many have hailed the comedy show One and a Half Men as being a great work of art, a number of criticisms have been directed in its way. Some have in fact considered the show as the epitome of the ills with TV comedies. One of the criticisms laid against the show is with respect to its simplicity. While this may in fact be its strength according to some spectators, critics feel that the show needs to portray a little bit more of a complex society; not just men being men. “Two and a Half Men” is a lazy, pandering comedy. Kutcher can do lazy and pandering. Presumably, his character will be a kindred spirit to Sheen’s, a misogynist lothario. Kutcher can do misogynist lothario. This just makes sense.” “…At the end of the day, I have zero expectations that this is going to lead to the show improving by any truly discernible amount from a critical perspective” (Freilich 2011) Conclusion Two and a Half Men has been a captivating hit since it started gracing the airwaves in 2003. The program basically compares the character of one individual in the show with the same character in his real life. The story portrays a family that is clearly dysfunctional from every point of standing and yet one that has remained a story of great interest to an audience consisting of people across different ages and gender. Two and a Half Men has interested various people, age and gender being no barrier, there are various elements that have led to this captivation as can be seen based on the various perspectives discussed above. This is an amazing thing with Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen because now we will know so much about ourselves. Did we watch the show primarily because Charlie Sheen was the lead or did we watch the show because we deep down expect the male role to be that of a hard drinking women getting misogynist who contrasts the respectable but boring brother. We will find out if the show was drawing audiences with the cliche of the dumb child and cold aloof mother or whether or not the world finds the dysfunctioning of someone else’s family is like that train wreck we don’t want to turn away from. Various spectators have aired their disrespect for Charlie Sheen’s actions in respect of boasting about his supernatural abilities. Whereas some feel that CBS took the right direction in stopping the production of the shows for his utterances, others feel that Sheen’s actions related to the abuse of several women is the greater sin. I personally thought Charlie Sheen was made for this role and vice versa considering the spring board from when he replaced Michael J Fox in Spin City. I was sad to see Michael Fox leave but became quickly sold on the very first episode with Charlie Sheen as was most of America. You saw it there in his Spin City Charlie Crawford role which developed into his Charlie Harper role which just maybe was the real life problem of Charlie Sheen trying to live up to his on screen persona. Wholesome and naive TV sitcoms themselves from Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver have grown and matured and even festered over the many years since the 1950s and we can see that same festering path in Charlie Sheen’s life. References Aect (2011) Technical Perspective. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.aect.org/edtech/ed1/04/04-03.html Alia V. (2004) Media ethics and social change. Routledge. Business Insider (2011) Here Are Charlie Sheen's Insane, Anti-Semitic Rants That (Finally) Forced Cbs To Pull 'Two And A Half Men'. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.businessinsider.com/charlie-sheen-two-half-men-chuck-lorre-video-2011-2#ixzz1N8TSqV6l Financial Post (2011) Two and a half lame excuses. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=96489a09-bff6-438b-907c-0be52ad59ba5&k=52618 Freilich S. (2011) Jon Cryer To Cbs Execs Dude Wheres My Hugh Grant. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jon-cryer-to-cbs-execs-dude-wheres-my-hugh-grant.php Hartley J., Montgomery M, Brennan M. (2002) Communication, cultural and media studies: the key concepts. Routledge. Lester P. (2006) Visual Communication Images with Messages (4th edition) Cengage Learning p. 203 Orr D. (2011) xxxxx Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/mar/03/charlie-sheen-mental-health Marianne M. (nd) The Ethical Barometer. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.mariannejennings.com/?p=866 Scodari C & Thorpe J. (1993) Media criticism: journeys in interpretation. Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co. Sex and Gender (nd) Hegemonic MasculinityI. Retrieved 30 May, 2011 http://www.sexandgender.net/category/definitions Read More