COMM 380:  Media Criticism

From its very first episode which aired on June 6th 1998, HBO’s hit series Sex and the City has been one of the most controversial romantic sitcoms on television; known for its raunchy dialogues and storylines, it discussed modern social issues such as promiscuity and femininity in a humorous manner. Creator Darren Star sought to shape our views on gender, race and culture by providing role models who we could aspire to be like but who also had flaws and problems of their own. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda brought to light through their own experiences social problems of the time as well as opinions on these issues through the lens of a modern feminist.

 

A commonly tackled theme throughout its run was that of gender and pre-scribed gender roles. Sex and the City changed the portrayal of women in the media from non-sexual, submissive and inter-changeable beings to assertive and amorous individuals. In many of the sitcoms airing during this time such as Family Matters and Everybody Loves Raymond, the mother of the main family featured was of course married and a homemaker as well. She represented the tough but loving matriarch who took care of the family selflessly and almost tirelessly. Sexuality was rarely featured, and would typically be instigated by the father figure as men were supposed to be dominant and constantly in the mood for sex. Sex and the City featured four single women who were not ashamed of being sexually active, especially Samantha who tells the girls: “I’m a tri-sexual. I’ll try anything once” (Starr, 1998). The show also ventured into dangerous waters when it suggested that men might be flawed when it came to the bedroom.

Samantha was not afraid to tell it like it is: “You have a lot of nerve telling me to get a wax. If you were in Aruba the natives could bead your back. And it’s not just there: every time I blow you I feel like I’m flossing” (Starr, 1998). The typical stereotypes of the “quiet little woman” and the “powerful flawless man” were reversed as the interactions between men and women in the show became symbols of change for audience members everywhere.

 

Not only did Sex and the City dare to confront gender roles in their controversial six

season run, it also discussed race using the relationships between the four main characters and their various sexual partners. Inter-racial relationships were (and still are) rarely seen and slightly taboo. The concept of sex between two people of different races had not really been explored, at least not to the extent that this show took it. During season three, Samantha dates a black record executive who epitomizes the negative stereotypes about black men. He has a large penis, has a

posse of hip-hop men and is eventually cowered into submission by his sister, a strong black woman. Though Samantha fervently states “I don’t see color, I see conquest” (Starr, 1998) this portrayal was an antiquated view of race. Later in the show’s run, it redeems itself when Miranda ends up in a serious relationship with a black male herself. This man is a doctor working in the sports industry, and his monogamous and loving relationship with Miranda highlights the social changes happening with race and relationship throughout the United States at the time. Through its lens of female sexuality, these interactions between characters of different races placed a focus on race itself and the positive changes towards racial equality in relationships.  

 

Sex and the City inspired its own culture based on the strength and weaknesses of the independent woman, but during its run the interactions between characters commented on existing culture as well. One of the biggest culture symbols that came into existence based on the show was that of the Cosmo; a simple drink was elevated to symbolize sisterhood and feminism

everywhere, simply by being their drink of choice whenever they got together. Each main girl also brought with them a passion that allowed for a focus on the culture surrounding that; Carrie’s love of all things designer, for instance, highlighted the world of fashion in New York and the hypocrisies that existed between this culture and the outside world. In one episode, Carrie finds herself at a baby shower where each guest is expected to leave her shoes at the door.  Carrie’s Manolos end up missing and the hostess mocks Carrie for wasting money when she tells

her how much the shoes cost to replace. Carrie says: “You know how much Manolos are. You used to wear Manolos,” and the hostess replies: “Sure. Before I had a real life” (Starr, 1998).  This awkward situation is highlighted in the show to comment on the differences between just these two cultures and is a symbol for a moral lesson, thou shalt not judge others by a standard we would not want to be judged with ourselves. Each interaction between two characters from different cultures discusses and celebrates their differences and puts importance on them as individuals.

 

Each interaction in the show served as a symbol of change, and to place focus on the important issues regarding gender, race and culture. Humor was a staple of each episode and helped relay the messages to the audience. The jokes in the writing counteracted some of its crudeness but critics still flamed the show, saying it was “a set of empty, static cartoons, and embarrassment to womankind” (Nussbaum, 2013). Regardless of the critics, the show became a hit and millions of women (and even men) tuned in every Sunday to gain a shared meaning on

social problems and learn how change is affecting their status in society.

 

References

Hanson, Ralph E. (2013). Mass Communication Living in a Media World (4th ed.). CQ Press.

 

Nussbaum, E. (2013, July 29). How “Sex and the City” Lost Its Good Name. The New Yorker.  Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/television/2013/07/29/130729crte_television_nussbaum?currentPage=all

 

Star, Darren. (1998, June 6). Sex and the City. HBO. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www.hbo.com/#/sex-and-the-city/index.html

 

Wingfield, A. (2008, June 19). Race and "Sex and the City". racismreviewcom. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/06/19/race-and-sex-and-the-city/