TV Stereotypes

I am a sitcom expert. Yes I am, I am! I watch a lot of television, whether it be comedies, dramas, or reality shows. During my research (Hey if I call it that I'm not technically a couch potato, right?) I have noticed a few oddities. I have often wondered if these oddities are stereotypes based on real characteristics that I don't experience, possibly because they are based on Americans, or if a popular show included them and others followed suit. Either way, I find the stories less believable. Here are just a couple things I have noticed:

1. People wear shoes in the house.
2. Kids are always bratty for babysitters.
3. People are always visiting.
4. Everyone drinks bottled water.
5. No one is single for an extended period of time.
6. Childhood friends are addressed by full names.
   

1. People wear shoes in the house.

This is a big one for me. Everyone on T.V. wears their shoes in the house, even into the bedroom. I don't understand it--my shoes come off when I walk in the door, because I like to be comfortable at home, and so I don't track dirty everywhere. Do people really wear their shoes all day and slip out of them at bedtime? This gives the shows that studio feeling and takes away from the realness it could have. I also notice that people are dressed to the nines no matter the time or plan for the day. When I get home, off come the work/out-of-the-house clothes and on go the jammies.

2. Kids are always bratty for babysitters.

What is going on with television children?! Granted, I don't hire many babysitters, but even so, my child would never disrespect someone who is watching her. Not even me, unless of course we're roughhousing. Yet the offspring we see in our favorite programs are hellions, regardless of age or parentage. They kick, they punch, they spit, they destroy the house, and, as I saw tonight which inspired this blog, they pour juice into their babysitters' purses. I realize this adds to the plot and makes it more interesting, but surely not all children are little devils?

3. People are always visiting.

From the never-empty apartment in Seinfeld to the successful coffee shop in Friends, people on television are always socializing. Maybe it is because I don't live and work in New York, but I can't afford the daily trips to Tim Hortons or the transit buses to friends houses. Why does Phoebe Buffay need to drop in at the Geller-Green (and later the Geller-Bing) residence to update her friends when she could pick up a phone? Does Elaine really have to pop in to see Jerry every day? Sometimes she stayed for a mere five minutes before traveling across town to her own apartment. Of course there wouldn't be much of a show if everyone stayed home, but at least the writers of Will & Grace had the sense to have the main characters share an apartment!

4. Everyone drinks bottled water.

This one is self explanatory. There is no shortage of plastic in T.V. fridges. Does no one use Brita? Much better for the environment fake people!

5. No one is single for an extended period of time.

How is it that television characters can find singles on each episode? People are either meeting, dating, or breaking up. Each week there is a new prospect. Maybe I need to move to Hollywood to find a man!

6. Childhood friends are addressed by full names.

This one occurs in books as well as on screen. I don't quite understand the need to use both the first and last name when talking about a school friend. I never did this as a child, and still don't. Unless I know more than one "Sally" and my conversational partner needs to distinguish exactly which one I mean, I won't be giving out my friends' personal information.

I hope no one takes this as a serious pet peeve or complaint, I just needed to get it off my chest as I seem to be the only one who pays so much attention!

Viva la television!