In this article we will dissect the show on ABC According to Jim, and examine how the show is extremely sexist in its relationship towards men. We will see that the show is highly "womanist" and portrays the female gender is a very positive light, whereas the men are seen as foolish, childish, and aggressive. We will see how the show associates the behaviors of Jim with that of American men in general.
According to Jim is a popular situation comedy currently on ABC, airing Wednesdays at 9pm. The show is a highly popular one, and even though the show is still in production, it is already in syndication, in some markets playing over twice a day.
The show has two main male and female characters. Jim is a "macho Everyman" (as described by the official ABC website) who "challenges his gorgeous and feisty wife, Cheryl, with his stubborn manliness but contagious charm."
We are two believe that stubbornness is a male trait, and is easily associated with manliness. The only way in which Cheryl is described on the official site is as "gorgeous and feisty" all very empowering qualities.
The site further goes on to describe Jim as someone who keeps "Cheryl in turmoil with his boyish bravado and every willful antics." Basically he is a man-child, who is stubborn, boyish, and filled with antics -- the only reason Cheryl is with him is because of his charm and bravado.
Cheryl on the other hand is seen as the sober and rational person in the family. She shows genuine concern for her husband, family, and everyone around her. She is kind, soulful, and selfless. Whenever Jim gets in trouble she is there to prove him wrong, and to show how he doesn't understand her.
On the show, Jim's best friend is his brother-in-law Andy. Andy is a character of a person - he is, like Jim, lazy and incompetent. Andy cannot seem to ever be in a normal and healthy relationship, and he too cannot seem to get things done right. Jim and Andy get into childish competitive moments which often have destructive consequences, as if they are little boys.
The other woman on the show, Dana is Cheryl's sister. She too is the voice of reason and normality -- and she often teams up with her sister to plot schemes on how to fool Jim and Andy. Many of the times Dana makes fun of Jim and talks down to him.
Jim is a typical stereotype of American machismo. He is supposed to symbolize the strong, yet emotionally unavailable brute. He is only interested in sex, sports, burgers, and fixing things (on the show he works in construction) -- he is the symbol of a man, whose interests are limited, stereotypical, and incredibly sexist.
Jim is a Homer Simpson of the real world, who is laughed at by the audience and his wife. He believes that beer is holy and will do anything to have sex with his wife, who is often clearheaded and fair.
http://abc.go.com/primetime/accordingtojim/
Thursday, November 22, 2007
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