I watched "Sex and the City" the other night, and must admit that I am a fan of the show. Sorry Dale! For some reason I can relate to, or at least empathize with many of the topics and issues the girls deal with. I don't know of any show on TV that always gives a real portrayal of love anyway, but I like what this show has to offer up. One aspect I do find a little over the top is how Samantha (the sex fiend) manages to find sex whenever and wherever she wants! Aside from that, on each episode Carrie raises a question on a particular subject related to love and relationships. These questions stem from the different situations the girls find themselves in, and ultimately are a reflection of how women look at the world and more precisely their relationships with men. Don't forget this show is geared toward women, the target audience is women, so understandably men are not going to be very interested in it.
This particular show dealt with the idea of romance and how women perceive it in today's world. In this particular episode Carrie is dating a Russian composer who among other mushy gestures, writes her a song and serenades her with it. Not used to this situation, Carrie finds it a little corny and feels slightly uncomfortable. Afterwards as she discusses it with her friends (three other thirty something independent women) they come to the conclusion that maybe romance is lost to women nowadays. It's not that they don't want romance, it's that they (we) don't know how to deal with it because it is something that belongs in another time, something from a faraway past that we have only read about. Speaking of which, this relates to my recent reading of De Rougemont. In his writing about courtly love he mentions how in the twelfth century troubadour's poetry, women were idealized and almost spiritualized by men and their effort to get to the next world. It's in a different realm but the main point is that women were put on pedestals and treated royally.
In today's world we are programmed in a certain way, and romance is not part of our DNA make up. From my own personal standpoint I can relate with Carrie in the sense that I don't care much for lovey dovey behavior. I'm not saying I'm a cold hearted person, in fact I am in a happy, long term relationship but in all honesty I don't think I would be completely impressed or blown away with a totally romantic partner. I guess my point here is that I can relate to the many issues that are brought up on this show. It motivates me and I am sure other women, to think about lots of interesting things from a female standpoint. The fundamental differences between how men and women think and act is the basis behind how they interact, and that in turn relates to love and courtship. This show inspires women to think about the questions raised, relate them to their own lives, and hopefully help give meaning and answers to certain aspects of it.
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I am also a fan of Sex and the City, i watched all six seasons last year in a row. I personally do not think that i relate to Carrie, but I do believe i relate alto to Charlotte. She does want romance. I think it would be interesting if maybe you talked a little about the four VERY different women and maybe who they can relate to?
My dad, who is 62, enjoys the show.I just think that is pretty funny. Along the lines of what Dale said, maybe you can study those different classifications of males who watch the show.
I really liked how you pointed out that some women do not like that idealized type of romance. I think of myself as a romantic, but then again, certain things (like getting serenaded) would really freak me out and I wouldn't know how to act, what to say, or what to think about it. I am always wishing for that guy to sweep me off my feet, but I'm afraid when that comes, or if it comes, that I will not be used to it and freak out a little. This, to me, is like the modern woman. This idea of romantic love is somewhat lost in contemporary times and the rare occasion of it surfacing would throw women off and the relationship would me destined for sabatoge.
As some one that has not watched much Sex in the City, but has an older sister who loves the show, I think it will be good to see different veiws. I know that I see the show from what I have done and gone through, but to see it in a broder image will be nice.
In all honesty, I adore Sex and the City. I enjoyed your blog and your exploration of the questions proposed by Carrie. As the show seems to be a guilty pleasure for many, even in our class, maybe you could explore the reason for the simultaneous distance and relation that we find in the show. For example, in your blog, you note Samantha as being over the top. Perhaps you can discuss why we, as a society, generally see her behaviour in this light but why many women also find the notion empowering as a breaking of gender roles.
I love Sex and the City! I love the way Carrie deals with her life situations. I do know a couple of guys who watch Sex and the City, but the reason for watching it, is to have a good conversation with a potential "hot date." At least that's what they tell me. You have a lot of good points that can develop into potential topics!
This is a great topic to bring up when discussing courtship. Personally, I'm obsessed with the show and feel like it is so easy to relate to Carrie's questions and comments about each girl's daily struggles with relationships. There are so many questions brought about in each episode that you will never be at a loss for things to discuss concerning love. Carrie's tone is so conversational in her writing/commentary and so I think this truly is a solid representation on the modern outlook on relationships.
I personally have seen maybe 5 minutes of the show, but I feel like I should watch it at least once due to the fact that it seems as if everyone in the class has seen it and enjoys talking about it. That being said, I agree with your claim that romantic, chivolrous courtship is on the decline. I don't know too many girls that would buy into romantic poetry or moonlit songs and the like. It might be interesting to explore the changes that have brought about this lack of traditional romanticism
I cannot say I've watched a full episode of the show but I do have many friends who happen to be guys who sit down and watch it. I don't think they're proud to admit that but they definately find the show entertaining on some levels. If guys are watching the show, then why? What do they gain out of it that women do not?
I do agree that the target audience is women, however I don't think it means that men cannot find anything in the show. From watching it I've gleaned quite a bit of information that I never knew. I'll keep up with your perspectives so I can see where gender plays a role in point-of-view.
I think that TV today has a lot to offer us not so much on the way men and women really behave...but the way in which the audience thinks they want to behave. TV very rarely mimics true reality...it could be interesting to explore why we think we want something that may not really exist.
I can't say that I'm a avid watcher of Sex in the City, but of the clips i have seen, it is definitely geared towards a womans point of view on everything...why is that?
I liked your post because I could relate to what you were saying. I think that all that mushy-song writing stuff is a little uncomfortable. I think that men see that in movies or on TV and use it as a way to win women over, but like you said...that's not reality. I enjoyed your post
Great topic! I love the show and was thinking of writing about it myself. I think it would be really interesting for you to explore each of the girls individually, how they deal with things and what it says about them. Another thing to think about is even though the show says things in a mushy way that is not how we would normally talk, tons of girls have those cheesy lines quoted on their facebook, myspace, aol, etc.
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