6 TV Shows American Studies Scholars Should Watch
I somehow imagined that I would have a glut of time this summer to write several blog posts of various topics, but, as it turns out, I am very good at taking on lots of tasks and not actually having free time!
But I digress. I’ve been thinking a lot about representations of America in popular culture, and especially TV. This raises a question that I hope to provide a few answers to: what TV shows should American Studies scholars watch?
I know it’s sort of the hip thing nowadays to eschew TV and hold out not owning TV as some marker of superior intellect or hispterdom. And perhaps that’s true to an extent. The summer TV season always leaves something to be desired, but if you look hard enough, and into the past (thanks, Netflix!), you can find some incredible series that are worth some careful, even scholarly, watching. What better means of tapping into our cultural zeitgeist than through TV, after all?
So, without further ado, a few shows you should watch if you’re in the wonderful field of American Studies – or simply aspire to be:
1. Deadwood - HBO – 2004 – 2006 (RIP)
I finally bit the bullet and watched the first two episodes this past week, following the recommendations of a few professors and colleagues. Needless to say, the show doesn’t disappoint. Based on an actual town in South Dakota, and featuring actual historical figures like Calamity Jane and Wyatt Earp, Deadwood provides what seems like a faithful representation of the lawless 19th century frontier. Faithful history notwithstanding, it’s intense, guys, and that intensity starts right at the beginning. If you have a squeamish stomach or cringe when you hear coarse language, perhaps steer clear of this one. Bottom line: this is a hardcore western show. Watch it.
2. Louie - FX – 2010 -
Full disclosure: I wrote a final paper about Louie last fall and am also a massive fan of C.K.’s stand-up material. But that’s exactly why I’m recommending it – the show, aside from being absurd and hilarious and uncomfortable – has a lot of layers. The show’s premise is simple enough: Louis C.K. stars as himself in a vaguely autobiographical show about his life as a divorced parent and stand-up comic in New York City. Aside from that, though, Louis comments in various levels of subtlety on race, sexuality, gender, community, and modern America.
Example: this clip made a lot of waves when the episode aired – take a look, but be warned, it’s NSFW (language). It brought commentary from sources like The American Prospect.
3. The Wire – HBO – 2002 – 2008 (RIP)
What Deadwood did for the old west The Wire did for modern Baltimore, but maybe better – many critics argue that this is literally the best TV series of all time. Each season explores a different aspect of the city, like the drug trade or the school system. Fundamentally, though, the show is about the city, urban life, and the American working class. And it’s ridiculous in its realism and depth – it’s deep enough to merit entire college courses centered on the series and what it reveals.
4. Mad Men - AMC – 2007 -
I always get irritated when Mad Men wins literally every Emmy, but then I remember that it’s a fantastic show. And it depicts some of the grittier realities of the 1960s, realities that we might not normally think about when we look back on the good ol’ days of Woodstock and hippies. Interpersonal drama aside, Mad Men also presents a world of homophobia, racism, sexism, feminism… lots of isms.
5. All in the Family – CBS – 1971 – 1979 (RIP)
Contrary to its name, this isn’t just another family sitcom. All in the Family offers a window onto blue collar life in New York City amidst growing ethnic diversity and social upheaval. More than that, though, the show represents a broader clash of generations following the countercultural 1960s and America’s failure in Vietnam. Those were the days!
6. An American Family – PBS – 1973 (RIP)
Reality TV wasn’t just the result of a few ill-fated decisions in the 1990s. An American Family was, in many ways, the precursor to The Real World, documenting the lives of the Loud family in Santa Barbara. Bear witness to bickering, divorce, and the values of the middle class American family. What’s also remarkable about this show is the presence of Lance Loud, who left a legacy as being one of the first openly gay men on television.
If you have an addition, leave it in the comments!
