Watch these 3 episodes of these 1950 sitcoms and write a written report: 1. I love Lucy, S2 E4 (Job Switching –
you can find it on Hulu), 2. Amos n Andy (episode “Kingfish Sells a Lot” – you can find it free on YouTube), and
- The Real McCoys, S1 E1 (Californy Here We Come- also you can find free on YouTube).
The purpose of this report is to gauge the potential impact/effect that the content of the television programming
has on certain aspects of American society at the time. Did the content reflect, or shape, the times? Try to paint
a picture for the others. Use specific examples.
How did program content portray and potentially influence the following?
Note: Interpret “portray” to mean as it was actually presented in the specific episodes assigned;
Interpret “potentially” to mean how you think it might have, in fact, influenced viewers perceptions.
The Family Unit & Communication Interaction within the Family
Gender Roles/Portrayals
Ethnic Roles/Portrayals
Occupational Roles/Portrayals
Nature of the Plots and Problems