No more ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’. Please.

Reality TV has always thrived on the exploitation of its subjects, creating artificial conflict between friends, asking individuals to adopt a “villain” persona, re-editing situations so they fit producers’ proposed storylines. However, the reality format is now well into its second decade, and any adult who signs a release form for one of these shows should be aware of what they’re getting into. It’s a trade off, public exposure for cash. It’s a choice adults make.

For a very good example of how the media, parents and appearance has an effect upon self-esteem view this posting on the mediaknowall blog.

Media, gender and identity

To find more information on the effects of role models, identity and gender issues visit theory.org here. The examples and discussion will be very useful to refer to in the exam.

Teenage Kicks: The Search for Sophistication

Watch the BBC4 documentary 'Teenage Kicks: The Search For Sophistication' here on BBCiPlayer for an interesting examination of how we construct our identities, partake in rituals and express aspects of individual personality through the products we consume. Celebrities and others discuss their teenage years and the cultural practices they adopted due to the influence of popular culture and advertised products.

TV review: Fry's Planet Word

Watch Fry's Planet Word (BBC2, Sunday) an examination of language and its evolution which can support your knowledge of NVC and other aspects of Communication & Culture. For instance it's interesting that when Fry is talking to a deaf German woman, he slows down slightly, spells it out, adopts the tiniest hint of an accent in that way we do with people who have a different first language, meeting them halfway. But he's talking to her though an interpreter, who's American! Read a review of this current programme on The Guardian site here or go to BBCiplayer to see last Sundays' show.

Mr Brainwash exhibition

Thierry Guetta, or 'Mr Brainwash' as he is known, featured in Banksy's film 'Exit Through The Gift Shop'. He now has his first British exhibition at the Opera Gallery in New Bond Street, London. This article from The Telegraph charts his rise to fame and questions whether we have been duped.

Tattoos - any regrets?

In this article from the BBC website, visitors to the London Tattoo Convention are asked if they have any regrets. Lucy Townsend test runs a fake tattoo but finds she isn't ready for the real thing.

Warhol's images of women

In this article, Jonathan Jones argues that, far from being commercially driven and intellectually shallow, Andy Warhol's images of women are the result of his life long religious belief.

Is our culture too much in thrall to the glories of the past?

Are our most popular films, books and TV shows too entrenched in nostalgia? Read Robert McCrum and Boyd Hilton debate the state of British culture in The Guardian here.

Tattoos - are they art?

To coincide with The London Tattoo Convention being held this weekend, this article in the Guardian discusses why having a tattoo has become mainstream. Jonathan Jones asks if it reflects our need to escape into a fantasy world.

'Bad Education' (2004) - Gender, Orientation and Persona in cinema

Pedro Almodóvar is a Spanish film director, screenwriter and producer. Almodóvar is arguably the most successful and internationally known Spanish filmmaker of his generation. His films, marked by complex narratives, employ the codes of melodrama and use elements of pop culture, popular songs, irreverent humor, strong colours, glossy décor and "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" themes. Desire, passion, family and identity are among Almodóvar’s most prevalent themes. His films enjoy a worldwide following and he has become a major figure on the stage of world cinema. Read a review of his 2004 release 'Bad Education' here in Slant Magazine.

Stolen identities in film show us our true selves

Adopting another's identity is seen as a melodramatic trick of the movies, like the evil twin in soap operas – but aren't we all imposture experts? Take a look at Anne Billson's series in The Guardian on film here and consider the implications upon personal identity.

Role Models

For further consideration of what constitutes a 'role model', visit rolemodel.net here. There are a few examples and a list of questions to pose (in the student area).

Role Models - High Culture & Popular Culture

How many of these cultural icons do you recognise?

Would you consider any to be a role model for you?

'Mad Men' and body image

Lynne Featherstone, the Equalities Minister, stated that Christina Hendricks from 'Mad Men' was a better role model for women than the fashion industries preferred skinny young girls. In this article from The Guardian, Susie Orbach declares her support for the minister's views.

You can also see a fashion shoot that Christina Hendricks did for The Guardian magazine at this link.

'Tomboy'

In this article in The Guardian's Society section, Stephanie Theobald discusses the new French film 'Tomboy' (as seen at The Edinburgh Film Festival in June) and how it revived her own childhood experiences.

Opera versus Rock Music

In case you missed it, there was an interesting post on the Screenagers blog highlighting two articles from The Guardian which perfectly illustrate the ongoing argument about the comparative values of popular and high culture. Rock music fan Laura Barton visits The Royal Opera but Tom Service questions whether she gave opera a fair trail.