美国流行文化.doc

American Popular Culture: Mid-Term Name (English or pinyin and Chinese (汉字):Student Number: 美国流行文化1. What are three kinds of culture? There are three kinds of culture: folk, popular and elite.2. Why study American Popular Culture? First, Popular Culture is cultural glue. It binds people together in a world of shared references, meanings, characters, music, foods, and so on. The shared references and meanings are important for a pluralistic American society, which lacks a common religion or ethnic identity. And from the 1950s onward, the United States has turned on the new concept of culture. Now any one of the countries main basic out of fashion culture is inseparable from the impact of American Popular Culture. So American Popular Culture is taking a more and more important role in today's society worldwide, it is necessary for us to study it well.3. Why did we listen to “Breakaway”? Why is it a popular song?1) We listened to “Breakaway” because it refers to popular formulas. In terms of learning American Popular Culture, “Breakaway” is a typical popular song sung by the pop singer Kelly Clarkson.2) It is a popular song for these several reasons below. First, topics, time, instruments are 3 standards of popular songs. Accordingly, the topic of “Breakaway” is about dream and future. The total time of popular songs is usually about 3 or 4 minutes. “Breakaway” is 3 minutes and 58 seconds. And popular songs usually use popular instruments such as drums, violins, pianos and so on. “Breakaway” uses these instruments. Second, popular songs promote passive listening- repetitive (because work or study is stressful, people want to relax in their leisure time and avoid effort). The music of “Breakaway” makes the listener relaxed and comfortable. Third, popular songs have a sense of identity like magazines, websites, concerts, and festivals, for youths especially. The age group most interested in popular music is from ages 12 at 25 (a generation of music). Many youngsters like “Breakaway” very much. In conclusion, “Breakaway” is a popular song.4. Why did we watch “The Apprentice”? Why is it a popular TV series? Give examples and explain.1) We watched “The Apprentice” because it refers to popular formulas. In terms of learning American Popular Culture, “The Apprentice” is a typical popular TV series. The Apprentice is an American-British reality television show hosted and broadcast on NBC. The Apprentice was the breakout rookie hit of the 200304 U.S. television seasons and helped NBC at a time when the network's two long-running successful comedies, Friends and Frasier, were ending their series' runs. The audience numbers for the show have still remained on the decline since its first season. Originally, NBC aired the sixth season of The Apprentice. 2) It is a popular TV series for these several reasons below. A popular formula is a created product (often a story) that is repeatable and therefore familiar to the creator and the audience. This type of story is often referred to as a genre. The Apprentice is consistent with the Genre of Social Integration- Musicals, Romantic Comedies and Family Melodramas- In these stories is a civilized social environment. Society is not in danger. Often there is a doubled hero (a couple) who struggles to adapt their individual characters and goals to society. These stories are marked by discussion, negotiations and marriages and not gunfights, ultimatums or violence as do Genres of Social Order. The Apprentice is Family Melodramas. An audience judges a movie, a Western or a Detective drama or Romantic Comedy, not by how it reflects an actual historical era, event or personality type (hero) but by how it satisfies our expectations. The Apprentice is very interesting and attractive, satisfying our expectations. The Apprentice is a viewer favorite among the die-hard reality TV junkies. It is very entertaining in a no-brainer kind of way. Therefore, “The Apprentice” is a popular TV series.5. What is the myth of rural simplicity? The myth of rural simplicity means True American virtue and happiness which are to be found by living close to nature on a farm or in a small town. The contemporary ritual of camping and gardening are connected to this myth.6. What are the five aspects (formula) of a popular movie (box office hits)? A heavy emphasis is placed on the special world of childhood and upon the home and family. Our hero should have a practical command of technology or use supernatural power (magic).- special effects The application of technology or supernatural ability should involve violence directed towards achieving the just defense of American virtues in the absence of law. Our hero should demonstrate his freedom and his individuality as well as his right to choose. A happy ending. Popular culture is escapist. Many of the top ten movies are fantasies. They provide clear cut divisions between good and bad.7. What is the myth of anti-intellectualism? The myth of anti-intellectualism means the truly intelligent person translates ideas into practical solutions. The beliefs and values is Experience is the best teacher. Common sense is superior to book learning. 8. Why did we watch “NCIS: Los Angeles”? Why is it a popular TV series? 1) We watched “NCIS: Los Angeles” because it refers to popular formulas. In terms of learning American Popular Culture, “NCIS: Los Angeles” is a typical popular TV series. Tom Shales of The Washington Post felt that "NCIS: Los Angeles gets the job done . It's a procedural that follows strictly the established procedure, but it has likable characters, dislikable bad guys and the occasional flabbergasting shot of L.A." Robert Bianco of USA Today summarized it as a "serviceable hour that takes the NCIS formulaa light tone and a lot of banter wrapped around a fairly rudimentary investigatory plotand transfers it to a special, undercover NCIS division in Los Angeles. Reviews for the “NCIS: Los Angeles” have been mixed. It has a score of 59/100 on Metacritic. 2) It is a popular TV series for these several reasons below.NCIS: Los Angeles (Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Los Angeles) is an American television series combining elements of the military drama and police procedural genres.A formula is like a cooking recipe or a road map. A popular formula is a created product (often a story) that is repeatable and therefore familiar to the creator and the audience. This type of story is often referred to as a genre.“NCIS: Los Angeles” is consistent with the Genre of Social Order- Western, Horror and Detective Stories- these types of stories are battlegrounds upon which the forces of good and evil fight. The conflict is usually decided by a hero who places himself on the side of progress, civilization and justice. In Westerns though, the heros need for individual freedom conflicts with the communal, cooperative needs of the civilized community. So, in the end he often “rides into the sunset alone.” “NCIS: Los Angeles” is about horror and detective stories. The special world of childhood and the home and family: The little girl has an unfortunate childhood and imperfect family. Her parents have divorced and she has to live alone with her mother, separating form her father. Hero with practical command of technology: The detectives of Naval Criminal Investigative Service are really awesome. The lead character, G. Callen, is the Special Agent in Charge of OSP, whose natural talent for undercover work is legendary. Senior Field Agent Sam Hanna, is a former Navy SEAL, who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on Middle Eastern culture. Violence directed towards achieving the just defense of American virtues in the absence of law: The detectives use their practical technology to rescue the kidnapped gird through violence with guns and fighting. Hero's freedom and his individuality as well as his right to choose:No matter how dangerous the situation it was, the detectives still insisted to rescue the young girl. A happy ending: Fortunately, the girl was rescued successfully. Therefore, “NCIS: Los Angeles” is a popular TV series.9. What kind of icon is the Statue of Liberty?Pure cultural icons10. What kind of icon is Wenshan Lake? Pure local icons11. Why did we watch “Wipeout”?We watched “Wipeout” because it refers to popular formulas. In terms of learning American Popular Culture, “Wipeout” is a typical popular TV series. The genre of “Wipeout” is sports entertainment and comedy. Wipeout is a reality game show series in which contestants compete in what is billed as the "world's largest obstacle course". In 2009 Wipeout became the third most popular game show in the world, based on ratings. In February 2010, Wipeout was nominated for the 2010 Kids Choice Awards for favorite reality series. On its premiere night, Wipeout scored the highest premiere rating of any new show in summer 2008. On August 6, 2008, Wipeout was officially renewed for a second season. The second season premiered on May 27, 2009, and with an audience of 9.69 million. The third season premiered on June 22, 2010, with ratings of 10.21 million. On January 6, 2011, the first season of Winter Wipeout premiered with the series's highest ratings ever, beating the 8pm competition in the coveted 18-49 demographic and many other key demos.12. Explain why “The Big Bang Theory” is popular. Why is it funny?1) The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom. The story of the two science geeks has become very popular. It is popular for these several reasons below.A popular formula is a created product (often a story) that is repeatable and therefore familiar to the creator and the audience. This type of story is often referred to as a genre. The Big Bang Theory is consistent with the Genre of Social Integration- Musicals, Romantic Comedies and Family Melodramas- In these stories is a civilized social environment. Society is not in danger. Often there is a doubled hero (a couple) who struggles to adapt their individual characters and goals to society. These stories are marked by discussion, negotiations and marriages and not gunfights, ultimatums or violence as do Genres of Social Order. The Big Bang Theory is Romantic Comedies and Family Melodramas.In August 2009, the sitcom won the best comedy series TCA award. In 2010, the show won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy. When the third season premiered on September 21, 2009, The Big Bang Theory ranked as CBS's highest-rated show of that evening in the adults 1849 demographic (4.6/10) along with a then-series-high 12.83 million viewers.Therefore, “The Big Bang Theory” is a popular TV series.2) The show is centered on five characters: roommates Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, two physicists employed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Penny, a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall; and Leonard and Sheldon's equally geeky and socially awkward friends and co-workers, aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali. The geekiness and intellect of the four guys is contrasted for comic effect with Penny's social skills and common sense. The Big Bang Theory is funny. Given that its a situation comedy, thats a good thing. The premise is both familiar and absurd: a pair of socially inept, brilliant physicist roommates live across the hall from a kooky gorgeous aspiring actress. Therere some stereotypes in this show. Like, blondes are hot and popular, but not very intelligent; Scientists have very high IQ but very low EQ on the contrary. Therere some myths in the show. Like, anti-intelligent. Although Sheldon has an IQ of 187, hes quite geeky sometimes, which makes the show so interesting. So, maybe having a high EQ is more important. And theres the myth of romantic love. As a nerd whose EQ is a little higher than Sheldon, Leonard was able to find a girlfriend-Penny, whose EQ was very high comparing to the two nerds.So, “The Big Bang Theory” is very funny.1. Short research essay (40)Choose one of the follow movies or television series (Friends, Desperate Housewives, Batman, Spiderman, Prison Break (season one), Heroes (season one), Sex and the City, Gossip Girl (season one), Iron Man, Ugly Betty (season one), True Blood, House, Bones, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, the Vampire Diaries (season one), Titanic, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Walking Dead, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men.)Others are possible. Please ask me if they are ok. The possible topics are far too numerous for me to list them all here.v Paragraph I Who are the actors, directors, which company produced it, genre (kind of movie or tv show), awards, ratings, money or rankings (how it is successful) much of this can be found on the internet (e.g. Wikipedia)- show the source or sources.Paragraph I: I choose Titanic (1997 film).l Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuartl Director: James Cameronl Company: Studio: 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Lightstorm EntertainmentDistributed by: Paramount Pictures(USA), 20th Century Fox(International)l Genre: Drama, Romance l Awards: ASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsYearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)1999WonASCAP AwardMost Performed Songs from Motion PicturesJames HornerWill JenningsFor the song "My Heart Will Go On".1998WonASCAP AwardTop Box Office FilmsJames HornerAcademy Awards, USAYearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)1998WonOscarBest Art Direction-Set DecorationPeter Lamont(art director)Michael Ford(set decorator)Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterBest Costume DesignDeborah Lynn ScottBest DirectorJames CameronBest Effects, Sound Effects EditingTom BellfortChristopher BoyesBest Effects, Visual EffectsRobert LegatoMark A. LasoffThomas L. FisherMichael KanferBest Film EditingConrad Buff IVJames CameronRichard A. HarrisBest Music, Original Dramatic ScoreJames HornerBest Music, Original SongJames Horner(music)Will Jennings(lyrics)For the song "My Heart Will Go On", performed by Céline Dion.Best PictureJames CameronJon LandauBest SoundGary RydstromTom JohnsonGary SummersMark UlanoAmerican Cinema Editors, USAYearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)1998WonEddieBest Edited Feature FilmConrad Buff IVJames CameronRichard A. HarrisAmerican Society of Cinematographers, USAYearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)1998WonASC AwardOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesRussell CarpenterAnnie AwardsYearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)1998WonAnnieBest Individual Achieve