On many interviews I’ve heard lately, I’ve noticed that people often frame discussions in terms of TV shows. This happens during conversations with comedians, academics, scientists and people of all levels of intelligence, education and background.
Some of the shows referenced lately include:
- Sex and the City
- The Cosby Show
- Friends
- The Office
- Law and Order
- The Batchelor
- Real Housewives
- Marvel Movies
- Batman
- Innumerable Romantic Comedy Movies
At first when I hear these tropes from movies repeatedly rolled out, I think, “Don’t you realize that TV is not real life?”
Then I think about my own “reality” and TV.
Even today, I sometimes have to remind myself that what I see in videos is not real life.
In thinking about this more, I wonder if people use popular TV shows to draw analogies, make comparisons and create metaphors because these shows are a common cultural reference point for laymen to understand.
That makes sense to me – especially when these shows are used by highly educated writers, sociologists and researchers – to explain a concept to the audience.
It will be interesting to see how TikTok, Facebook, gaming and streaming media with bite sized video impact this.
I’m already hearing people use “memes” in discussions. They’ll say, “It’s like the meme of Michael Jordan crying”. Because I pay no attention to memes, I usually don’t get the reference.
Maybe I’m simply a product of my generation. When I talk to a friend we reference the Brady Bunch, a specific Bugs Bunny cartoon, the Allegory of the Cave or a Shakespeare play. It’s not because we are more cultured or literate than current generations – it’s because these were our cultural reference points.