According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Modern Family,” a sitcom that includes a gay couple with an adopted child, is the third most popular show among self-identified Republicans but doesn’t break into the top 15 among Democrats. Surprised?
“Desperate Housewives,” a comedy about families and friends with gay characters, ranks tenth among Republicans and doesn’t crack the Democrats’ top 15 (the show, by the way, is created, written and produced by Marc Cherry, described on his Facebook page as a “somewhat conservative, gay Republican” and winner of Log Cabin Republicans’ American Visibility Award.) However, “Brothers & Sisters,” a large family drama with a gay couple (and a more didactic liberal line) ranks sixth among Democrats but doesn’t break the GOP’s top 15.
And then there’s this to ponder:
“Mad Men”… scores through the roof with Democrats (does anyone in Santa Monica or on Manhattan’s Upper West Side not watch it?), but it has one of the weakest scores among Republicans. The same is true for FX’s “Damages,” Showtime’s “Dexter,” HBO’s “Entourage” and AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” . . .
“The big shows with mass appeal tend to have above-average scores from Democrats and Republicans but with higher concentrations of Republicans,” says John Fetto, senior marketing manager at Experian Simmons. “Looking at the Democrats side, I don’t mean to make light of it, but they seem to like shows about damaged people. Those are the kind of shows Republicans just stay away from.”
14 Comments for “TV Culture War Isn’t So Clear-Cut”
posted by BobN on
“Damaged people” make for thinking TV. “Happy people” make for pap.
That’s another way of looking at it, no?
And with Republicans watching Two and a Half Men, I’ll NEVER stand for another one of them telling US that WE are debasing the culture.
posted by Throbert McGee on
La haine du Bourgeois est le commencement de la vertu!
That’s deep, man.
posted by Draybee on
re: “Two and a Half Men”. That street runs both ways, BobN. Number four on Democrat’s most popular show list? “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami”.
posted by BobN on
1) I’ve never seen the show.
2) Democrats don’t go around blaming gay people for the demise of Western Civilization, so two-way streets or not, my complaint still holds.
posted by Jorge on
I’m secretly into “I Love New York” myself. I wonder what the demographics are for the Jerry Springer show?
posted by Arthur on
“Modern Family” allows conservative Family Values folk to laugh AT liberal families. The dysfunction displayed in a comedic way is a validation of their own beliefs.
posted by Bobby on
Arthur, I disagree, I have heard homophobes complain that the show is bigoted because the husband of the blond is dumb. Besides, everybody laughs at everybody in that show, the whole point is that no family is perfect.
Moving on, I love Desperate Housewives, I love the fact that Bree is allowed to be a proud gun-tootin’ Republican yet very refined, very classy, and very accepting of her gay son.
Bree is definitely my favorite character.
posted by Michigan-Matt on
Most of the good Republicans I know aren’t watching TV unless it’s a news show or sporting event. They’re out living life with their families, working and leading America, volunteering in the community, being supportive of their schools and churches… the Democrats are the ones who need TV to validate their miserable existence and offer them some release from the fetid, rotting imploding world they’ve destructed around themselves.
OK, maybe that’s the more positive view of a Democrat’s existence. No wonder the Dems are attracted to societal wrecks & misfits like Alec Baldwin, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and Joy Behar. They are them.
posted by Jimmy on
Wipe the drool from your chin and take your pill.
posted by Michigan-Matt on
Jimmy, I had forgotten that for farLefties like Jesse Jackson and others, alliteration often passes for wit and replaces meaningful insight. Thanks for the reminder! Societal wrecks and emotional misfits are the norm in the Democrat Party –it’s why so many victims feel at home… the dysfunctional aspects are worshiped as markers of kindred spirits. Over on the GOP side, we share values like patriotism, duty, honor courage, self-sacrifice and hard work… none of those are “friendly” to your Party’s institutional dysfunctionalism.
I guess that goes for TV and radio viewing habits as well. Hey, at least you gots ya da alliteration thang a’goin fur ya.
posted by Jimmy on
The only thing dysfunctional that I can see happening here is the synaptic firings of your brain.
To what “alliteration” are you referring?
posted by Jorge on
To what “alliteration” are you referring?
Try this: Societal wrecks and emotional misfits are the norm in the Democrat Party… the dysfunctional aspects are worshiped as markers of kindred spirits. See, it’s precognitive.
posted by jimmy on
O’Tay
posted by TommyJ on
Dude, I am like a college student so I do have some limits as to how much time I have to watch television and — especially — paying for some of the upscale cable channels.