On page 9, Rose and Friedman discuss race in relation to sports and the ideological values and beliefs spectators pull from this type of programming. The authors comment that much like the music industry, black athletes are underrepresented in positions of management and power. What kinds of race ideologies could this type of representation create or instill? Is this what the authors mean by social tension in sports narratives? Or is it an unconscious aspect that spectators do not think about when piecing together a sports narrative?
@ Rachel -- yes, I think these racial dynamics are one of the social tensions that underlie sports narratives, though that does not necessarily mean that spectators are always aware of them.
I wonder how such a phenomenon as Michael Phelps falls into this perspective of sports, as Michael Phelps was embraced by older female viewers nationally more so than any other sports star in recent memory. Then when he was caught with marijuana it was almost as if some of his fans turned into disapproving parents. So my question is how does a sports star who appeals mostly to women fall into this idea of sports being masculine and soap operas being feminine?
On page 12 of the article it says that, "The idealogical effect of a text must be understood in relation to the conjuncture with all those discourses and practices which inform its production and consumption." Is this to say that not only do sports create this brawny and tough masculine identity which men try to live up to, but also is what drives men to strive for wealth in order to emulate the athletes they idolize? Where does this emulation begin and end with the American idea of what makes a man self actualized?
Rose and Friedman frequently address the role of the sports commentator throughout this article. Would it be reasonable to compare their role to a narrator of a soap opera, such as say Meredith Grey being the narrator of Grey's Anatomy? Do both sports commentators and soap narrators play a similar mediator role, or does it differ due to content?
On page 7, they talk about the feminine desire for nearness and the masculine desire of distance? Are Rose and Friedman referring to emotional ties?
Rose and Friedman state on page 3, "Thus as television insinuates itself into the fabric of men's everyday lives, the discursive address of sports programming invites the viewer not only to watch sports on television but to be part of its universe." I know we discussed this in class today, and I found it to be really interesting that it’s not only about watching sports but, actually being a part of it.
What would be considered a “sports universe?” How are we “invited” in to this universe, such as what draws us into this universe?
@Eric -- Phelps is an interesting case. I do think that individual sports such as swimming are somewhat different than team sports, so maybe some of the difference in appeal could be found there.
I'm not sure that the quote you use has the exact implications you suggest, but you are right to point to the fact that the impact of sports should be considered in terms of how people use it (as something to idolize, potentially).
@Amy - -interesting comparison to Meredith Grey's narrator role. I don't know that soaps have a feature that compares directly to the sports commentator, but perhaps you can think of some connections here.
As to your second question, yes I think this is related to emotional ties and general relationships with others.
@Amie -- good questions about the "sports universe" -- I think of this as being about the multiple ways in which sports permeates our lives (especially men's lives)--not only through watching particular sports events on TV, but also through talking about it with friends and co-workers, participating in fantasy sports leagues, etc.
Previously in class when we discussed we talked briefly about the lack of fan fiction involved with soap operas. Since the authors frequently contrasted sports with another media function, I was curious to get people's opinions about what something would be in sports that is comparable to fan fiction. Sports themed blogs? Sports talk radio?
What do you suppose Jenkins would think about this comparison between Sports and Soap Operas?
@ Justin- What about things like Game 6 by Don DeLillo or Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby? Like authors celebrating their favorite sports instances with fictional stories surrounding them? Even in Good Will Hunting when Robin Williams recalls the whole baseball game from the 1986 world series.
On page 9, Rose and Friedman discuss race in relation to sports and the ideological values and beliefs spectators pull from this type of programming. The authors comment that much like the music industry, black athletes are underrepresented in positions of management and power. What kinds of race ideologies could this type of representation create or instill? Is this what the authors mean by social tension in sports narratives? Or is it an unconscious aspect that spectators do not think about when piecing together a sports narrative?
ReplyDelete@ Rachel -- yes, I think these racial dynamics are one of the social tensions that underlie sports narratives, though that does not necessarily mean that spectators are always aware of them.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how such a phenomenon as Michael Phelps falls into this perspective of sports, as Michael Phelps was embraced by older female viewers nationally more so than any other sports star in recent memory. Then when he was caught with marijuana it was almost as if some of his fans turned into disapproving parents. So my question is how does a sports star who appeals mostly to women fall into this idea of sports being masculine and soap operas being feminine?
ReplyDeleteOn page 12 of the article it says that, "The idealogical effect of a text must be understood in relation to the conjuncture with all those discourses and practices which inform its production and consumption." Is this to say that not only do sports create this brawny and tough masculine identity which men try to live up to, but also is what drives men to strive for wealth in order to emulate the athletes they idolize? Where does this emulation begin and end with the American idea of what makes a man self actualized?
Rose and Friedman frequently address the role of the sports commentator throughout this article. Would it be reasonable to compare their role to a narrator of a soap opera, such as say Meredith Grey being the narrator of Grey's Anatomy? Do both sports commentators and soap narrators play a similar mediator role, or does it differ due to content?
ReplyDeleteOn page 7, they talk about the feminine desire for nearness and the masculine desire of distance? Are Rose and Friedman referring to emotional ties?
Rose and Friedman state on page 3, "Thus as television insinuates itself into the fabric of men's everyday lives, the discursive address of sports programming invites the viewer not only to watch sports on television but to be part of its universe." I know we discussed this in class today, and I found it to be really interesting that it’s not only about watching sports but, actually being a part of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be considered a “sports universe?” How are we “invited” in to this universe, such as what draws us into this universe?
@Eric -- Phelps is an interesting case. I do think that individual sports such as swimming are somewhat different than team sports, so maybe some of the difference in appeal could be found there.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that the quote you use has the exact implications you suggest, but you are right to point to the fact that the impact of sports should be considered in terms of how people use it (as something to idolize, potentially).
@Amy - -interesting comparison to Meredith Grey's narrator role. I don't know that soaps have a feature that compares directly to the sports commentator, but perhaps you can think of some connections here.
As to your second question, yes I think this is related to emotional ties and general relationships with others.
@Amie -- good questions about the "sports universe" -- I think of this as being about the multiple ways in which sports permeates our lives (especially men's lives)--not only through watching particular sports events on TV, but also through talking about it with friends and co-workers, participating in fantasy sports leagues, etc.
Previously in class when we discussed we talked briefly about the lack of fan fiction involved with soap operas. Since the authors frequently contrasted sports with another media function, I was curious to get people's opinions about what something would be in sports that is comparable to fan fiction. Sports themed blogs? Sports talk radio?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you suppose Jenkins would think about this comparison between Sports and Soap Operas?
@Justin -- fantasy leagues?
ReplyDelete@ Justin- What about things like Game 6 by Don DeLillo or Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby? Like authors celebrating their favorite sports instances with fictional stories surrounding them? Even in Good Will Hunting when Robin Williams recalls the whole baseball game from the 1986 world series.
ReplyDelete