GCSE MEDIA STUDIES: SITCOMS AND REPRESENTATION

Here is the clip from "Little Britain" for you to compare with "Are You Being Served". Remember, "Little Britain is NOT a sitcom. Can you remember why it is not?

GCSE MEDIA STUDIES - SITCOMS AND REPRESENTATION

Your responses will form part of your first homework when we return from the Easter holidays.

Watch the following clip from the 1970s sitcom "Are You being Served?" How is the character Mr Humphries represented? Can he been seenas a gay stereotype or is he an archetype? As we have seen from watching "Love Thy Neighbour" sitcoms can reflect the attitudes of a society at the time a sitcom was made. What do you think attitudes were towards gay people in the 1970s and are they different from attitudes today?

Follow this link for more information on "Are You Being Served?" http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/areyoubeingserved/index.shtml - remember this show attracted audiences of up to 20 million - something TV makers can only dream of today!

Now watch the clip from "Little Britain" which is not a sitcom but a sketch show. Has the representation of a gay man for comedic effect (to gain laughs) changed over the last 40 years, or can you see some differences between Mr Humphries and Daffyd Thomas ("the only gay in the village")? Can you give examples of characters in sitcoms, soaps or dramas that do not fit in with the representations of gay people in "Are you Being Served" and "Little Britain"?

SIXTH FORM ENGLISH - THE BURIAL AT THEBES

As you know this play was commissioned by the Abbey Theatre Dublin. This theatre is showing a new production of the play commencing in early April.

Visit the site at; http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/2008season/the-burial-at-thebes.html

Here you will find a brief but good description (synopsis) of the main themes in the play. In readiness for your first English lesson with me when you return from the Easter holidays, be prepared to discuss the contents of the webpage at the Abbey theatre especially the connections that can be drawn between the story of the play and the "War on terror" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA. What parallels can you draw?

POCASTING QUICK LINK

If you scroll to the bottom of this page you will find the podcasts presently available from my new podcast site at http://evansmedia.podbean.com/

However, take the time to visit the site yourselves as there will be other resources available for you.

Remember you can also download these podcasts for free at the I-Tunes store. if you are unsure about how to do this, see me when you return from the Easter holidays.

PODCASTING RESOURCES

Remember to visit my other site at: http://evansmedia.podbean.com/


Here you will be able to access podcasts and other materials to help you with your English and Media Studies GCSE's. It works the same as the old website you used but it allows me to store more resources.

The podcasts and resources are fully downloadable. If you have problems downloading or playing the podcasts contact me at the email adress you will find at the bottom of this webpage.

REVISION AND COURSEWORK CATCH-UP

For my year 11 students, I'm holding another coursework catch-up session tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.. This is a shorter session than the one's last week so make sure you come early in order to make the most of the session.