One of the most popular television shows now a days is called Mad Men. It is a show on AMC that depicts the life of a creative director at an advertising agency based in New York City in the 1960's. The show somewhat gives advertising a bad reputation because of the many radical themes. Some of these themes include sexism, racism, and homophobia. This is because of society and cuilture also being quite radical during that time.
Because the show takes place in the 19690's, some of the words that they use may have a different meaning today or would be used in different context. Most of the words in the show in relation to advertising are normal words that would be used in an office such as secretary or executive or co-worker. Whats really different is the choice of words that don't have relations to advertising. A lot of these words have to do with the times in which they were said. Words like housewife and chain smoker are used a lot in this series. This is because smoking was more prevalent in the 60's and a lot of women did not have jobs because of the gender gap in the working industry. Another word used a lot is "boy". A lot of the men in this show use that word to address a man that is younger and inferior to them.
I wouldn't say this show accurately represents advertising today. Mostly because it doesn't take place in the present. This is why a lot of the word choice is not the same as it would be today. The present is a lot more conservative with what is said. This show is quite the opposite.
I have seen the show Mad Men only a few times, but would have to agree on the themes of the show you talked about. For some people the show is relate able, but that would be more of the middle aged, older folks. Younger people may take the show to be misunderstanding, as though times were. Some may take it to be offensive, but I do agree with you that those were how the times were back then.
ReplyDeleteAre there any other specific words used in the show? I have only scene it a few times so I figured there might be. Those times were much different than the times now. It is kind of interesting to see how far society and advertising have come. It has helped make the business world better I would have to say and provide opportunity to more people.
Mad Men is a show that I have always wanted to watch but never really got around to watching it. I will have to check it out now that I know it is about advertising and marketing. Watching shows that depict past times like the 1960's are really interesting because its hard to get a sense of what life was really like back then through textbooks and lectures, especially something as specific as a workplace and career. Im guessing advertising is what you are wanting to pursue as a career. That would be really intersting trying to convince people to buy and/or want what is being advertised. Im sure there was a lot more freedom in what was said and how things were portrayed back then and nowadays I cant imagine advertisers lasting one day trying to use the techniques used 50 years ago. I appreciated reading this though, next thing on my list is watching Mad Men.
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