Blog 4

“Beauty and the Patriarchal Beast: Gender Role Portrayals in Sitcoms Featuring Mismatched Couples” focuses on comic interactions of heterosexual television couples that depict ‘traditional’ views and ideology. The authors’ description of “mismatched couples” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 125) portraying the “myth of beauty and the beast” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 124) can be linked with interactions on House where House’s ‘ugliness’ is not necessarily physical but is portrayed through his arrogant demeanor. Although not in a defined couple relationship, House’s interactions with Cuddy can be used to draw connections to these ideals and their relationship to patriarchy.

The analysis of sitcoms in their reinforcement of gender roles is markedly different than that of comedic dramas like House. For instance, the sitcoms in the article (According to Jim and The King of Queens) are set in a more domestic, personal atmosphere while House occurs mainly in a work environment. In addition, these sitcoms portray a heterosexual couple with more obvious connections to ‘traditional’ gender role depictions (e.g. wife is more domestic). House, on the other hand, involves more nontraditional female roles (e.g. Dr., supervisor, etc), yet both types of shows can demonstrate patriarchy. For example, House is the focus of the show, the leader of the team, and gets his way a majority of the time.

Furthermore, the article distinguishes between “’satellite narratives’” (qtd. in Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127) or what could be seen as obvious character portrayals and the “’kernal narratives’” (qtd. in Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127) or the latent message. The authors provide a sitcom example which is highly applicable to House as well. They point out that although the sitcom may “portray Carrie [the wife] as dominant: She orders Doug around, threatens him” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127) in reality the opposite is true. This is exemplified by the fact that “Doug routinely goes against what Carrie asks of him” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127) which portrays that “Doug is in charge” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127).

Because House incorporates more non-traditional gender roles (e.g. professional women) and interactions (e.g. workplace) the “’kernal narratives’” (qtd. in Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 127) involving male dominance requires slightly more effort to uncover, yet ultimately portrays the same patriarchal understanding. The sitcom example is reminiscent of the interactions between House and Cuddy, who although is the hospital supervisor and makes requests of House is not respected by him and often gives into his desires. Constant exchanges like this “encourage viewers to accept patriarchy as a ‘natural’ male trait” (Walsh, Fursich, and Jefferson, 124).

Walsh, Kimberly R., Elfriede Fursich, and Bonnie S. Jefferson. “Beauty and the Patriarchal Beast: Gender Portrayals in Sitcoms Featuring Mismatched Couples.” Journal of Popular Film and Television 36.3 (2008): 123-132. Academic Search Complete. EBSCOhost. Washington State University Lib. 27 Jan, 2009 .

House. FOX. Creator David Shore. 2004-2006.