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I am sick of seeing the rich and powerful on my screen. Where are all the TV shows about normal people?
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 02 May 2025
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They have to show rich people because it's what most people aspire to be.
If they show working class people, then they end up telling on themselves. Homer Simpson was able to pay for a house, three kids and two cars all while being the sole income. All the working class sitcoms of the 90's seem unrealistic because the characters all work dead end jobs but can still afford those nice TV houses.
It looks unrealistic anymore because we're out here having to grind so hard just to keep a roof over our heads. Nevermind paying for kids! People won't watch something that doesn't reflect their life in some way. At least with the rich people on tv, you can project yourself into that life and not be reminded that you are more broke than the characters of Roseanne and you're working harder.
Obviously this isn't a defense, it's just one read on why they don't show "normal" people.
Shameless was a great show (the US version). It was very much a show about the working class.