TV Tokenism: White Collar

TV Tokenism is when a minority character is when a TV show has a "token" minority in the cast. In dramas they tend to be supporting roles like the sidekick or the boss. They are most often the best-dressed and follow the rule book. There is also the frequent case of the "mystical minority" where the minority character has a special power or is mysterious in some shape or form. 

White Collar is a drama that aired at 10/9c on the USA network. The show is in its third season so it is fairly mature. The show focuses on Neil Caffrey, a former art thief turned CI. Peter Burke is the CIA agent that watches over Caffrey and works with Caffrey. The two have the most screen time. Mozzie is Caffrey's best friend and con artist. Mozzie often helps Caffrey and the CIA "get the job done". 

The two of the cast who get little screen time are Clinton Jones and Diana Berrigan. Clinton Jones is a Harvard grad and is the lead man for many investigations. Peter Burke is his boss and Jones is often seen sitting at the truck during a steak out. Few episodes dive into his personal life. Diana is Burke's most trusted assistant. She is often seen working with Jones. We know little about her personal life besides that her girlfriend recently proposed to her. 

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In the cast photo Neil Caffrey and Peter Burke get the largest profiles. They are the most prominent because of their size and placement. Caffrey is practically center and Burke is to the left, and when you scan things (like book) you look from left to right. Thus those two are the most obvious. It makes sense too because they get the most screen time.

Diana and Jones are the only two African Americans in the cast. Diana is a lesbian too. This is sort of a "two in one" deal. Jones is marginalized and placed in the back right, the last place your eyes focus on. Diana, though in the middle, is sitting down. It is almost as if she isn't at the same level as the men around her.

White Collar is a good example of TV Tokenism because Jones and Diana are both "token" minorities. They receive less screen time and are often accompanied by one of the lead roles. Their lines mostly state the obvious or provide background information for the audience so that the viewers can understand the drama to come. The show rarely talks about their personal lives outside of the CIA. They are relatively undeveloped characters. They provide the little diversity that the show needs in order to say that the show is diverse. 

Where have you seen TV Tokenism?

We Are Young

To continue on the theme of commercials and the messages they send, the new Chevy Sonic commercial makes a pull towards the younger generation. The commercial depicts the new Chevy Sonic doing various stunts, such as bungee jumping, kick flipping, and sky diving. The song playing for the duration of the commercial also calls to the younger generation, or those who wish they were still young.




The stunts are to attract young people who are always looking to test their physical limits with new and crazy activities. Apparently, the Sonic is too. The song, "We are Young" by Fun. also plays on that idea. The lyrics are mostly, "tonight, we are young. So let's set the world on fire. We can burn brighter than the sun." The song promotes youth and suggests wildness and brightness. Young people looking for a new car are sure to desire this wild and new car. It will fight right in with their crazy lifestyle.

The Next Big Thing

While flying home from Boston I saw a new commercial for the Samsung Galaxy S II phone. I did an earlier blog post on another commercial for this phone, "We All Aspire". This one, though touching on different American themes, is just as blog-worthy. In this new commercial it mocks those who wait hours and hours for the new Apple phones waiting for the "next big thing". However, it seems the next big thing is already here:





This new Samsung commercial tries to get consumers interested by telling them that the Galaxy S II is the "next big thing". Americans are always wanting something new. We will wait hours in line (as seen in the commercial) to be able to say that our phone is the newest. An especially interesting line is when they are discussing the impending new Apple phone, one man says, "if it looks the same how will people know I upgraded?" We are taught, most likely by commercials similar to this one, that the best thing is the newest thing. Whatever you've got, it has to be fresh. Companies, like Apple, thrive on our American thirst for the latest and greatest. Thus, these large companies attempt to exacerbate this idea so people will buy their products.

Subliminal Messaging on TV

In American Studies we were discussing the subliminal messaging in television shows. This made me think about the show 2 Broke Girls. It is a show on CBS that is about two girls who find themselves in an unlikely friendship...and broke. Both work as many jobs possible to make ends meet, like many Americans these days. However, they also start a small cupcake business together. The show sends an unconscious message that, one, when things look rough there's always light at the end of the tunnel, and, two,  it promotes creating small businesses.



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In these tough times, shows like this bring hope to people's homes. However, it also whispers a secret message, that no matter the talent (in 2 Broke Girls, Max has a talent for making cupcakes), it can probably spark the beginning to a small business. Who knows, maybe someday the girls' cupcake business will be known around the country like Georgetown cupcakes.