Media have a tendency to shape our perception of reality. Everyone remembers the Royal Wedding of William and Catherine in 2011. Media and people all over the world were keenly interested with that event. For at least few days you could not know what is actually happening in your own country, but you knew everything about the bride's dress. In "The Royal Wedding" episode of The Middle, an American TV serial, this phenomenon has been presented in a comic but true way.
The Middle depicts an ordinary life of middle-class American family, with working parents Frankie and Mike and 3 kids: Axl, Sue and Brick. As many other American families they spend their free time in front of TV.
Finally, there comes a big day: a day of the wedding in British Royal Family. Frankie goes nuts for it and, undeterred by her reluctant family ("We're not British, Frankie!"), buys a tea cup, plate and even a giant necklace with the image of the royal couple on it. Influenced by media she really believes in its "historical significance" and celebrates that day like it was her relatives' wedding. She terrorises her children ("No fighting on Royal Wedding Eve!") and plans every detail of the big day. She even buys a new TV for that occasion and decides to wake up at 3 a.m to watch a live coverage of the event (wearing an elegant hat, of course, a necessary component at the royal wedding!).
How it ends? Well, because it is a sitcom, the ending has to be surprising and I cannot reveal it :) But I recommend to watch it - even if someone does not find American sitcoms gripping, the media power phenomenon is presented in a very interesting way here.
Your post proves how unexpected the relationship of media and power can be :) Good start!
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