I interviewed my uncle Ron. Ron has always loved popular culture ever since he was a teenager. During the 1960's and 70's he would buy a lot of rock albums to listen to. His favorite bands were The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Even today Ron keeps up on all the new rock bands. Ron also watches most of the newly released videos and television programs. It is very easy to know he is a popular culture fan because he is always quoting movies and music.
Ron is a very big fan of the 70's show. He watched almost every episode since the very beginning. Ron enjoys watching the show because it reminds him of his childhood. According to Ron "The 70's Show is a very good example of how teenagers would act during the 70's." For example Ron remembers and episode when Eric and his friends buy a beer keg from a friend and have a party in the neighbors empty in ground swimming pool. He says that this was very typical during the 70's because teenagers were always getting into trouble.
Ron also likes how realistic the show is for the 1970's time period. The main character Eric Foreman lives with his parents Red and Kitty, they are both a very good example of parents during this time. Kitty is a stay at home mom that does all the cleaning and prepares dinner, while Red is a grumpy old man and is usually very sharp and uptight. Ron finds it hilarious when Red call Eric a "dumbass" when ever Eric does something with out thinking.
I felt Ron was a very good pick for this Ethnography because he lived thought the 1970's and knows just how accurate the show really is. He is a devoted fan to The 70"s Show, and can answer many questions about popular culture from the 1970's up until now.
3 comments:
I think it is very interesting that you chose to interview someone from the time period that the show is representing. Ron is able to give a different perspective on a show that we dont really think twice about. The show allows him to connect to his past by portraying the time correctly. I wonder, however, how accurate the show actually is. Is the portrayal of Kitty, and the perception of characters like Fez actually what people were like in the 70's? It was interesting to see that someone from that time period confirmed these ideas. While the interview proved that Ron enjoys the show because it allows him to reflect on his past, i would like to know how this show fits into his present and his view on popular culture.
I also find it interesting that you chose to interview Ron, who actually lived through the time period that the show displays. It's not surprising to me at all that this show would be appealing to him, as the music and humor is all relative to the culture of his generation. The fact that Ron is still knowledgeable of current popular rock bands and music artist shows that he continues to be influenced by and consumes popular culture. From the perspective of someone growing up in a generation after the 70's, I know that I personally can see my interest in the show influencing my music and clothing choices. It would have been interesting to know if the show, and other popular culture, still influences these same aspects of Ron's life. This particular interview makes me somewhat curious of what the future may hold for us, and if one day there will be a "That 90's Show". Perhaps, one day my nephew will be interviewing me for a college project and I'll reflect upon some of the stupid stuff I did (and occasionally still do), and the issues of this time period, as they are presented in "That 90's Show".
I also think it's interesting that you interviewed your uncle. I understand his relation to the show, via popular culture, since he lived through the time period, but how does it effect his view of popular culture in 2007? You only mention Kitty, Red and Eric, but what about the other characters? Do they also all follow people of that time period as closely as Red, Kitty, and Eric?
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