Single and Lovin It!

The "Single Guy" and "Suddenly Susan" produced excellent responses from the public viewers. Everybody today has heard the phrase "Generation X" on television at least once. It is the buzz word used to describe the new generation of young adults and they are the target of today's television shows. The success of these two shows depends on how well we understand this next generation of television viewers. What exactly does it mean to be a "Generation Xer?" I did research and found the article "Marketing Generation X" by Karen Ritchie gave a very accurate definition. She defines Xers as having a "broad definition of family," as "cautious romantic;" "They accept racial and sexual diversity as facts of life," and "they hate advertisements that use hype or insincerity." The "Generation X" hype has other major television networks battling out to produce shows that appeal to this generation of Americans. In this fall's season there are many new shows lining up, like "Single Guy," and some are returning for another season, like the "Single Guy." I think these shows represent partial aspects of what "Generation X" is all about" extended family, cautious romance, and sacrificing career gaols for personal happiness.

The two shows, "Single Guy" and "Suddenly Susan," are similar in that both of the main characters are single and have friends as their extended family. According to Ritchie's finding; "today's young adults are perhaps closer to their parents" and a "large number of Xers continues to receive financial help from Mom and Dad." This behavior of "Generation X" fits well with the show "Suddenly Susan." Susan's character stays in close contact with her parents and receives financial support from them before she gets a job.

Another typical characteristic of Xers is the use of what Karen Ritchie calls "rising inflection." "The speech is peppered with qualifying phrases: perhaps, like, sort of, just, you know ,totally." The purpose of htis pattern of speech among Xers is to make it sound "gentler and mor accommodating." It is to "acknowledge that the listener might have a different opinion and an opposing point of view." In Susan's case she usually agrees with what other people say and she is always careful not to hurt other's feelings. For example, in a restaurant scene, Susan makes a big deal about how salty her soup is, only later find herself apologizing to the chef for hurting his feelings. Basically, the same goes for Johnathan; his problem is that cannot say, "no" when peole ask him to do something for them.

I think both shows mirror the public's perception of young adult's lifestyles are like. They are career oriented and are living single lives. These are kinds of issues that the audience is seeing on television today. The two shows represent a fair view of "Generation X," which make these shows appealing to today's young adult population. All of us have characters who are trying to balance out their personal needs while struggling hard to accommodate the wishes of strangers and friends. We have Susan who is always trying to please her co-workers by doing small favors for them. Then, there is Johnathan who does not know how to refuse a request. It's entertaining to Xers because it amuses them to watch how Susan and Johnathan manage to get out of their messes. The "Single Guy" and "Suddenly Susan" will do well this season providing we continue an entaining and fair representation of "Generation X."