This week, as we delve into the theme of class in television, we’re spotlighting shows that not only capture the zeitgeist but also have something profound to say. Here are some standout series that reflect class dynamics, ranging from iconic classics to hidden gems. Be warned, spoilers lie ahead.
All in the Family: A Pioneering Exploration of Class and Prejudice
My first conscious encounter with class on television was through “All in the Family,” which debuted in January 1971. As a nine-year-old, I quickly recognized the class disparity depicted in the show. Archie Bunker, portrayed by Carroll O’Connor, was a dock worker living with his family in Queens, N.Y. Despite similarities to my own family, Archie’s way of speaking marked him as belonging to a lower class.
Archie, a white, Protestant, Nixon-loving reactionary, frequently used offensive language and demeaned his wife, Edith (Jean Stapleton), and son-in-law, Mike (Rob Reiner). While more powerful and affluent individuals controlled the world outside, Archie ruled his modest living room, his throne a shabby wingback chair (now housed in the Smithsonian). Despite becoming a bar owner in Season 8, Archie’s success was overshadowed by the Black family who moved nearby — “The Jeffersons” (1975).
The Jeffersons: A Narrative of Upward Mobility
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), a cantankerous Black counterpart to Archie, expanded his dry-cleaning business and moved to a posh Upper East Side apartment in the spinoff “The Jeffersons.” Despite their success, CBS abruptly canceled the show after 11 seasons, leaving the cast to learn the news from newspapers, without a proper series finale. This oversight was ironic given the show’s rare portrayal of an upper-middle-class Black family overcoming racism.
Shameless: A Gritty Look at Urban Poverty
In 2011, “Shameless” introduced viewers to the Gallaghers, a family for whom upward mobility seemed a distant dream. Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy), a single father, squandered his disability checks on booze and drugs, while his eldest children struggled to keep the family afloat through legitimate and illicit means. Their South Side Chicago home, though chaotic, offered relative comfort despite their poverty. By the series’ end, the children faced bleak futures marked by continued poverty, possible homelessness, and crime.
Kevin Can Fk Himself: Subverting Sitcom Tropes**
“Kevin Can F**k Himself” (2021) subverted the sitcom buffoon trope. Kevin (Eric Petersen), a stereotypical blue-collar worker, spouted laugh-tracked one-liners while his wife Allison (Annie Murphy) grew so fed up she plotted his murder. Living in a rented house in Worcester, Massachusetts, Allison aspired to a better life, symbolized by material desires like upscale lipstick and a dream home. Her breaking point came when Kevin drained their savings, shattering her hopes for upward mobility.
The Wire: An Incisive View of Urban Poverty
No series has captured urban poverty as incisively as “The Wire” (2002). For young Black men in West Baltimore, upward mobility meant selling heroin on rundown corners and in dilapidated housing projects. The show starkly depicted the futile “war on drugs” and the systemic barriers to escaping poverty.
Riches on the Rise: From ‘The White Lotus’ to ‘Succession’
Recently, shows focusing on the wealthy, like “The White Lotus” (2021) and “Succession” (2018), have captivated audiences. These series, along with ’70s and ’80s dramas like “Dynasty” and “Dallas,” highlight the intrigue of rich-folks-behaving-badly. For a more ostentatious take, “Billions” (2016) showcases hedge fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) flaunting his wealth while battling U.S. attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti).
Watch These Class-Reflective Series:
- All in the Family: Available on Apple TV.
- The Jeffersons: Streaming on CTV.ca.
- Kevin Can Fk Himself**: Available on AMC Plus.
- Shameless: Streaming on Netflix.
- The Wire, The White Lotus, Billions, and Succession: Streaming on Crave.
These shows not only entertain but also offer profound insights into the dynamics of class and society, making them must-watches for those seeking to understand the world through the lens of television.