Few people are studying what's really going on in people's minds. "I think we don't know yet what people are doing with that content. I know my position is somewhat controversial because everyone has jumped on this violence bandwagon. "To the extent thatthe world is a violent world and this might reflect this violent world, that's part of what television does. "I'm convinced otherwise - that violence on television does not correlate with real violence for most people," he says. Because of its low-budget look, "The kids can watch it and fill the blanks using their own imaginations." Neil Alperstein, associate professor of pop culture at Loyola College, believes the show engages children's imaginations. Lieberman also considers "Power Rangers" a "high-tech, special-effects" show.ĭr. "It's just a coldly calculated appeal to kids. "It's like they picked all the top shows and movies for kids and put them into a computer and got this show," she says. Carole Lieberman, media psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California at Los Angeles, of something that came out of a blender. Evil Rita Repulsa riding her "interdimensional flying bicycle" evokes Elvira Gulch, the villainess in "The Wizard of Oz." The good and all-wise Zordon, who appears as the image of a disembodied head, has an amazing resemblance to the Wizard of Oz. For example, Alpha Five is a good but dithering robot reminiscent of C-3PO in the "Star Wars" series. She's a really good fighter, and she can understand Billy - the others can't." (See the accompanying story on C for a rundown on the show's characters and their powers.)Ĭhildren like it, but some adult media experts don't. "She has the power of a saber-tooth tiger, and I like tigers. "Trini's my favorite," says 10-year-old Tiffany James of Baltimore. Loesch, approximately 40 percent of the "Power Rangers" audience is girls as opposed to about 20 percent for other Fox children's programs. This seemingly small difference means a lot. And they don't need to be rescued by anyone, thank you very much. Both girls fight the antagonist Rita Repulsa's minions side by side with the boys. Trini is described as having "lightning hands and a peaceful soul," and Kimberly is a champion gymnast. While they may wear stereotypically feminine colors such as pink and yellow, Kimberly and Trini are very active. Feminist and children's education groups complain that most children's programs show active boys who usually save the day or rescue the girls, who are more passive or act as helpers to the boys. Kids can identify with Billy, Kimberly and the others and imagine what it would be like to be them.Īnother key to the show's popularity can be found in the lead female characters, Trini and Kimberly. Loesch points out that the Power Rangers are kids who can transform themselves into superheroes.
0 kommentar(er)
