Social mobility in television comedies

Abstract

Television characters' aspirations for upward mobility, the work they do as they attempt to achieve these goals, and the consequences of that work shed light on the depiction of social structure in popular entertainment media. A study of television comedies finds that characters typically must experience sacrifice and demonstrate self‐reliance if they are to realize their aspirations for mobility. Striving for mobility has its twists, however. Characters may “win” by failing to achieve their goals, and they may “lose” despite improving their circumstances.