Family Life with the American Television Sitcom
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Television is not only a form of entertainment, but also a study of society's view of families. The two classic sitcoms, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Home Improvement tell stories about the trials of family life. Indeed, they both show the viewer a world of two dysfunctional families and how each learns to cope. Though they both deliver each episode with comedy, they each in their own right convey the messages differently. Both present a glimpse into the world's view of descriptive images of family life.
These two shows, having a similar focus on family, reveal American life. Home Improvement centers on Tim Taylor, the tool man, the accident prone host of a television program about tools. He concentrates on raising his three sons with the help of his wife, Jill. The series' premise focuses on the antics of the tool man, always bugling "honey do" repairs, and the hatred he has for his co-host, Al. Jill, wanting to be a psychiatrist, divides her time between sons Brad, Randy, and Mark...