Still Standing

After reading Butsch’s article on male representation in working class sitcoms, I realized how many shows actually portray men who are immature, dimwitted, and irresponsible. A show in particular that I used to enjoy watching when I was younger was Still Standing. Still Standing is about a working class couple in Chicago that deal with many familial conflicts as they try to properly raise their three children. Bill, husband of Judy and father of his three children, always partakes in mischievous activities and schemes that wind up causing a lot of problems for the family. Bill represents the stereotypical male figure in working class sitcoms that Butsch describes. For example, Bill is fat, unintelligent, and immature since he still fancies his high school days when he was popular due to him being captain of the football team. Bill works in a department store in the toilet department. His wife, Judy, is the attractive wife who is a dental assistant. She always scolds Bill for his schemes when trying to teach their children lessons, but ends up joining in on the scheme. When the scheme backfires, she blames Bill. Judy tries to stay in touch with her younger self because she doesn’t want to get old. Judy is the parental figure in this sitcom. When her children want permission for something they ask her. When she denies them the permission, they ask their father, Bill. Bill dislikes his job and when his children ask him for permission for something he turns to Judy to seek the answer. For instance, in one episode, their daughter Lauren wants to get a belly button ring. When her mother says no, she turns and asks her dad. Bill turns to Judy, “Judy can she have a belly button ring?” Lauren gets upset and tells Bill if he can think for himself. He once again turns to Judy and ask, “Judy can I think for myself?” Judy says no and Lauren ends up getting really upset. Although this show does misrepresent the stereotypical male figure in sitcoms, the reason why it works and is so successful is because their family conflicts turn into humor. I’ve attached an episode of Still Standing.

http://youtu.be/SOpBxHct82U