Reality TV’s Real Men of the Recession

White Masculinity in Crisis and the Rise of Trumpism

Reality TV’s Real Men of the Recession cover

Reality TV’s Real Men of the Recession

White Masculinity in Crisis and the Rise of Trumpism

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Description

In this book, Shannon O’ Sullivan explores “blue-collar frontier shows”, a subgenre of reality television showcasing white, working-class men performing hazardous occupations in remote, wilderness settings. O’Sullivan argues that the proliferation of these programs represents a subtle yet potent reactionary veneration of white, rural, working-class men as “real Americans” amid the Great Recession and social movements challenging white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and capitalism, nearly a decade before Donald Trump kicked off his presidential campaign. Through analyses of Deadliest Catch, Ax Men, Ice Road Truckers, and Gold Rush, O’Sullivan reframes dominant understandings of social class and challenges the neoliberal tendency to configure identity and social categories as stylized performances delinked from power relations. The author highlights the political significance of these series in relation to Donald Trump’s rhetorical strategy and media narratives about his supporters. O’Sullivan also incorporates an analysis of Duck Dynasty, which exemplifies how affluent, white men take up stereotypical white, rural, working-class masculine performances to attain a public perception of masculine authenticity. Scholars of media studies, gender studies, television studies, communication, and political rhetoric will find this book of particular interest.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Hegemonic Masculinity at Work on Reality TV
Chapter 2: White Women with Blue-Collars: Rules for Representation
Chapter 3: “Real Men” Work in “Real America”
Chapter 4: When Wealthy White Men Perform “Real Manhood”
Conclusion
Bibliography
About the Author

Product details

Published 19 Mar 2024
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 198
ISBN 9781666900033
Imprint Lexington Books
Dimensions 227 x 150 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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