Framing Couples in the Media: Coupledom, Well-Being and Comedy

Abstract

In this chapter I situate ‘couple identity’ and ‘well-being’ and carry these themes into the world of screens and the media, whilst contesting traditional definitions of ‘couple’ and resisting a heteronormative stance. I map couple identities against the backdrop of ‘mediated identities of coupledom’ on screen. I focus on positive portrayals of couples, specifically in comedy as a media genre, since humour is a key variable to well-being. The theoretical framing of the chapter is located in cultural studies (textual analysis and semiotics), gender studies, intersectionality, positive psychology and the methodological approach is qualitative textual analysis and feminist intersectionality. Analysis will be around couple relationships, and an unpacking of positive representations of couples as ‘ways of being’. I interrogate several contemporary comedies, where ‘coupledom’ is central to the plot. They reflect a rich blend of intersectionality and include (age, race, class, ethnicity and gender (hetero & LGBTQI) and ability/disability) and facilitate an analysis of the mediated portrayals and representations of couples, couple identities and relationships.A focus on contemporary TV sitcom Grace and Frankie facilitates a close-analysis, locating numerous contemporary issues that impact on coupledom and how coupledom is performed, and the critique located within textual analysis inevitably engages in discussion around the commodification of love and romance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: book)