The case study written by Jade Boyd titled‘‘Hey, We’re from Canada but We’re Diverse, Right?’’: Neoliberalism, Multiculturalism, and Identity on So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. Boyd (2012 : 259) discusses how dance as a subject in context to a popular reality television show emphasizes individualism, hard work and competitiveness rather than freedom, affinity and authenticity. The author further states the purpose of the Canadian version becoming multicultural compared to other versions. In this case study, analysis of the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada (SYTYCDC) is derived from a larger research project. The project conducted by Boyd studies content from Performance, Spectacle and Nation: Dancing Primetime. Boyd (2012
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The various views of each concept touch base on both positive and negative aspects of reality television that embrace diversity while exploring the theme of agency. The concept of neoliberalism is one; implementing transformation - the idea that an ordinary individual, considered to be in the working class has the ability to become a star or celebrity (Boyd 2012). Social stratification can be related to this transformation process as well as the construction of classes. The way these concepts relate to each other and are a true basis of inequality in the society. The ordinary individual has the ability to change their social status or class through opportunities presented to them from the show. Neoliberalism further created a capitalist society, favouring private businesses. The show being a privately owned franchise, is capitalist in the sense that it exploits both the viewers and …show more content…
Audience interactivity is a form of agency. Contrarily, it is of deception by the producers of the show, who have created a structure of false democracy (Boyd 2012). On the other hand, Boyd creates a relation to both viewers and contestants. The contestants compete to win a cash prize and other luxury goods to conjure incoming profit for the higher class while providing entertainment for the working middle class. This concept has created class segregation. Boyd’s (2012 : 266) relation of neoliberalism to SYTYCDC is realistic and embodies the essence of the show in relation to individualism, hard work and competitiveness. The autonomy of an individual is reflected in Boyd’s (2012) case study but setting criteria for the ideal Canadian, having to be “law-abiding, compassionate, ‘‘tolerant of cultural diversity,’’ and, more recently, supportive of gender equality” contradicts the idea of a neoliberal economy (Boyd 2012). The standards set for an individual to comply is a form of cultural hegemony by creation of a controlled environment while overshadowing other cultures. The reason for disagreement of total neoliberalism is due to the created structure of the show that causes contestants to respond in a certain way to be considered the ideal
The various views of each concept touch base on both positive and negative aspects of reality television that embrace diversity while exploring the theme of agency. The concept of neoliberalism is one; implementing transformation - the idea that an ordinary individual, considered to be in the working class has the ability to become a star or celebrity (Boyd 2012). Social stratification can be related to this transformation process as well as the construction of classes. The way these concepts relate to each other and are a true basis of inequality in the society. The ordinary individual has the ability to change their social status or class through opportunities presented to them from the show. Neoliberalism further created a capitalist society, favouring private businesses. The show being a privately owned franchise, is capitalist in the sense that it exploits both the viewers and …show more content…
Audience interactivity is a form of agency. Contrarily, it is of deception by the producers of the show, who have created a structure of false democracy (Boyd 2012). On the other hand, Boyd creates a relation to both viewers and contestants. The contestants compete to win a cash prize and other luxury goods to conjure incoming profit for the higher class while providing entertainment for the working middle class. This concept has created class segregation. Boyd’s (2012 : 266) relation of neoliberalism to SYTYCDC is realistic and embodies the essence of the show in relation to individualism, hard work and competitiveness. The autonomy of an individual is reflected in Boyd’s (2012) case study but setting criteria for the ideal Canadian, having to be “law-abiding, compassionate, ‘‘tolerant of cultural diversity,’’ and, more recently, supportive of gender equality” contradicts the idea of a neoliberal economy (Boyd 2012). The standards set for an individual to comply is a form of cultural hegemony by creation of a controlled environment while overshadowing other cultures. The reason for disagreement of total neoliberalism is due to the created structure of the show that causes contestants to respond in a certain way to be considered the ideal