Recently, an American television sitcom, 2
Broke Girls, was picked up for third season by CBS. The
news was not only popular for the American viewers but also make some Chinese
TV viewers very excited since the first two seasons were very popular in China.
The story started when two girls met each other as a waitress in a diner,
located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. People like the TV show not only because
its sitcom genera and the characters and plots filled with humor jokes, but also
the two girl’s big difference class background attracts the audience’s
curiosity. However, the most important element to the audience is that the 2
Broke Girls criticize the paradox the of American Dream and redefine a new
meaning of it.
Generally, The term “American dream” is used
in many ways, but it essentially is an idea that suggests that anyone in the US
can succeed through work hard and has the potential to lead a happy, successful
life.
The 2 broke girls setting is in Brooklyn, New York. The
show’s creator, Michael Patrick King said that “We represent what New York used
to be and what is currently very much still alive in Williamsburg, which is
melting point”. As we know, Brooklyn has
many black residents and accepts all kinds of immigrants. Although Brooklyn has
a high rate of crime, the place for the immigrants means more opportunities to
make their American Dream come true. Thus, the director represents different races
through the image on the screen, which include different stereotypical characters,
so the show can attract a variety of racial audiences. The main member, Max
Black, who coms from a poor working-class family, and another main member,
Caroline Channing, who was born rich but is now disgraced and penniless due to
her father’s bribe-taking. Both their American dreams was to own their cupcake
business. Among those working with them at the restaurant is their Asian boss,
Han Lee. He is Korean and just immigrated to New York almost 6 months earlier.
Fitting American culture and getting clients for his business is his American
Dream. Featured starting late in the first season, a Polish immigrant runs the
housecleaning company, Sophie, who dreams one day that she can buy a big house
in her hometown in Poland through her work hard. There is another character Oleg,
an upbeat but perverted Ukrainian cook; and Earl, a 75-year-old black cashier.
The 2 Broke
Girls critique the American dream since there are many plots showing the
paradox of the American dream. The American dream stresses hat every one has
equal rights to make their dream come true if only they work hard. Life should be better and
richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunities for each according to the ability
or achievement regardless of social
class
or circumstances of birth. However, in the first episode, the appearance of
Caroline denies the definition of the American Dream because of her social
identity. Caroline was rich but now she
is disgraced and penniless due to her father. When Caroline was in the upper
class, she could travel anywhere. She has a big chest and all kinds of famous
brand. She got her birthday present, which is a horse named Chestnut. She also graduated from Wharton College and
got the internship opportunities from Morgan Stanley. Caroline’s pre-experience
makes a strong contrast with Max, who grows up in a poor family and from lower
class. Max even didn’t go to college to get the education. When Caroline
compares her life right now, it is still ironic. When she was in the upper
class, she had many friends and many people would like having a relationship
with her family. After her dad went into jail and she became penniless, she
can’t find anyone to help her since her identities and social class have changed.
That is why the TV show critiques the American dreams: people can’t be
equal. Even though people work hard for
their dream, they still have social class, which can’t supply the equal
opportunities to make the poor compete with the rich.
Another important character, Han, became
a controversial character, which also shows the criticism of the American dream.
“I like Han,” King said, “I like his
character. I like the fact he is an immigrant. I like that he’s trying to fit
into America”(avclub.com). Han’s experience is kind of the American dream. He
came to America almost 6 months earlier and ran an American restaurant through
his hard work. He looks like he is successful and makes his American dream come
true. However, there is an issue of the ethnic
stereotyping. Not only do Max and Caroline laugh at his English, but also at his
height. The Hollywood Reporter notes, “each week Han’s broken English gets
played like some sorry minstrel show”. “Lee can’t wear his pants correctly,
can’t speak English properly, and doesn’t understand the concept of holidays”(hollywoodreporter.com).
Han’s character was doubt by the audience. Han is the paradox of American
Dream. Although he had his restaurant in America, his immigrant identity or
Asian stereotypes sometimes are jokes and serve to entertain the audience.
Although Han’s Asian stereotype was joked
through the comments of Max and Caroline or the audience. Asians still like
seeing the TV show. This is because the series tries to make satisfaction among
different races, such as Asian or Africa-American or European. The TV show
renewed the definition of the American dream: People make their dream come true
not only through their work hard, but also all races’ cooperation helps each
other get to it and have a better land richer life. People always exists
identities difference, class difference or stereotype difference as the 2 Broke
Girls represented on the screen. When
Max and Caroline want to introduce their cupcake to the famous editor but they
need transportation to go to the place, the height always be mocked, the Asian
guy, Han, ride a horse towards them. When Max and Caroline need money to open a
cupcake shop, the European Sophie lent her money to them. The 75 years old
black cashier Earl treated Max as his daughter. That’s why the series is
popular in different races viewers. The American dream is people’s entire
common goal, which forms a new ideology to make people’s dream come true.
In sum, the 2 broke
girls is a meaningful TV show. According to the different identities and classes
and stereotypes of the characters, the creator did a great job on criticizing
the American dream, which tells people if they work hard they will be
successful. Although the series looks like a superficial sitcom, the plot and
characters create a new definition about American dream, which emphasis the
understanding among multiple races and cooperation among individuals as the key
to success.
Work Cited
Vodd, V. (2012). 2 Broke Girls co-creator defends show's
racial humor in worst possible terms.avclub.com.
Retrieved
from
Tim, G. (2011). The Sorry State Of '2 Broke Girls': Racism and Lame Sex Jokes. Hollywoodreporter.com.
Retrieved
from
Rachel, S. (2012). 2 broke girls:
the groans of the week. Televisionwithoupity.com
Retrieved from
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