Cummins points out that ESPN used every sports stereotype in existence in The Playmakers. However, the focus is mostly on how fiction in sports shows the negative connotation in our society. There are four movies made during the latter part of the twentieth century that help combat, the negative theory of sports movies. They are Major League, Angels in the Outfield, Space Jam and
Little Big League. According to the Handbook of Sports and Media, Cummins tries to illustrate why viewers are so intrigued by fictional sports stories. "Dickerson(1991) argued that the values depicted in fictional narratives about baseball resonates with audiences." (Cummins 197) In these four movies in particular, the underlying themes are a team of misfits that are influenced by one person, good or bad, that motivates them to succeed and win, against all the odds. For this exact reason, is why American audiences are more likely to watch and enjoy these movies. While all four movies are considerably predictable, it gives the audience that feel good story that doesn't always occur during real sporting events. The underdog stories don't always come to fruition in the real world but in a fictional story the under dog almost always comes out on top. This theme underlies the very essence of the American dream.
Through these films we are also able to learn about a certain character on a personal level. Unlike in the real world, we are able to sometimes go into the personal lives of the main character. In Space Jam, Michael Jordan's personal life is seen more than it ever had been during normal sports coverage. While sports journalism may have gotten a sneak peak into Jordan's personal life, Space Jam put us in a casual setting in the life of Jordan. According to the Handbook of Sports and Media, character development is the essence of what separates sports fiction from reality. "Sayre(1977) also noted the importance of of identification and character development in the enjoyment of sport fiction: 'If our emotins are to be involved in winning or losing, we need to give a hoot about the individual who's sweating glycerin and gnawing his lip and panting like the athlete he isn't" (Cummins 197)
Sports fiction allows the viewers to blur the gap between professional and personal lives of athletes both real and fictional. It also provides an escape from the norms of real sports and gives those under dogs stories even more life.
In the past, sports fanatics would often turn to sports films (fiction or non-fiction) to give them a glimpse at the life of an athlete. Like John said, fictional films in particular provided the viewer with an inside look at the personal lives of the competitors from their favorite sport(s). While these stories were of course fake, we as viewers would still be intrigued because we were able to see a side of the athletes we hadn't seen before. Sports fiction movies humanize our athletes; we see them struggle financially, socially, and within the home. Seeing these struggles allow us to connect with people that we otherwise put on a pedestal. Athletes that we once couldn't relate to now have something in common with the average Joe.
ReplyDeleteWith all that said, however, I think sports fiction movies have lost their luster a little bit. In the past decade or so technology has (obviously) changed immensely, especially pertaining to sports/athletic coverage. Shows like Hard Knocks and 24/7, for example, provides football/hockey fans with extremely in-depth coverage of the athletes on both a professional and personal level. While they still do serve a purpose and can absolutely still captivate a certain audience, sports fiction movies/narratives no longer need to be the source for this type of information.
I actually laughed when you brought up Playmakers. I thought I was the only person watching that show, hence it being cut. But I completely agree that sports is able to use fiction to depict anything that it wants the viewer to see, whether it's positive or negative
ReplyDeleteJohn, I like, and agree with your take on America's love for the "underdog". The most popular and successful sports movies, as you mentioned, are the films that encompass the underdog and unlucky athletes. In "The Blindside" the main character Michael has faced numerous challenges in his life including a drug addicted mother, poverty and gang violence. He is able to overcome all of these obstacles and adversities to make it to the NFL. This film is actually based on a true story, it is these stories that viewers love even more because we known they are (at least somewhat) true. I like how you conclude with the observation that viewers enjoy these sports fiction films because we are able to blur the gap between athletes professional and personal lives. In real life, athletes often disappoint us with their personal lives, and that affects how we look at them professionally. I personally have trouble continuing to respect a player that has been arrested or taken illegal drugs. Even if these distractions do not affect their quality of play, it does cloud my judgement of them. Sports films allow us to avoid these disappointments completely.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!! Just like we talked about in class.. we live to see the under dog rise to the top and beat the cocky, rich sports teams. I think this is a great point, John. This is why I believe sports fiction is not going any where. Journalist have the creative power with this tool to make viewer see any and believe any narrative of any story, which is something quite interesting!
ReplyDeleteI agree with John and everyone else who has posted a blog response in terms of the underdog theme in sports fiction. I think people really enjoy watching a story about an underdog and rooting for the underdog. Sports fiction is a perfect medium to tell the underdog story because the writers can assure the underdog prevails. Usually the underdog has to overcome a challenge, like injury or hardships in their personal life, to succeed by winning the big game. I think this storyline is so compelling because the audience can relate to it more and it gives them hope that they too can overcome a challenge in their life and succeed.
ReplyDeleteI also think sports fiction is at its best when the story transcends sports. The story has a greater meaning than just team x playing team y. I think Playmakers tried to do this by talking about issues of homophobia and drug use. One of my favorite shows, Friday Night Lights, I think did a very good job transcending football. The show was not all about playing football, but rather football was used to enhance characters storylines. You wanted the characters to succeed in football, so they could leave their small Texas town behind and escape the issues that arose from living in Dillon, Texas. Unfortunately, the show never gained widespread popularity because audiences perceived it as a show just about football.
Sports is entertainment. Usually it is unscripted with no expectations. Sports fiction is interesting because it can gives you the emotion of a true sports game or sports story. I think sports fiction has lead our society become cheerleaders for the underdog. There have been so many stories that the underdog comes through. people like to identify with elite athletes. people like the personal interaction with professionals because it makes it seem like they are just an ordinary person. Social media has had a huge influence in the personal interaction of fan to the athlete. Sports fiction makes it seem that these characters are also humble ordinary people that fans can identify with. There is more to sports than the game and people can get that with sports fiction. Before many successful media outlets fans had a hard time relating to the athlete, maybe they could do it just by going to the game. now with twitter and Facebook players can respond to their closest fans.
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