Even though United States is a very liberal country, it still having some old voodoos like many other countries around the world or countries more conservatives than US. The episode "The Contest" in my opinion reached the highest numbers of audience and still a huge sucess in SEINFELD after a decade because if we look at the main audience of SEINFELD we will see that teenagers and college students are the most interested in sitcoms, so I think thats why this episode was this huge sucess. The young class people in US are more liberal than the seniors and the adults in general so they feel more confortable to talk about sex.
Another main point that made me think why the episode "The Contest" was watched maily by young people because when this episode reached the highest level of audience was the second time showing on tv in the summer when all students were home and they spend more time on internet and TV watching programs such as sitcoms and other reality shows.
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#9: A Cultural Taboo Exploited
I agree that the U.S. is liberal in certain aspects, but I don't agree that voodoo is the right word for this situation. According to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, voodoo is a form of religion or a person dealing in hexes and magic. Perhaps the word you were looking for was, taboo.
I'd agree that the U.S. is conservative in speaking about sex in the public realm, especially amongst older generations. However, I disagree with part of your reasoning for the success of "The Contest". While it's true that young people are more comfortable (in general) than elderly people speaking about sex and sexuality, you can't attribute the success of "The Contest" to a few more teenagers staying home to watch the episode. This episode was so popular because it brought a topic that is generally considered taboo to middle-aged Americans in a prime time television slot. It allowed a generation of Americans that experienced prolonged adolescence to laugh at the lack of self control of a group of four friends in their mid thirties, in a state of extreme prolonged adolescence. In conclusion, I submit that it is this extreme view of prolonged adolescence on a topic usually reserved for teenagers in talks of abstinence that triggers such an increased viewer response to this particular episode among people who experienced prolonged adolescence and increased parental dependence through college and their young adult lives.
hahaha I am sorry I did not mean voodoo I meant taboo
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