9 Great TV Shows That Subvert the Right-Wing Worldview

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9 Great TV Shows That Subvert the Right-Wing Worldview
Epic put-downs that conservatives can't ignore.
September 12, 2012 |

Culture is a flashpoint for social change, both a mirror and a
catalyst for our world, and primetime network television is the medium
with the greatest reach. Over 290 million people own a television in
the United States (that's over twice as many people as those who voted
in the 2008 presidential election) and as a primary source of
entertainment for most Americans, any sort of progressive politics on
the major stations is going to have an impact. Not to mention the over
140 million Americans who watch television on the internet, whether
through providers like Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix, or through good old
fashioned video platforms on websites with domain names registered in
unregulated countries. The average American tends to watch television
about 35 hours a week total on both platforms—that's close to a full-
time job. You could see why anybody would want to get into the TV
racket, but if you're a showrunner with a political point of view,
nudging in on primetime is particularly advantageous for spreading
your ideals.

Television show runners tend to not be as overall progressive as
Hollywood, but there's so much room for growth—witness how "M.A.S.H."
and "All in the Family" reflected the changing times in the '70s, for
instance, or how putting an upper-class, normal black family on
television affected racial understanding with "The Cosby Show."
Average blue-collar families—and feminists, and gays—were given a
voice by the likes of "Roseanne" throughout the '90s, while Xena,
Warrior Princess portrayed a feminist (and lesbian?) superhero kicking
ass. More recently, "Scandal" portrays an openly, nonchalantly gay
(and married!) Presidential Chief of Staff, and recently "Parks and
Recreation" has followed the city council campaign of Amy Poehler's
feminist patriot Leslie Knope. As we enter the fall season, there are
a number of new shows on the networks that reflect our shifting values
as a society—and their very existence is a counterpoint to
conservative values. But the goal posts have shifted, and while
conervatives moves ever right, our primetime cultural braintrust is
loosening up.

Here are some older shows that classically pissed off conservatives,
plus some newer TV shows that subvert conservative values by espousing
change or progressive values.

1. The New Normal.

2. Partners.

3. 666 Park Avenue.

4. How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).

5. The Newsroom.

6. Skins (US).

7. The Mindy Project.

8. Will and Grace.

9. Murphy Brown.