I have been an avid fan of the show "nip/tuck" since its inception in 2003, mainly because of the twisted story lines and the bizarre plastic surgeries the main characters perform. In the past few weeks, however, I have begun to analyze some of the issues the show addresses due to the reading of David Gauntlett's "Media, Gender and Identity: An introduction." There are many issues that could be raised with regards to "nip/tuck," but I would like to focus mainly on lifestyles and identity, and the ideal woman. In this post, I would also like to focus on the sound design used in the introduction for "nip/tuck" and why it successfully lures in viewers.
Since the introduction is at the beginning of the show, I'll start with that part of the analysis first. According to Harry M. Benshoff and Sean Griffin in their text "America on Film: Representing race, class, gender, and sexuality at the movies," sound design is one of the axis of cinema that helps the viewer determine what is happening or will happen based on the music and sound effects that are playing. Although "nip/tuck" does a good job incorporating clever sound design tactics into their episodes, I have always found the introduction, as shown in the clip below, to be quite haunting based on its music score and lyrics.
As you can see from the above introduction, the music appears to be quite ominous while at the same time almost hypnotic. It draws you into the show because it seems so mysterious. The lyrics, which are more part of the literary design of the show, also add to the mystery because they mention how to become this perfect beautiful person, inside and out. The music and the lyrics together almost make one believe they can become that perfect, beautiful person simply by watching the show. Although the introduction is only a small part of the series, it is shown at the beginning of every episode drawing the viewer in for five long seasons.
The next issue I would like to talk about with "nip/tuck" is the issue of lifestyle and identity in the media. In "Media, Gender and Identity," Gauntlett talks about Michel Foucault's viewpoint on sex and identity saying that sex was the inner truth to the self. While doing so, Gauntlett claims the media makes these requirements to be fulfilled and happy:
- to understand your own sexuality
- to have sex often
- to seek help for sexual problems
- to have a satisfactory sexual partner - or to get a new one.
For those of you not familiar with Liz's character, she is an openly gay woman and has been since the show started. However, this season the producers of the show have decided that Christian Troy, one of the main male characters on the show, should not only have sex with Liz, but also convince her to marry him. They have taken a character that was quite comfortable with her identity and sexuality and completely turned her into someone else. This media model apparently works to get ratings and loyal viewers, but it seems to be telling the viewers that it is acceptable to question your identity and lifestyle. Instead of encouraging gay viewers by telling them their lifestyle is acceptable, the show is basically saying even though you think you are gay, you really secretly attracted to the opposite sex and want the "happy" heterosexual lifestyle everyone else has. This show has had some crazy plots in the past, but this one is really a stretch.
The last issue with "nip/tuck" I would like to discuss is the female body image. Since this is a show about plastic surgery and the crazy world that revolves around it, there will obviously be issues of body image addressed. In the clip below, Christian Troy explains to his new object of lust, Kimber Henry, how she can become a perfect 10.
Gauntlett, in "Media, Gender and Identity," said "The empowering notion that individuals can change themselves...can lead a person to feel a sense of failure if they cannot achieve the body of their dreams," (p. 202). In the above clip, Kimber talks about being a perfect 10, but that she hasn't has many modeling offers lately. Christian brings her back to reality by pointing out all of her minuscule flaws, making her believe that she won't be successful unless she gets them all fixed. From the video you can see she if obviously a very attractive woman who shouldn't have any problems finding work as a model. However, because someone who is obsessed with the perfection of appearance has now presented all of these faults to her, she will always find fault with the way she looks until she fixes the imperfections and will likely continue to not find work for the same reason. Although this clip is a bit of an over-exaggeration of what the media expects from its models, it does an interesting job of pointing out that body image is a real problem in the media and that the perfect models shown in the magazines weren't necessarily born that way.
Although "nip/tuck" does not always portray people, especially women, in a positive light, I will continue to watch the show loyally. However, now that I am more aware of some of the media issues surrounding the show, I will start watching it with more of a critical eye.
