Comments on: Could The Good Wife Be More Prescient? http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2011/05/28/could-the-good-wife-be-more-prescient/ Responses to Media and Culture Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:35:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5 By: For Your Consideration: Impending Emmy Nominations and the Case For “Quality” Dramas Not on Cable Brittany Shelton / FLOW Co-Marketing Editor | Flow http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2011/05/28/could-the-good-wife-be-more-prescient/comment-page-1/#comment-95008 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:31:31 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=9472#comment-95008 […] maintain its “quality” status by still garnering critical acclaim for its acting, writing and political timeliness while also maintaining high enough ratings to survive on network […]

]]> By: Lindsay H. Garrison http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2011/05/28/could-the-good-wife-be-more-prescient/comment-page-1/#comment-91112 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:10:34 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=9472#comment-91112 Thanks for this Suzanne. The Good Wife has really been one of my favorite shows on TV (network AND cable!) since it premiered; I’ve really enjoyed the way it holds up the complexities of marriage, family, & career to interrogate the gendered/classed/raced cultural expectations of such roles and responsibilities, and for the most part, does it well. The timing of the Schwarzenegger and Edwards news stories has certainly made the show seemingly more relevant, but I think one reason the show works so well might be less about prescience and more about history.

While the show was inspired loosely by Spitzer’s coverage/story, his is not exactly a unique case of public infidelity. There have been women struggling with the complexities of life after sex scandals for centuries – we just don’t always get the depth of their stories. To me, Alicia’s such a great character because she’s both a refreshing contemporary figure while also part of a familiar cultural narrative operating in a particular historical moment. LIke you mention, I love the way developments w/ the Governator etc. not only refract onto but also through the narratives in The Good Wife. Glad to know there are others out there appreciating similar elements of the show!

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