WCW: The Soap Operas of Many Men

             Possibly the best entertainment for men on television today is World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Though many people see this "sport" as childish and violent there are many factors that allow WCW to provide millions of men exactly what they are looking for when they turn on the television--entertainment. With the use of over-exaggerated realism and candid plots, WCW has become on of the best-rated television shows in the nation. Boasting better ratings than primetime ESPN and MTV, WCW has lasted nineteen years on television and the best is yet to come.

             In the social culture of today, we, as American society, have become more reliant on television programs as a way to escape the everyday stresses and pressures that our culture bestows upon us. Television programs are in effect an alternate life that we can go to and participate in. What better pseudo-world to live in than a place that is so simplified that you are able distinguish good from evil and participate in the struggle for power. In WCW it is that simple. The bad guys in this simple drama are commonly referred to as 'heels", while the pleasant looking well built good guys are commonly called 'faces". These 'faces" and 'heels", each with their own identity, make it easy for viewers to pick out the characters they like and those that they hate.

             Evidence has shown that the most popular and long lasting shows are those that imitate life at its very essence. Seinfeld, The Flintstones, All in the Family, The Simpson"s, and Cheers all stood the test of time and the more importantly the scrutiny of the public. Likewise, WCW has also stood these tests and survived. WCW imitates life in the simplest form; physical fighting to solve problems, the vision of every male who has felt overburdened by bosses or counterparts. Becoming involved as friend of a character or enemy of another allows viewers to interact in the exaggerated plots.

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