Icon Analysis- Assignment 2-1

Popular Culture: Icon Analysis

     The three contemporary icons that were chosen for this assignment are Family Feud, Whitney Houston and Betty Boop. Family Feud is a television game show that premiered July 12, 1976, and is still showing today after being pulled from the air many times before. Whitney Houston is an R&B singer phenomenon who launched her first album titled “Whitney Houston” in 1984 selling more than 14 million copies. Betty Boop is a cartoon character; first and most famous sex symbol on animated screens. Each of these Icons holds its own place in popular culture and will probably remain there for generations to come.

     The reason these three icons were chosen is because each show a different area of popular culture. Family Feud shows entertainment that last throughout the years; it is also something that can be watched with the whole family while guessing the number #1 answer. Words cannot express why Whitney Houston was chosen for this assignment; she was just one of the greatest female singers of all times who many female singer mentor after and upon her untimely death she had just completed a remake of a movie, which aired in 1976, called “Sparkle”, and Whitney was great. Betty Boop, making her appearance in the 1093’s, was chosen because she is a cartoon and after all these years she is still around. Anyone can buy the Betty Boop image on just about anything; on car mats, tee-shirts, purses, jewelry…etc. As a cartoon she stood out more than some human icons on television and movies.

     What these icons mean is the history that is attached to each one of them; it tells of a period where entertainment was good and fun. You can watch a game show without trying to figure out what the game is about; some game shows are so confusing, at least to me. Whitney’s music and voice takes me to a calm place where words are accepted and understood; Whitney entertained for the love of the music and it was certainly appreciated by many. What Betty Boop is just a reminder of childhood and today she is still holds the title of a sexy animation; her cartoons are funny and is still watched today.