Great Analysis! (I stumbled on your In Treatment/Be'tipul analysis on youtube but it won't let me post a long response)
I am particularly interested in what you had to say about how the two TV shows reflect cultural differences as I have a masters degree in cross cultural psychology, have Jewish roots and grew up in the United States with Polish parents but have moved to Poland six years ago. I recently discovered In Treatment and have really gotten into the show. Your analysis really made me think and I was hoping you might explore some areas in detail as I'm guessing you oversimplified some issues and left out some confounding variables for the sake of the audience.
I don't know a whole lot about Israeli society so feel free to correct me, but I am curious if Israeli society is in fact a melting pot as you put it. It seems to me that aside from first and second generation Russian immigrants, there is a very small Ashkenazi elite which is represented on Be'tipul and I'm curious if these feelings of closeness that you mention reflect Israeli culture or of those that feel that they belong to a privileged club. I would guess that in some ways Israeli society mirrors some South American cultures, where a very small European population controls large sectors of the economy and they are represented in the media. The U.S. is different is the respect that whites are still a majority of the population so it is not as difficult to throw in some other races for the sake of "diversity".
Where I disagreed most with your analysis were your direct generalizations about both cultures based solely on the TV shows. It is relevant that HBO is a multi million dollar TV empire and the fact that the female patient was younger more beautiful and coquettish in her character strategy makes her more attractive to the viewer and more likely to garner high ratings for HBO which is an expensive premium channel that can't afford to take as many risks. HBO could afford to hire a gorgeous and talented actress who was able to play the part perfectly. The same can be said about the therapists office I think the shows budget was the main issue. I was surprised when you said status wasn't as important in Israel. I heard an anecdote that Israeli men when sitting at a table at restaurants all simultaneously pull out their car keys wallets and cell phones and put them on the table, to prove to others they have money, transportation and contacts and that it is essentially one big pissing contest.
It would also be interesting if you could go into more detail regarding differences between general upper middle class American and Jewish American cultures, as it has been historically a stereotype and many Jewish American comedians talk about their families "kvetching", all yelling at once, and families being very close. Since analysis is historically Jewish and is currently dominated by Jews, and HBO is a Jewish production company to a large degree I am willing to bet there must be at least some cultural influence.
Once again thanks for uploading your video and keep em coming! Can't wait to read your response - Matt
I am particularly interested in what you had to say about how the two TV shows reflect cultural differences as I have a masters degree in cross cultural psychology, have Jewish roots and grew up in the United States with Polish parents but have moved to Poland six years ago. I recently discovered In Treatment and have really gotten into the show. Your analysis really made me think and I was hoping you might explore some areas in detail as I'm guessing you oversimplified some issues and left out some confounding variables for the sake of the audience.
I don't know a whole lot about Israeli society so feel free to correct me, but I am curious if Israeli society is in fact a melting pot as you put it. It seems to me that aside from first and second generation Russian immigrants, there is a very small Ashkenazi elite which is represented on Be'tipul and I'm curious if these feelings of closeness that you mention reflect Israeli culture or of those that feel that they belong to a privileged club. I would guess that in some ways Israeli society mirrors some South American cultures, where a very small European population controls large sectors of the economy and they are represented in the media. The U.S. is different is the respect that whites are still a majority of the population so it is not as difficult to throw in some other races for the sake of "diversity".
Where I disagreed most with your analysis were your direct generalizations about both cultures based solely on the TV shows. It is relevant that HBO is a multi million dollar TV empire and the fact that the female patient was younger more beautiful and coquettish in her character strategy makes her more attractive to the viewer and more likely to garner high ratings for HBO which is an expensive premium channel that can't afford to take as many risks. HBO could afford to hire a gorgeous and talented actress who was able to play the part perfectly. The same can be said about the therapists office I think the shows budget was the main issue. I was surprised when you said status wasn't as important in Israel. I heard an anecdote that Israeli men when sitting at a table at restaurants all simultaneously pull out their car keys wallets and cell phones and put them on the table, to prove to others they have money, transportation and contacts and that it is essentially one big pissing contest.
It would also be interesting if you could go into more detail regarding differences between general upper middle class American and Jewish American cultures, as it has been historically a stereotype and many Jewish American comedians talk about their families "kvetching", all yelling at once, and families being very close. Since analysis is historically Jewish and is currently dominated by Jews, and HBO is a Jewish production company to a large degree I am willing to bet there must be at least some cultural influence.
Once again thanks for uploading your video and keep em coming! Can't wait to read your response - Matt
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