One would expect the arena of politics or environmental issues to have a great impact on our society, however the media also plays a significant role in social commentary. Social commentary comes hand in hand with the theory of discourse because the commentary works to shape ideals and actions of those exposed to the message. America's Next Top Model (ANTM) in this case is not only a show portraying a competition for women to break into the fashion industry, but instead has evolved to being a social platform.
In a recent cycle of ANTM, the show took a stand on smoking and on being environmentally friendly or 'going green'. Tyra revealed in Cycle 5 that her grandmother died at young age due to lung cancer as a result of smoking. The idea behind the platform, especially in regards to smoking was that young girls watching the show might be negatively influenced by seeing smoking in a for lack of a better word glamorous light. Therefore, with this social commentary in mind the season was non-smoking. To take this idea further, smoking was not only banned from the house but it also became the subject of the cycle's first photo shoot.
In this shoot, the models had to model for two pictures--the first, a glamorous shot of them smoking in front of a vanity and a mirror and the second, being made up to theatrically portray the negative effects smoking can have on your body. Some of the models were outfitted to have tumors others bald from chemotherapy. The second image was transposed into the mirror from the first image.
The show also took a stand to be more environmentally friendly. In this cycle the models traveled in a green bus that was fueled by bio-fuel and the house was full of green products and appliances.
The models were shown on sets covered with items that are abled to be recycled yet the pieces of their outfits were not made from enivironmentally friendly materials.
Has the show's efforts made a difference? It is difficult to tell, however the season of ANTM is one component of a national efffort to be 'green' and also a part of one to stop smoking. Combined these media images will have an effect (at least in some capacity) on our culture. It is these eventual results that are consequences of discourse.