1. Representing Old People

3. Traditional stereotypes still dominate in the media. We are all familiar with the ‘old codger’...

4. One Foot In The Grave (play from 1:50)

5. The Old Guys

6. Nanna Royle

7. Many of these typical stereotypes occur in sitcoms – why do you think sitcoms tend to stick to these tried and tested stereotypes? Can you think of any other stereotypical old people to be found in British sitcoms? Can you think of any non-stereotypical characters

8. Why do audiences continue to like these representations (judging by the longevity of some series) rather than find them offensive? How do you think an older person and a teenager might respond to these representations? The same? Differently?

9. But we can find exceptions, media texts that dare to be different....

10. The Bucket List Trailer

11. Hoodwinked Montage - Granny

12. The Zimmers

13. Why do you think some films like to get away from the stereotypes and challenge them? Can you think of any other films where old age is portrayed in a way that challenges the norm?

14. How do you think an older person might respond to these representations? Remember, there might be a range of different typical responses. What about a younger person, a teenager – how might they see these representations?

15. Why do you think we are seeing an increase in the number of programmes showing a more positive view of old age – think about New Tricks on TV (an older quartet of police officers investigating cold cases), Helen Mirren heading the cast in Prime Suspect , Sue Johnston and Trevor Eve in Waking The Dead ….

17. You will now look at two clips to analyse how each represents older people and discuss whether they conform to or challenge the norms. CLIP 1: Eastenders – Jim Branning returns home CLIP 2: RED trailer http ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ZjBJv-rA0