Conflicts And Coexistence Between Popular Culture And Elite Culture

This thesis is focused on Queer Eye,an American reality program.This program is about five gay men who guide floppy straight men to become handsome guys.They transform a guy from five aspects,namely,fashion,grooming,interior design,culture and food and wine.This program has been widely acclaimed,reflecting the public's recognition of its portrayal of American society.From the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu's taste and distinction,through analyzing the contrast of the program's nominees and the behaviors of the Fab Five,this thesis aims to clarify that this program reflects the integration of elite culture and popular culture in current American society.The main body of this thesis consists of three chapters.The first chapter starts from analyzing the lifestyle of the nominees before makeover.Since they are the representatives of current Americans who are under the influence of popular culture,they have some common features.For example,they choose to stay in the comfort zone,lose their creativity,and have an unchanging lifestyle.The second chapter studies the Fab Five in whom the characteristics of elite culture are reflected.Their aesthetic taste is recognized,they can make tailored transformation plans for nominees,and have a strong sense of responsibility.The third chapter aims to analyze the communication before the start of the transformation in the program,the effect after the completion of the transformation,and the speciality of the program,that is,the Fab Five are homosexuality,In this way,it is found that mutual respect exists between popular culture and elite culture.Based on these chapters,this thesis comes to the conclusion that this American reality show,Queer Eye,reflects the integration of elite culture and popular culture in current American society.