Rape on Prime Time: Television, Masculinity, and Sexual Violence

by Lisa M. Cuklanz

Depictions of rape on television have evolved dramatically, from hard-boiled stories about male detectives to more insightful shows focusing on rape victims. Rape on Prime Time is the first book to examine those changing depictions of rape.

Lisa M. Cuklanz reveals that prime-time television programs during the 1970s--usually detective shows--reflected traditional ideas that real rape is perpetrated by brutal strangers upon passive victims. Beginning in 1980, depictions of rape began to include attacks by known assailants, and victims began to address their feelings. By 1990, scripts portrayed date and marital rape and paid greater attention to the trial process, reflecting legal reformers' concerns.

While previous studies have examined one series or genre, Cuklanz examines programs as dissimilar as Barney Miller, Dallas, The Cosby Show, and Quincy. She outlines the basic plot for rape episodes, then traces the historical development of rape themes. In each chapter she includes close analyses of episodes that add depth to findings derived from scripts and taped episodes.

Rape on Prime Time provides important insight into the social construction of rape in mainstream mass media since the inception of rape law reform in 1974.

Genres: Nonfiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Michaelee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion it was a boring read. There were good examples from the 1970s to 1990s, but it lacked something for me and I am still trying to figure out what.

[Cynthia Bemis Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important time capsule of specific content that evolved in its presentation on TV. The author selects a finite period of time and presents a deep list of episodes, as well as themes, tropes and the key moments of evolution. It reads as a very academic book, which I fear has prevented more people from appreciating the work and adding to the conversation. As 23 years has passed since its publication, the author mentions episodes and series which are now obscure and almost impossible to view. I read this as research for my podcast, Advanced TV Herstory and am convinced Cuklanz provided us an essential study of an important phase in late 20th century feminism and television.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential reading in studies of representations of rape in media. Cuklanz goes through hundreds of episodes of television from 1976-1990 discussing many plots in detail and articulating a clear pattern for how rape was represented narratively that emerged during the period.