Class

Marx and Engels (1982):
Marxist argues that the media is used by the ruling classes as a means of control.

Medhurst (1998):
- "Stereotyping becomes ideological the moment it stops being simply a method of description and becomes a vehicle for values."
- Talking about the lower class - "they are awful because they are not like us."

Gandal (2007):
Class is not that dissimilar to the portrayal of race or gender because those that differ from the dominate social group producing TV drama/film etc (middle class white males) portrayed class groups other than their own as the minority.

In other words, upper class and lower class people are portrayed as a 'cultural other'.

Working class males are buffoon like, well intentioned but dumb. Women take upon the masculine role (Homer Simpson)

Middle class men are head of the household, hardworking and smart.

Popular nineteenth century cross-class classploitation tales:
- Sentimental rags to riches: poor boy aided by rich person
- Sentimental/sensational seduction: poor girl ruined by rich boy
- Cinderella seduction/redemption: poor girl ruined then rescued by rich boy.

New popular cross-class classploitation tales:
- Slumming drama: rich girl or boy liberated by poor boy or girl or by downward mobility
- Class trauma: rich boy or girl degraded by lower-class boy
- Slumming trauma: rich boy or girl degraded and liberated by poverty.