Mazzarella (2008) uses American Chopper to explore the role of hegemonic masculinity in reality shows about working class men.
1. American Chopper demonstrates three forms of masculinity proposed by Connell.
Her primary framework is drawn from Connell's (1995) categories of masculine performance including hegemonic masculinity, subordinate/resistant masculinity, and complicit masculinity. Mazzarella (2008) notes that these categories are not static. Instead, hegemonic masculinity shifts based on situational context, a move that allows the dominant male to retain control. In American Chopper, for example, Paul Sr. is the dominant male. Though he often takes charge of situations, he is also depicted as gentle or emotional at times, which allows him to retain control across shifting situations and contexts.
The show also balances Paul Sr. hegemonic masculinity with other forms of masculinity through Paul Sr.'s sons. Paulie's subordinate resistant masculinity is often challenged and delegitimized, while Mikey's complicit masculinity is rewarded as loyalty to the family patriarch.
2. American Chopper also represents the genre of the docusoap.
Mazzarella (2008) argues that the series relies heavily on conventions of both soap operas and documentaries. This leads to heightened emotional displays from the characters as well as the appearance of the show as based in the real.
3. Mazzarella (2008) sees American Chopper's use of masculine emotional displays as indicative of a cultural movement towards more feminized hegemonic masculinity.
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