1st Edition

Heroism, Celebrity and Therapy in Nurse Jackie

By Christopher Pullen Copyright 2019
    142 Pages
    by Routledge

    142 Pages 15 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book presents an examination of the television series Nurse Jackie, making connections between the representational processes and the audience consumption of the series. A key point of reference is the political and performative potential of Nurse Jackie with regards to its progressive representation of prescription drug addiction and its relationship to the concept of quality television. It deconstructs Nurse Jackie ’s discursive potential, involving intersections with contemporary notions of genre, heroism, celebrity, therapy and feminism. At the same time this book foregrounds the self-refl exive educational potential of the series, largely enabled by the scriptwriters and the leading actor Edie Falco.

    Introduction 1. Female Work and Hospital Drama 2. American Dream and The Absent Mother 3. Edie Falco and Star Persona 4. The Heroine and Morality 5. Therapy and Institution Conclusion: A Call to Action

    Biography

    Christopher Pullen is a principal academic in Media Theory at Bournemouth University, Dorset, in the United Kingdom. He has published widely on sexuality and the media, with a particular focus on LGBT identity. His recent work includes a focus on HIV/AIDS narratives and the significance of personal autobiography, and his forthcoming work focuses on queer youth refugees in media documentary.