Blog #2 - Steven Scherer

When I think back to my childhood and some of the cartoons that were on, it is easy to see the gender and sexuality themes being portrayed in many of them. For now, I would like to focus on Johnny Bravo, a Cartoon Network show that ran from 1997-2004.

Johnny Bravo was a cartoon almost entirely centered on gender and sexuality themes. Johnny Bravo himself was drawn excessively muscular with a large upper torso. His exaggerated chest and arm muscles are what the show used to define him as a “masculine” man. Johnny’s skin-tight black t-shirt helped to showcase his muscles even when he was fully clothed. A pointy hairstyle that looks like a cross between Elvis and Jersey Shore and ever-present sunglasses were part of Johnny’s trademark style. His narcissistic personality left him thinking he was always handsome and a desirable object for women, even if they rejected him. Johnny Bravo was the image of the stereotypical “jock.” The show also focused on his massive lack of intelligence – another “jock” stereotype.

Johnny Bravo from Cartoon Network (left) vs. Ronnie from Jersey Shore (right)

Although he was voiced by a few different people over the course of production, Johnny Bravo’s voice was always an impersonation of Elvis Presley’s voice. His deep voice, connected with such a desirable pop culture icon as Elvis, added another dimension of masculinity for both younger and older viewers.

Aside from Johnny’s characteristics, his actions also helped create an image of a stereotypical “jock.” Each episode was centered on a different situation where Johnny Bravo was trying to get a girl. Johnny frequently went through extreme circumstances just for the chance of having a date. Many of the women he asks find him repulsive and begin beating him up.

This is a pretty interesting thing to think about for me. As a child, I certainly watched this cartoon as well as many others. However, I never was, am, or will be what is considered the stereotypical “jock.” I played baseball until the beginning of high school and the only mildly athletic “sport” I was in after that was marching band. Basically, I think the idea of the show helped form my opinion about guys who are “jocks” like Johnny Bravo. If Johnny Bravo was considered the epitome of masculinity, and such “masculine” (yet unintelligent) males were so repulsive to women, what was the point of being like Johnny Bravo if I was interested in women? Women in the show weren’t interested in narcissistic jerks, so what gave me reason to separate that from real life?

Before speculation occurs – I do not watch Jersey Shore.