Before my roommate and I moved in last August, the only TV shows I watched were The Simpsons, Seinfeld, and Family Guy, none with any regularity. Now, however, things are different. First came The Office. Then Lost. And the newest addition is 24. These TV shows are like crack. The more you get, the more you want.
What I’d like to point out is this: the main characters on Lost and 24 are named Jack. Why is that? Why Jack? Is Jack a name of authority? Does it connote honor? Humility? Strength? Leadership? All of the things that make a hero?
To me, no. When I think Jack, I think “jackass.” Or Jack from Jack In The Box, the guy with a big white ball for a head. When I think Jack, I think “jack squat,” as in “nothing, nada, zilch.” When I think Jack, I think “jackalope,” that deer-like creature I learned about on the Discovery Channel. And, of course, there is “jackolantern.”
Can anyone tell me why the brilliant writers who have written some of the most intelligent and creative TV in the history of TV have chosen Jack as the names of their heroes? I need answers. And I need answers as to where Walt is and who framed Jack Bauer.
Comments (4)
URL: http://
jack bauer is the man. i have the first 4 seasons on dvd if you're interested.
Posted by sunny | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
You had me at 24.
Posted by Thomas | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://
good point. the hard consonants and short, one syllable structure do make it sound authoritative. and a focus group is likely. i'm sure the focus group also said "there need to be hot girls."
Posted by p-man | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16
URL: http://www.warprofessor.blogspot.com
How about carjack? Is that strong enough for you? :-) Or, "Don't jack around with me?" John Kennedy was Jack to his friends. It's one syllable, ends with a hard consonant sound, allows echoes in our heads of macho "Get back, Jack," and also reminds one of "blackjack," a dangerous guy or a gamble. I don't know this for a fact, but I strongly suspect that the studio probably tested a number of names on a focus group before choosing Jack.
Posted by English Professor | February 10, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 20:16