Rebecca+Black+and+iCarly,+Brendan+Reynolds

The phenomenon taking over the internet currently is singer Rebecca Black and her hit song "Friday". However, she isn't taking over the radio airwaves like other mainstream artists, her video has gone viral based on the worlds dislike for it. The saying of any feedback is good feedback couldn't relate more here as all the negative have still allowed Rebecca Black to become an overnight worldwide celebrity. For over ten days now she has been a top trending topic on twitter. So I find it interesting to look at the question of is it really ok that she is so popular and world known simply because people dislike her. The topic of bullying and cyber bullying will play a major role in my research.

Relating this to iCarly where there is prominent bullying between boys and girls all around the similar age of Rebecca will allow me to gauge how it is being portrayed to a national audience. Is iCarly saying bullying is humorous and ok or do they take time in even one episode to address the idea of cyber bullying? Rebecca Black says she doesn't mind all the negative feedback, but even her parents say they can't read some of the comments on her youtube page. Also with the rise of the girl empowerment figure on TV is Rebecca Black being used as an opposite view of that, very similar to how Sam is used on iCarly, as a joke?

For my research I will view iCarly episodes and look for how bullying is depicted and also look for any signs of cyber bullying as well. I will also look for signs of the less empowered "joke" girl from Sam and see if she ever does play serious roles. From the Rebecca Black standpoint I am currently monitoring twitter, youtube, and facebook daily and taking notes of what the common themes of people's feelings are. Also I am watching any interviews with her to see her feelings on how she is being treated. I will then tie all of the research together to focus on and discuss the issues of cyber bullying around the world with examples from iCarly and Rebecca Black.

Good rationale and research method--- with a careful analysis of how RB is discussed online and in mass media, you can make some interesting comparisons to iCarly, I'm sure. Be sure to talk to David Cooper Moore about this project--- he wants to help you make this a smashing success. You have the green light!