Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-272). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-272).

Sex and the City was a television show that aired on Home Box Office from 1998-2004. The tv show succeeded because of feminist's wanting a modern woman's drama rich in episodes about consumption, women's sexuality, financial independence, fashion and contemporary relationship dynamics. The characters captured and perpetuated just that. The modern take on the ideologies that drive women's perception of personal fulfillment, body image, consumerism, social behavior and values and romantic relationship dynamics made this tv show the phenomena that it became.

This thesis examines two of the female-driven sitcoms from the 2011-2012 season, New Girl and Girls. I analyze both series from a third-wave feminist perspective, looking at how each series portrays its respective lead character, Jess and Hannah, and how each series portrays funny women in general. Through these analyses, I ultimately argue that Jess on New Girl represents a much more promising feminist icon than Hannah on Girls. This is mainly because Jess is driven by self-love and self-confidence while Hannah is so defined by her self-hatred that she becomes difficult for viewers to relate. Most disappointingly, I find that female-driven sitcoms use humor as a weapon to discipline its characters. / Literature review -- Critical orientation -- New girl : feminist role model or just another manic pixie dream girl? -- Girls : the future of television or whiny, selfish, entitled brats? / Department of Communication Studies