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[Men_in_Boxes]

Everyman" in literature refers to a character archetype that represents an ordinary, relatable individual. This character embodies the struggles, virtues, and flaws that many people experience, allowing audiences to easily identify with them.

Are there any popular working class heroes in pop culture today? (Music, TV, Film...)

 

[Digital-Aftertaste]

Does Chidi from The Good Place count?

 

[HRK69]

Asking "where's the Everyman in pop culture?" is like asking where water is in the ocean

If you can't spot them, it says more about your understanding of storytelling than it does about pop culture

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

If you can't spot them...

Obviously the question is more nuanced than this. The question was presented in a vague form but was clearly meant as a way to compare how popular the everyman was in the 70s - 80s compared to today. Bruce Springsteen was arguably the most popular musical act on planet earth for a time. Rocky spawned 7 sequels as the central character. Rosanne was the number one comedy in America for a time.

Do we value this archetype as much today as we did back then?

 

[HRK69]

Obviously the question is more nuanced than this. The question was presented in a vague form but was clearly meant as a way to compare how popular the everyman was in the 70s - 80s compared to today. Bruce Springsteen was arguably the most popular musical act on planet earth for a time. Rocky spawned 7 sequels as the central character. Rosanne was the number one comedy in America for a time.

Do we value this archetype as much today as we did back then?

Ah, there it is, the classic "everything was better in my day" pivot

Yes, Bruce, Rocky, and Roseanne were huge because culture was narrower, media was limited, and mass relatability was easier when fewer voices were at the table

Today's Everymen still exist but they're just not wrapped in the comforting 70s/80s packaging you're nostalgic for

Pretending it's some cultural decline instead of cultural expansion is lazy thinking, not deep analysis

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Ah, there it is, the classic "everything was better in my day" pivot

Nope.

Thread was merely an attempt to spur conversation. Don't get so defensive.

 

[poppabk]

The Night Agent was huge on Netflix.

 

[Mistake]

Asking "where's the Everyman in pop culture?" is like asking where water is in the ocean

If you can't spot them, it says more about your understanding of storytelling than it does about pop culture

If it's so easy, then just answer the question

 

[GnomeChimpsky]

Cynicism won out, so unfortunately they're few and far between. You can have some earnest and sympathetic characters here or there but someone will inevitably swoop in and decimate them. Good examples are Poe and Finn from Star Wars.

 

[AJUMP23]

All those chis actors in Hollywood are the Everyman.

 

[Dacvak]

I dunno, I'd say Bill Burr.

 

[Tams]

The main protagonist in Adolescence.

 

[YCoCg]

There's loads in the music space, as much as I dislike his music Lewis Capaldi is just your generic lad.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

All those chis actors in Hollywood are the Everyman.

 

[HRK69]

If it's so easy, then just answer the question

Sure

Homer Simpson
Jim Halpert (The Office)
Sam Wilson (The Falcon from the MCU)
Arthur Morgan
Miles Morales
Walter White
Carmen Berzatto (The Bear)
Tyler Durden

 

[calico]

Depicting an 'everyman' (or woman), would require either depicting a morally good white man or implying that a woman/minority can possess flaws. Either would be considered sacrilegious to most of the people creating Western media. The 'everyperson' is typically also family oriented, which they also hate.

 

[BigDeadFreak]

Sure

Homer Simpson
Jim Halpert (The Office)
Sam Wilson (The Falcon from the MCU)
Arthur Morgan
Miles Morales
Walter White
Carmen Berzatto (The Bear)
Tyler Durden

The fact that I had to look half of those people up and the other half haven't been relevant for a decade or more says everything. Also, when you're listing comic book heroes as an example of a relatable everyman you're proving the point the the OP was making.

 

[Connificent]

 

[jufonuk]

Jay from modern family also. But his wife is smoking and Everyman (who is straight) wishes the same thing

 

[SJRB]

 

[DKehoe]

Jack Quaid's character in the recent film Novocaine had an extraordinary ability but was an everyman character.

 

[Connificent]

Jack Quaid's character in the recent film Novocaine had an extraordinary ability but was an everyman character.

 

[Trunx81]

Tom Holland and Pedro Pascal

Right now they are playing every man

 

[SJRB]

Tom Holland and Pedro Pascal

Right now they are playing every man

Both too testosterone-deficient to be even called a man.

 

[winjer]

Jason Statham playing himself in every movie, in every job imaginable.

 

[Great Auk]

Sure

Homer Simpson
Jim Halpert (The Office)
Sam Wilson (The Falcon from the MCU)
Arthur Morgan
Miles Morales
Walter White
Carmen Berzatto (The Bear)
Tyler Durden

My list is:

Donald Duck
Clark Kent
Bill Cosby
Ted Bundy
Mohamed (the original)

 

[kpopSuperstar]

Ah, there it is, the classic "everything was better in my day" pivot

Yes, Bruce, Rocky, and Roseanne were huge because culture was narrower, media was limited, and mass relatability was easier when fewer voices were at the table

Today's Everymen still exist but they're just not wrapped in the comforting 70s/80s packaging you're nostalgic for

Pretending it's some cultural decline instead of cultural expansion is lazy thinking, not deep analysis

I don't buy this narrative anymore. If you compare the top 100 movies and music per year in the 80s and 90s to our time, there is a notable diffetence.

Things have become more over-produced and corporate as the internet took over and tools become easier.

Music is still ok if you look into the bands outside the charts, simply because of the sheer amount of it, but movies have stagnated. We are in the worst movie bubble in decades.

 

[jshackles]

Jason Statham playing himself in every movie, in every job imaginable.

Was gonna say exactly this. His latest movie is literally called "The Working Man", where he plays a construction foreman.

 

[DKehoe]

Was gonna say exactly this. His latest movie is literally called "The Working Man", where he plays a construction foreman.

Yeh but the character is a former special forces operative. I've not seen it yet but it seemed like the premise of the film is that he looks like an ordinary guy but is actually a super cool badass.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

This is who we got. Be satisfied.

 

[m14]

The modern everyman takes great delight in eschewing toxic masculinity. And looks fabulous in a dress.

 

[Ikutachi]

Jason Segel played the role well.

 

[DeafTourette]

Depicting an 'everyman' (or woman), would require either depicting a morally good white man or implying that a woman/minority can possess flaws. Either would be considered sacrilegious to most of the people creating Western media. The 'everyperson' is typically also family oriented, which they also hate.

Flaws in black and brown people on TV? You think there aren't any?

Poppa's House
The Neighborhood
The Chicago Shows
911
Ghosts


That's just off the top of my head some of the Everyman protagonists who work blue collar/first responder type jobs that are on now

 

[Trunx81]

Jason Segel played the role well.

Then we have to add Kevin James as well

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

I have watched this thread from a 1,000 ft view.

The everyman is dead. Ring the bells.

 

[March Climber]

I have watched this thread from a 1,000 ft view.

The everyman is dead. Ring the bells.

You're speaking to a forum with an older, mostly jaded demographic who don't really look into new I.P. often due to a multitude of reasons, with one big one being nostalgia.

Maybe Reddit, X, or Twitch will answer your question. And this is not me secretly telling you to leave, I'm honestly saying that Reddit, X, or Twitch will actually give you better answers with good lists.

 

[Codes 208]

 

[Doom85]

Man, I wish I liked this show more, but the two younger kids I find beyond obnoxious. The mom is also kind of whatever. Bob and Tina were the only good characters of the family IMHO.