Masculinity in TV shows is very often depicted by the perfect male character who exudes confidence around his peers, is able to take control of his life, is a charming gentleman to female characters, is an intelligent, street-smart person, and has an honest heart.

Yet these characteristics are never perfectly in agreement with real-life characteristics of men. Shows like “Revolution” and “Smallville” represent this particular type of masculine stereotype. However, two notable exceptions represent a contrast to the stereotypical plotline: “Boy Meets World,” a television series that ran from 1993 to 2000, and “The Big Bang Theory,” a show that is currently on air on prime time TV, and began in 2007. The male characters on “Boy Meets World” and “The Big Bang Theory” represent a type of “anti-hero” that is gradually evolving into a new type of hero and a new brand of “masculinity” in the 21st century.

“Revolution,” a series currently on air on NBC, is set in a post-apocalyptic American landscape where a future revolution is premised to take place between two major warring factions. It portrays masculinity through a male character, Miles, who possesses the attributes of the “perfect hero” — one who is chivalrous, honest, quick-witted, with a deep-hearted personality. Miles constantly displays his quick wit, his ability to plan attacks, and honesty toward fellow comrades. However, in real life, not every male has such attributes. Real-life dangerous situations force people to make life-altering decisions, and often these situations bring out the “inner hero” in “ordinary” people, a different kind of heroism than what’s depicted in “Revolution.”

The TV series “Smallville,” which ran on the CW Television Network from 2001 to 2011, portrayed masculinity through the lens of a superhero. “Smallville” was based on the famous Superman DC comics, which featured Superman as the prototypical male hero who was destined to save the world, with superpowers unparalleled by the human race. Members of his clan also make it to Earth, and “Smallville” unfolds by revealing Clark Kent, the Superman, with super strength, chivalry, intelligence, and charm.

In this show, the villain, Lex Luthor, is portrayed as a sublime enemy who is conniving and conceals his hidden agenda by appearing friendly. Although an insecure individual, he has enormous lust for power and desires to attain superhuman powers like Clark. Gradually, throughout the show, Lex’s character grows darker and more sinister as he attempts to seize everything that Clark holds most dear to him – Clark’s closest friends, his lady love, and Earth. He tricks the hero into letting his guard down, then attacks him at his weak moment. Throughout the show, the diabolical nature of Lex forces Clark who wants to be normal, to reveal his true ability — the one who holds firm to his morals and convictions defending all of humanity — that of a Superman. Clark Kent’s nature is similar to that of Miles Matherson in “Revolution.” Both characters have a chivalrous side, combined with a need to defend loved ones, close friends, and family. They encounter antagonists who initially were “allies,” but eventually turned sinister due to their lust for everlasting power.

In contrast to these heroic fantasy worlds is “Boy Meets World” — a series that aired from 1993 to 1999. The show follows the journey of two male childhood friends, Shawn and Cory, who experience the difficulties of life in high school, college, and eventually, their mid-adult life. The show ends centered around their adult life, and the main characters reflect upon their life-lessons learned, especially those emphasized by their beloved schoolteacher, Mr. George Feeny. The boys “transform” from naïve, fun-loving teenagers, into mature young adults seeking bright futures for themselves.

During their journey through their high school and college years, both Shawn and Cory are faced with several adversities that ultimately test their character. Shawn is afflicted with large familial crises twice during his life: when he was born, his mother abandoned him, and as a college student his father dies of heart attack. These two events force Shawn to reflect back on his life, and discover his purpose and goals. Cory is faced with the decision to continue college education, or marry the love of his life and start a new chapter in New York City. As the years pass, the boys begin to mature, and their characters deepen and become more adult-like. The ability to learn from mistakes, gain wisdom, and transform one’s own character is just as heroic as defending loved ones from danger. It involves the ability to suppress impulsive actions and act on rationality. The male characters in “Boy Meets World” are just as heroic as Miles Matherson in “Revolution” or Clark Kent in “Smallville,” because they have the ability to change their habits and learn from their past mistakes. Humans are often characterized as advanced mammals as a result of their ability to learn from mistakes, without the explosive heroics depicted in superhero shows.

The TV show “The Big Bang Theory” is one of the prime challenges to male stereotypes in sitcoms. It features four physicists who live together, and an attractive waitress who lives across from their apartment. The show bends the stereotypes of men and women living near each other, the idea of attraction between men and women, and the notion of love and seduction.

Sheldon Cooper, the main character in the show, is an eccentric theoretical physicist, who initially does not have any desire for love, who often engrosses himself in his field of research. “The Big Bang Theory” pursues the idea of masculinity in a different way, entwining scientific passion and passionate love together into a thrilling comedy that portrays the geeky, studious, and spirited nature of each character. Three of the male characters eventually fall in love; however, their dogged scientific pursuit of knowledge of the natural universe still continues throughout the show. The show also depicts these physicists as nerds, who often spend time together sharing their common interests, while their lovers stand aloof, not understanding the deep friendships and the passion for science between the male characters of the show (with the exception of Sheldon’s girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler). The four physicists in “The Big Bang Theory” are nothing like the male characters in “Boy Meets World.” Although two of the physicists are successful in relationships, their interests are mainly related to their scientific passion. Cory and Shawn in “Boy Meets World,” on the other hand, don’t care much about school and education until the consequences of their ignorance reveal education’s true importance in their lives.

Shows like “Boy Meets World” and “The Big Bang Theory” have increasingly diversified primetime television’s depictions of male characters and the image of male heroic protagonists. The main male characters from “Boy Meets World” are heroes in their own right, as they embody the human capacity to learn and gain wisdom from adversities experienced in their youth. In “The Big Bang Theory,” the four physicists are not exactly “heroes,” however, despite their imperfections and deviations from the “perfect male” stereotype seen in several TV series, the characters depicted are intelligent and have varied personalities, which makes them just as amazing as the “perfect male” would be. In my opinion, shows portraying real-life male “heroes,” with multiple facets, realistic attributes, and plotlines involving the successes and failures of life, should be more frequent in 21st century media. Through such shows, viewers — especially teens — would be able to comprehend the challenges of real life and be inspired to discover their personal identities and their purpose in life.