Anyone who has ever watched "Entourage" could never forget the character Ari Gold. Ruthless, relentless, and determined are some of the only words that could describe this very successful CEO. Ari Gold brings to the table an array of hegemonic ideologies of masculinity. He's in a very powerful position, and is aggressive, opinionated, oppressive, and does not stop until he achieves his goals. Throughout Season 7,, Episode 2 of Entourage, Ari's character can be associated with patriarchy. Ari Gold is a perfect example of what it means to be masculine.
In Season 7, Episode 2, Ari Gold will not stop until he gets what he wants, as always. Ari was trying to strike a deal with Jerry Jones and the NFL to sell their TV rights. Over the phone call, Jerry Jones calls Ari a "Persistent little fella", which Ari confidently responds that he has not became what he was by ever giving up. Throughout the episode, Ari is confident, cocky, and feels like he is always in complete control when dealing with Jerry Jones. Eventually Ari is told that he would not be able to sell the TV rights, but he would be invited to the NFL owners meeting with the possibility of him bringing a new team to the NFL. This news would be EVERY man's dream, and the steps that Ari takes to achieve this outcome portray a masculine way to go about things.
Newman states the hegemonic ideology that male characters are much more likely to "occupy leadership roles, act aggressively, give guidance to or come to the rescue of others, express opinions, asks questions, and achieve their goals" (90). Ari's role throughout this episode fits just about each and every one of those characteristics. Ari is the head of one of the largest media agencies and approaches every situation aggressively until he achieves his goals. When negotiating with Jerry Jones, he even says that you want me to sell those TV rights when Jerry was questioning him. Ari also has no problem expressing his opinions whether they be rude, degrading, or just flat out wrong, especially when they are directed towards his employees.
Ari Gold also has a very oppressive personality, not only towards females but to just about everyone he has a conversation with. He displays patriarchy in that he feels he has the authority over every person he encounters. When Lloyd, one of his gay employees, tries to talk to him, Ari just cuts him off immediately and tells him if he gets rid of the person who wanted the conference call he would make him queen. In another part, Ari is supposed to be spending time with his wife, but ends up clearing his schedule. He then talks down to his wife and just drops her off at the store and heads back to the office. Whey Lizzy asks to sit in on the meeting with the NFL, at first he simply said no because he said "what do women know about the NFL".
Patriarchy is most often equated with men, which is shy Ari is portrayed with an oppressive personality to represent masculinity. It seems that Ari devalues women down to basically sexual objects. This is apparent when Ari says to his wife that he would rather look at nude photos of the artist of the chandelier that they were going to buy. Again, when Ari received the news he may become an owner of an NFL team, the first thing out of his mouth is that he was going to make Lizzy a cheerleader. The common ideology is that cheerleaders wear very little clothing and are there for the men to enjoy while at a pro sporting event.
Johnson says there is patriarchy, especially "gender oppression because men want and like to dominate women and act out hostility towards them" (91). Ari always acts very hostile towards Lloyd, Lizzy, and one of the other female employees in this episode, and many other women and gays in other episodes. Ari has the power to dominate because he is the CEO, and clearly does participate in Patriarchy. Johnson also says that "to live in patriarchy is to breathe in misogynist images of women as objectified sexual property valued primarily usefulness to men" (97). This statement definitely represents the mentality of Ari towards women which is an ideology of patriarchal men. Ari may not seem this way towards his wife in this episode, but in other episodes when Ari and his wife get into an argument, it always ends in Ari making a move to have sex. It seems Ari may be incapable of loving women without "mentally fragmenting them into breasts, buttocks, genitals, and other variously desirable parts" (Johnson 97).
As you can see, Ari gold of "Entourage" fits many hegemonic ideologies of what it means to be masculine. he does not overtly display emotions; he is very aggressive, and ruthless. He is a man with great power and uses his authority to conquer any obstacles in his way. Ari's quest to own an NFL team is every man's dream, which is why I think the producers brought the NFL into the picture to attract more male viewers. Ari will continue using his masculine characteristics to achieve any goal he desires. Ari Gold, is the man.
Ellin, Doug, prod. "Entourage" Season 7 Episode 2 "Buzzed" "Entourage" HBO. 11 July 2010. Television.
Newman, David M. "Chapter 2 and 3. "Identifies and Inequalities: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print
Johnson, Allan G. "Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an Us". The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy. Temple University Press. 1997.
