Some heroes or icons do not represent values and morals reflected by dominant social group, but they are still appealing –why?

I would like to use the example of religion in general for this question. I work with a college girl who we will call Lee. Lee talks to everyone about the Lord and how she has been “saved” and “you too should be saved or you will burn in hell”. There are also two gay guys that work in the same location as we do that she is constantly making comments to. She will look for opportunities to make comments about them and tell them they are going to hell. She wears a cross necklace and has emblems on her car. The other day some people in the store were discussing where Friday night’s adventure was going to take place. Lee throws her two cents in an begins talking about her love of Amaretto Sours and how she was so wasted last week that she was sick. She continued on for a good ten minutes talking about her experiences of this nature. I find it humorous that many people I have met use religion to fight things that they morally do not believe, but ignore the path that are supposed to follow. I mention this story because I believe the taboo is what appeals to most mainstream people. I found the article you sent us confirming. In the current TV ratings, Desperate Housewives has the highest ratings in the “Bible Belt” along the conservative states. Desperate Housewives is a show of murder, deceit, promiscuity, horrible parenting and many taboo issues. People who do not participate in those activities love the excitement that they bring. It’s safe to watch and not participate. Many shows now emulate the feelings that most people feel and not what they say or do. The example would be comparing Family Ties to Everybody Loves Raymond. People watched Family Ties and felt warm and fuzzy when Alex worked things out through good communication with his family. Everybody Loves Raymond is a popular TV show –Raymond is known for his typical “male absentmindedness” and his wife portrays the typical “controlling housewife”. He uses humor and says he is sorry and the show ends with them making up. Sort of the same idea, but with a current era twist.