A "Made for TV" Family
In Sag Harbor’s chapter “To Prevent Flare-Ups,” Benji describes his family as “Made for TV,” and as a “Cosby Family.” Both of these phrases have double meanings in the narrative–one is intentional, while the duality of the other was only added years after the book was published. The intentional hidden meaning comes in with the title, “Made for TV Family.” The upfront interpretation of this is that Benji’s family is the perfect sitcom formula–working upper-middle class parents, three kids, and respectable reputations. To the outside eye, they seem perfectly pleasant and harmonious. However–now the second meaning of a “Made for TV Family” comes into play–in reality, Benji’s family is highly dysfunctional. Their interactions are charged and tense, as they constantly teeter on the edge of the dad having a flare-up due to his alcoholism and mercurial moods. They don’t talk about their feelings with each other, they don’t spend time together, and the most physical contact they share is a