Forces of change

It is evident between these four television texts, and society in general that there has been a shift in the stereotypes of jocks and geeks. With the spectrum moving from geeks being social outcast to today in which geeks and the 'geek' look is cool and fashionable amongst teens.

In the 90's the geek was typically the outcast in society that was almost always socially awkward, particularly around girls and this existed in both society and was evident in television shows also and represented this way in shows like Dawson's creek and earlier shows. However there was a transition that began, as the geek became that close friend like in felicity and was regarded the 'safe choice' such as with Noel.

Then there was the evolution of the geek stereotype in the early 2000's with technology rapidly advancing and the internet causing a significant shift in what was more of an 'underground hobby' to commonplace in society. This was revealed through the O.C. in early 2000's with Seth Cohen. Seth does despite being a geek, actually has his moments when he does steal limelight and effectively bring the geek to cool, especially when in the Chrismukkah episode when he does end up having two girls fighting over him Ana, and his long time love Summer. Even though Seth was chasing Summer the 'ever so hot popular girl' around for ages, the tides do turn.
This article particularly backs up the turn of the tide with the internet.

Then there is more recently in Friday Night Lights, Landry Clarke who completely breaks the stereotype of the geek. He is initially an academic christian geek who is overly awkward with girls, and ends up almost defying physics so to speak and loosing his virginity to the vixen of the town Tyra and somehow becoming an athlete himself.

This shift has also taken place in society, not just media and they have really reflected each other over time, in the 90's the social segregation between the jock and the nerd was clear whereas today in society fashion is considered wearing glasses, chino's and button up Hawaiian shirts. With almost all teenage boys having a love for video games, cartoons and of course the internet everybody today has a bit of geek in them and this is more commonly expressed and there is less barriers between the geek and what is normal today.

With the Jocks however, they have moved away from being pricks simply because its not just not cool and because not every person that plays sport is a meat head with different goals and life choices those whom do play sport.

This is shown through the shows however less so in society because this has always existed but it has not been as significant because it has molded with the fact of the birth of the internet and personal interests, life choices and university choices etc becoming alot more broad and that those who do play sport don't just play sport but can also be talented in other areas at high school and have further passions.

This is only shown effectively to a high extent in Friday Night Lights, with Matt Saracen as the key person who even after having to step up as quarterback for the Dillon Panthers does not actually have his life revolve around football and does want to attend art school. I speak for myself in agreeing with this statement, in the fact that whilst i do play Rugby and Rowing and am looked upon by society as a Jock there is a lot deeper story, the fact that I do play video games (rather too much) and i work hard in my academics that i am passionate about and wish to study a co-joint degree in university of law and bachelor of commerce and i really am too addicted to the internet and gadgets and even manga and cartoons. That because somebody plays or loves a sport at a high level does not mean they are a jock and these stereotypes have faded in society to some extent and in the Friday Night Lights the characters are known on a personal level and this is brought out that they are complicated individuals, just like me and not just another 'Jock'.