Are Shows Just Art Imitating Life, Or Life Imitating Art?

Published: Friday, July 7, 2017 - 3:57pm
Updated: Monday, July 10, 2017 - 11:48am
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In the latest season of the hit Netflix show "House of Cards," there are some scenes that seem a little too close to real life these days. 

The new season has people asking if the show’s writers could somehow predict a Trump presidency or an election clouded by questions over Russian collusion, and even, if our own Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego’s life is playing out on television in the character of Alex Romero.

In the UK’s "Black Mirror," the dystopian plot lines seem to often predict things to come — from the stress of social media — to a show in which a cartoon character runs for Prime Minister.

So, is life imitating pop culture?

To dig into this, I sat down with Julia Himberg, who teaches Film and Media Studies at Arizona State University.

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