much true that Sidney based the series on the me he got to know in those last few days : he felt I was schizoid and that ’ s how he came up with the concept . There was the perky me and the corporate executive me and rarely the twain shall meet ” ( 111 ). Sheldon should know : like Duke , he suffered from bipolar disorder , and he used opposing temperaments and behaviors as the basis for the series . He was also interested in delving into the female mind , creating characters of femininity and power that girls could relate to .
The Patty Duke Show typically addresses what research shows are the main topics of teens ’ lives , thoughts , and conversations : romantic relationships and emotional feelings ( Berger 130 ). Each episode begins with some everyday teen crisis , often involving existing or budding romance . Patty has a steady boyfriend , her sweet and loyal but goofy high school beau Richard , but both occasionally dates others , a concession to the conservatism of early-1960s-network programming that avoided hot and steamy teen romances . Sociable and driven by emotion , Patty treats Richard like her best buddy and falls for a different “ dream ” guy each week . Cousin Cathy , by contrast , reads books , enjoys cultural events , reflects , and generally plays the wallflower , relegating romance to a less important place in her life . Each cousin is the other ’ s confidante and friend , doling out advice — except when they ’ re competing — and both interact with unlikely suitors . Because the two look exactly alike , explained as a result of their fathers ’ being twin brothers , appearance — except for a new dress now and then — doesn ’ t matter , an important message for the young female audience grappling with image concerns . Rather , personality is key , enabling youthful viewers to explore the issue of identity . As Patty and Cathy “ try out ” different
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