The pursuit of fortune has always been a pivotal influencer across pop culture, diving into those and giving audiences an idea of what might happen when someone wins big.
The idea of instant wealth has always been an alluring fantasy for everyday working people. Winning the Powerball jackpot could alleviate financial constraints and fulfill dreams that might not otherwise be possible. It’s a narrative that has been weaved into pop culture as newfound wealth can have a heartwarming ending or, on the flip side, tell a cautionary tale. Different mediums in pop culture take this idea for a spin because it’s a notion that resonates across movies, TV, and music. The pursuit of fortune and how characters can be affected is an intriguing story to tell.
You don’t have to look too far in the streaming TV menu to find popular television shows with tales of jackpot winning adventures. And as a society, we can’t wait to see what happens next with big spending, luxury cars, and pitfalls that challenge the main character arcs.
Maybe you remember the show, Rosanne, with Rosanne Barr and John Goodman. Throughout the series, fans resonated with the TV family’s financial struggles and celebrated when they found out they won millions in the local jackpot drawing.
There’s also a reason so many viewers tune into HGTV’s My Lottery Dream Home. It’s impressive to see the over-the-top house hunting the host David Bromstad takes his jackpot-winning guests on throughout the high-profile suburbs. And viewers can’t help but envision themselves embarking on similar adventures.
Once money enters the picture, the complex nature of people, their moral centers, and their relationships with one another rise to the surface. Movies about winning big explore hope, ambition, and opportunity that reflect society’s interest in the allure of fortune.
The beloved and well-known movie, It Could Happen to You, with Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda, tells a story about a winning lottery ticket and the journey it takes these two characters on. It’s a tale that explores both greed AND integrity, but they do eventually get their happy ending.
In one of the newest multi-million dollar winning movies, Jerry and Marge Go Large try to use their earnings to revive their small town in Michigan. Starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Benning, this “feel good” movie will have you rooting for the underdogs. It explores how people’s intentions can be good on one side and selfish on the other. So, who really “wins” when all is said and done? You’ll have to watch to find out!
You might be surprised how many times winning the Powerball, or other jackpot drawings, has been mentioned across numerous genres of music. The notion of winning something, which seems so random at times but can have a major life impact, touches on themes of ambition, desire, success, and financial stability. These are all relatable feelings. Music connects people, and the pursuit of happiness and comfort in life is something everyone wants to attain. By including these ideas in lyrics through dynamic storytelling, musical artists capture the imagination of their listeners.
In Penelope by Wave Child, the lyrics say, “Why don't we stop by the 7/11 Powerball's up to 99 mill.”
Michelle Chamuel uses playing the lottery as a metaphor for taking risks with love in the song Lottery. Even though love is tough at times, sometimes all you need is a little luck.
The popular hit by the Barenaked Ladies, If I Had a Million Dollars goes into great detail about all the things the singer would buy if he had a large amount of money. Everything from sensible items like a house, to completely random like an emu.
The concept of winning a life-changing jackpot has been a pop-culture phenomenon dating back decades. The dream of being a Powerball winner is an attainable fantasy and it influences movies, TV, and music in various ways. It resonates with audiences across multiple platforms because it inspires the audience to play their luck in the pursuit of fortune. Play Powerball today!