"Hegemonic masculinity is necessarily defined only in relation to other less favoured masculinities, to the extent that the 'interplay' among these various forms is key to the functioning of patriachy. Hegemonic masculinity 'marginalises other masculinities and defines other all feminities'. These features can be seen clearly as common elements of police and detective dramas, and hegemonic masculinity and crime dramas are often discussed together. Male characters who do not fit the traditional parameters of masculinity and do not use violence to solve problems are contrasted to the heroic protagonists, illustrating imperfect versions of masculinity that help define and delimit the parameters of the hegemonic ideal"

Rape on Prime Time: Television, Masculinity, and Sexual Violence

 By Lisa M. Cuklanz





http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_p73blXxnE8C&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=crime+dramas+and+hegemony&source=bl&ots=m9eK7vdQSv&sig=RYe0OvbiNHionVqy80tNuc76nQo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tx_AUuHzBsbAhAejioDgAg&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=crime%20dramas%20and%20hegemony&f=false