The local pizza joint is a cultural icon. After diners lost their appeal, pizza parlors picked up the slack. In fact, an article in Smithsonian Magazine said that pizza "is rapidly overtaking the burger as America's favorite food." How do you like that!

Following George Gerbner’s mirror metaphor, I believe that the media reflect what is going on in society. There have been several television shows , past and present, that emphasize this point as it relates to indie pizza joints.

Jane, sidekick of MTV’s "Daria," is shown holding her favorite food.

Anyone who watches MTV’s Daria knows that Miss Geek-to-Chic loves her pie. She and friend Jane frequently discuss their feelings and belittle classmates over some pepperoni pizza. In installment eight of Daria’s web site column, she managed to include pizza in her list of ways to minimize the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. "I plan to lobby for a new Lawndale Light Rail system running between my house, Jane's house, and the pizza place," somebody assuming the personality of the animated character wrote. (I just wanted to make it clear that I know Daria isn’t real.) Jane’s web site goes as far as to offer ratings of fictional indie pizza parlors around their hometown of Lawndale. Pizza King checks in on top, while Pizza Forest claims the bottom spot.

Were they a pop culture faux pas or secret lobbyists for an indie pizza association? Despite the silly name, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles briefly became unsolicited spokespersons for pizza parlors everywhere.

In a scene from their movie, the Turtles represent at a local parlor.

Look for this essay to be expanded in the near future. If you would like to share any ideas, e-mail the publisher at indiepizza@yahoo.com or visit the Indie Pizza Message Board .