Canceled Too Soon

Some of you might be interested in an article posted on MSNBC this morning.

11 Shows That Were Canceled Way Too Soon

There are a lot of great shows mentioned here.  I’d particularly recommend My So-Called Life, Wonderfalls and Freaks and Geeks, but you really can’t go wrong with any of these.

Blog 11: Essay 2 Topic

Sitcoms have been around for seventy years but with every decade, new themes begin to emerge to fit the social and political issues of that time. Consequently, I decided that for my essay, I would narrow my subject to a subgenre and I picked the nuclear family sitcom, which started in the 1950’s but became even more popular during the 1990’s.

Even though sitcom themes have changed over the decades, the essence of the sitcom genre has ultimately remained the same and in turn, the nuclear family sitcom as well. Sitcoms are formally characterized by a few things. One of its signature features is the use of a boxed set, where three walls constitute the actual set of the show while the audience becomes the missing “fourth wall”. Sitcoms are also unique in the fact that when episodes are filmed in the studio, there is a live audience watching from the sidelines, producing the ever-popular laugh track. This laugh track is also another characteristic of sitcoms and its existence is to not only define the comedic parts of the sitcom but also socially influence the audience to join in on the laughter. In doing so, sitcoms provide a pseudo theatrical atmosphere for its audience, creating a “‘sitcom naturalism’ [that]…traditionally serves to distinguish the sitcom and its pleasures from other forms as clearly as possible” (Mills 100-101).

In addition, the nuclear family sitcom has become its own subgenre during the 1950’s with titles such as Father Knows Best and Leave It to Beaver entering television to re-introduce the ideals of family life after WWII.  The nuclear family theme was then revived during the late 80’s and early 90’s; shows like Full House, Cosby Show, and Boy Meets World are just a few examples (Morreale 265-266).

Within this subgenre, certain characteristics can be extracted as well. One feature is the existence of the nuclear family, which is defined as “the fundamental unit of social organization in urban industrial America” (qtd. in Cho). The nuclear family defines the predominant views of America during the 1950’s; this meant a patriarchal family, where the father is the head of the household who governs the public sphere while the mother tends to her children in the private sphere. There is a separate distinction between the male and female gender and every action is governed by these “rules”. The nuclear family also signifies everything that is good about the family life despite any bumps along the way – love, trust, security, and a sense of belongingness (Cho).

Criticisms, however, exist for the nuclear family sitcom. One concern, for instance, is that the nuclear family portrayed in this subgenre is too “happy” of a family without any dysfunctional features (Morreale 266). Critics say that the nuclear family, in essence, was an invented concept in the 1950’s used by America to promote materialistic consumption and provide social stability after the war. Therefore, these families don’t really exist in the world we live in (Cho). The myth of the happy family also results in conflicts having a guaranteed resolution at the end of each episode (Morreale 270). As such, nuclear family sitcoms fail to connect to its audience with its lack of “realness”.

Works Cited:

Cho, Dawn. Everybody Loves Family Ties: The (De)evolution of the American Situation Comedy. Diss. University of Calgary, Calgary, 2007. Print.

Mills, Brett. “New Jokes: Kath and Kim, and Recent Global Sitcom”. Metro Magazine 140 (2004): 100-103. Print.

Morreale, Joanne. Critiquing the Sitcom: A Reader. New York: Syracuse University Press, 2003. Print.

Brainstorm

~My genre of choice is Reality Television.

~Critical Viewing: a term used to describe the way the audiences evaluate and interpret the media. (Annette Hill)

~People enjoy watching Reality Television shows because they are interested in comparing how they interconnect with their own lives and circumstances. (Annette Hill)

~One challenge for Reality Television shows is in the way that they portray the lives of ordinary people. The audience wants to see these people in a good, well-represented light.

~Shows of Influence: Real World, An American Family, Teen Mom, Jersey Shore, The Hills, Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, American Idol.

~I’m going to either further examine Jersey Shore or An American Family.

🙂

Blog 11- Reality TV

I am sure I will not be alone in my choice to discuss reality television as the topic for my second essay.  I’ve really enjoyed the discussions we’ve had in class about the difficulty of defining reality TV, as well as its critical issues.  Although I’ve never been a fan of watching reality TV, I actually have really enjoyed analyzing it and reading others’ analyses of the genre.

The first thing to cover in the essay is the formal qualities of the genre.  As we read and as we discussed in class, the qualities of reality television vary greatly across the different shows that make up the genre.  Therefore, it is difficult to say which are the formal qualities of the genre.  In my opinion, there are a few requirements for a show to be considered reality TV—that is, it must portray real people and their genuine reactions.  Though the situations they are in may be contrived, their reactions and interactions with each other should never be scripted.  In my essay I will also discuss some of the characteristics that many reality shows display, but that are not necessarily requirements for the genre.  An example is an aspect of schadenfreude, which is pleasure at the misfortune of others.  I will also talk about the different types of reality shows and the general characteristics of each.

This also plays in as one of the critical issues of the genre—the aspect of humiliation that is ever-present in reality shows.  I will discuss the fact that this is why many people really enjoy reality TV, but also may push away some viewers (like me).  I will also talk about the casting process and the fact that even though producers do not have control over what the cast will say because the show is not scripted, they do have some control over what will happen by the way they cast the show with personalities they know will clash, and they also control what actually ends up on the air by editing the show in that showcases the most dramatic moments (fights, breakups, “dumb blonde” comments, etc.).

Another issue, which may be where critique is poised to go in the future, is the way that reality shows seem to be getting more and more extreme.  The humiliation or entertainment value of reality shows of the past is just not good enough anymore—if it’s been done before, general audiences won’t be interested in it, so producers must keep adding “catches” and other shock-value aspects to their newest shows.  They must keep taking the humiliation factor to new levels in order to surprise viewers and keep them coming back.  I will talk about the implications this has for the future of the genre.

I don’t know much about the history of the genre (or even really the current state of it, since I don’t watch reality TV), so this will be something I’ll have to research.  I know from the readings that An American Family (1973) was the first ever reality show, so I will definitely discuss that, and compare the reality shows of the past and the way that people reacted to them, compared to now.  I haven’t decided which reality show I will use to apply all of these concepts… I’m open to suggestions!

Blog 11: Reality or PTS?

I’m really torn to do a sitcom, reality show, or a primetime show. I feel that there would be so much more to talk about in a reality-based show and in a PTS since we’ve discussed those more thoroughly. However, now that I think about it, I don’t really understand what ‘formal concerns’ are as much as I do know about ‘critical issues.’ For me, critical issues deals with the issues or themes that the show brings up and its criticisms. For formal concerns, I feel as though that part makes up the productive traits of why it is that specific genre or how those characteristics are unique to that genre (i.e. reality or primetime drama). Am I wrong?

Well, if I was to do a reality-based show I would definitely pick the Jersey Shore because it’s everything but ordinary. I would explain for the first half of the paper of what is needed or incorporated into a reality-based program. It would touch on: the type and modes of production, the impact on viewers, the types of characters casted, and the set-up of the setting (focused around the formal concerns–which are the main descriptions and reasons of what a reality-based show is like); and furthermore the social and interpersonal relation issues, marxist and consumerist views, cultural impacts, family-based issues, and the negative and positive criticisms based around the genre (critical issues). I could also compare this to past examples such as An American Family or The Osbournes. For the second half of the paper, I would delve into the specifics of how and why these reasons relate to the Jersey Shore by giving primary resources of possibly 2-3 episodes as well as secondary sources to back my claims and emphasize criticisms meant for that specific show.

If I was to do a PTS I would choose Modern Family. Again, for the first half of the paper, I would need to break down the the formal concerns, which include breaking down the productive form of PTS (such as the in-depth narrative, multiple storylines, number of beats, plot structure, camera production, and type of characters). To examine the critical issues, I would present the types of issues or themes that the genre usually incorporates, its impact on viewers, possible marxist views, and the criticisms for that genre as well as that show. Once more, I would relate these ideas specifically to Modern Family for the second half, however, I would provide a brief narrative of one episode as an example of the three layers of a PTS. I could also compare and contrast the ways that the show utilizes traditional PTS characteristics to its modern day twist of production. I don’t think I would use a past example of a PTS because talking about the narrative form could be very detailed and take up room.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please mention them because I will gladly take them. I’m just a little confused on all the factors that should be included for the formal concerns and critical issues. Thank you!

Essay 2 Brainstorming

I think I will write my second essay on reality television. I will try to define the genre and address the fact there are even sub-genres within reality television, such as shows that follow people in their real lives as well as those shows that are formatted more like a competition. I also want to point out that it is difficult to define this relatively new genre because such a wide variety of programs fit within this genre.

For the most part, we know that reality television invades someones privacy in some shape or form. For the most part, it is unscripted with no one playing a “character” (they may include actors, but they are not actually acting in the show, they are “being themselves”).

Some programs I might bring up as examples of reality television are The Bachelor, Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Survivor,  Big Brother, Say Yes to the Dress, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, and American Idol. These examples showcase the wide variety of reality programs on television today.

I also think that another important factor that I should bring up is that reality television is becoming more popular. This could be due to the fact that many viewers are becoming addicted to them. I believe that audiences are drawn to reality television because they enjoy watching others being publicly humiliated. Maybe it makes them feel better themselves and their lives or they just need a good laugh that sitcom comedies cannot provide.

Another explanation for the rise of reality programs could simply be due to the fact that they are much cheaper to produce because there is no need for formal writers or actors.

“Comedy”

The genre that i‘m thinking of doing is Comedy. I think comedy can be used in so many different ways. There are multiple genres when it comes to comedy and humor. Some of the genres are Black comedy deals with disturbing subjects such as death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war. Some dark comedy is similar to the horror movie genre. Blue Comedy where comedy is based on sexism, racism and homophobic views, often using sexual jokes and profane language words. Observational comedy pokes fun at everyday life, often by inflating the importance of trivial things or by observing the silliness of something that society accepts as normal. Insult comedy is a form of comedy which consists mainly of offensive insults directed at the performer’s audience and/or other performers. Sitcom is a comedy drama creating a comic situation which develops over a longer period of time than a sketch commonly found as television series. Character comedy derives humor from a personality invented by a performer. Much character comedy comes from stereotypes.

There’s shows like the chapelle show for example is a show where he presents multiple genres some being listed above all within a hourly show where he picks at and exemplify issues within our society but adds his own humor to it, but these are issues we see in our daily lives which makes it that much more interesting and funny because most of his reenactments are problems or issues the we’ve seen or experienced ourselves. At the point and time it occurred in reality it might not have seemed so funny but when presented in a comedy form it’s the funniest thing ever. I really don’t understand but that just how we operate these days.

The genre sometimes get a lot of negative feedback as well because if the issues they present and how they are exemplified. For example, Dave Chapelle did a skit on the KKK being that it’s the KKK to begin with will bring up issues but he turned a serious racial group and simply made it a comedy to where people of all races would find humor in it. However, there are the other people who take offense to things like and voice their opinion about the issues presented.

Sitcoms, Stand up comedies, films, and the list can go on. You can just about take any other genre and add some form of comedy within it. Comedy is a very flexible genre and doesn’t really follow particular guidelines just as long as it some type of humor in it. Comedy is really what you make it and how its presented. Simple TV shows such as family matters or full house where they have laugh tracks normally because they’re adding humor to it, which is another form of comedy that probably goes unnoticed in TV shows. Comedy is everywhere and can be found in just about anything from big motion picture film and a simple 10 second commercial.

Essay 2 Blog

For my next paper I think I want to write about sitcoms. The main reason for this is that my favorite show of all time is Friends, a very traditional sitcom. As most of us know, Friends was an extremely successful sitcom that went on for ten seasons. Friends did so well that by the end of the shows run, each of the six stars of the show were making a million dollars and episode.

I can explain how friends and some other shows are typical sitcoms because they use laugh tracks, focus on a family unit, and use a fourth wall. I can also use some of the nontraditional characteristics of friends to explain how it breaks the norm of the sitcom genre.

I will be able to use some of the readings we did during class to support my paper. I can use the readings to explain the typical characteristics of the genre as well as explain how the genre has changed so much over time. I plan on exploring shows that I have never heard of before so I can really get to the roots of the genre and how it has developed over time. I have watched a lot of television, but I know I still have so much to learn.

With the use of secondary sources, I hope to gain a better understanding of what I am trying to write about. By doing a lot of research, I will be able to explain the sitcom genre and its themes, concerns, and formal characteristics. As Tania told us, the use of critical considerations of the genre, works on genre history, and critiques of specific shows within the genre that demonstrate common critical approaches will greatly help me write my paper.

I am looking forward to writing this paper because I think I will learn about I genre that a greatly enjoy. Although Friends is my favorite show ever, one of my new favorites if Modern Family. I can use modern Family in my paper as an example of how sitcoms have changed so much over time. As I pointed out, a main characteristic of sitcoms is the focus on the family unit. This is the case in Modern Family, but in a nontraditional way. There is the gay couple, an older man married to a younger woman, and then the traditional husband and wife with two children.

Since the sitcom genre has changed a lot over time, there is so much to be explored and I look forward to doing it in my paper.

Blog 10: Brainstorming for Genre Study

Blog 10 Brainstorming for Genre Study Paper

With the coming of television, we have seen several genres evolve throughout the decades. Comedy, Reality Television, Teen TV, Drama, amongst several others. When we look at Drama, we see a genre that has truly evolved over time to include, teen drama, soaps, historical or documentary style television and even Procedural Drama. The latter truly sparked my interest after our discussion in class and after taking an Italian Detective Fiction course freshman year.

In this paper, I will begin by briefly describing the Crime Procedural Drama genre. In order to do so, I will identify the genre’s characteristics and will then identify and discuss the issues that this genre particularly addresses. After laying the groundwork information and background of the Crime Procedural Drama, I will refer back its general characteristics by identifying different types of television programs in this genre. To conclude this genre study, I will analyze how CSI, Crime Scene Investigation, exemplifies the characteristics of this genre and it what ways it challenges the general form and structure of this genre.

The Crime Procedural Drama genre, as we discussed in class, encompasses two distinct areas. The first, the crime and or police procedural; the second being the medical procedural. Crime procedurals, or otherwise known as the U.S. police procedural, began in the late 1940s and since then it has brought about a variety of social issues along with physical action (Butler).

Historically speaking, the crime procedural drama had approximately 42 programs premiering within the 1970s. In this time period, many of the characters were increasingly individualistic and a bit quirky reaching more of the point of private detectives, rather than Dragnet which drew on court cases and “presenting just the facts.” In this same decade, the distinction between police and criminal became much more blurred as the criminals were so effectively undercover and masqueraded that they, themselves, could be criminals as well. This places cops and the police of the crime procedurals in a “higher moral plain” and not in the conventional lifestyle of the criminals seen in the past (Butler).

Considering the height of the procedural was in the 1970s, new and innovative strategies and issues were introduced to the genre. Serials and shows, such as Quincy, incorporated the medical discourse as well as a younger cast that essentially represented vitality and force that is often associated with the film noir. These representations were not only seen in the characters but also in the settings of many of these programs. For example, in the 1980s, Miami Vice, which brought issues such as moral ambiguity to the spectrum, also included high contrasts, dissymmetrical compositions, extreme angles, foreground obstructions, and many more imagery from film. In terms of issues, not only is medical discourse introduced, but the moral ambiguity of sexual roles, violence, as well as the portrayal of women as victim, criminal, and investigator (Butler).

These setting elements were part of the drivers for these procedural narratives. Many of these narratives are mazes that negotiate on an organized maze itself. One can say that crime procedural drama is a variant of the detective story (Harriss). All in all, a mystery is trying to be solved and the mystery is yet another variant to the detective story. Procedurals essentially allow the viewer to relate to the procedure of disseminating the crime. As Harriss points out, the procedure is based on the prescribed professions of the investigators whether they are police detectives or forensic scientists (Harriss). This is something that can be exemplified in the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation because it incorporates the resolution of a murder but it engages the viewer by incorporating technology and forensic science to the police procedure.

Works Cited:

Butler, Jeremy G., “Police Programs.” MBC. The Museum of Broadcast Communications, 2011. Web. 17 March 2011. <http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=policeprogra&gt;

Harriss, Chandler. “Policing Propp: Toward a Textualist Definition of the Procedural Drama.” Journal of Film and Video 60.1 (2008): 43-59. Project MUSE. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. <http://muse.jhu.edu/&gt;.

Essay 2 outline

For essay two, I am interested in writing about reality television, since I find myself tuning to it more often times than not. The appeal of reality television comes in many different forms, and its most entertaining aspect is different for each viewer. Some believe that the ability to connect with cast members or contestants allows for an intriguing and intimate connection to the program; others are pulled by the fast-paced and unpredictable aspect of real life drama and controversy that are manifested by the situations and experiences of the characters and cast members. Either way, the genre of reality television is multi-faceted, and can be extremely interesting to analyze.

For this essay, a complete and thorough explanation of what reality television entails is required, which will need to touch upon the various types of reality television that are available for the viewership, as well as characteristics that are associated with the genre. For instance, shows such as Americas Most Smartest Model and Jersey Shore are both examples of reality television, but both are quite different in their formal characteristics. A common balance can be seen between the two, however, and this can be used to define the genre of reality television.

Furthermore, the major critical concerns associated with the genre would include aspects such as the representation of truth and authenticity, the exhibition of arguments, and depiction of characters and situations, and revelations of the characters and cast members. Additionally, the history of the genre of reality television will be explored. It would also be interesting to look at the similarities and differences between documentary television and reality television as we discussed earlier in class as the history of reality television may have stemmed from the documentary style of television.

Lastly, some shows that can be used to exemplify the genre include television programs such as Teen Mom, Jersey Shore, The Real World, and the classic, An American Family. The various aspects, considerations, and constraints associated with the genre of reality television can be explored equally in each of the shows through explanation of why the shows are considered reality television, and what advantages and enjoyments they bring to the viewership.

Since subgenres also need to be taken into account, research and analysis of the reality television genre can be limited to either a game show type of reality show where contestants are competing for a prize of some sort, or to a dramatic reality television series such as The Hills, or Laguna Beach which bring about characters with various storylines that evolve throughout the series.

Reality television is a broad genre that can be interesting to study and analyze using the tools of critique and consideration that we have learned in class and I believe this will be an interesting paper to do research on and write because I find myself watching and enjoying reality television often. This is because it is relatively easy to jump in at any point since most episodes are recapped at the beginning, and reruns, especially on channels such as MTV are easily viewable.