And what about Genre?This is a featured page

We've read about TV and Genre in the Bignell text (pp. 114-133)....now let's consider its relevance for studying television. As noted in the Bignell text, theorists disagree on how genre should be determined. Some look to the features in the text itself, others are more interested in how audiences make use of various TV genres, how particular genres are valued more than others in a culture. In the space below, please share some thoughts about genre and TV by responding to the following questions:

  • Identify a TV genre that you enjoy (or dislike) and discuss the characteristics or core elements (ie. production/camera techniques, narrative structure, etc) associated with this genre. Include some names of TV shows (past or present) to support your ideas.

  • What genre is most valued in American culture and why? What are the characteristics, and meanings (think signifiers and signifieds, cultural codes, myths, etc) associated with this genre that make it particularly valuable or appealing in our present social context? Feel free to name some shows as examples....







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ERubenstein Genre in Television 0 Apr 30 2007, 11:50 PM EDT by ERubenstein
Thread started: Apr 30 2007, 11:50 PM EDT  Watch
- My favorite genre on televion is comedy-- however, my like is not limited to just the sitcom. My favorite show on televion is Curb Your Enthusiasm, which does not have typical sitcome formatting-- as Bignell writes "Audience laughter is clearly important to the genre" (121); however, this aspect of the sitcom is changing. My favorite comedies on currently on TV producing new episodes (Curb, Entourage) do not have a studio audience. In fact, the most cutting edge TV shows these days do not have studio audiences. Bignell argues that the purpose of the studio audience is to tell us when to laugh-- to inform us what is funny. However, hit shows without audiences seem to achieve laughter without this signifier. It is interesting to see the historical development of the sitcom in regards to a studio audience.

I think that the most valued genre on TV in America today is the news; however, as far as fiction is concnered, comedy isthe most valued genere on TV. TV is a meansof escapism for many and comedy is an excellent means by which to escape from a world that demands more and more of us each day. Comedy, particularly on television, is also an excellent historical/cross cultural tool-- knowing what is funny in a culture tells a lot about the culture itself and about the time period in which the comedy was written.
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marmar0306 Genres in Television 0 Apr 30 2007, 10:47 PM EDT by marmar0306
Thread started: Apr 30 2007, 10:47 PM EDT  Watch
Looking back at all the television I’ve watched throughout my life, it is really hard to pinpoint one particular genre that I like more than any other. I really think the biggest thing in attracting an audience is in the story lines presented, which can be done across a large variety of genres. I feel as though if an audience can connect or relate to a show that is the most significant piece of the puzzle. That being said, I would say I tend to watch a lot of shows merging the characteristics of drama and comedy. The biggest thing in that is how true to life many of the situations can be; at no point in life is everything fall of your seat hilarious, but at no point is everything serious. A good television show is about finding that happy medium between the serious moments and the funny, light hearted ones.
Unfortunately, it seems as though we as a public have bought into reality tv which is why it is still around. However entertaining these shows may be to some individuals, I really don’t see the value in them to the viewing audience. The value comes in the financial rewards being reaped by the networks from all the advertising money brought in by a show using pre-determined twists in a plot line to dupe people into watching. I think that if these shows were really all they are made out to be, they wouldn’t need to throw surprises into the formats to draw viewers in, rather they would be able to show a more natural situation. But that isn’t what America wants; they want to be able to benefit through their happiness by watching others suffer through ridiculous situations most will never even imagine of encountering. But then again, it is the job of the networks to exploit what is hot at a given moment, and right now that seems to be reality television, so I give props to those executives who are seeing all the benefits of our infatuation with voyeurism.
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Karlj Most Valued Genre in America 0 Apr 30 2007, 9:37 PM EDT by Karlj
Thread started: Apr 30 2007, 9:37 PM EDT  Watch
I would also say that comedy in the most valued genre in America. Comedy allows us to look at reflections and characterizations of ourselves and realise our imperfections in a lighthearted way. Comedy is escapist, and it's escapist in a benign manner. Shows such as the Daily Show allow us to look at our news, which is often tragic, in a manner we can deal with. Shows such as The Office make the mundane not seem so mundane. These shows give us a different look at reality that we would not always look for on our own.
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