This paper discusses the problems of Americantelevision in the 1980s, television's cultural history, the postmodern television consumer culture as explored in DeLillo's "White Noise" and Wallace's ?Girl with Curious Hair", and television sports.
Abstract This paper explains that the decade of the 1980s is seen as the explosion of television culture in terms of the proliferation of networks and the availability of programming through the cable. The author points out that Wallace and DeLillo are both concerned with postmodern characters that are absent internal selves, or rather, characters that seem to be informed of behavior primarily through the use of television. The author believes that sports on television now seems to be as dysfunctional as the nuclear family: a series of different schedules with a lot of hype, dreams or delusions of grandeur, with no meaningful connection to the simple love of the game.
Table of Contents
Cultural History of AmericanTelevision The Postmodern Television Consumer Culture: "White Noise" and "Girl with Curious Hair"
Television's Impact on Sports
From the Paper "The FCC continued to be the regulating body that determined what would be permissible for the American public to view. However, the Reagan administration that preached supply-side economics, believed that deregulation was the best method of growing the economy given the many slow-downs that dominated the 1970?s. "For FCC chairman (Reagan appointee) [Mark] Fowler, the only kind of regulation that was legitimate came from the market itself, and he made this clear to gleeful industry executives from his earliest days in office" (Steyer 137). Fowler also acknowledged that such regulation should be at the hands of media and broadcasting executives because they had first hand knowledge of what Americans really wanted to see. Ironically, it seemed that the Reagan administration passively promoted a liberal media that looked for alternative methods of programming even though the business executives would assess its effectiveness and its decency."
Compares how overweight and thin women are portrayed on Americantelevision series. Cites "Everybody Loves Raymond," "The Drew Carey Show" and "The Parkers."
Abstract This paper focuses on how overweight women are portrayed in Americantelevision, stressing the comical roles in which unattractive women are cast. While thin, attractive women are prevailing with more dominant, powerful roles, overweight female characters are cast in demeaning roles. Given the dominant role allows an attractive woman to address important women's issues, where her overweight counterpart is often cast in roles that confine her to the undesirable stereotype of of the pushy, nosy, nit-picker.
From the Paper "Over the past few years, actresses have found themselves in greater positions of freedom with regards to the roles open and offered to them. Women are prevailing in television with more dominant, powerful roles and given a chance to address issues that concern the female public. However, it is usually the younger, thin women who get to stretch the limits of society. They get to explore roles of sexual and personal liberation. Thin women are shown as holding high positions in the economic world as well as having the ability to attract many men. For the most part, their older, overweight counterparts are still confined to roles that portray them as intrusive busybodies. When they push these attitudes beyond the normal social expectations, they become the joke of other characters and must then deal with their ridicule. Overweight female characters in sitcoms are demeaned and made fun of by other characters in the show. They are often characterized by overly flamboyant clothes, makeup and personalities, and as a result the other characters show a slight fear of them. These roles are especially prevalent in the evening situational comedies that one might watch."
Abstract This research proposal identifies the known problems with the rating systems and proposes a study that would help determine if the Q-Score reports are misrepresenting the Americantelevision viewing public. In this article, the writer discusses whether Marketing Evaluations'
Q-Scores for television ratings accurately represent the television viewing habits of all Americans, including minority groups, or whether the limited population samples and data analysis methods are skewed in such a way that minority populations are underrepresented in ratings and the media. The writer claims that this is an important study because of the integral role that television and the media play in the lives of all Americans, and as a part of American society overall. The writer concludes that if there is a misrepresentation of minority groups in the current Q-ratings reports, this must be identified and this information made available to the public so that all members of society can make an informed decision regarding media-related activities, such as advertising, that are affected by the quality of television ratings reports.
Outline:
Abstract
Purpose and Rationale
Hypothesis
Literature Review
Limitations
Works Cited
From the Paper "If a small-scale study finds a significant problem, other researchers will be interested in doing further analysis on this issue. Also, the public may simply be made aware of the issue, therefore considering these questions when taking stock in ratings reports. It is known that the television media industry and their advertisers depends on ratings reports to make decisions regarding programming and product placement. It is also well documented that minority groups have been significantly underrepresented in the Nielsen ratings, the country's leading marketing provider of television ratings, as will be illustrated by the following literature review. What is not known is whether the Q Rating system, which collected data in different ways than the Nielsen ratings, also has a problem in properly representing minority groups and providing accurate data on the television viewing habits of the American public."
Abstract With the advent of the internet, television shows are further illustrating their addiction to satisfy advertisers by building what could be called bonus material onto their websites in a bid to recoup advertising that has been lost to cyberspace. In each case, the ads themselves are further driving content, bounding well past the lines in the sand of what were once considered ethical dilemmas, and creating a culture of ignorance. This essay discusses ways in which advertising is being used to affect opinion and information.
From the Paper "Although degrees of saturation vary, American television is almost universally a sponsored medium. As such, it is built on a so-called "free" ideal, in as much as viewers of the major networks receive news, entertainment, sitcoms, dramas, lifestyle shows, and sports without paying directly for it. However, where cable television started as a commercial-free space, it too now relies on commercials, creating an across-the-board modern reliance on advertising dollars that brings with it third-party influences that have affected its form, content, and messaging in such strong ways that they can only be described as gate-keepers and creators at the same time."
Abstract This essay describes the role that television plays in American Society. The essay follows television from its advent and measures the expectation of TV as a beneficial resource against the reality of what television has actually become. The paper speaks of parent responsibility in child viewing and briefly touches on censorship.
From the Paper "There have been many inventions, which have fundamentally changed the intellectual and cultural worldview of society. Television is one such invention. It is an instrument of capitalism, entertainment, and education. It infiltrates human society by reaching a large, diverse audience, and it breads down cultural barriers such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. Television educates and expands intellectual horizons while simultaneously acting as an outlet for mindless entertainment and an escape into ethereality. Television incites emotion, inspires controversy, and desensitizes the population to the harsh realities of modern life. There is no denying the enormous impact television has had on the world population since its introduction in the mid twentieth century. Television has left its imprint on the face of world culture, and responsibility demands that we survey, with a discerning eye, the long-term benefits and consequences of this mortal institution."
Abstract In "Tube of Plenty. The Evolution of AmericanTelevision", Erik Barnouw provides us with the amazing history of television. He shows us that television is not only a technological reality, but also a sociological phenomenon. Television, in other words, moulds society in the same way that society moulds television. Barnouw demonstrates that we can not really understand our own history without examining the effect that television has had on almost every aspect of our lives. He is especially interested in television's newest features. Thus, the "Tube of Plenty" is not only the history of television, but also the exploration of the development and impact of the latest phases of the communications revolution.
Abstract This paper addresses the lack of positive role models of various ethnic minorities in both the film and television industries. While the writer of this paper notes that there are more African-Americans working in TV news as it seems to be one field where color and race have made a far greater impact in hiring practices, there is still much work to be done in the positive portrayal of different ethnicities in both film and TV. This paper also explores the careers of past and present professionals who have made great strides in promoting themselves as positive ethnic role models.
Topics covered in this report include:
Introduction
Hispanics
African-Americans Asians
Native Americans Summary and Conclusion
Works Referenced
From the Paper "This brings up the issue of whether the portrayals of African-Americans in films and on TV should only be handled by black directors and writers. It seems that there is a vast difference of opinion, with some citing the old Cosby Show as one preaching family values to every ethnic group, while the comedies "What's Happening?" and" Good Times" became the precursors of the black comedies on WB and Fox networks today. Some critics feel the new shows, and such programs as the "Wayans Brothers" and the "Martin Lawrence Show" are basically anti-white humor, just as stereotypical in their way as the old Step'n'Fetchit anti-black humor was in the Thirties and Forties."
Tags: media, communication, racism, minority, perception, film, television
A discussion of the question as to whether reality TV brings out the worst in American culture or is it merely an example of what American culture is all about?
Abstract The author of this paper examines the phenomena of reality television programs that are a large part of Americantelevision programming. The author seeks to discover whether such television programs focus on and bring out the worst aspects of American society or if, they are a mirror reflecting American culture and society as they really are. The author examines these phenomena primarily from a psychological point of view and present arguments and examples from current research and literature.
From the Paper "However, psychologists and therapists feel that there is an aching psyche in the American culture that is using RTV as a cure, much in the way the Marx referred to religion as being the opiate of the people. Or as one writer updates it, "Is reality TV the crack cocaine of what critic Marie Winn calls the 'plug-in drug?'" (Breyer 100) RTV coupled with the massive bombardment of news, mostly bad, from around the nation and the world is numbing us to any emotional ties to reality. Javors compares RTV shows to the quick fix junk food restaurants and calls them "fast food programs" and states they are as bad for our minds as a constant diet of Double Whoppers with cheese and Chocolate Milk shakes would be to our bodies. She states that, "As a result, we are numbing ourselves to very real life challenges." (35)"
Abstract This paper compares television family sitcoms of the past to the family sitcoms of the present and suggests that their changing nature is an indication that television is just reflecting the changes in society and not, as critics argue, that society is a reflection of television shows. It argues that, were television programs truly driving societal behavior, the sitcoms would not have changed so drastically, since the male-dominated television industry would have had an interest in maintaining the more flattering male image of television men from the past.
From the Paper "Leave it to Beaver is the epitome of a white, middle class suburban family with an authoritarian male role model. Ward Cleaver clearly wore the pants in the family as the sole bread earner. Throughout the series, Ward's job is never discussed and he is never shown in the work setting, but the image is that he has a respected professional position that affords the family a very comfortable standard of living. Some theorize that the neglect to mention Ward's work symbolizes the mystification and exclusionary nature of the working male at the time. June, Ward's mate, is a submissive house wife who manages to always look beautiful even while maintaining an immaculate house."
Abstract This paper discusses the sociological impact of American series television on forming public bias against ethnic groups in negatively stereotyped story lines and characters. It provides a brief history of communication and how images impact viewers.
From the Paper "It happens in millions of homes all across America every evening - it's the end of another long hard and everyone is exhausted. Dinner is over and the dishes sit scattered across the counter tops and sit piled in the sink. The children have been bickering since the moment they walked in the door. Desperate for a few moments of peace Mom walks determinedly into the family room and turns on ..."
Abstract This paper states that almost every American home has at least one TV and therefore it is extremely important to have quality, educational programs. The paper then discusses and examples the research suggesting a correlation between violent television, video games, and aggressive behavior in adults and children. The paper suggests that by being selective and aware of the television a child is watching, and also by mediating, it is possible to keep a child wholesome, happy, and considerate of others. The paper concludes that careful control of program selection has been proven to be effective.
From the Paper "Television violence concern officially started with the first of a series of congressional hearings in 1952. Early research spawned from these hearings did in fact show a reason for concern about violence in the media, particularly television (Baker & Ball, 1969). As a result of this information, the Surgeon General declared TV violence to be just like cigarette smoking, a public health problem. He released a report that showed evidence that violence on television influences some children by making them more likely to be aggressive in certain ways (Murray, 1973). Ten years later a follow up report on the Surgeon General's findings was performed. It concluded that, indeed, television violence does affect the aggressive behavior of children, and adults, too (National Institute of Mental Health, 1982). Another ten years passed and a report reconfirmed the harmful effects of TV violence (Huston, et al., 1992). Thirty years of research had shown three major affects. The first of these, direct effects process, states that children and adults who watch violence on television can become aggressive and/or they could develop favorable feelings about the use of aggression to solve conflicts."
Abstract This paper takes a look at American culture and the consumption patterns of American youth in television, film, and other entertainment venues. The paper describes some of the legal, economic, historical, political, and cultural reasons that advertisements directed at youth are so prevalent and ubiquitous in American media.
From the Paper "?Mommy I want that!? When discussing how American culture "corrupts" children, the first words to come to mind are usually four letter words, or words pertaining to highly sexualized scenarios. Yet the culture of American capitalist cultural consumption is if anything more omnipresent and equally damaging to American children. It has created a legacy of conspicuous consumption of unnecessary consumer products over the course of the past, present, and future of American television and culture. It is likely to continue to affect the minds of children, creating a generation who believes they are what they buy, rather than what they believe??Generation Bling! Bling!? as the generation to come after Generations X and Y are often called. Identity is being reduced to a commodity rather than a real culture of art, literacy, and moral judgment."
Abstract This essay discusses Robert Putnam's perception of the American society. The author explains how and why the American society is falling apart and why it is disintegrated. The author provides the reasons for Putnam's conclusion such as the role of television in our society.
From the Paper "One of the most important questions for any democratic country is how to increase voter participation in the process, since a country may be said to be a democracy only to the extent that people participate in the process of selecting leaders. By this measure the United States remains only partially successful as a democracy. Although there was higher voter turnout this year than in many elections (about half of registered voters), there remain both a large number of people who never register to vote at all and a large number of those who are registered who never (or rarely) vote."
Abstract The paper analyzes the gender roles in television programs, the influence on women's role in a society, and the marketing techniques adopted in establishing television as an entertainment medium in the 1950s.
From the Paper "Television programs, ever since the advent of the visual device, has been a major societal influence regimenting feelings, believes and behaviors of the audience in unfathomable magnitudes. During the early years, television programs apparently defined and presented the ideal notion of gender roles in a society, seeking to influence the real life families, particularly women, in fashioning themselves. However, essentially driven by marketing interests, the programs were in fact adopting such themes that would click with the viewers, establishing television as a necessary entertainment media in each home."
Abstract This paper discusses the news and how it differs in broadcast formats from America, Nigeria and Australia. The paper further discusses that the Americantelevision news is very open and produces a large amount of information to the public. In contrast, Nigerian news is censored by the government, and Western news is not allowed within the country. Australian news is still segregated in the stories from men and women.
From the Paper "Television news is not the same in all countries. Americans have become so accustomed to viewing everything from attempted assassinations to police pursuits in progress, that almost nothing being aired would be considered unique to us. Furthermore, most Americans feel that they have a right to know all of the news, no matter how violent or explicit the story is. To be able to comprehend that many other countries either edit their news programs for acceptable content, or ban it altogether is a concept that, in America, would be considered a violation of our rights. Yet, in this mass information age the citizens of many countries are not as well informed as average Americans because the news is often disbursed based on what governments believe to be acceptable. "
