After discussion in class today, I started to wonder…we’ve read all of these articles about the production process of television. The Thompson, Staiger, and Newman readings have especially enlightened me as to how not only does advertising shape the scheduling and disrupt the structure of television, but it also shapes it. The Newman article in particular was extremely interesting, since it basically claimed that the success of television shows comes from this industrial process in the first place.
I feel like I’ve been used. I mean, I’ve always known that networks look to bring in high ratings and advertisings over anything else, as well as willingly manipulate the writing process of the show to achieve this goal. But to think that the very structure of an episode of a show is highly dependent upon these network goals is kind of disturbing. I now feel as if whenever I watch a show, I’m not seeing it in its “true” context. Watching Homicide in a way is weird because of this, as well as all of the other shows I’ve been. Of course they’re still enjoyable, but know that I’m watching them commercial and network free, I’m not sure if I can evaluate a show in its “true” form anymore.
Maybe I’m just exaggerating…But does anyone else wonder about the manipulation of networks? Is there something we should do about it, or is it something to just accept in whatever way we find to be fit? Is it even really an issue?
3 responses so far ↓
cupofjuice // 30 September 2009 at 9.16 pm
I certainly wonder about the manipulation of networks, and I too, am uncomfortable being a product sold to advertisers. But maybe once we are aware we are products (whether or not that’s a good or bad thing) we can be more deliberate in what shows we will supply ourselves to. And in some ways it’s in our best interest that these shows are structured by a networks goals. After all, what they want is a viewer who is willing to watch, and if we don’t like the show… we don’t have to watch it.
payton15 // 4 October 2009 at 12.48 am
I agree on feeling uncomfortable abot being a product sold to advertisers. But is this acknowledgement of being manipulated comprised from our discussion solely? Imagine how we had enjoyed television in their true form prior to taking this class. We may not have been convinced by the advertisements but we truely enjoyed the programs we watched religious. Does taking this class remind us of the notion that igornance is bliss?
alymor // 4 October 2009 at 7.51 pm
I think that you can be aware of being manipulated and also continue to enjoy television in about the same way. After all, some of the manipulative strategies that networks use actually make for more enjoyable tv viewing. Cliffhangers, for instance, leave one hanging in a way that makes discussing television more fun. While product placement is disturbing and frustrating, narrative strategies that are meant to keep viewers coming back are frequently fun.