Reaching a critical mass : a critical analysis of television entertainment
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Reaching a critical mass : a critical analysis of television entertainment
(LEA's communication series)
L. Erlbaum Associates, 1998
- : hbk.
- : pbk.
Available at 4 libraries
  Aomori
  Iwate
  Miyagi
  Akita
  Yamagata
  Fukushima
  Ibaraki
  Tochigi
  Gunma
  Saitama
  Chiba
  Tokyo
  Kanagawa
  Niigata
  Toyama
  Ishikawa
  Fukui
  Yamanashi
  Nagano
  Gifu
  Shizuoka
  Aichi
  Mie
  Shiga
  Kyoto
  Osaka
  Hyogo
  Nara
  Wakayama
  Tottori
  Shimane
  Okayama
  Hiroshima
  Yamaguchi
  Tokushima
  Kagawa
  Ehime
  Kochi
  Fukuoka
  Saga
  Nagasaki
  Kumamoto
  Oita
  Miyazaki
  Kagoshima
  Okinawa
  Korea
  China
  Thailand
  United Kingdom
  Germany
  Switzerland
  France
  Belgium
  Netherlands
  Sweden
  Norway
  United States of America
Note
Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Despite television's popularity and prevalence, or perhaps because of it, television is not taken seriously by most people. Although it is the central storyteller of our culture, television is rarely examined critically by those who regularly consume its tales. This book disassembles, describes, and thus, demystifies television. When we know what comprises the television industry, how and why the industry operates, how television programs are made, and what strategies are used to attract and maintain audiences, we become viewers more capable of making purposeful viewing selections. When we examine the television production process, explore the components and qualities that constitute entertainment genre, and trace the history and evolution of these genre, we become viewers more appreciative of the art, craft, and science of programming and program scheduling. When we examine why and how we watch television, we become more aware of television as a social and cultural force unmatched by any medium before it. This book helps us to become more acute consumers -- a critical mass audience.
Reaching a Critical Mass:
* develops a governing theoretical perspective that encompasses the various literary approaches to television text and serves as the central narrative and theme of the book;
* generates a working knowledge of the television industry and its dynamics, television producers and the production process, and the history and evolution of the most popular genres;
* systematically and creatively explores television programming using narrative, timeless examples, and case studies; and
* takes television seriously and strives to generate a more critical and knowledgeable consumer of popular TV fare.
Table of Contents
Contents: Preface. Contents: Part I: Establishing a Critical Perspective. Taking Television Seriously. Taking Television Critically. Television Programs and Symbolic Interaction. Becoming Teleliterate. The Business Behind the Box. The Evolution of Power and Prestige. Part II: Applying a Critical Perspective: Nonnarrative Programming. Talk Shows. Televised Sports. Game Shows. Part III: Applying a Critical Perspective: Narrative Programming. Comedies. Soap Operas. Prime-Time Drama. Children's Programming.
by "Nielsen BookData"