📺Critical TV Studies Unit 2 – TV genres and formats

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Genre refers to a category or type of television program that shares similar characteristics, themes, or conventions
• Format describes the structure, style, and presentation of a television show, including elements like runtime, number of episodes, and production techniques
• Conventions are the common elements, tropes, or clichés that are typically associated with a specific genre and are familiar to audiences
  • Sub-bullet: Conventions help viewers quickly identify and understand the type of show they are watching (laugh tracks in sitcoms)
• Tropes are recurring themes, devices, or motifs within a genre that have become recognizable and sometimes stereotypical (will-they-won't-they romantic plotlines)
• Demographics refer to the characteristics of the target audience for a television show, such as age, gender, income level, and interests
• Ratings measure the popularity and viewership of a television program, which can influence its success, advertising revenue, and renewal chances
• Syndication is the licensing of a television show for broadcast on multiple networks or platforms after its initial run, allowing for increased exposure and revenue
• Streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu) have disrupted traditional television models by offering on-demand access to a wide variety of content

Evolution of TV Genres

• Early television programming drew heavily from existing media like radio and theater, adapting genres such as variety shows and anthology series
• Sitcoms emerged in the 1950s, focusing on family-friendly humor and often featuring a laugh track (I Love Lucy)
• Police procedurals and westerns gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing law enforcement and frontier life respectively (Dragnet, Bonanza)
  • Sub-bullet: These genres often tackled social issues of the time, reflecting changing attitudes and cultural norms
• Soap operas, originally aimed at housewives, became a daytime staple, featuring ongoing storylines and dramatic cliffhangers (General Hospital)
• Reality television rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s, offering unscripted and often sensationalized content (Survivor, American Idol)
• Prestige dramas, characterized by high production values, complex narratives, and acclaimed acting, have gained critical and commercial success in recent years (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones)
• Streaming platforms have enabled the creation of niche and hybrid genres, catering to specific audience interests and blurring traditional genre boundaries

Major TV Formats

• Episodic series feature self-contained storylines in each episode, with minimal character development or overarching plots across seasons (Law & Order)
• Serialized shows have continuous narratives that unfold over multiple episodes or seasons, often with cliffhangers and complex character arcs (Lost)
• Anthology series present different stories and characters in each episode or season, united by a common theme or genre (Black Mirror, American Horror Story)
  • Sub-bullet: Anthologies allow for creative flexibility and attract high-profile talent who can commit to shorter story arcs
• Miniseries are short-run series with a predetermined number of episodes, often adapting novels or covering specific historical events (Chernobyl)
• TV movies are feature-length films produced specifically for television, often with lower budgets and more targeted audiences than theatrical releases
• Variety shows combine comedy sketches, musical performances, and celebrity interviews, often airing live or with a studio audience (Saturday Night Live)
• Talk shows feature a host interviewing guests, discussing current events, and entertaining audiences, airing daily or weekly (The Ellen DeGeneres Show)
• Game shows involve contestants competing for prizes by answering questions or completing challenges, often with audience participation (Jeopardy!)

Genre Conventions and Tropes

• Sitcoms often feature a recurring cast of characters, a laugh track, and comedic misunderstandings or conflicts that are resolved by the end of each episode
• Police procedurals follow a formula of a crime being committed, an investigation, and a resolution, with an emphasis on the detective work and interrogation scenes
• Medical dramas depict the personal and professional lives of doctors and nurses, with storylines revolving around patient cases and ethical dilemmas (Grey's Anatomy)
  • Sub-bullet: These shows often feature intense, life-or-death situations and romantic subplots among the hospital staff
• Science fiction series explore futuristic or imaginative concepts, often dealing with advanced technology, alien life, or alternate realities (Star Trek)
• Fantasy shows incorporate magical or supernatural elements, often set in fictional worlds with their own rules and mythologies (Game of Thrones)
• Teen dramas focus on the lives of high school students, dealing with issues like romance, friendship, and coming-of-age (Riverdale)
  • Sub-bullet: These shows often feature love triangles, popularity contests, and dramatic cliffhangers
• Reality competition series follow contestants as they compete against each other in various challenges, often with eliminations and a grand prize (The Amazing Race)
• True crime documentaries or docuseries investigate real-life crimes, often with a focus on the victims, perpetrators, and the criminal justice system (Making a Murderer)

Audience and Industry Influences

• Target demographics play a significant role in determining the content, tone, and marketing of television shows, as networks aim to attract specific audiences
• Advertisers seek to reach their desired demographics through commercials aired during programs that align with their target audience's interests and values
• Ratings and viewership data influence network decisions regarding program renewals, cancellations, and time slot assignments
  • Sub-bullet: Shows with consistently high ratings are more likely to be renewed and receive better time slots and promotion
• Social media engagement and online buzz can impact a show's popularity and help networks gauge audience interest and feedback
• Streaming platforms have altered viewing habits, enabling binge-watching and on-demand access, which has influenced the pacing and structure of television narratives
• Production budgets and resources can affect the scale, special effects, and casting of television shows, with higher budgets often associated with prestige or flagship programs
• Censorship and content regulations, such as the FCC's broadcast standards, can shape the content and themes explored in television programs
  • Sub-bullet: Cable and streaming platforms often have more lenient content restrictions compared to broadcast networks

Case Studies and Examples

• The Sopranos (HBO, 1999-2007) is credited with ushering in the era of prestige television, featuring complex characters, mature themes, and cinematic storytelling
• Breaking Bad (AMC, 2008-2013) exemplifies the antihero protagonist trend, following a high school chemistry teacher's transformation into a methamphetamine kingpin
• The Office (NBC, 2005-2013) popularized the mockumentary format in sitcoms, using a documentary-style approach to capture the everyday lives of office workers
  • Sub-bullet: The show's success led to numerous adaptations in other countries, highlighting the global appeal of the format
• Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016-present) demonstrates the power of nostalgia and genre-blending, combining elements of science fiction, horror, and 1980s pop culture
• The Mandalorian (Disney+, 2019-present) showcases the potential of streaming platforms to create high-quality, franchise-based content that attracts subscribers
• Black Mirror (Channel 4/Netflix, 2011-present) is an anthology series that explores the dark side of technology and its impact on society, with each episode featuring a different cast and storyline
• RuPaul's Drag Race (Logo/VH1, 2009-present) has brought drag culture into the mainstream, combining reality competition elements with LGBTQ+ representation and artistry
  • Sub-bullet: The show has spawned numerous international spin-offs and has become a cultural phenomenon

Critical Analysis Techniques

• Textual analysis involves examining the content, themes, and messages of a television show, considering elements such as dialogue, characterization, and visual storytelling
• Contextual analysis considers the social, political, and historical factors that influence the creation and reception of a television program
• Audience analysis explores how viewers engage with and interpret television content, considering factors such as demographics, fan communities, and social media interactions
  • Sub-bullet: This can involve studying fan forums, social media discussions, and audience feedback to understand how viewers make meaning from the shows they watch
• Comparative analysis examines how different television shows within the same genre or format approach similar themes or conventions, highlighting similarities and differences
• Auteur theory, adapted from film studies, considers the role of the showrunner or creator as the primary creative force behind a television series, analyzing their distinctive style and vision
• Feminist and queer theory approaches examine the representation and treatment of gender, sexuality, and identity in television programs, considering issues of power, oppression, and subversion
• Critical race theory investigates the portrayal and experiences of racial and ethnic minorities in television, considering issues of stereotyping, tokenism, and cultural authenticity
  • Sub-bullet: This approach also examines the ways in which television can perpetuate or challenge dominant racial narratives and power structures

Contemporary Trends and Future Directions

• Streaming platforms continue to disrupt traditional television models, investing heavily in original content and competing for subscribers and industry awards
• Binge-watching has become a common viewing practice, influencing the way shows are structured and released, with many series now dropping entire seasons at once
• Diversity and representation have become increasingly important, with a growing demand for shows that feature diverse casts, creators, and stories
  • Sub-bullet: This includes better representation of racial, ethnic, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities both on-screen and behind the scenes
• Interactive television, such as Netflix's Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, allows viewers to make choices that affect the narrative, blurring the line between viewer and participant
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies may offer new possibilities for immersive and interactive television experiences in the future
• Personalization and recommendation algorithms are becoming more sophisticated, tailoring content suggestions to individual viewer preferences and viewing histories
• Global collaborations and co-productions are on the rise, with networks and streaming platforms partnering to create content that appeals to international audiences
  • Sub-bullet: This trend allows for the exchange of creative talent, resources, and ideas across borders, leading to more diverse and culturally rich television offerings
• Short-form content, such as web series and mobile-first shows, is gaining popularity, catering to younger audiences and on-the-go viewing habits