Soap operas first came about in the 1930s on radio shows (Thurston, 2013) and have come a long way since. First of all, they have evolved from the medium of radio all the way to high-definition television. One of the first soap operas was Clara, Lu and Em that ran from 1931 to 1942 and enjoyed quite a bit of popularity (Old Time Radio Catalogue, n.d.). Colgate-Palmolive, a brand of soaps and other cleaning products, sponsored the radio show. In fact, most soap operas were funded by soap companies, hence the coining of the term “soap opera” (Ask, n.d.).
A soap opera, or soap as they are more commonly known by, is often defined as an ongoing storyline presented through connected episodes, which usually means that a key aspect of a soap is that almost every episode ends in a cliffhanger (Riggs, 2007). Some typical plots include having a long-gone character who was presumed dead come back, very much alive, or having it turn out that the arch-enemy of all the characters is someone or other’s long-lost brother or father or sister or someone. One of the most over used plot twists is the amnesiac angle, where someone conveniently develops amnesia and perhaps has to fall in love with their spouse all over again (Riggs, 2007). Another key element of a soap opera is the inter-episodic redundancy at the beginning of every episode, summarizing the events of the previous episode and keeping the viewers up-to-date on all the happenings (Dentlinger, 1999, p. 63).
Soap operas were extremely popular when they started out, especially during the golden age of radio, with old and gold shows like Days of Our Lives and All My Children. Viewers love soaps mostly because of the continuous narrative as it allows them to get to know and come to love charac...
... middle of paper ...
.... Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200109/why-america-loves-reality-tv
Riggs, L. (2007). Most overused soap opera plot lines. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/most-overused-soap-opera-plot-lines-332304.html?cat=39
Rothman, L. (2013). Can the internet save soap operas. Retrieved from http://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/07/can-the-internet-save-soap-operas/
Stewart, A.K. (2012). Soap operas dwindling, thanks to reality tv. Retrieved from http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/08/19/soap-operas-dwindling-thanks-reality-tv
Thurston, K. (2012). Salaries of daytime soap stars. Retrieved from http://onelifetolive.about.com/od/articles/a/stars_salaries.htm
Thurston, K. (2013). The early life and history of soap operas. Retrieved from http://onelifetolive.about.com/od/articles/a/A-Brief-Overview-And-List-Of-The-Most-Popular-Daytime-Soaps.htm
The meaning of reality TV in American culture can differ from person to person. Overall, the purpose of reality TV is to provide entertainment, to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. At the end of every episode, the producers show a sneak preview of things that will take place in the next episode, which leaves the audience with a cliffhanger. In the sneak preview, the producers show a conflict that may arise, in hopes that the audience will continue to watch the show. After watching the sneak preview, the viewers develop a sense of anticipation and want to know what’s going to happen next. Reality TV is broken down into certain categories such as competition, entertainment, ect. In this essay, I’m going to be discussing The Amazing Race by using both a narrative and visual analysis.
American popular culture is quite serious because we find the “voices” that write, play, film, photograph, dance and explain our American history. George Lipitz notes that historians can learn a lot about the process of identity and memory in the past and present by deciphering the messages contained in popular culture forms such as films, television and music. As stated by George Lipsitz, people can either work for the economy and state, and against the population who take in the messages or they can work in a positive way as memories of the past and hopes for the future.
We've come to a point where television has become so loaded with “vampire-this” and “werewolf-that,” that each show has begun to look like the reruns of another. Luckily, this definitely isn't the case for creator Vince Gilligan's, Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad follows the life of Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston), an ordinary high school chemistry teacher. With a loving wife and teenage son at home, over time, Walter has formed an exceedingly mundane routine for his life. After soon discovering that he had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, Walter decided to take extreme measures in order to secure his family financially. Eventually, he would descend into a world so dark and utterly twisted, that it would eventually consume him. Walter White became Heisenberg; the greatest drug lord the streets had ever seen. As he ascended in status within the drug cartel, the love and trust he had from his family and friends quickly descended. There are thousands of reasons that explain why millions of people tune into Breaking Bad. This series offers a much needed relief from the Dracula descendents, which frankly, are slowly diminishing any scope of variety existing on television. Because of the outstanding acting, seemingly distorted reality, and uniquely relatable storyline and characters, this hit show tops the charts as the best modern-day television series that cable has to offer.
Can you believe that reality television has actually been around since 1948? Most of us may have thought that this idea of real television just came about in the last decade but actually it’s been around for quite some time. In 1948 Candid Camera was the first reality show to be broadcasted on television. Many considered this to be the “granddaddy” of the reality TV genre (History of reality TV). This show actually began in radio broadcasting. Allen Funt was the man in charge of this whole new production. He started by simply taping complaints of men in service and broadcasting them over the Armed Forces Radio. This is what later became known as the television show, Candid Camera. Candid Camera was known for “catching people in the act of being themselves” (History of Reality TV). Funt passed away in 1999 and his son, Peter has now taken over for him to continue these series.
Television adds many qualities to the nineties life. This is even true of the prime time teen angst drama. Dawson’s Creek (classified with the above prime time teen angst drama) can and does contribute interesting qualities to a written work. This show is a prime example of social interactions. Every character is at least acquainted with every other character, which gives the watcher the chance to see one character in many different situations. The word situation does not always mean social interaction though. Situations encompass the setting also. In television the set is made to be large, bright, and overall catching to the eye. Since a television screen is so small all of the important aspects of the set are brought forth they are easily viewed. This show of blatant importance can help an author decide on what is a really important part of their literature. Television though is not the only tool a writer can take advantage of. Indeed movies can also be of great importance.
Relationship Between Soap Operas and Reality TV Dating Shows Tania Modleski’s “The Search for Tomorrow in Today’s Soap Operas” proposes that the unique appeal and function of soap opera lies in (a) the viewer’s ability to inhabit the text’s prescribed spectatorial position of ‘the good mother’, and (b) using the archetypal ‘villainess’ to displace one’s own repressed anger and powerlessness. It can be argued, using Modleski’s analytical perspectives on the interpellated spectatorial positions of soap operas, that a new genre of television programs (namely the reality dating shows) function in a similar way. An examination of Modleski’s thesis renders these statements more likely. Modleski argues that soap operas are essential in understanding women’s role in culture.
A good drama series needs a powerful message, interesting actors, special music, and unique use of cameras. One Tree Hill has become a popular drama over the years for young adults.
My husband thinks I’m crazy, but it draws me in because of the drama and they make you think that the cases that come in are so real, and they are always dramatic. That is the way they make the show interesting is having such dramatic scenes. Watching Season 1 Episode 1 it starts off with the two main characters, Meredith and Derrick sleeping together. Later to find out that he was her boss. This is how they start off the show, drama. That’s how it gets everyone drawn into this mystery of what is going to happen. Throughout the show the plot builds and gets deeper and deeper with new characters and new stories. They have done so many different elements with this show, it always a new episode with a new story. I think that’s why I am so involved with this show just how it can draw you into their stories. They also explain the surgeon’s backgrounds which then you feel like you get to know them better as an actor or
For an unusual access into the history of television, there is nothing much that got in the way of that; story telling was all that is to it. The Sopranos could not have existed but thanks to HBO’s pay-subscription model. Each and every one of these stories, woven through several episodes, is meant to entertain and amuse, but also to challenge and provoke an audience. They can, at best, provoke the viewers; if not to the point of discussions, probably to the point of reasoning about who we are, how we exist, and what is it about our society we live in and the individual circumstances that make it
Media today gives us gender stereotypes. From movies to television to even music videos, the entertainment industry gives people the image that males are more dominate over females by showing females as the foremost parental figure, homemakers, and sex objects. However, ABC’s new hit show Desperate Housewives quickly made a dent in American pop culture not for these gender stereotypes, but the truth behind the most dominant female stereotype of housewives.
What attracts millions of Americans each week to “Reality TV”? Millions of viewers tune in every week to be entertained by gossiping, the drama, and also many real moments in the show. Reality tv has opened many doors for many celebrities and Pop culture as a whole. Reality TV has impacted the world, but it has impacted The United States Of America the most. Studies show that humans like to be entertained by seeing fights and arguments on TV or in person. Many reality TV shows are mixed with scripted and unscripted scenes. America is a state that if someone mainstream is doing something, people want to do the same thing as the popular person. For example, Love and Hip-Hop is one of the most famous reality TV shows of today . They show scenes
Many reality shows revolve around some sort of competition (such as survivor and America’s next top model), while others feature celebrity figures in their everyday lives (such as Basketball wives, Real housewives and keeping up with the Kardashians). There are also shows that centers on small groups of unknown individuals or average everyday people, and examine their interactions with one another (such as Jersey Shore and Real world). In addition, you'll find shows that focus on teen pregnancy and the lives of teen moms (such as Teen Mom and 16 and pregnant).
Another way that keeps the viewers watching One Life to Live is how they never know who is going to be broadcasted the next day. There are so many characters that it is unlikely for all of them to be on each episode. For example, Todd, Blair, and Star are one family. Todd and Blair are the parents of their ten-year old Star. One day, the three of them might be broadcasted together in the same episode. The next day, Todd might be on an excursion throughout the show whereas Blair and Star are not even viewed. This is what occurs with almost all the characters. So viewers get attached to see who will be viewed the next day.
Are you ever sitting at home, on 9 o’clock p.m. on a Sunday, with nothing to do? Just bored out of your mind.. Willing to do anything.. Maybe even.. Watch. Watch one of the most amazing shows you’ll ever see on t.v. A show full of drama, excitement, and every other positive thing on the planet. A show that you will talk about non stop the next day. Recite lines with your friends.. And overall, a show- a show of perfection.
“Year after year, twenty-something women come to New York City in search of the two L's: labels and love” is the very catchy line that opens the film with Fergie’s ‘Labels or Love’ as the soundtrack and The Big Apple as its introductory shot. The scaling deduced from the bird’s eye-view-point of New York City, showing its Metropolitan atmosphere with skyscrapers and the famous Brooklyn Bridge; to the urbanites of the City; then to the lead actors of the film. A fifteen year-old girl watches the film, mesmerizing the ecstatic city while admiring the skinny white bodies of the ladies. And last but never forgotten, she gets carried away with the funky upbeat rhythm of the song emphasizing “Gucci, Fendi, [and] Prada . . .” That is the introduction of Sex and the City and the focus of its cinematography. With its elements, the movie can honestly influence teenage girls. Yet as much as critics such as Maya Gordon of Psychology of Women Quarterly say how media contributes to the sexual objectification and values women “based on their appearance,” this film should be an exemption.