TV+as+Media

-David Considine (Coordinator on the media literacy project at Appalachian State University)
 * "If we teach students to become critical viewers, we do more than give them the ability to analyze the construction of isolated images; we also give them the ability to think critically about the composition of the picture, enhancing their ability to read words and worlds." **

This unit provides students with the social, economic, and political context of the rise and sustained success of commercial television. There is often resistance from those who insist that material of this type over analyzes television programming that is merely intended to entertain its audience. However, television ha been from the outset a commercial venture supported by advertisers. The firms that own television stations after to the needs and desires of their advertisers, delivering audiences with programming designed to attract particular groups of people.

Situation comedies provide a good medium for students to begin analyzing program types. Sitcoms are shorter than many other types of television programming, and their subject matter is generally not complex. By their nature, sitcoms can be fun to watch and fun to analyze. Situation comedies are highly formulaic and are organized in a traditional narrative structure. The formulas for sitcoms will have students identify standard character types and plot devices, as well as common settings. Television and Diversity features quotations from several minority group leaders who have complained of the lack of television roles fro minority group members. Students will compare their personal experiences with media depictions of different people. Television and Families will examine shifts in sitcoms from the nuclear family toward groups of people of a similar age. That Person is Crazy had students identify a "crazy" character in a sitcoms, then compare and contrast how others interact with such a person on television, and how others interact with such a person in real life. Finally, Sitcoms as Stories provides the opportunity for students to analyze the narrative structure of a sitcom.


 * __The objectives of this unit are to help students:__**
 * develop a historical view of television in American Society
 * understand the casual relationship between the commercial focus of the TV industry and the types of programming available to viewers
 * look beyond the entertainment TV offers and consider the reality that the television industry maintains an economic agenda driven by its reliance on advertising
 * realize that television programs are laden with value messages
 * recognize that TV shows are highly formulaic
 * understand the nature of humor
 * understand that issues of race, gender, and class are often at play in sitcoms
 * analyze the narrative structure of TV programs

The Television Industry



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 * Sanford and Son Intro **

**Sanford and Son Episode**

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 * The Cosby Show Intro **

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 * The Cosby Show Episode **

= **__Sitcoms Through the Years__** = **I Love Lucy (50's)** media type="youtube" key="OTk1KN8Cplc" height="226" width="275"

Leave it to Beaver (60's)

The Brady Bunch( mid/late 60's)

The Partridge Family ( 70's)

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 * Roseanne (80's) **

**Married With Children (90's)**

**Two and a Half Men (2000)**

**The Middle (2010)**





//Product Placement marries sitcoms and advertising. To see more advertising, click **Advertising as Media** for more advertising information//. Product Placement Seinfeld Twix