Discuss the semi-recent rise of home renovation shows such as Fixer Upper, Love it or List it, etc. and the effects they have on viewers.
That's so funny, I was just thinking about this. There's something so addicting about watching them, and I feel like if someone can pinpoint exactly what that is, this would make a great article. Is it because we all just like looking at other people's homes? – thewyverary9 years ago
A look into the Netflix original "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" to analyze how the show acknowledges and satirizes media culture and the effect that it has for the audience when the main character is by all accounts, technologically inept (especially in relation to going viral, social media, etc). Can also discuss transition from first to second season and shifts in storytelling.
How much of what is portrayed in our top ranking shows is factually accurate? Friends is one of the most enduring, popular American comedies still watched at home and abroad to this day. What cultural notions or ideals exist that may represent or misrepresent Americans?
Good topic. When I read this I immediately thought of Modern Family. I became a viewer after it had been own for a few seasons, and I think the show does a fantastic job of depicting numerous issues: divorce, balancing motherhood and work, a gay couple, adoption, remarriage to the younger woman, etc. I would say Modern Family is a good representation of America. – danielle5779 years ago
It could also be interesting to touch on how a lot of American television is viewed in other countries and how these shows are portraying American values/culture to foreign audiences. – Marcie Waters9 years ago
This sounds be great, I think it would also be great to point out how American shows represent other cultures, and if their accuracy, or lack thereof, helps or hurts American views on other places as well as other places views on Americans. – Austin Bender9 years ago
Seinfeld came to mind when I first read this as well because it's really focused on the personalities instilled in characters and how we perceive them and how we react to who they are and how they act towards one another and other people in the show. – scole9 years ago
One recurring theme in American TV, especially shows like Friends and Sex and the City, is that these types of shows portray American women as exercising sexual freedom that isn't commonly seen in TV shows from Eastern countries. Women talking, sharing and engaging in many sexual encounters isn't seen as much in series from the East. That would be one huge difference for sure. I don't think I can judge though how accurately that represents or misrepresents American culture. Whoever writes on this topic could take a look at how the single life is portrayed in sitcoms and romantic relationships and compare to how these types of romantic relationships may represent Americans. Even though the show was called Friends, it was about living the single life, finding yourself and finding love in your 20s. – Munjeera9 years ago
Demonstrate some of the eerie similarities of the Netflix show House of Cards to some of the same elements that are going on currently in the American political arena. Research how the creators of House of Cards obtain their material, and who will prevail as the first female president Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Claire?
I think it would be good to dissect the political processes represented in the drama to see whether such a malicious pair could get into office in real life. Also how do British and American versions misrepresent parliamentary procedure in order to create good drama? – Benedict Hadley9 years ago
If there is a similarity of House of Cards to American politics in the real word, the obvious avenue of investigation would be, 'What is the source material?' – JDJankowski9 years ago
There have been a number of TV shows that have used voice overs. Such examples would be Veronica Mars, Burn Notice, Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs and Dead Like Me. Do voice overs add anything to the story lines or are they merely a distraction? Why are voice overs used? Should they be used more or less often? Are there examples of TV shows that have used voice overs, but weren't really effective? On the flip side, are there TV shows that could have used voice overs to help add depth or clarity to the story lines?
Good topic. Another possible example the article writer could use is Jane the Virgin. – Emily Deibler9 years ago
This would be great to write. I think bringing up something like Dexter as well. The show has a very complex voice over of Dexter the serial killer. Does he really believe in what he's saying? That he has no emotion and yet manages to portray it? Or is it simply him asserting that he is a monster and neglecting the idea that he could have other psychological levels? – tparish119 years ago
In my opinion, they are often used to explicitly summarize events of the show or a characters feelings about said events (Scrubs is the best example) and for this reason they are often redundant and/or heavy-handed. They are not necessarily "distracting", but neither are they useful to the storyline. – TheSnob9 years ago
There are a few shows that have tried different things: Arrow had voice overs in its first season, then dropped them, and it would be interesting to examine why. – bbctol9 years ago
The cliffhanger has become increasingly common in television as a means to sustain an audience's interest. Explore the history of when and how the cliffhanger originated. Also analyze the impacts of the cliffhanger? Does it engage an audience and make them want to continue watching the show to see what happens? Does a cliffhanger's impact depend on the duration of wait time between episodes or seasons? Or is the cliffhanger losing impact and resulting in frustrated viewers?
I believe with most trends in television show narratives they are designed to manage flow across (extended watching in a daypart) and through (continued watching in a week), which are programming principles. Ratings data is more powerful when there are "blocks" of programming, so networks (used to) bundle a series of new or anchor shows in primetime in the hopes of branding things like "Must See TV" for example. Sadly, I wish there was something more interesting afoot with cliffhangers, but they really are the oldest trick in the book that dates back to radio serials of the 30-40's. – Jason0527149 years ago
No, no please don't dis the cliffhanger. As long as the conclusion is satisfying and delivers then it is okay to use it. Maybe the writer of this topic could look at the some of the greatest cliffhangers of all time. Remember "24"? The solutions were as Byzantine and created more questions than answers. – Munjeera9 years ago
Maybe talk about why cliffhangers effect us and how they effect us. What is the science behind why they make us want to watch more or why they anger us so much. Look at how fans reacted to cliffhangers and why they reacted in this way. Even maybe explore why writers of the show use cliffhangers and if they are useful to keep people interested in show. – Mel9 years ago
A look at the upcoming series of Twin Peaks and how it could differ from the old series and how it fits in with this current era of 'Peak TV' and will that have any bearing on how the show looks or how we consume it?
Revisiting something as postmodern as Twin Peaks might cause a ripple in the space/time continuum. At this point Twin Peaks has come full circle and is more reflective of 1980's entertainment impressionism. But good topic, definitely. – Jason0527149 years ago
The Abominable Brides takes place at least partially (some say completely) in Sherlock's mind. Therefore, the characters are projections of his subconscious, and different from their real-world versions. Analyze the differences between the characters in the previous seasons and in TAB, and determine what it reveals about that character's relationship to Sherlock and the way he sees them. For example, Sherlock sees Mary as Mycroft's spy, or John is more violent than his actual self.
