Critical TV Studies

📺Critical TV Studies Unit 2 – TV genres and formats

TV genres and formats shape the landscape of television programming. From sitcoms to prestige dramas, these categories define content, structure, and audience expectations. Understanding genres and formats helps viewers navigate the vast array of shows available across traditional networks and streaming platforms. The evolution of TV genres reflects changing societal norms and technological advancements. Early genres like variety shows gave way to complex narratives in modern prestige dramas. Streaming platforms have further disrupted traditional models, enabling niche content and hybrid genres that cater to specific audience interests.

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
  • 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


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Glossary
Glossary