Summative Statement: Television and The Small Screen

How television works is something most people probably don't think about most of the time; they watch what they like if it's on at a convenient time and while they may grumble about something like there being too many repeats they'll take what they're given. I really feel I've begun to look at the television I watch more as the output of a business rather than as a passive activity. There is so much to consider: scheduling, viewing figures, critical response, the reaction of the media and of viewers. One of the sadder facts I have taken is that quality is often irrelevent compared to the cold reality of what people are watching, hence the prevalence of copycat shows, spin-offs and reality tv.

Loathe it or hate it, reality tv has undoubtedly had a huge influence on what we watch; it's become so much of the landscape that there are dramas based off it and parodies everywhere. Plus, there is the fact that if any of us can come up with the next Big Brother, while we may have trouble sleeping at night we would be able to occupy our time by counting our money.

Class also gave me the opportunity to watch programmes I never would have otherwise. For example, the old American sitcom I Love Lucy which is still funny, and which we learnt influenced the whole sitcom genre, from Friends to How I Met Your Mother. It introduced things which we take as given such as the three wall set and the oddball neighbours. The Shield was an example of a more recent TV show which has changed the game, since it brings a staggering level of complexity to the cop show format. I would love to watch more of that, and also The Wire, which I saw on DVDs from the library. These are masterfully made programmes with a lot to say; in the same vein was Jimmy McGovern's The Street, which we watched while studying the idea of authorship. This was truly quality art - the writing, the acting, the low-key yet accomplished direction, it came together for a brilliant hour of honest storytelling which we can all aspire to.

Overall, I think our first module has been an eye opening experience. There have been pages worth of statistics along the way, but also stimulating discussions with each other on our beliefs and habits and opportunities to see some amazing pieces of television.

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