A journal of television and new media

Archive for December, 2006

<p></p><p>Borat In (Next To!) The Balkans

Borat In (Next To!) The Balkans

by: Daniel Marcus / Goucher College

For those in the former Yugoslavia, Borat offers a rich field of representations to express and explore their self-definitions as emerging participants in Western culture and social practices.

<p></p><p>The Simultaneous Dawning and Twilight of Broadcast Network Narrative

The Simultaneous Dawning and Twilight of Broadcast Network Narrative

by: Craig Jacobsen / Mesa Community College

It isn’t hard to imagine a future in which broadcasting serves the role of advertising and secondary revenue stream for the primary medium: complete seasons of episodes packed for sale on DVD or for download.

<p></p><p>Below Average

Below Average

by: Alan McKee / Queensland University of Technology

Why it’s best to stick to shows with singing, dancing, or, preferably, both.

<p></p><p>Television Sets Grow Up

Television Sets Grow Up

by: Ray Cha / Independent Scholar

Part two of three in a series describes a control or possibly “on demand” nature more important than a effeciently planned experience and delivery of “television.”

<p></p><p>On Our Best Behaviour

On Our Best Behaviour

by: Gareth Palmer / University of Salford

Television’s engagement with surveillance of all kinds is fashioning a productive shame, reproducing models of ever more restricted “outer-focused” identities.

<p></p><p>Is There a Detective in the House?

Is There a Detective in the House?

by: Chandler Harriss / Alfred University

An examination of the use and usefulness of genre in television studies.

<p></p><p>Micro-Ethnographies of the Screen: Sign-Off

Micro-Ethnographies of the Screen: Sign-Off

by: Dan Leopard / St. Mary’s College of California

For his final column, Dan Leopard examines the television sign off.

<p></p><p>Rooting for Betty

Rooting for Betty

by: Mary Beltrán / University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ugly Betty: Are beauty and worthiness equated with whiteness?

<p></p><p>Post <em>CSI</em>-TV: The Ecstasies of <em>Dexter</em>

Post CSI-TV: The Ecstasies of Dexter

by: Michele Byers / Saint Mary’s University

How does Dexter compare with network-series CSI? The programs have similar themes and topics, but different in tones and humor, perhaps associated with network/non-network programming.

Civilized Viewing and its Discontents

Civilized Viewing and its Discontents

by: Lynne Joyrich / Brown University

Is watching television (whether alone or with others) good for you? Lynne Joyrich examines the constructions of the self and the familial, and their implications for TV viewers, in shows from Dexter to Ugly Betty.

<p></p><p>Mixing Mythology, Science and Fiction: The Sci-fi Genre in Indian Film and Television

Mixing Mythology, Science and Fiction: The Sci-fi Genre in Indian Film and Television

by: Shanti Kumar / University of Texas-Austin

With a limited but growing pool of experienced talent that is increasingly becoming adept in the use of animation and special-effects technologies, the Indian animation industry is looking both inward and outward for business and creative opportunities.

<p></p><p>ESPN’s “Full Circle” and Media Convergence

ESPN’s “Full Circle” and Media Convergence

by: Harper Cossar / Georgia State University

As ESPN continues to experiment with its broad-reaching network of media outlets, we can be certain that more unique ways to cover sporting events will follow, and for sports fans, that is a good thing.