Television Criticism

Television Criticism presents an original treatment of television criticism with a foundational approach to the nature of criticism. Readers gain an understanding of the business of television and production background in creating television style and are presented with in-depth chapters on storytelling, narrative theories, and television genres. The author also includes chapters on the interaction of rhetoric and cultural studies theories, representation, and postmodernism. This book presents new and comprehensive guidelines for analysis and criticism, and it has a sample critique of the television program Parenthood. This updated Second Edition reflects the changes in the ways television is viewed and the impact of the Internet on television. It explores how the Internet provides opportunities to enhance television analysis and criticism. Division into four parts (Part I: Orientation, Part II: Formal Aspects of Television, Part III: Theoretical Approaches to Television Criticism, and Part IV: Critical Applications) allows for a clear presentation of the concepts.

New to this Edition

Updated pedagogy with new information about business; government, and production practices; current examples; exercises; and new photos from contemporary television programming enables readers and instructors to better comprehend the content presented.

New sample criticism provides the reader with a detailed illustration of how critical guidelines are used to develop a critique of a complex television program.

The addition of a glossary offers readers a convenient solution for definitions of specialized terms within the text to assist in understanding the material.

Key Features

Original guidelines for television analysis give students the tools they need to create their own critiques.

The use of narrative theories enhances the recognition that television is a story-making medium in all genres, allowing readers to think beyond fiction television.

The presentation of classical and new theories specifically adapted to the criticism of television gives the reader a better understanding of methodology.

Exercises and Suggested Readings appear at the end of each chapter to encourage critical thinking.