Wilcox and Lavery (2002) identify 9 defining characteristics of ‘quality TV’ – can you apply any of these to other television series that you have viewed recently?
I have been watching ‘Lost’ in the past few weeks and I loved it. One of the nine characteristics of quality TV identified in Wilcox and Lavery (2002) could be applied to Lost. It is the Quality TV aspires toward “realism”. In the ‘Lost’, the plane crashed and some people managed to survive on an island. The island is isolated and the survivors need to find their own food and water which is the most important thing to life. However, in now days most people don't know how to survive in the wild. The show is realistic and close to us, it shows what would happen if we are alone on an isolated island and how to find food and water.
In my point of view, another characteristic that could be added to the list is humorous. So TV show may not related to literature or towards realism but it simple makes your happy. If a show can makes you laugh and help you to relax it should be a great show. For example The Big Bang Theory, the story is not realistic but it make me laugh and every time I watch it, it makes me feel relaxed.
Reference:
Wilcox,R. & Lacery, D.(2002). Introduction, in R. Wilcox & D. Lavery (eds) Fighting the forces: what`s at stake in buffy the vampire slayer. Lanham: Rowman and littlefield.
I agree with your post Vicky, Lost is a prime example of quality tv, due to its realism and also its linking plot and characters. A further example, in my view due to realism, would be Sons of Anarchy.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree that humour is important, especially relateable humour. I also love Big Bang Theory (Sheldon is a God!) How I Met Your Mother is brilliant also.
I would also count South Park, which ticks all the nine boxes of quality tv. It also portrays conditions of humanity and deep philosophical debates in a fresh way. I would add such relevance to the list of qualities.
I also agree with Vicky. You have provided a very clear example of quality TV. The programme Lost is closely linked to reality. Some reality based facts are included in this TV programme. Helen I also agree with the examples you have provided. How I met your mother is a great programme because it's basically real everyday life stories so that would also fall under the category of quality Tv.
ReplyDeleteVicky an interesting response but I think you need to develop a more considered and critical stance (and write a bit more). Firstly it would be good to develop the definition further of what Wilcox and Lavery (2002) mean by "realism" (use quotes where necessary) as their understanding of it is reasonably complex. Also to someone who doesn't watch lost much - it appears to be NOT very realistic at all - in the same way that Buffy essentially doesn't seem very realistic (vampires/demons witches)? IN what way is LOST's depiction of the survivor "looking for food in water" realistic - how is it different in this respect from any other survivor genre?
ReplyDeleteI think what makes Lost realistic is the characters. There are so many characters that they personify many different archetypes.
ReplyDeleteIt is only different to other survivoresque shows because of the complexity of the characters. It is this complexity and interwoven plot that builds with each episode (and continually refers back) that diferentiates it from most other shows, elevating it to cult status.
Obviously, we see supernatural elements in Lost but I dont think that you can really compare Lost with Buffy, as they are two entirely different concepts.
Nice comment Helen
ReplyDelete