TV Paper Topics - Essay Example

?TV Paper Topics INTRODUCTION With the advent of globalization and the rapid development in the field of technology, today’s generation are considered to be the most advanced. However, the influence of television (TV) is considered to be the same as it was decades ago. “Friends” an American Sitcom is considered to be one of the most common show worldwide especially known for contribution in spreading Americanization. The TV show started in the year 1994 and ended in the year 2004 listing itself in one of the greatest effective and long running TV show. It is considered that the last episode of the show named “the last one” was almost watched by 52.46 millions of viewers from all around the United States of America (USA). Although, “Friends” is considered to be one of the most watched TV American sitcom, however, many critics has stated that the show mainly focused on promoting Americanization all over the globe. THESIS STATEMENT The thesis of this paper is to provide a descriptive study of the American sitcom named “Friends” by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. The paper would provide descriptions of the issues that have been followed in the show, along with programs that disapprove or promotes the subject matter. The paper would also include a part that would highlight how the show has helped in spreading Americanization all over the USA. DISCUSSION Issue or concept from the book in the show: The different issues that have been identified from the book that is present within the show are listed here under: Americanization The first issue that has been identified within the book name, “Television Studies: The Key Concepts” by Casey, B. is Cultural Imperialism. It was viewed that the show name “Friends” mainly focused on spreading the American culture my involving different activities that was being followed in most part of America. According to Ellwood Griscom (jr.), Americanization is basically the term given to explain the influence of the USA on the culture of other countries (Griscom (jr.) 230-233). Thus it can be concluded that in the television sitcom “Friends” tried to promote the living habits of the American with the prime motive of promoting them in other countries located globally. Cultural Imperialism The second issue that is present in the book and which can be viewed in the show is Cultural imperialism. It is generally considered to be the supremacy of one society on that of inferior society. In this context it has been viewed that the show “Friend” promoted certain activities that are not acceptable by other society. For instance the show promotes practice like living relation which is considered to be an uncommon process in many parts of the world. According to John Tomlinson, cultural imperialism is basically the process of spreading western-modern life style. With reference to the stated statement it can be stated that the sitcom “Friends” certain activities that promoted western life style which could be stated as cultural imperialism (Tomlinson 2-5). How does show approach that issue: The different approach that have been adapted by the Show “Friends” are explained here under: Americanization Friends a well-known TV sitcom globally is considered to be amongst one of the best show in the American television history/. The show relives around the life of six friends who helps each other’s in solving their individual problems. It has been stated by many critics that the show helped in promoting American culture to a great extent. However, globally many critics stated that the show mainly focused on influencing people to adapt American culture. For instance, the show promoted many American brands like Buitoni pasta, Nestle Toll House cookies, Oreo cookies among others which is considered to be an indirect way of promoting Americanization. It was also viewed that the sitcom was banned from China as it promoted too much sex which is considered to be a normal affair in the American context (Shi, “Product Placement and Digital Piracy: How Young Chinese Viewers React to the Unconventional Method of Corporate Cultural Globalization”). Cultural Imperialism The sitcom Friends has been in discussion among many critics globally, although the show received positive reviews in its country of origin. However, the show has been a target of many negative reviews as well such as cultural imperialism. It has been viewed that the show promotes American brands and includes behaviors like making fun of people who seems gay, or having an affair with someone’s dad’s friend. Additionally, the show only highlighted western culture which seemed to be a negative aspect for the show (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, “Friends”). Underlying message that each show disapproves or promotes: With reference to the book, Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker by Ellwood Griscom, the main shows that has been mentioned along with the messages that each show disapproves or promotes are listed here under: Friends In this TV show considered to be a television sitcom, mainly concentrated on portraying the life of six friends. Although, it has been viewed that the show was criticized for supporting cultural imperialism. However, it can be stated that the main factor that was being promoted was the importance of friends in an individual’s life. The Cosby Show The Cosby Show is considered another biggest hit television show of the early 90’s. The show revolves around the life of an upper middle class African-American family. The underlying message of the show was to show to highlight the contribution of the black in the American context. The show also covered issues like teenage pregnancy and many other vital factors that was an apart of the society in the 90’s (Winzenburg, “TV’s Greatest Sitcoms”). Oprah ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ globally known as Oprah is considered to be one of the highest ranked talk show globally. The show mainly focused on highlighting topics from the American culture to teach and inspire viewers with a transcendent uplifting mainly by featuring books, celebrity interviews and humanitarian sorties into the events. The underlying message of the show was to teach new things by highlighting all the factors that act as and a barrier in the real world. With reference to the above mentioned shows it can be viewed that the three shows is considered to be three different forms of shows. The show name ‘Friends’ mainly focused on portraying the life of three American friends. Though many critics has criticized how adaption of certain factors like American branded product. However, the show that how American culture values different aspects like friendship and others. The show, ‘The Cosby Show’ portrays the life and the position of the African-American in the American context. The show Oprah is considered to be one of the most influencing talk show globally. It portrays the role of American culture and how adaption of American culture can help in creating a better living place. CONCLUSION The contribution of television shop in bringing new changes in the society can be witnessed from the past. There exist many television shows that are made considering the normal living habits of their civilians. However, it has been viewed that the shows conflicts with certain living habits when telecasted in the international level. With reference to the above mentioned discussion it can be viewed that the show ‘Friends’ considered to be amongst one of the renowned television sitcom in the American TV history has been criticized my many individuals in the international level. The main reason that resulted in such criticism was resulted from promoting American brand and showing activities that are considered to be uncommon on the global platform. Thus, it can be concluded that a show must be made considering all the factors that would not promote discrimination amid the different people present in the society. Works Cited Ellwood Griscom (yr.). Americanization: A School Reader & Speaker. The United States: the University of California, 2008. Print. John Tomlinson. Cultural Imperialism: A Critical Introduction. The United Kingdom: Continuum, 1991. Print. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Friends. About the show, 2013. Web. 1 Oct. 2013. . Shi, Yu. Product Placement and Digital Piracy: How Young Chinese Viewers React to the Unconventional Method of Corporate Cultural Globalization. Communication, Culture & Critique, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2013. . “TV’s Greatest Sitcoms.” TV’s Most Influential Sitcoms. Winzenburg, 2004. Web. 1 Oct. 2013. . Read More