Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Last-ing Impression...
As my blogging entries come to a close, I would like to thank everyone for taking time to browse and read through my posts. For those of you who left comments, thank you for your feedback and suggestions. They were greatly appreciated.
I enjoyed my time spent researching this subject. I am an avid TV Land fan, but as they say, "You learn something new every day." I had the opportunity to read about actors and their lives, different shows, and comparisons between classic television and TV today.
I also had the chance to summarize and provide my own opinion concerning Mr. Gary Hoppenstand's article entitled "Me TV". In his piece, Hoppenstand expressed his disgruntlement with television today, feeling as though it is based solely upon participant humiliation and embarrassment. Hoppenstand finds it important that viewers today have the power to construct their own television schedules, if not content with reality TV today.
Classic television brought about several ideas to both past generations, as well as, people in today's society. Shows from the past set the stage for the evolution of television and the transformation of audiences of all ages. Television has evolved into today's society, constantly changing for the pleasure of its viewers.
For example, I Love Lucy began as a thirty minute comedy between husband and wife. A battle of fame between Ricky and Lucy often led to hilarious conflict. Shows such as I Love Lucy paved the way for hilarious comedies, such as, Everybody Loves Raymond. Ray and his wife, Debra, jokingly fight through struggles of everyday life. Raymond and his wife enjoy their life with their children, with occasional interruptions from Raymond's parents. This hilarious comedy has evolved from the days of I Love Lucy and shows like it will continue to change in accordance to their viewers.
In the world of animation, cartoons have progressed from The Jetsons to today's Simpson family. Cartoons, which were based mainly on the entertainment of children, are now viewed by all ages. Providing humor understood by children, teenagers and adults, cartoons today have advanced in both idea and appearance. With brighter colors and more definite lines, cartoons today appeal to the senses.
Ultimately, television producers and writers have adjusted television to accommodate its viewers. There are pieces of classic television that will never be forgotten and have left a lasting impression on television features to come. As television today continues to change, always remember the source of the change.
I enjoyed my time spent researching this subject. I am an avid TV Land fan, but as they say, "You learn something new every day." I had the opportunity to read about actors and their lives, different shows, and comparisons between classic television and TV today.
I also had the chance to summarize and provide my own opinion concerning Mr. Gary Hoppenstand's article entitled "Me TV". In his piece, Hoppenstand expressed his disgruntlement with television today, feeling as though it is based solely upon participant humiliation and embarrassment. Hoppenstand finds it important that viewers today have the power to construct their own television schedules, if not content with reality TV today.
Classic television brought about several ideas to both past generations, as well as, people in today's society. Shows from the past set the stage for the evolution of television and the transformation of audiences of all ages. Television has evolved into today's society, constantly changing for the pleasure of its viewers.
For example, I Love Lucy began as a thirty minute comedy between husband and wife. A battle of fame between Ricky and Lucy often led to hilarious conflict. Shows such as I Love Lucy paved the way for hilarious comedies, such as, Everybody Loves Raymond. Ray and his wife, Debra, jokingly fight through struggles of everyday life. Raymond and his wife enjoy their life with their children, with occasional interruptions from Raymond's parents. This hilarious comedy has evolved from the days of I Love Lucy and shows like it will continue to change in accordance to their viewers.
In the world of animation, cartoons have progressed from The Jetsons to today's Simpson family. Cartoons, which were based mainly on the entertainment of children, are now viewed by all ages. Providing humor understood by children, teenagers and adults, cartoons today have advanced in both idea and appearance. With brighter colors and more definite lines, cartoons today appeal to the senses.
Ultimately, television producers and writers have adjusted television to accommodate its viewers. There are pieces of classic television that will never be forgotten and have left a lasting impression on television features to come. As television today continues to change, always remember the source of the change.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
In and Out of the Spotlight
It often gets hard to imagine actors and actresses outside of our little TV screen. Thinking that they often go through the same struggles as us is sometimes unfathomable. Catching the real lives of celebrities outside of the tabloids realizing truth is comforting to most. In this video, this comfort is distributed to parents, but mostly mothers.
The interview takes place with mothers such as June Cleaver from Leave It To Beaver, Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch, and Marion Cunningham from Happy Days. The women are asked questions about motherhood in real-life and it's relation to their role as mothers on television. They express the ups and downs of life in show business.
Marion Ross, who portrayed Marion Cunningham on Happy Days, talks about how different her television life was from her home life. She worked on set and would come home to her children, raising them herself because she was divorced. She mentions her children asking why she was so sweet to her "children" on TV! She replied, "I used all my sweet at work."
Florence Henderson, Carol from The Brady Bunch, recalls her children asking why she never screamed at the children on television. "Because they won't let me! Otherwise I would," laughs Henderson.
From Everybody Loves Raymond Patricia Heaton found it eerie how closely related story lines were to her own personal lives. Whether it be her own children at school or struggles with her husband, she was amazed at how similar her real life was to the script.
These are just a few examples of the explanations in this interview. Posted on (www.tvland.com), the interview makes it easy for viewers to relate to these celebrities. Motherhood, whether on television or in our homes, can have its ups and downs. Always remember that celebrities lead normal lives, too!
The interview takes place with mothers such as June Cleaver from Leave It To Beaver, Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch, and Marion Cunningham from Happy Days. The women are asked questions about motherhood in real-life and it's relation to their role as mothers on television. They express the ups and downs of life in show business.
Marion Ross, who portrayed Marion Cunningham on Happy Days, talks about how different her television life was from her home life. She worked on set and would come home to her children, raising them herself because she was divorced. She mentions her children asking why she was so sweet to her "children" on TV! She replied, "I used all my sweet at work."
Florence Henderson, Carol from The Brady Bunch, recalls her children asking why she never screamed at the children on television. "Because they won't let me! Otherwise I would," laughs Henderson.
From Everybody Loves Raymond Patricia Heaton found it eerie how closely related story lines were to her own personal lives. Whether it be her own children at school or struggles with her husband, she was amazed at how similar her real life was to the script.
These are just a few examples of the explanations in this interview. Posted on (www.tvland.com), the interview makes it easy for viewers to relate to these celebrities. Motherhood, whether on television or in our homes, can have its ups and downs. Always remember that celebrities lead normal lives, too!
Ditto
I could not agree more with the article written by Gary Hoppenstand. In his article, Hoppenstand discusses what television has become today, producers and audiences that thrive apon participant's humiliation and embarrassment. Hoppenstand finds great comfort in knowing that he has options outside of the excuse we call entertainment today.
I have always loved to watch movies and feel they have been an alternative to terrible television. Whether it is a movie I have seen eight times, or one I am watching for my first time, it is always satisfying to know I have control. I chose my movie. I can pause at any time and continue at my convenience. I have the ability to rewind or fast-forward through any scene. If I'm not happy with the first movie I chose, I can choose another. When I watch a movie, I am in complete control.
Another great technological contribution of our time, box set DVDs. Today, there are several shows that have put previous seasons on DVD collections. These range from shows that were popular in the 50's and 60's to hit series today. For example, for Christmas, I was so excited to open a season of Grey's Anatomy on DVD. When my birthday came around, I was blessed with, my all time favorite, Full House! Thanks to my parents, I now have to capability of watching my favorite shows anytime, anywhere.
In his article, Hoppenstand mentioned how television today isn't based around family, but instead, humiliation embarrassment of those who choose to participate. Although there are usually hefty amounts of cash availabe to those who succeed, I often find myself asking, "What WON'T people do for money these days?" For example, a show recently aired on FOX called The Moment of Truth has participants answer a series of questions to see how truthfully they will reply. These questions range from things at work, in their marriage, previous love affairs, and anything else that has the potential to jeprodize a person's reputation. The catch? The questions often pertain to other people in the contestant's life, and those important people just so happen to be sitting on stage, waiting for the brutal truth. People have been known to lose their jobs, spouses, and even family members. All of this for the sake of money.
I feel we have become fortunate enought to have the power to skip moments like these on television. Shows such as the one previously mentioned are a prime example of what Hoppenstand mentions to be purely humiliation. Luckily, we have the power to control what we watch and when we watch it. Technology, can't live with it, can't live without it.
I have always loved to watch movies and feel they have been an alternative to terrible television. Whether it is a movie I have seen eight times, or one I am watching for my first time, it is always satisfying to know I have control. I chose my movie. I can pause at any time and continue at my convenience. I have the ability to rewind or fast-forward through any scene. If I'm not happy with the first movie I chose, I can choose another. When I watch a movie, I am in complete control.
Another great technological contribution of our time, box set DVDs. Today, there are several shows that have put previous seasons on DVD collections. These range from shows that were popular in the 50's and 60's to hit series today. For example, for Christmas, I was so excited to open a season of Grey's Anatomy on DVD. When my birthday came around, I was blessed with, my all time favorite, Full House! Thanks to my parents, I now have to capability of watching my favorite shows anytime, anywhere.
In his article, Hoppenstand mentioned how television today isn't based around family, but instead, humiliation embarrassment of those who choose to participate. Although there are usually hefty amounts of cash availabe to those who succeed, I often find myself asking, "What WON'T people do for money these days?" For example, a show recently aired on FOX called The Moment of Truth has participants answer a series of questions to see how truthfully they will reply. These questions range from things at work, in their marriage, previous love affairs, and anything else that has the potential to jeprodize a person's reputation. The catch? The questions often pertain to other people in the contestant's life, and those important people just so happen to be sitting on stage, waiting for the brutal truth. People have been known to lose their jobs, spouses, and even family members. All of this for the sake of money.
I feel we have become fortunate enought to have the power to skip moments like these on television. Shows such as the one previously mentioned are a prime example of what Hoppenstand mentions to be purely humiliation. Luckily, we have the power to control what we watch and when we watch it. Technology, can't live with it, can't live without it.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
What's in a Song?
Theme songs, although fairly short introductions, say a lot about what is to follow. The Brady Bunch briefly tells the story of how the family came to know each other. "Here's the story, of a lovely lady..." The intro to Cheers says, "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." This is evident in the show when a group of friends are constantly congregated at the same bar, discussing jobs, family, and life. The Addams Family theme song describes the family to a tee. "They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky. They're all together ooky. They Addams family."
If you could have a theme song to descbribe yourself, what would it say? Who would write the lyrics? Would it be fast paced or slow? What kinds of instruments would be playing?
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