TELEVISION

TELEVISION

The Conscience of America

What current television show most accurately

reflects the mindset and attitude of our

society? Explain your answer.

TV MIRRORS SOCIETY’S VALUES

How exactly do television programs do this?

How are these values represented?

What is the difference between entertainment and

morality?

Can the two co-exist?

THE DECADES

Television

1950-1959

The 1950s were filled with television shows that

emphasized the safety and stability of family. We

wanted reassurance after the stress of war that we

would be okay. The TV shows of the time tended to

reflect that, but also the shows emphasized

manners and courtesy, something that is much

rarer these days.

TOP SHOWS OF THE 50S

I Love Lucy

Leave It to Beaver

Father Knows Best

The Honeymooners

1960-1969

The 60s were a time of rebellion and breaking

free of social norms and restrictions. TV at the

time wasn’t much interested in convention and

reality.


The Beverly Hillbillies

Bewitched

Gilligan’s Island

Star Trek

Mission Impossible

The Andy Griffith Show

1970-1979

In the 70s, TV began to show us more reality, with

shows tackling subjects like gender equality and

civil rights. Some of these shows were rather

shocking in their frankness, even by today’s

standards.

All in the Family

The Jeffersons

Maude

Good Times

Laverne & Shirley

60 Minutes

The Mary Tyler Moore

Show


M*A*S*H

Three’s Company

1980-1989

The 80s ushered in an era of economic hope and

a resurgence of family and human values.

Networks also began to realize that old people

watched TV too!


The Cosby Show

The Golden Girls

Murder, She Wrote

Hart to Hart

Who’s the Boss?

1990-1999

The 90s are much harder to classify, as the colorful

80s gave way to the more monochromatic 90s.

Realistic portrayals of life were more common, and

the standards which governed what could be shown

on TV were visibly relaxing.

Friends

Buffy the Vampire

Slayer

The X-Files

ER

Frasier

NYPD Blue

In Living Color

Beverly Hills 90210


American Idol

Survivor

The Amazing Race

Dancing with the Stars

REALITY TELEVISIONLATE 1990S – THE PRESENT

The Real World

Big Brother

Jersey Shore

Real Housewives

Keeping Up with the

Uselessly Self-important

Kardashians

Honey…um… “Boo-Boo”

REALITY VS. REALITY

There are two types of reality show: competition and

human nature.

Of the human nature reality shows, two types stand out: the

ones that glorify and promote selfishness (Jersey Shore,

Kardashians), and the ones that condemn it (Hoarders,

Intervention). The question is: Do shows like this reveal a

thinning moral fabric in our society?

TV RATINGS

Top TV Shows 2000:

1. ER

2. Who Wants to be a Millionaire



5. Friends

6. Frasier

7. The Practice

8. Law & Order

9. Frasier

10. Law & Order

Top TV Shows 2001:

1. Friends

2. CSI

3. ER

4. Everybody Loves Raymond

5. Law & Order

6. Friends (8:30)

7. Survivor: Africa

8. Survivor: Marquesas

9. Monday Night Football

10. The West Wing

Top TV Shows 2003:1. American Idol2. CSI3. Survivor4. The Apprentice5. Friends6. Monday Night Football7. My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancée8. CSI: Miami9. ER10.Everybody Loves Raymond

Top TV Shows 2005:1. American Idol2. CSI3. Survivor4. Desperate Housewives5. Dancing with the Stars6. CSI: Miami7. Without a Trace8. Monday Night Football9. Grey's Anatomy10.House M.D.

Top TV Shows 2007:1. American Idol2. Dancing with the Stars3. Sunday Night Football4. Survivor5. CSI6. Lost7. House M.D.8. Heroes9. NCIS10.America's Got Talent

Top TV Shows 20111. Sunday Night Football2. American Idol (Wed.)3. NCIS4. American Idol (Thur.)5. Dancing with the Stars6. Dancing with the Stars7. NCIS: Los Angeles8. The Big Bang Theory9. Two and a Half Men10. The OT

Top TV Shows 20121. Sunday Night Football2. American Idol (We'd.)3. The Voice4. Modern Family5. American Idol (Thur.)6. The Big Bang Theory7. Two and a Half Men8. The X-Factor9. 2 Broke Girls10.Grey's Anatomy

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