Week 06: Star Trek (NBC, 1966 - 1969)

Tu 2.28

Read: eR—“Blessing or Curse? How DVRs are Impacting Viewing Habits” (TV Genius), “The Age of Egocasting” (The New Atlantis)

Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH: 1. ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1 AND 2. A ONE PARAGRAPH RATIONALE FOR YOUR REVISIONS)

Th 3.1
Read: HOME—pg. 1 – 60
Class: Reading discussion; Watch—Excerpt from “Ep. 1: Planes, Trains, and Paddywagons” from The Real World: San Francisco

Due: REFLECTION 3

Fr 3.2

Read: eR—“Blessing or Curse? How DVRs are Impacting Viewing Habits” (TV Genius), “The Age of Egocasting” (The New Atlantis); HOME—pg. 1 – 60

Class: Reading discussion; Watch—Excerpt from “Ep. 1: Planes, Trains, and Paddywagons” from The Real World: San Francisco, Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH: 1. ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1 AND 2. A ONE PARAGRAPH RATIONALE FOR YOUR REVISIONS); REFLECTION 3

Upcoming:

Week 07: Survivor

 Tu 3.6
Read: HOME—pg. 61 – 120
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

Th 3.8
Read: HOME—pg. 121 – 168
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Literary Analysis / Short Answer Responses

Fr 3.9
Read: HOME—pg. 61 – 168
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY; Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Literary Analysis / Short Answer Responses

Reflection 03: The Invisible Sell—Product Placement on TV

You may not realize it, but that episode of American Idol or How I Met Your Mother or The Vampire Diaries you just watched may have contained subtly embedded ads for a variety of products. The practice is called product placement, the intentionally seamless integration of commercial products into the narrative of a film or television program. Carrie Bradshaw's Jimmy Choo shoes, Dr. House's Macbook Pro, and Sue Sylvester's Adidas track suits are all examples of the subtle (or not so subtle) placements we've seen in recent years. In fact, the practice dates back to the beginning of television, when programs were openly sponsored by major companies (e.g. Texaco Star Theater, Hallmark Hall of Fame). Today, the practice is more covert, with many shows aiming to integrate products as naturally as possible. As a result, you may not even be aware of the presence of these products. How do you feel about this? Should programmers be mandated to inform viewers of product placements or should a viewer be savvy enough to identify those instances on his or her own? Finally, are you more bothered by the most blatant or the most subtle of product placements?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "'Smallville' Product Placement Hits New Low (About.com)
• "'Big Bang Theory' Has the Most Remembered Product Placement Among Dramas/Sitcoms; 'American Idol' Had Most Placement Overall" (TVbyTheNumbers)
• "Product Placement: Is TV Selling Out?" (TV Guide)
• "TV Shows With the Most Product Placements" (Businessweek)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length
• Works Cited page

Due: Tu 2.28 (Sec. 05) / Fr 3.02 (Sec. 49)

TV News 02.21.12

The Drapers are back for the new season of Mad Men

• AMC's new Mad Men season 5 teaser is here Huffington Post
• Most TV viewers not quite ready to cut the cable cord Broadcast Engineering
• Tired of reality TV singing competitions yet? TV Guide
• MTV to gay teens: It gets better New York Daily News 
• Saturday Night Live spoofs the stereotypes surrounding Jeremy Lin USA Today
• Coming soon: Diddy's own music channel, Revolt NME

Assignment: PowerPoint Presentations, Sec. 49 (FINAL UPDATE)

The first 24-hour music network, MTV, debuted in 1981

Here is the final presentation schedule for Sec. 5:

Week 05:

Fr 2.24

1. Nelson Zepeda, Eduardo Garcia, Eduardo Ozuna: (Based on the Brits: Three’s Company, The Office, Skins, and The X Factor)

Week 07:

Fr 3.9 

1. Pedro Lorenzana, Saul Perez, and Jose Saenz: (Iconic Latino Characters: Ricky Ricardo, Chico Rodriguez, Dora the Explorer, and Betty Suarez)
2. Jaco Wong, Victoriya Telepun, and Diana Hernandez (TV Pioneers: Lucille Ball)

Week 08

Fr 3.16 

1. Kristina Leung, Meyling Huang, and Kelly Dang (Groundbreaking Television: The Twilight Zone)
2. Joey De Stephano, Alejandor Curiel, Choon Dee (Iconic Asian Characters: Lt. Sulu, Apu, Sun & Jin, and Kelly Kapoor)

Week 11:

Fr 4.6
1. David Silva, Ken Kim, and Sebastian Tumbale (Visions of the Man of Steel: Adventures of Superman, Super Friends, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Smallville)

Week 12:

Fr 4.13
1. Brandon Siu and Kevin Louie (TV Genres: Variety Shows)
2. Alejandro Curiel and Christina Sotelo (MTV: The Early Years)

Week 14:
Fr 4.27
1. Betzaida Orozco, Pavithra Rajeswaran, and Uyi Ogbeiwi (A Brief History of Soap Operas)

Week 05: The Brady Bunch (ABC, 1969 - 1974)

Tu 2.21

Read: eR—“List of Most Watched Television Broadcasts in the United States” (Wikipedia), “TiVoing Childhood” (FlowTV), “Estimate: 800,000 U.S. Households Abandoned Their TVs for the Web” (TechCrunch)

Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop

Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Th 2.23
Read: eR—“Streaming Dreams” by Dave Seabrook (The New Yorker), “Do We Need Network TV?” (New York Times), “Who Needs a TV? I’m Watching on a Laptop” (New York Times)

Class: Reading discussion, Presentations

Fr 2.17

Read: eR—“List of Most Watched Television Broadcasts in the United States” (Wikipedia), “TiVoing Childhood” (FlowTV), “Estimate: 800,000 U.S. Households Abandoned Their TVs for the Web” (TechCrunch), “Streaming Dreams” by Dave Seabrook (The New Yorker), “Do We Need Network TV?” (New York Times), “Who Needs a TV? I’m Watching on a Laptop” (New York Times)

Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop, Presentations

Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Upcoming:

Week 06: Star Trek

Tu 2.28

Read: eR—“Blessing or Curse? How DVRs are Impacting Viewing Habits” (TV Genius), “The Age of Egocasting” (The New Atlantis)

Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH: 1. ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1 AND 2. A ONE PARAGRAPH RATIONALE FOR YOUR REVISIONS)

Th 3.1
Read: HOME—pg. 1 – 60
Class: Reading discussion; Watch—Excerpt from “Ep. 1: Planes, Trains, and Paddywagons” The Real World: San Francisco

Due: REFLECTION 3

Fr 3.2

Read: eR—“Blessing or Curse? How DVRs are Impacting Viewing Habits” (TV Genius), “The Age of Egocasting” (The New Atlantis); HOME—pg. 1 – 60

Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH: 1. ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1 AND 2. A ONE PARAGRAPH RATIONALE FOR YOUR REVISIONS); REFLECTION 3

Assignment: Persuasive Essay

Are today's shows as groundbreaking as 60s and 70s TV?

In They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy, Allen Neuwirth examines the early battles to push the envelope of 60s and 70s comedic television. He illustrates the ways in which groundbreaking programs, such as Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, and Maude, faced uphill battles to break the mold of sitcom television. As a result, a bolder style of television emerged, one that believed audiences were sophisticated enough to handle relevant social issues (e.g. war, race, abortion) in a TV comedy. Today, these shows are the progenitors of some of our edgiest comedies, such as Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glee, and Weeds. But have contemporary shows followed through on the promise of provocative and insightful comedy? Do today's comedies seek to challenge viewers in the same way? In a concise essay, argue whether the legacy of these 60s and 70s sitcoms is being fulfilled today. Do we see the benefits of their hard-earned victories in our comedies, or has contemporary television simply slid into a competition to shock viewers? Cite specific evidence from They'll Never Put That on the Air to support your thesis (you may also draw from any classic or current television show).

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a Works Cited page

The best papers will:

• Have a clear argument outlined inside of a concise thesis
• Stay within the parameters of the prompt, examining the legacy of groundbreaking 60s and 70s programs in television today
• Clearly support their thesis utilizing solid evidence presented in a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence from the above articles using MLA's in-text parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of the argument, as well as main points
• Be formatted according to MLA Style 

Due: Tu 2.21 (Sec. 05) Draft 1—Bring 3 copies* / Fr 2.24 (Sec. 49) Draft 1—Bring 3 copies

*Sec. 05: Since Blogger was down for the better part of the weekend, I will not expect you to have a completed first draft. Instead, come in with as much of your essay as you can get done before Tuesday.

TV News 02.14.12

Jennifer Hudson's tribute was the highlight of the Grammys

• Jennifer Hudson honors Whitney Houston at the Grammys Entertainment Weekly
• China to limit foreign programs Guardian
• White Collar's Matt Bomer comes out E!
• Doin' it for themselves: Hulu and Netflix debut original programming USA Today
• The London Olympics: Money in the bank for NBC? New York Times 

Assignment: PowerPoint Presentations, Sec. 05 (FINAL UPDATE)

In 2011, the UK's X Factor successfully transitioned to US TV

Here is the final presentation schedule for Sec. 5:

Week 05

Th 2.23

1. Vandita Manyam, Byron Munoz, and Andrew Hill (MTV: The Early Years)

Week 07

Th 3.8

1. Inderjit Singh, Lizzett Sanchez, and Julia Robbert (Groundbreaking Television: The Twilight Zone)

Week 08

Th 3.15

1. Manpreet Sran,Vanessa Nisperos, and Michelle Barros (Based on the Brits: Three’s Company, The Office, Skins, and The X Factor)

Week 11

Tu 4.3

1. Kyle Oda, David Kekuewa, and Jason Berg (Visions of the Man of Steel: Adventures of Superman, Super Friends, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Smallville)

Th 4.5

1. Ricardo Gonzalez, Daysy Gonzalez, and Gizeh Ochoa (Iconic Latino Characters: Ricky Ricardo, Chico Rodriguez, Dora the Explorer, and Betty Suarez)

Week 12

Tu 4.10

1. Daisy Donato and Kent Ngyuen (Iconic Black Characters: Lt. Uhura, JJ Evans, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, and Roc Emerson)

Th 4.12

1. Andy Diep and Maria Nunez (Iconic Asian Characters: Lt. Sulu, Apu, Sun & Jin, and Kelly Kapoor)
2. Stacey Chan, Erika Regalado, and Tiffany Lopez (A Brief History of Game Shows)

Week 14

Tu 4.24

1. Janae Monasterial, Candice Stamper, and Cindy Tran (A Brief History of Soap Operas)

Week 04: The Sopranos (HBO, 1999 - 2007)

Tu 2.14

Read: AIR—Ch. 6 – 7

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“MLA Style 101”

Th 2.16

Read: AIR—Ch. 7 – 9

Class: Reading discussion; Preview—Persuasive essay; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric”

Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY; REFLECTION 2

Fr 2.17

Read: AIR—Ch. 6 – 9

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lectures—“MLA Style 101” and “The Fundamentals of Rhetoric”

Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY; REFLECTION 2

Upcoming:

Week 05: The Brady Bunch 

Tu 2.21

Read: eR—“List of Most Watched Television Broadcasts in the United States” (Wikipedia), “TiVoing Childhood” (FlowTV), “Estimate: 800,000 U.S. Households Abandoned Their TVs for the Web” (TechCrunch) 

Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop

Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Th 2.23
Read: eR—“Streaming Dreams” by Dave Seabrook (The New Yorker), “Do We Need Network TV?” (New York Times), “Who Needs a TV? I’m Watching on a Laptop” (New York Times)

Class: Reading discussion, Presentations

Fr 2.17

Read: eR—“List of Most Watched Television Broadcasts in the United States” (Wikipedia), “TiVoing Childhood” (FlowTV), “Estimate: 800,000 U.S. Households Abandoned Their TVs for the Web” (TechCrunch), “Streaming Dreams” by Dave Seabrook (The New Yorker), “Do We Need Network TV?” (New York Times), “Who Needs a TV? I’m Watching on a Laptop” (New York Times)

Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop, Presentations

Due: PERSUASIVE ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

TV news 02.11.12

Fans are stepping up in defense of attacks on Ellen Degeneres

• Facebook fans come out to support Ellen Degeneres Advocate 
• Can NBC's Smash be the anti-Glee? Guardian
• Si, se puede: ABCNews and Univision in talks to create new 24-hour news network New York Daily News
• What are reality TV's effects on teens? KSAT
  
• Super Bowl, Madonna set ratings record Reuters
  
• Up for the challenge: The Voice takes on American Idol Orange County Register

Assignment: Expository Essay

Glee represents a breakthrough in gay representation

As we have seen, the representation of gays and lesbians on TV has evolved greatly over the decades. In fact, what was at first unmentionable and invisible is now commonly portrayed and explored. But more representation doesn't always equate better representation. It has taken time for TV to develop complex gay characters that do not simply fall back on old stereotypes. Thus, today's television landscape includes everything from gay parents to vampires to teens. In a concise essay, create a "snapshot" of gay representation on television today. In your analysis, consider the complexities of today's homosexual characters. What has been their impact on viewers? How have viewers embraced or resisted them? Finally, how might gay characters' increased presence on TV influence society as a whole? Cite specific evidence from at least three of the articles below to support your thesis (you may also draw from any current television show or character):

• “'Will & Grace’ Leaving TV Comedy Out of Closet” (TV.com)
• “Fox’s ‘Glee’ Represents Counterfeit Joy” (Everyday Christian)
• “I Want My Gay TV” (Paley Center for the Media)
• "Most Say Homosexuality Should be Accepted by Society" (Pew Research Center)
• "Where We Are on TV" Report: 2011 - 2012 Season (GLAAD), 
• "Squeaky Clean or Naughty by Nature: 'Glee's' Gay Teen Sexuality Complex" (Huffington Post)

All articles are available in the eReader.

In-class clips:

• “Judging Books by Covers” from All in the Family (1971)
• “And Mother Makes Four” from Three’s Company (1977)
• “Sisters of the Bride” from The Golden Girls (1991)
• “The Third Wheel Gets the Grace” from Will & Grace (2002)
• “Gay Witch Hunt” from The Office (2006)
• “The First Time” from Glee (2011)

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt, examining gay representation from the current TV landscape
• Have a concise thesis that both addresses the subject matter and contains a viable argument
• Clearly support their thesis utilizing solid evidence presented in a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence from articles using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of the main points
• Be formatted according to MLA Style

Due: Th 2.16 (Sec. 05) / Fr 2.17 (Sec. 49)

Reflection 02: Crossing the Line—Tween and Teen TV

The transition between tween and teen TV can be jarring

In recent years, stark differences between tween (ages 10-12) and teen (ages 13-19) programing have emerged. Though both sets of viewers are part of the same highly coveted demographic, their perspectives and needs couldn't be more different. Traditionally, tween television has been a safe space for young viewers to enjoy innocuous entertainment, while teen television—much to the chagrin of parents and media watchdogs—has increasingly tackled more adult-themed issues. Thus, middle schoolers might be watching tween show about dealing with babysitters and in only a of couple years be watching a teen show about sexual manipulation. What do you believe is appropriate (or not) for tween viewers? Likewise, what should and shouldn't be aimed at teen viewers? For this reflection watch one tween TV show along with one teen TV show (see lists below) and compare the differences between the two.

Suggested teen shows (currently, or recently, in production):

• Big Time Rush (Nickelodeon)
  
• Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures (Nickelodeon)
• iCarly (Nickelodeon)
• The Naked Brothers Band (Nickelodeon)
• So Random! (Disney Channel)
• The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (Disney Channel)
  
• The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel)
• Victorious (Nickelodeon)
• Wizards of Waverly Place (Disney Channel)

Suggested teen shows (currently, or recently, in production):

• 90210 (The CW) 
• Blue Mountain State (Spike)
• Glee (FOX) 
• Gossip Girl (The CW)
• One Tree Hill (The CW)
• Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) 
• The Secret Circle (The CW) 
• The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family)
• Skins (MTV)
• Supernatural (The CW)  
• Switched at Birth (ABC Family) 
• Teen Wolf (MTV) 
  
• The Vampire Diaries (The CW)  

Note: Many full episodes of these shows are available to watch for free on their respective network's websites (e.g. Nickelodeon, The CW).

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "TV Show Appropriateness for Your Tween" (TweenParent)
• "The Magic Tween TV Formula" (EvilSlutopia)
• "MTV's New Teen Hit 'Skins': Could it be Flirting with Child Pornography? (Entertainment Weekly)
• "What are the Most Dangerous Shows Your Kids are Watching Without You?" (Fox News) 

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: Th 2.16 (Sec. 05) / Fr 2.17 (Sec. 49)

Week 03: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 1970 - 1971)

Tu 2.7

Read: eR—“’Will & Grace’ Leaving TV Comedy Out of Closet” (TV.com), “Fox’s ‘Glee’ Represents Counterfeit Joy” (Everyday Christian), “I Want My Gay TV” (Paley Center for the Media); AIR—Ch. 1 - 3
Class: DIAGNOSTIC ESSAY

Due: REFLECTION 1

Th 2.9
Read: eR—“Most Say Homosexuality Should be Accepted by Society” (Pew Research Center), “Where We Are on TV” Report: 2011 - 2012 Season (GLAAD), “Squeaky Clean or Naughty by Nature: ‘Glee's’ Gay Teen Sexuality Complex” (Huffington Post); AIR—Ch. 4 - 5

Class: Watch—Excerpts from “Judging Books by Covers” from All in the Family (1971), “And Mother makes Four” from Three’s Company (1977), “Sisters of the Bride” from The Golden Girls (1991), “The Third Wheel Gets the Grace” from Will & Grace (2002), “Gay Witch Hunt” from The Office (2006), “The First Time” from Glee (2011); Presentation sign-ups; Preview—Expository essay

Fr 2.10
Read: eR—“’Will & Grace’ Leaving TV Comedy Out of Closet” (TV.com), “Fox’s ‘Glee’ Represents Counterfeit Joy” (Everyday Christian), “I Want My Gay TV” (Paley Center for the Media); —“Most Say Homosexuality Should be Accepted by Society” (Pew Research Center), “Where We Are on TV” Report: 2011 - 2012 Season (GLAAD), “Squeaky Clean or Naughty by Nature: ‘Glee's’ Gay Teen Sexuality Complex” (Huffington Post); AIR—Ch. 1 - 5
Class: DIAGNOSTIC ESSAY; Watch—Excerpts from “Judging Books by Covers” from All in the Family (1971), “And Mother makes Four” from Three’s Company (1977), “Sisters of the Bride” from The Golden Girls (1991), “The Third Wheel Gets the Grace” from Will & Grace (2002), “The First Time” from Glee (2011); Presentation sign-ups; Preview—Expository essay
Due: REFLECTION 1

Upcoming:

Week 04: The Sopranos
Tu 2.14
Read: AIR—Ch. 6 – 7
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“MLA Style 101”

Th 2.16
Read: AIR—Ch. 7 – 9
Class: Reading discussion; Preview—Persuasive essay; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric”
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY; REFLECTION 2

Fr 2.17
Read: AIR—Ch. 6 – 9
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lectures—“MLA Style 101” and “The Fundamentals of Rhetoric”
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY; REFLECTION 2

TV News 02.03.12

Donkey semen on Fear Factor was too much for NBC

• NBC to contestants of the recently canceled donkey semen-drinking episode: Shut your mouth! TMZ
• Mariah Carey as a replacement on X Factor? New York Daily News
• The British are coming!: The UK's BSkyB to launching service to rival Netflix Wall Street Journal 
• Welcome to Louisiana, reality TV epicenter Associated Press
• As good an excuse as any: Consumers shelling out big bucks to watch the Super Bowl on a better TV ZDNet 
• And if you don't care about the Super Bowl... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Reflection 01: In It to Win It—Winning a Reality TV Competition

Holly takes a hit on Survivor: Nicaragua

Could you win a reality TV competition? If so, which one? Are you the next American Idol or America's Next Top Model? Are you best suited for an in-studio competition, such as Chopped, or are you willing to get physical on a show like The Amazing Race? What would you be willing to do, and what would be off-limits? Finally. what is the appeal of these shows? The money? The competition? The fame? What motivates people to risk potential humiliation on national television?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "Who Wants to Be a Cognitive Neuroscientist Millionaire?" (Seed)
• "The Real Deal: Life After Winning a Reality Show" (MSN)
• "I Auditioned for 'American Idol'" (Water, No Ice)
• "The Day ... I Won 'The Amazing Race'" (Hall of Fame Network)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: Tu 2.7 (Sec. 05) / Fr 2.10 (Sec. 49)