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? Are there any other characteristics that you could add to their list?
Buffy and the Vampire Slayer is said to be representative of quality television.The series engages the social forces that constrict and restrain us. BtVS series challenges gender roles and stereotypes. Buffy stands alone and isn't afraid of what lurks in the shadows. Although she presents a strong capable female who 'kicks ass', her outfits and hair that got blonder with each new season merely serves to sexualise her image, though great for ratings is contradictory to the message they're trying to convey to the audience.Wilcox and Lavery (2002) notes that the treatment of monsters and 'others' leads to suggest the series has an element of racism and questions are raised as to whether the series condones violence. The heroes in the series are able to see the world with a healthy dose of irony. Witty sayings from the show's various characters are often quoted in magazines and websites. For example; "I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away." ("The Witch" 1003). Wilcox and Lavery (2002). state "the grace and wit of the language embody one element of the heroism of the characters." (Wilcox, "There").
I have watched several episodes of "The Fosters" a family drama series (debuted 2013) and believe it has several of the defining characteristics of quality television such as being 'controversial' - "The Fosters" redefines 'family' and 'marriage' as opposed to the traditional sense and encountered controversy and protests from anti-gay activists who oppose same sex unions and their rights to raise a family due to their sexual orientation. The family is made up of an inter-racial lesbian couple who have entered into a 'same sex' marriage and raising their family of fostered and adopted kids of multiple ethnicity, who each deal with their own issues such as being gay, transgender and so on. Secondly it has that 'Quality shows must undergo a noble struggle against profit-mongering networks and non-appreciative audience.' the show initially met with some resistance, it was even suggested the show would never obtain approval as it didn't fit into the category of the traditional, stereotypical family. It deals openly with LGBTQ themes; in one episode; Jude a 13 year old begins to question his sexuality after developing feelings for a boy at his school. Another character Cole is a transgender boy living in a group home and so on. The creators of the show were fortunate to have been introduced to Jennifer Lopez who supported their efforts to get the show aired. She liked their concept for the show. The drama series has 'a large ensemble cast' with recurring cast and characters.' and also 'aspires towards realism' as the show is more realistic in it's portrayal of a 'modern day' family that consists of blended families which may include biracial members and/or LGBTQ. Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The series deals with issues relevant to adolescence like teenage angst, sexuality, identity and also topics such as ADHD, alcoholism, drug addiction, rape and abuse in the foster care system.
Wilcox, R. & Lavery, 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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fosters_(2013_TV_series)
"The Fosters" trailer retrieved from youtube on 30th October 2014 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUQgRc3pRjE
Great post Franz, I especially like how you have examples from Fosters. I think that while Buffy has a strong element of sexuality it also is not too in your face about it. The characters relationships are not too in your face and though some of the clothing worn by female characters like Buffy are a little daring they are not trashy.
ReplyDeleteAnother example would be the Adams Family, even though it was focused more to a younger audience the sexual innuendos between the mother and father are a little bit too much for a supposed children's show. And also draws on the realism of suburban life and fitting in with your neighbors and living a seemingly normal life while actually being part of the paranormal.
Thanks Nisha. Nice. Isn't it interesting what we find when we pull the layers back and look at what is being dealt with in many of these shows. Quite a few of them do grapple with serious content (often within genres and sub-genres that might seem more suited to light entertainment).
DeleteThanks Francis. Great response. Yes, as mentioned by several students this year, the Fosters is a strong example of 'controversial' content. But I think you are right to use it as a prime example of the "noble struggle against profit-mongering networks and non-appreciative audience" - and without the endorsement (and financial aid) of Lopez, it would have failed.
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