Mary Tyler Moore and All in the Family

After the violent and traumatic year of 1968, networks almost completely replaced its current shows with "relevance"-- "Many looked different. Black, brown, yellow faces became comon in drama, newscast, commercial, comedy, special event, panel." (431) This shows the change that television was making by including different ethnicities and cultural differences- not just focusing on the stereotypical "norms" of society.

When shows such as All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore were aired, "innumerable taboos fell away." Barnouw states that "The essential strategy was to seize on topics and relationships involving deep tensions, and introduce them in a comedy aura . . . Interracial marriage, a young man's siege of impotence, an older woman's pregnancy and indecision about abortion, were suddenly topics of warm comedy..." (434)

Normal Lear, "the leading spirit behind the series [All in the Family]", thought that he was "enabling black and white, Jew and Gentile, to "laugh together." the explosive welcome won by his program among diverse groups- apparently inlcuding millions of those who were the butt of Archies expletives- seemed to support his claim." (433)

All in the Family also became the subject of a different series- The Jeffersons. "A black family first encountered in All in the Family became the subject of another new series, The Jeffersons. Maude's black maid became the central character of Good Times. The technique became a standard television strategem. Rhoda, introduced as a character on the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show- whose heroine was a television news writer- became the central character of a Rhoda series." (434)

Overall, I think these shows had a tremendouse impact on expanding viewers acceptance of different types of people with different problems instead of just giving them the stereotypical American family.

Check out this link, it is to Mary Tyler Moore's "Lost" episode!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yJQkzzxFTs

Quiz Show Scandal

"During the rise of Khrushchev as television personality, the smoldering rumors of quiz program corruptions blazed into scandal.” (Barnouw, 243)

Charles van Doren, the most famous "Twenty-One" quiz show winner who had landed himself a permanent spot on NBC's Today, was one of the first to speak out about the fixing of the quiz shows.

"He took me into his bedroom where we could talk alone He told me that herbert Stempel, the current champion, was an "unbeatable" contestant becaues he knew too much. He said that Stempel was unpopular, and was defeating opponents right and left to the detriment of the program. He asked me if, as a favor to him, I would agree to make an arrangement whereby I would tie Stempel and thus increase the entertainment value of the program. I asked himt o let me go on the program honestly, without receiving help. He said that was impossible." (Barnouw, 244)

Barnouw also states in the book that many quiz members had lied to the grand jury, and the shows blamed their sponsor, Revlon- who allegedly told which contestants to keep and which ones to not keep.

Because TV was in it's pioneer stages, and there were no "rules" against rigging a quiz show, networks were able to do damage control. Nevertheless, over 50 million American's had fallen in love with these quiz shows- and the unmasking of all of the lies made them feel extremely betrayed, and many people were turned off from TV in general.

This is one event that has affected TV history, and at the time contributed to a negative overall attitude towards the television industry.

I HAVE A DREAM...

Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have A Dream

"Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition."

I think this speech is the most memorable speech EVER!

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream."

Martin Luther King Jr. was and will always be praised for his amazing uplifting speech he gave to America underneath Abraham Lincoln's memorial. Through his words, he not only inspired African American's to rise up and follow their dreams, but every race and ethnicity around the world. Looking back today, I think all American's can be greatful for the hope and change he inspired, for today we live in his dream.

THANKS, MLK!

Good Night annnnnd Good Luck

I chose this picture for a representation of early television because you can see the uncertainty in Murrow's face about airing these public stories accusing McCarthy of injustice. This shows how in early television, anybody who worked in it were nervous about what they showed, and I think it can be said that each person was afraid for their job when airing shows like the McCarthy incident. TV was just starting out, and I don't think many boundaries had been set yet. There was alot of exploring going on, and anyone who was involved in this pioneer stage had to be nervous and a little worked up over something that had the potential to be controversial.

I loved watching Good Night and Good Luck! My younger sister (14) sat down to watch it with me and my Dad, and went to bed within a half hour. It wasn't the type of movie that sucked her in, but if you knew a little bit of the story line and what was going on, it was so interesting to watch. I was intrigued the whole movie, as well as my Dad. He quizzed me a little bit after the movie about how interesting it was to see what our history was like, and it really got me thinking about the chances these people took to get the truth to us, the people. Loved George Clooney, think he did a great job!

Some things I have learned!

I have actually found it enlightening to have to think about things I normally would not. It's not everyday that you sit down and think about the origination of the radio, and how TV was developed because of that. I was surprised to see how many people thought that all technology was a result of a previous one. I think I was one of a few that believed that in certain cases, single acts of genius did happen with inventions. It was interesting to learn from Jenna that there are 44,000 radio stations worldwide! That's alot of radio. Also, that radio advertising is accredited to almost 20 BILLION dollars in revenue! That's crazy to me. It became clear that radio has become a huge economic contributor to all of us.

Andy Griffith Show

The two TV shows I watched was The Andy Griffith show, and Rob and Big.
Although I don't watch older tv shows often, I had seen TAGS before, and knew it was hilarious. I actually laughed through almost the whole episode, and came to really appreciate old TV humor! I chose Rob and Big, because it is also more of a comic show, just in a "reality" way. I thought the two would be a good comparison because TAGS is a classic comic show from the 60's, while Rob and Big shows how today's tv has turned to "reality" for its entertainment.

Some things I noticed while watching TAGS, was the use of analogies! That seems to be the main form of comedy. Rob and Big, on the other hand (which is about two best friends who physically are complete opposites- Rob is short and small, while Big is tall andhuge) are always out trying new adventures- going to mini horse shows, taking trips, etc... and their comic performance is based on real activities that they do.

I also sat down and was talking to my Dad about tv from the past and tv today. He said something that really got my mind turning- comic relief in older shows is based off of alot of gestures and blunt jokes- while alot of today's comic relief comes from more intellectual comedy (if that makes sense).

Please post any comments/questions/suggestions on what I've had to say.

Super Bowl!

This week, my main tv program to watch (like everyone else in America) was the Super Bowl! Even though I'm not a huge fan of either team, my favorite part of it is watching the commercials. My favorite was the Dorito's commercial with the snow globe!! Hilarious! It's so funny to watch them with my family, because if you try to talk during commercials you get Hushed immediately. Anyways, that was my favorite TV program of the week, although I do watch lots of TV I could have talked about :)