Introduction
Hence, as part of the changing scene of both media and culture, analysis will still be essential as far as entertainment is concerned in relating it to social norms. This essay explores contemporary television series, analyzing their cultural meaning, textual sub-texts, and confrontation between stereotypes and hegemony. A case in point is media influence on public opinion and debate, vividly illustrated by the series elected best out of several hundred shows for its combination of artistry and topicality since 1905. The critical essay is an essential component of our course that revolves around media assessment tools and the power of entertainment. Therefore, we have used it to analyze the series using the mentioned themes. These include an in-depth examination of the series’ substance and backdrop, an overview of research articles on its societal influence, and a broader consideration of how it depicts contemporary concerns. Such research sheds light on that particular show and explores other aspects of broader cultural importance associated with media in our Society.
Context and Background of the Chosen Topic
This paper examines the media review of today’s TV shows based on what we touched upon during lesson two. This series emerged after 2005 and has become synonymous with quality entertainment. It is a bed of cultural and societal analysis(Pires et al., 2019). It includes exploring the story’s complexity and how the series can affirm or challenge the prevailing notions of power. In light of the discussion about media assessment instruments in the class, a study that examines what people watch and think when they do so is especially pertinent.}.x: When it comes to media, people should be asked what they look at and why, not what other people assume they
This analysis is relevant to broader course concepts, such as the function of media in constructing social reality and the significance of mediation in public debate (Walsh et al., 2019). The essay examines the nature of information encoded in the various elements of content – both textual and non-textual – of the selected series with a view of extracting the underlying messages and themes that may be implicitly conveyed therein. Likewise, it corresponds to the emphasis in the course on critical thought and the dismantling of mass media to analyze what it entails for the audience. The analysis aims to demonstrate that modern entertainment is not just for enjoyment but also mirrors or may shape current social questions.
Critical Analysis of Sources
This article uses three reviewed by expert social science sources—each providing a distinct viewpoint on the mechanics of media impact and cultural representation—to conduct a detailed media study of a modern television series.
The first source is an article in a journal by Smith (2021) that thoroughly analyses the influence of contemporary television’s story patterns on Society. According to Smith, modern television shows frequently reflect complex socioeconomic themes, affecting public opinion and conversation. This source’s strength is its thorough examination of storytelling strategies and how they affect listeners psychologically. However, its relevance in a global setting is constrained because it primarily focuses on Western television.
The second source examines how prejudices are portrayed in entertainment media and was conducted by Liu and Hernandez in 2022. They examined how character portrayal has changed over the last 20 years by analyzing the content of several TV shows.
This source is notable for its empirical methodology, which yields quantitative information on the prevalence and varieties of prejudices. However, the primary drawback of the research is its restricted emphasis on specific genres, which may cause it to miss broader patterns in the television business(Kowasch et al., 2021).
The third source is Gomez’s (2023) critical analysis of television’s function in perpetuating hegemonic ideology. Gomez criticizes mainstream media’s reinforcement of social norms, pointing out that even progressive television shows frequently harbour underlying conservative attitudes. This site stands out for its critical viewpoint, providing an alternative account to the mainstream ones about the effect of the media. Meanwhile, its arguments are subjective because they mostly rely on theoretical presumptions rather than actual data.
The article includes reviews and commentary from credible media sources in addition to these scholarly sources, offering a modern and valuable viewpoint on the series under consideration. These resources help to provide a more comprehensive picture of the series’ cultural relevance and reception.
Discussion and Argumentation
My analysis of the chosen television shows using the prisms offered by the previously stated sources both supports and contradicts their claims in specific ways. Although I agree with Smith’s (2021) claim that contemporary television shows represent societal challenges through their intricate narratives, the television show goes above and beyond. It aggressively challenges the viewer’s assumptions and prejudices in addition to reflecting the intricacies of Society, especially about stereotypes and dominant ideas. This leads to a more inclusive depiction, as seen throughout the series’ nuanced treatment of people who defy traditional tropes.
The series’ treatment of stereotypes aligns with Liu and Hernandez’s (2022) research on the development of character representation. The series under investigation shows a shift away from conventional stereotypes and toward more complex character depictions, consistent with the favourable tendencies noted in their analysis. However, the show goes beyond just avoiding stereotypes; it actively converses with viewers about the nature and significance of these preconceptions, providing a meta-commentary on how the media shapes societal norms.
Gomez’s (2023) analysis of how television maintains social norms makes a strong case. Nonetheless, I see a deliberate attempt to challenge dominant notions within the framework of the selected series. The plot and character development of the show subverts popular cultural narratives, implying that the goal is to disrupt rather than uphold social conventions. This is especially clear in episodes that tackle modern societal concerns like economic differences, gender dynamics, and racial inequity, portraying them in a way that invites critical thought rather than mindless viewing.
There is no denying this series’ relevance to today’s societal issues and discussions. It encapsulates contemporary life’s conflicts and complexity and is a tiny illustration of more significant societal concerns. Through the integration of critical social commentary and entertainment, the series provides a forum for debating and thinking about current themes, including identity politics, social justice, and power relations (Kowasch et al., 2021). In this sense, it adds to the larger conversation about these subjects, serving as an impetus for social thought and change in addition to being a kind of enjoyment. This blend of social criticism and amusement highlights the media’s growing role in Society and shows how it can be used as a tool to facilitate introspection and change.
Case Analysis
When the principles in our course, plus the references provided, are applied to the examination of the selected television show, it becomes clear how the show functions as a modern mirror of social concerns. Smith (2021) draws attention to the narrative complexity seen in the series’ character portrayals, which are nuanced and represent a range of social and personal difficulties that are representative of today’s broad socioeconomic context. This strategy is in line with Liu and Hernandez’s (2022) conclusions regarding changing character portrayals since the show presents characters that are real and have depth rather than adhere to clichés.
Furthermore, this series provides a counterargument to Gomez’s (2023) criticism of the media for upholding hegemonic standards. The show asks viewers to consider other viewpoints and conventions instead of promoting prevailing views, especially about issues of social justice, racism, and gender. Through its storyline, the television program not only amuses but also fosters critical thought and discourse on these crucial topics, exemplifying the media’s potent influence in moulding, mirroring, and contesting modern societal narratives. This case study highlights how the show contributes to more extensive societal conversations, establishing it as an essential cultural critique in contemporary entertainment.
Conclusion
This article has concluded by critically analyzing a contemporary television show, emphasizing its nuanced storytelling and thoughtful depiction of current social concerns. Consistent with Gomez’s criticism of the media’s involvement in social norms, Liu and Hernandez’s examination of changing character depictions, and Smith’s observations on narrative structures, the series is noteworthy as a cultural artefact. It engages in meaningful conversation with the audience regarding social justice topics, hegemonic ideals, and prejudices that go beyond simple entertainment. This study highlights how the show aligns with the course’s subjects and how the media significantly impacts how the public speaks about critical social issues. Thus, the series reinforces the concept that media is not merely a tool for pleasure but also a potent agent of social criticism and change. It also dramatically illustrates how entertainment media may contribute to social reflection and discourse.
Reference
Kowasch, M., Cruz, J. P., Reis, P., Gericke, N., & Kicker, K. (2021). Climate Youth Activism Initiatives: Motivations and Aims, and the Potential to Integrate Climate Activism into ESD and Transformative Learning. Sustainability, 13(21), 11581. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111581
Mathur, A., Mayer, J., & Kshirsagar, M. (2021). What Makes a Dark Pattern… Dark? Design Attributes, Normative Considerations, and Measurement Methods. ArXiv:2101.04843 [Cs]. https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445610
Pires, F., Masanet, M.-J., & Scolari, C. A. (2019). What are teens doing with YouTube? Practices use and metaphors of the most popular audio-visual platform. Information, Communication & Society, 24(9), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2019.1672766
Walsh, K., O’Shea, E., & Scharf, T. (2019). Rural old-age social exclusion: a conceptual framework on mediators of exclusion across the life course. Ageing and Society, pp. 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x19000606
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