Description
Why are some controversial issues covered in TV soaps and dramas and not others? How are decisions really made 'behind the scenes'? How do programme makers push boundaries without losing viewers? What do audiences take away from their viewing experience? Does TV fiction have a greater impact on public understandings than TV news? This exciting new book draws on unique empirical data to examine the relationship between popular television fiction and wider society. The book gives lively and engaging insights into how and why socially sensitive story lines were taken up by different TV programmes from the late 1980s to the 2000s. Drawing on a series of case studies of medicine, health, illness and social problems including breast cancer, mental distress, sexual abuse and violence it comprehensively traces the path of storylines from initial conception through to audience reception and uses contemporary examples to link practice to theory. For the first time, this book addresses production and reception processes across a range of programmes and clearly demonstrates the ways in which television fiction plays a vital and powerful role in reflecting and shaping socio-cultural attitudes. Features: * interviews with TV drama programme makers (producers, script writers and editors) * detailed analysis of 'on screen' representation * qualitative audience research using focus groups and innovative methods * explores external influences on programme content including commercial imperatives, broadcast regulations, the role of campaigning organisations, wider media coverage. The book is essential reading for academics, researchers and students in the fields of media studies, sociology, cultural studies and communications. It will also be of interest to health communicators, social policy practitioners and broadcast professionals.
About the Author
Lesley Henderson is Lecturer in Sociology & Communications at Brunel University, West London. She was previously Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and a member of the Glasgow Media Group. She has published several articles and papers on television production, content and reception and has two books forthcoming: Researching the Media: Issues, Ethics, Methods and Processes and Qualitative Research Design.
Reviews
This is a very important book and is a rare event in media and cultural studies since its conclusions are based on extensive empirical work. It shows very convincingly the processes which underpin the production of television fiction and the powerful impacts which such programmes can have on public understanding. -- Greg Philo, Professor of Communications, University of Glasgow At last a book that bridges the gulf between the study of political communication and television fiction, and between research into media production and audience responses. Lesley Henderson is both original and illuminating. -- James Curran, Professor of Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London Social Issues in Television Fiction demostrates the value in adopting an empirical research methodology for studying social-issue storylines in television soap apera... provides a model for analysing television programmes , which might usefully be taken up with different social issues and other television fictions. -- Lez Cooke, Manchester Metropolitan University Critical Studies in Television A much welcomed contribution to contemporary television research... An outstanding piece of research on an important and somewhat ignored area of television today. -- Peter Dahlgreen Publizistik This groundbreaking book crosses the boundaries between media communication, television fiction and reception. -- Jack Newsinger, University of Nottingham Journal of British Cinema and Television The book is clearly written, and represents a valuable contribution to work on media fiction... Social Issues in Television Fiction should also serve as an ideal means to prompt students to become more interested in the process through which such programmes are produced, as well as the importance of understanding how such 'issues' are incorporated into serial drama, and take the shape which they do. -- Joseph Burridge Critical Social Policy This is a very important book and is a rare event in media and cultural studies since its conclusions are based on extensive empirical work. It shows very convincingly the processes which underpin the production of television fiction and the powerful impacts which such programmes can have on public understanding. At last a book that bridges the gulf between the study of political communication and television fiction, and between research into media production and audience responses. Lesley Henderson is both original and illuminating. Social Issues in Television Fiction demostrates the value in adopting an empirical research methodology for studying social-issue storylines in television soap apera... provides a model for analysing television programmes , which might usefully be taken up with different social issues and other television fictions. A much welcomed contribution to contemporary television research... An outstanding piece of research on an important and somewhat ignored area of television today. This groundbreaking book crosses the boundaries between media communication, television fiction and reception. The book is clearly written, and represents a valuable contribution to work on media fiction... Social Issues in Television Fiction should also serve as an ideal means to prompt students to become more interested in the process through which such programmes are produced, as well as the importance of understanding how such 'issues' are incorporated into serial drama, and take the shape which they do.
Book Information
ISBN 9780748625321
Author Lesley Henderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 366g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 23mm
About the Author
Lesley Henderson is Lecturer in Sociology & Communications at Brunel University, West London. She was previously Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and a member of the Glasgow Media Group. She has published several articles and papers on television production, content and reception and has two books forthcoming: Researching the Media: Issues, Ethics, Methods and Processes and Qualitative Research Design.
Reviews
This is a very important book and is a rare event in media and cultural studies since its conclusions are based on extensive empirical work. It shows very convincingly the processes which underpin the production of television fiction and the powerful impacts which such programmes can have on public understanding. -- Greg Philo, Professor of Communications, University of Glasgow At last a book that bridges the gulf between the study of political communication and television fiction, and between research into media production and audience responses. Lesley Henderson is both original and illuminating. -- James Curran, Professor of Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London Social Issues in Television Fiction demostrates the value in adopting an empirical research methodology for studying social-issue storylines in television soap apera... provides a model for analysing television programmes , which might usefully be taken up with different social issues and other television fictions. -- Lez Cooke, Manchester Metropolitan University Critical Studies in Television A much welcomed contribution to contemporary television research... An outstanding piece of research on an important and somewhat ignored area of television today. -- Peter Dahlgreen Publizistik This groundbreaking book crosses the boundaries between media communication, television fiction and reception. -- Jack Newsinger, University of Nottingham Journal of British Cinema and Television The book is clearly written, and represents a valuable contribution to work on media fiction... Social Issues in Television Fiction should also serve as an ideal means to prompt students to become more interested in the process through which such programmes are produced, as well as the importance of understanding how such 'issues' are incorporated into serial drama, and take the shape which they do. -- Joseph Burridge Critical Social Policy This is a very important book and is a rare event in media and cultural studies since its conclusions are based on extensive empirical work. It shows very convincingly the processes which underpin the production of television fiction and the powerful impacts which such programmes can have on public understanding. At last a book that bridges the gulf between the study of political communication and television fiction, and between research into media production and audience responses. Lesley Henderson is both original and illuminating. Social Issues in Television Fiction demostrates the value in adopting an empirical research methodology for studying social-issue storylines in television soap apera... provides a model for analysing television programmes , which might usefully be taken up with different social issues and other television fictions. A much welcomed contribution to contemporary television research... An outstanding piece of research on an important and somewhat ignored area of television today. This groundbreaking book crosses the boundaries between media communication, television fiction and reception. The book is clearly written, and represents a valuable contribution to work on media fiction... Social Issues in Television Fiction should also serve as an ideal means to prompt students to become more interested in the process through which such programmes are produced, as well as the importance of understanding how such 'issues' are incorporated into serial drama, and take the shape which they do.
Book Information
ISBN 9780748625321
Author Lesley Henderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 366g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 23mm
