Soaps and Sitcoms Realism Representation Ideology Representation and

Soaps and Sitcoms: Realism, Representation, Ideology

Representation and ideology Reality Check Realism as a framework for studying TV: Is TV realistic? Does it have to do with “reality”? How realistic is it?

Representation and ideology example: soap opera realism?

Representation and ideology different kinds and sources of realism:

Kinds/dimensions of “realism” - believability/credibility - plausibility - probability - actuality - verisimilitude - truthfulness - naturalism

Kinds/dimensions of “realism” psychological individualism common sense/the “normal”

Kinds/dimensions of “realism” psychological individualism common sense/the “normal” . . . ideological assumptions which are generated through representation

Representation and ideology Stuart Hall: language as a model for the production of meaning in culture representation > signification > signs > reading etc.

Representation and ideology Stuart Hall: language as a model for the production of meaning in culture representation > signification > signs > reading etc. convention(s) code(s) arbitrariness

Representation and ideology. . . meaning: relocated into • arbitrary closure of meaning = ideology • social practices of producing meaning

The “Circuit of Culture” representati on identity production consumptio n regulation Paul Du Gay, Stuart Hall, Linda Janes, Hugh Mackay, und Keith Negus. Doing Cultural Studies. The Story of the Sony Walkman. London: Sage/The Open University, 1997.

Representation and ideology. . . meaning: relocated into • arbitrary closure of meaning = ideology • social practices of producing meaning. . . influence of anthropology: rituals, performativity

Realism and representation Graeme Burton: “Modes and conventions of realism are linked to genres. Degrees of naturalism and authenticity attach themselves to soaps, but horror stories do not assume naturalism, indeed they allow for a degree of fantasy and we adjust our expectations accordingly. ”