Feel Good TV

Last week we talked about the four ways to approach quality when talking about television. A lot of people said money played a factor in what people feel is quality TV and also location of residency. In my mind, cable/satellite TV is so cheap these days that even the hobos out in the boonies of Iowa can even enjoy some Law and Order these days. The one thing I found interesting about Epley’s speech was the thought that in some of the jokes seen on programs are to reward/make the viewer who understands it feel smart. I don’t think that is the full on intent when the writers of a show are doing their thing, but certain shows definitely throw a few flatteries in there. Last weeks South Park was basically making fun of he recent stories about how kids are chugging Nyquil and other over the counter medicine to get a buzz by playing with idea that having a cat piss on your face will get you high. Now the flattery part comes in when the whole “Dairy of Anne Frank” comes into play when cats are band from South Park and Cartmen allows some cats to stay in his attic and gives one a diary. Now I thought that idea was hilarious and another one of my roommates did also, but we understood it. Had someone not understood it would they have less enjoyment? I don’t know. Getting something does make a person feel good (have you ever look in on of those crazy books where you’re suppose to see a sailboat but you can’t…not fun) and I can see Epley’s point. If you watch Lost every week and keep up to date, you are rewarded with next week’s episode by learning more ineptly about a certain situation that only you (and other weekly watchers) can fully understand. I see it as basically being another way to draw viewers in every week because you don’t want to be left in the dark, it’s almost like them cliff hanging before a commercial making you hesitate to get up because you might miss something. Sounds sick, I know, but TV is a crazy, feel good force that is becoming ever so manipulative. Watch Rock of Love…lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA8Vm4SWgeE