Television Criticism

Due April 16

Analysis Assignment 5 (not an essay assignment) 

Select two television shows.

Each must be a prime time show (8:00 pm - 11:00 pm) from a broadcast network source (that is, not from a cable outlet, and one which is being broadcast new; not a rerun, unless it's being rerun from this season.  It must have been produced this season. In other words, current network shows that were first run on broadcast stations.  It may be a drama, comedy, talk, or a (TV) movie, contest ("reality"). 

Examples of acceptable shows:  Current episodes of House, CSI (any), Law and Order (any), Dancing with the stars, Boston Legal, Crossing Jordan, Criminal Minds, Pussycat Dolls: The Search..., ER, Gray's Anatomy, Shark, Raines, Numb3rs, Cold case, etc.  The original airdate must be between September 2006 and now.

Not acceptable:  Old episode of any of the above or similar aired on cable station, sports, news, talk, news magazine. No new (or any)  episodes of cable only shows like Rescue Me, The Riches, etc.  No daytime TV or late night TV.

1. One of your favorites, or at least one you think you'll enjoy.

2. One which you would never otherwise watch - one you think is absolutely stupid or awful (be honest).

For each one, log every commercial and promo in the show.  Use this grid:  Commercial Log.

Assignments are typed, although you may want to log the shows with a pencil as you watch them unless you are very fast with the keyboard.  Start a new sheet for each show.

Identifying the product is easy. Themes are what it's about. For example, I might log: