Television Pros and Cons Assessment Proposal Essay

Good Television

1. Through the Wormhole is the documentary series broadcasted on the Science Channel since 2010. The show is hosted by a famous movie celebrity, Morgan Freeman. The show is associated with the category of good television because it is informative, and it contributes to the promotion of science and exploration. As Dudo and colleagues (2010) claim, the popular science content assists in the building of an individual’s knowledge and provokes the interest towards the engagement in scientific research.
2. The Big Bang Theory is the comedy show aired on CBS. The main characters are successful young scientists who were the ‘nerds’ at school. By highlighting the lives of those who in real-life would be considered highly unpopular and manifesting their funny yet dramatic features, the show contributes to the elimination of the stereotypes existing in the society (Walters 2013).
3. Lie to Me aired on Fox. It is a detective story focused on the psychological aspects of crime and human behavior. The show promotes an interest in psychology (Dudo et al., 2010). And it is possible to assume that by showing the negative side of criminality, the series addresses the moral aspects of an individual’s performance in society.
4. My Kitchen Rules is the culinary show hosted by two prominent cooks and aired on Seven Network since 2010. The show is entertaining yet educational. It may help people who have the desire to learn to cook. It stimulates the promotion of high-quality food and the artistic aspect of cooking (Solier 2005). Therefore, it belongs to good television.
5. Styled to Rock is also one of the good educational and entertaining shows for those who are interested in design and fashion. The show is produced and hosted by Rihanna, one of the most popular pop stars. The show is made in the format of competitions, and it is directly related to the pop culture domain. However, it may affect young people in a good way by demonstrating the details and experiences that may lead to success in life (Arp & Watson 2012).
6. Bondi Vet, the show about the animals and veterinary aid broadcasted on Animal Planet. One of the main functions of the show is the promotion of compassion towards animals and wildlife. Thus, the example of ethical television (Arp & Watson 2012).
7. Friends one of the most famous projects of the ’90s. It is the comedy show that pushes forward the traditional values of family bonds, friendship, and support. The series is characterized by ingenious humor that helped to appeal to a vast audience interested in the pleasant and relaxing pastime (Khan & Jelveh 2013).

Bad Television

1. Keeping Up with the Kardashians is the reality show aired on E!. The show was frequently criticized for its focus on materialistic values and lust for fame. The researchers claim that the low-quality programs negatively affect children and adolescents who haven’t yet developed the critical thinking skills and may become strongly influenced by the invaluable content (McCoy & Scarborough 2014).
2. The Daily Show is broadcasted on Comedy Central. It is well known for its caustic humor and satire. The show is entertaining is included in the category of bad television because sometimes it demonstrates disrespect towards the distinct cultural and social phenomena. Thus, it plays a role in the promotion of socio-cultural inequality and intolerance (Johnson, Dolan & Sonnett 2011).
3. Gossip Girl is a show about the relationship between teenagers. It is representative of pop culture television, and it is often criticized for the lack of meaning and superficiality. McCoy and Scarborough (2014), related such television programs to the category of ‘ironic consumption.’ Although the show was popular among teenagers, it was judged by the more mature viewers.

Reference List

Arp, R & Watson, J 2012, What’s good on TV: understanding ethics through television, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Dude, A, Brossard, D, Shanahan, J, Scheufele, D, Morgan, M & Signorielli, N 2010, ‘Science on television in the 21st century: recent trends in portrayals and their contributions to public attitudes toward science’, Communication Research, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 754–777.

Johnson, K, Dolan, M & Sonnett, J 2011, ‘Speaking of looting: an analysis of racial propaganda in national television coverage of Hurricane Katrina’, Howard Journal of Communications, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 302–318.

Khan, M & Reza, J 2013, ‘As funny as neologisms: a case of ‘Friends’ TV series’, Language in India, vol. 13, no, 8, pp. 374.

McCoy, C & Scarborough, R 2014, ‘Watching “bad” television: ironic consumption, camp, and guilty pleasures’, Poetics, vol. 47, pp. 41–59.

Solier, I 2005, ‘TV dinners: Culinary television, education and distinction’, Continuum (Mount Lawley, W.A.), vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 465-481.

Walters, S 2013, ‘Cool aspie humor: cognitive difference and Kenneth Burke’s comic corrective in The Big Bang Theory and Community”, Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 271-288.