Do you believe that sitcoms and dramas are ever used to sway public opinion or practice?

Question

Or do you believe that television is just reasonably trying to keep up with what is already going on in society? It's a chicken/egg question. Do television shows influence society first, or does the existing society influence what is seen on TV?

Answer 1

most tv shows seem to be promoting some kind of social or political agenda

Answer 2

I think goes both ways. People listen to what people say on tv, even if it's not the truth, especially when a favorite celeb, says something rash. Then you hear acouple of sitcom cracking jokes about society. So it goes both ways I think. I don't watch sitcoms anymore, since Will and Grace and Friends havn't made any new shows. But I like Soaps very much, and I cry and laugh with these people. It's weird, I went on abc.com and read blogs that the characters wrote. It's this own little world they have where the people, fans talk to them(characters) like they are real people, like it isn't a soap at all. I find it hard to follow.

Answer 3

OK, if you operate on the premise that you and I and the rest of the "viewing public" depend on television fiction to introduce us to the happenings in the world, and you accept the idea that no one in the general public has the IQ nor the inclination to form their own opinions, and that there is some "robotic-zombie-esque" trance that we are placed under by television, then I suppose you could make the leap that whatever the writers of tv tell us we believe without reservation or question. If, however, you choose not to apply those conditions to the thinking ability of the general viewing public, then I would have to say no, they aren't used to sway public opinion or practice, and that anyone who believes that "Oh my god, they're going to turn people against 'whatever'" needs to get out into the real world. Thank you and good luck.

Answer 4

Of course! That's what "All in the Family" was about!

MASH was used heavily in a post-Vietnam America to promote anti-war feelings.

And I believe that various programs in the 1960's and 1970's were used to promote race issues as well -- note "Julia" was the first time most whites had seen an educated professional black woman!

Answer 5

Media is comprised by liberals who believe sin is something that is to be applauded on Oprah or on some silly sitcom. What is being shown on TV is what our future is going to look like.

There is nothing 'reasonable' about TV. TV is programming our society to applaud Borat and boo the President. What is sane about that?

Answer 6

not really