T.V Programmes

2. Case Studies - TV Fictions

Film texts which use the conventional narrative structure are called closed narratives as each individual text comes to its own resolution. In TV fictions this is sometimes the case (see the series below) but there are other ways the narrative arc can be used and this often depends on genre. A variety of audience activity is encouraged by these different uses of conventional narrative.

1. Episodic Narrative – The Series

These are fictions which have many parts but where the narrative arc is usually resolved at the end of each episode. This is a common structure within the sit com. A series contains the same main characters every time and each episode puts them in a different situation. Audiences can watch the episodes in any order and this is very useful for the media producers as the audience does not have to necessarily commit themselves to regular viewing.

These texts are good for the casual viewer but familiarity with the characters also rewards the loyal viewer. Family Guy and The Simpsons both use an episodic narrative as do the procedural dramas such as CSI.

·      People who watch Episodic Narrative type of television may usually watch it for entertainment reasons.  It may be something to watch when trying to fill time, but also when relaxing.

2. Overarching Narrative - The Serial

The serial uses the conventional narrative arc over a number of episodes. Individual episodes do not tend to have a resolution; this comes at the end of the serial. Often each episode begins with a summary of what occurred in previous episodes in case the audience missed a part. To keep the audience interested the episodes usually end with a cliff-hanger, a tense moment that is unresolved so the audience want to find out what happens next. This way the audience is likely to return to the show. This has become a popular structure recently with US TV recently. Texts such as Desperate Housewives, Lost and 24 all use this structure. Some UK dramas also follow this structure, for example, Bleak House, Dr Who and The Fingersmith. This structure requires that audiences become loyal viewers as they need to watch all episodes in the correct order.

·      People who watch this type of TV programme definitely watch it for entertainment reasons. It can easily pass time when watching something like this which is what people enjoy.  Also, these type of TV Series involve Integration and Social Interaction because people who watch the episode may discuss it with other people who have also watched it such as friends and family enabling them to connect with each other.

3. Mixed Narrative (episodic and overarching)

Some texts use both structures. Friends is an example of this. Each episode of Friends can be watched on its own as the episodes usually deal with a number of small conflicts which resolve at the end of the episode. However, there are a also some overarching narratives, for example, Rachel’s pregnancy, which are returned to in a number of episodes until a resolution is provided. In addition, some longer arcs are also used. The ‘Ross and Rachel’ arc lasted ten years as their relationship was an ongoing story from the first season that was not resolved until the final episode. This structure rewards the loyal viewer as larger stories take time to be resolved but the casual viewer can enjoy the text’s individual episodes.

4. Multi strand overlapping narrative – the soap narrative

These have a continuous narrative and they tell a number of different stories at the same time. This is sometimes called an open narrative as there is no final resolution for the text. Each narrative strand involves different characters.

Some are serious whilst others are funny; some go on for a long time and some just for an episode or two. Each individual story follows its own conventional narrative structure and will, at some point, resolve. This is a very successful way to attract and maintain an audience.

Different people will be attracted to the different characters, themes and issues and so this broadens the potential audience. When a story reaches its resolution, there will be other stories that are still ongoing and so audiences are likely to stay with the soap over a long period of time. In addition, soaps end each episode with a cliff- hanger which is a good way to persuade the audience to come back for the next installment.