FAMST 101C Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Ernie Barnes, Black Comedy, Stepfamily
Document Summary
1970s fiction programming and changes to the sitcom. Cbs network began to cancel hayseed/rural-based sitcoms. During 1960s, telefilm sitcom was part of an industrial model that depended on high ratings, without concern for which demographic groups were represented by those numbers. Ratings didn"t tell how the show was distributed among genders, age groups, regions, etc. Bold move to cancel many of its most popular shows. Introduced shows that it hoped would be considered more socially relevant for sophisticated viewers, like all in the family. Deemphasis in reaching a broader general audience, but increasing effort to make shows for specific audience groups. Most highly-sought demographic categories: young, urban, female adults between the ages of 18 and 49. Principle consumers of the products and good advertised on tv. Attributed to normal lear and the mtm company (mary tyler moore show) Responsible for several of the most popular and groundbreaking shows on tv in the 1970s.
