1. Television as C, C & I COMN 3316, Feb. 10, 2012 Lecture

2. So far  Gallop through “found” fragments of early Canadian television: 1952-early 80’s  Worked with Cultural Reproduction:  Industrial Model  Biological Model

3. Cultural Reproduction/Industrial Model Industrial ModelIndustrial Model

4. Cultural Reproduction/Industrial Model

7. Industrial ModelIndustrial Model Jackie Gleason: The Honeymooners Al Waxman: King of Kensington

8. Biological Model  Cells equipped with walls that are osmotic osmotic  That is they are porous, and have the capacity to open to certain molecules & and close to others  Cells are equipped with capacity to absorb, dissolve, digest, consume other cells  Cells are equipped with capacity to become viral or cancerous (overtaking a biological structure)  Cell are equipped with capacity to reproduce themselves: chromosomes contain codes that cells read and respond to with life dimensionality

9. Canadian TV Because of geography: Develops with an awareness of the viral/cancer-like nature of their southern neighbor; (aware really from the start)  They understand that intended or not, the media of the southern neighbor has the capacity to absorb Canadian culture  Separated enough to see the reproduction “codes” – especially around consumerism, diversity (ethnicity, age, race?)  However, similar enough that other codes are admitted: sexism? racism? lingualism?  There is an autonomous, silent nature to all of this: that is also part of the concern: cells do their work silently

10. Canadian TV  Develops with an awareness of the viral nature of their southern neighbor  Example: Littlest Hobo: 1958 (US) movie;  1963-1965 Canadian Television series: produced by first new (non public) television station, CTV (CTV started broadcasting as station in 1961-62)  1978-1985: Revived by CTV  Seen worldwide, in 60’s and onward; Considered one of the first successful Canadian Television Exports: Continues to be broadcast, DVD series sales remain strong

11. Canadian TV  Develops with an awareness of the viral nature of their southern neighbor  Example: Littlest Hobo: 1958 (US) movie; Littlest Hobo: Littlest Hobo:  Takes a successful US formula: Lassie which adapted Rin Tin Tin : LassieRin Tin : LassieRin Tin  Adapts it to Canadian Context  Adapts it to Canadian Cultural Interests as well  Visual identity of Canada: geography Visual identity of Canada: geography Visual identity of Canada: geography  Visual identity of Canada: province connected to nation Visual identity of Canada: province connected to nation Visual identity of Canada: province connected to nation  Visual identity of Canada: diversity: though show attends to variety of Canadian locations and issues, inclusive of varied classes and difficult topics, in the end is still able to be critiqued for being very “white”

12. Canadian TV  The concern over Canadian Soap Opera  It would appear that the countries that seem to have strong cultural identity- have their own soap opera forms  Soap Opera:  Opera; multi-modal form that connects with the visual and emotive mythic structures of social orders  popular in Europe but adapted from several influences both European and non-European  Soap: daily intersection with this mythic structure: its relationship to the daily  Examples: Mexico (and South America): Telenovela,

13. Canadian TV  The concern over Canadian Soap Opera  It would appear that the countries that seem to have strong cultural identity- have their own soap opera forms  Soap Opera:  Opera; multi-modal form that connects with the visual and emotive mythic structures of social orders  popular in Europe but adapted from several influences both European and non-European  Soap: daily intersection with this mythic structure: its relationship to the daily  Examples: India: Mahabharata, Japan: Dorama; England: Coronation Street

14. Canadian TV  The concern over Canadian Soap Opera mythic structures/daily/encounter mythic structures/daily/encounter  Longevity  Canada seems unable to sustain longevity in soap opera category: Scarlett Hill (1962) Strange Paradise (1969-70) High Hopes (1978) Country Joy (1979) Loving Friends and Perfect Couples (1983) Riverdale: 1997-2000 Train 48 Train 48

15. Canadian TV  However; part of this has to do with a lens that is too literal in its interpretation. All along has been developing products that are actually quite successful in this:  Notice: Develops with an awareness of the porous nature of culture; and ideas of ”their” culture  Anne of Green Gables; series 1985: Anne of Green Gables - a made for television (CBC) 4 hour television mini series, it was directed by Kevin Sullivan with Megan Follows as Anne. With Sequels, and additional series Road to Avonlea, Emily of New Moon, Anne of Green Gables (cartoon): continues as one of Canada’s great exports Anne of Green Gables Anne of Green Gables

16. Canadian TV  However; part of this has to do with a lens that is too literal in its interpretation. All along has been developing products that are actually quite successful in this:  Notice: Develops with an awareness of the porous nature of culture; and ideas of ”their” culture  Degrassi:  The Kids of Degrassi Street, the original television series (1979–1986)  Degrassi Junior High, the second series in the franchise (1987–1989)  Degrassi High, the third series in the franchise, a direct continuation from Degrassi Junior High (1989–1991)  Degrassi: The Next Generation, renamed Degrassi in the tenth season, the fourth series in the franchise, with a new generation of characters (2001–present)

17. Degrassi “To make matters more complicated, Canadian series often function differently in US Broadcasting than they do in Canada, Early visions of Canadian television emphasize the need for an alternative to the perceived commercialism of U.S. television. In addition to developing a differentiated private- public broadcast structure, Canada self differentiated from the US through a preference for documentary and educational realism. The supposed authenticity, usefulness and truth telling capacities of Canadian television, have transferred into youth programs and account for the appeal of such shows like Degrassi in the US” Tolerated, but not Preferred: Troubling the Unconscious of Televisual Multiculturalism by Nafissa D. Thompson-Spires

18. Canadian TV  the need for an alternative to the perceived commercialism  developing a differentiated private-public broadcast structure  self differentiated from the US through a preference for documentary and educational realism  authenticity, usefulness and truth telling

19. Canadian TV  the need for an alternative to the perceived commercialism  developing a differentiated private-public broadcast structure  self differentiated from the US through a preference for documentary and educational realism  authenticity, usefulness and truth telling  Canadian News?

20. CANADIAN TV  Differences in what TV should cover extend to the news; In the 1960s US news appears to have two eras or relationship to federal government Prior to satellite technology; rather seamless connection between federal government and news that aligns around several dramas: the space race; the rise of civil rights (and the alignment of federal government against state interests); war and the nuclear face off (Cuban Missile Crisis. Viet Nam) Post satellite technology: Rise of antifederal news alignment: president encounters hostile media (this stays in place for quite sometime, really until George Bush W. era) This binary does not work for analyzing the relationship of Canadian News Media in its early inceptions

21. CANADIAN TV  Differences in what TV should cover extend to the news; Examples: 1955: CBC News Show called “Fighting Words” featuring drama critic Nathan Cohen, wide ranging discussions range from art to intellectual life of varied Canadians and Canadian cities. Leans into critical gaze at federal and provincial governments The differences between federal and provincial (and then provincial and lingual) are always visible in Canadian news: In US news federal news absorbs state and local news often rendering these as invisible or unintelligible

22. CANADIAN TV  Differences in what TV should cover extend to the news; Examples: 1953-1995 1953-1995 Front Page Challenge; Where mystery guests give clues regards front page headline story, guess story and guest (now a similar popular show on US NPR) 1 2 3 4 1234 1953-1995 1234 The differences: what is news: celebrity culture and government Leadership seems aligned differently: in US news constant tendency for celebrity to overtake civic; In Canada the line where civic servant is as likely to be featured and noticed as celebrity seems to stay in place longer

23. CANADIAN TV  Differences in what TV should cover extend to the news; Examples: This Hour Has Seven Days: 1964 to 1966. Hosts include Pierre Trudeau, acclaimed documentary producer Harry Rasky, John Drainie, Laurier LaPierre and Carole Simpson was soon replaced by Dinah Christie. Not just controversial subjects, but controversial coverage of subjects: Creators: Patrick Watson and Douglas Leiterman “more stimulating and boundary-pushing brand of television journalism. CBC executives believed the show went beyond the limits of journalistic ethics and cancelled the show, leading to allegations of political interference. Many elements of this show inspired the tabloid talk show genre in later decades.” Patrick Watson as quoted in “Here’s Looking at Us” Celebrating 50 years of CBC programming. Example 1Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 Example 2, Example 3 Example 1Example 2, Example 3 Example 5: Airing of Burning in Mississipi by famed Canadian Documentarian Beryl Fox, Moment from a key participant: Eric. Koch Example 5: Airing of Burning in Mississipi by famed Canadian Documentarian Beryl Fox, Moment from a key participant: Eric. Koch

24. CANADIAN TV  Differences in what TV should cover extend to the news; Examples: News Parody: This Hour Has 22 Min: 1993-2009: emphasis on humor, but using many of the guerilla tactics of its fore-parent This Hour Has 7 Days. Starting cast: is also creators of series Rick Mercer (1993–2001). Mary Walsh (1993–2004) Greg Thomey (1993–2005) Cathy Jones Cathy Jones (1992-_____) Cathy Jones Some Features: Talking to Americans Talking to Americans Marg DelahuntyMarg Delahunty: A A Marg DelahuntyA Some other memorable moments Marg ambushes Rob Ford Marg ambushes Rob FordMarg ambushes Rob FordMarg ambushes Rob Ford Jean Poutine Jean Poutine

25. The Canadian Formula?  the need for an alternative to the perceived commercialism  developing a differentiated private-public broadcast structure  self differentiated from the US through a preference for documentary and educational realism  authenticity, usefulness and truth telling  Irony, Humor, Askew from certain naivete present in US television that masquerades of lack of cultural self awareness, cultural 'clodhopper-ness'  Cultural intelligence

26. The Canadian Formula?  Different kind of attention to issues of diversity than was formula in U.S. shows  Now making headway in US: Degrassi and Anne of Green Gables very popular in U.S.  Nevertheless; as biological model demonstrates: certain things do get in, some do not. Example Degrassi  Thus though Degrassi (and other spin-offs reproducing this formula) is attentive to issues problematic in US (example sex with consequences); it has been critiqued for accidents where unofficial negative consequences seem to often (magically) resolve for those who are white (or become lessons) but rest and become permanent issues for those who are not middle class and not white: see Tolerated, but not Preferred: Troubling the Unconscious of Televisual Multiculturalism by Nafissa D. Thompson-Spires

27. Cultural Reproduction/Codes (as in genetic)  Sut Jhally and those he has influenced: use the idea of codes.  In early work (such as the Killing Screens, 19934? vintage) more interested in this as a kind of assembly line for culture, the means whereby a culture of violence is reproduced, Gebner  And as we saw in the video “The Electronic Storyteller,(looking more in depth at the work of Gebner) as the means where by the culture of fear, so essential to creating a need for products which assuage fears (the binary background to the culture of fear is the culture of safety).

28. Cultural Reproduction/Codes (as in genetic)  Sut Jhally and those he has influenced: use the idea of codes.  In Codes of Gender (2009) Jhally comes back to a much more genetic code idea in his examination of gender through the work of Goffman. In Codes of Gender (2009 In Codes of Gender (2009  Goffman is interested in how advertising recognizes and then begins to cultivate hybrids of genetic codes designed to work in advertisings needs for short, quick and motivating….  Just as fear is motivating, so is orgasmic, so is vulnerability. Jhally is interested in how these come together to produce a potent (viral/cancer)like currency that works for so well for the cultural reproduction of consumption; but does not work as well for the cultural renovation

29. Cultural Reproduction/Codes (as in genetic)  The idea of a code as reproducing a hybrid or mutant – or change that we add to the gene pool, That we live with, that changes the scenario – like a species change  Thus for example in both sexual codes and codes of violence, as these have become encoded for consumption and affiliated with attention getting mechanisms, and drama norms, have normalized each generation of televisual products, such that what was provocative, is no longer.  In consumer zed environs the need for a quick and sure solution has been to increase each: what and how to increase – in particular to create generational brands of identity has been in relationship to taboo’s.  Thus what is marketed now – is the taboo’s of the 1950’s and sixties, creating a hybrid, the question becomes what will be marketed 50 years from now based on current taboos (one generations pornography is another generations advertising environs?

30. Cultural Reproduction/Codes (as in genetic)  Hockey and Canadian Hockey Hockey and Canadian Hockey and Canadian Hockey  Example 2 Example 2 Example 2  Example 3 Example 3 Example 3  Example 4 Example 4 Example 4  Example 5 Example 5 Example 5  Example 6 Example 6 Example 6  Example 7 Example 7 Example 7