1. Media Studies Revision
Example Questions and Answers

2. Answer all three questions using examples from the extract.
1. Explain two ways in which the extract fits the genre of lifestyle magazines.
2. Give one example of each of the following and explain how it is used in the extracts to create effect:
Layout
Typography
Use of language
Use of images
3. Discuss how people and/or masculinity are represented in the extract.
[10]
[20]
[20]

3. For questions 1, 2 and 3 you will be provided with an extract from a lifestyle magazine (cover, contents page, double page article). It could be from any genre and may not be a magazine you have studied in class.
Your answers for questions 1, 2 and 3 should refer in detail to the extract you have been provided with, giving examples from the extract to back up your point.
This revision guide will work through the questions in order and refer to an example magazine cover. This magazine will probably not be the one you will receive in the exam, so you should take the points made in this guide and adapt and apply them to other magazines while revising.

5. Answer the following question using Television and/or Radio Comedy programmes you have studied.
4. Pick two TV or Radio comedies you have studied.
a) Discuss why they were scheduled:
On the channels that chose them
On the days and times they were transmitted
b) Show how these two programmes offer their audiences different pleasures
[15]
[15]
[Total Marks = 80]

7. Public Service Broadcasting
American programmes can be imported at a fraction of the cost of making your own programmes
Many commercial channels are full of American programmes but BBC1, BBC2, Channel 4 and FIVE are dominated by British programmes
PSB channels do not aim to make a profit
Example PSB rules:
Must make quality programmes
Must have a high proportion of British-made programmes
Must reflect diversity of Britain
Proportion of programmes must be made outside of London
Mix of genres of programmes
No stripped schedules

8. Public Service Broadcasting
Any comedy programme made in Britain and that reflects the diversity of British culture, or say something about Britain today, fits in with Public Service Broadcasting
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is set in Runcorn; a town not often represented on television and so fits the BBC’s PSB obligations
Goodness Gracious Me reflects the experience of British Indians, again not so often represented in British television, so again fits in with the BBC’s obligations
Friends is neither British or about Britishness, so it can be repeated in blocks in a stripped schedule on E4, a non-PSB channel, but not on Channel 4

9. BBC-Have I Got News For You
CASE STUDY:
BBC-Have I Got News For You
Have I Got News For You currently has the following schedule:
BBC1
Thursdays
9:00pm
Have I Got News For You proved popular on BBC2 (niche, upmarket audience, knowledge building programmes, comedy, drama & arts) so was moved to BBC1 (mass audience, popular programmes)
It is an entertaining programme for a fairly wide audience
It aims to entertain and inform as it is a comedy programme, but about current affairs

10. CASE STUDY: E4-The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is currently schedules using a “stripped” schedule. It shows two consecutive episode at three times during the day: E4
Weekdays
2:00pm & 2:30pm
6:00pm & 6:30pm
8:00pm and/or
8:30pm and/or
9:00pm
E4 is a young channel that like Channel 4, aims to be more daring and exciting than its competitors
The Big Bang Theory fits the channels image by being popular, entertaining but a little quirky and not too mainstream
The Big Bang Theory attracts the right target audience and its fresh and different enough to fit E4’s brand image

11. SCHEDULING Have I Got News For You
9:00pm is BBC ONE’s premier slot on weekdays including other popular shows like The Apprentice (Wednesday)
Slots before Have I Got News For You (8:00pm-9:00pm) show programmes like Eastenders. The slot after is another comedy such as Live at the Apollo making 9:00pm- 10:00pm a regular comedy slot.
Suggests that Have I Got News For You is being aimed at a large mainstream audience that likes to wind down their evening with some comedy
Scheduled just after the ‘watershed’ so it is allowed to feature adult content, which is important for a topical news programme

12. SCHEDULING The Big Bang Theory
The midday slot is part of the rolling programme of repeats that E4 fills its daytime schedules with
The double showing of The Big Bang Theory at 6pm kicks off the evening schedule. It is followed by the first showing of Hollyoaks (shown on Channel 4 the following day), which is the channels biggest show when it comes to ratings
The slot is hotly contested with teenage viewers up against The Simpsons and Hollyoaks on Channel 4 and Home & Away on FIVE
The Big Bang Theory is scheduled before the watershed so it has to suitable for children. However it may contain some sexual content it is not sexually explicit and doesn't’t contain high amount of bad language. Though it is a slick and reasonably adult comedy that would appeal to a teenage audience

13. Audience:
The average audience for The Big Bang Theory is probably younger than the average audience for Have I Got News For You
Have I Got News For You is aimed at people who find interest in the news because it features current affairs and political content, so it addresses people who may be more like to read the newspapers
Have I Got News For You’s panelists are older than the main characters in The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is aimed at a younger adult audience. It is fast paced, has young adult characters, often incorporates rock, pop and indie music and the visual; style is similar to other sitcoms that are aimed at young adult audiences such as Everybody Hates Chris

14. Audience Pleasures:
Reasons that the viewer might chose to watch the programme:
Narrative resolution (episode or series)
Relating to the characters
Entertainment/Comedic effect
Gratification (making you feel good)
Content/Themes

15. Audience Pleasures: Have I Got News For You Comedy panel game
Panelists play themselves
Unscripted (though it is edited)
Panelists answer questions in different rounds in order to win points, although this is far less important than the comedy aspect
The humor comes from attacking the stupidity of people and events that are in the news

16. Audience Pleasures: The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a situation comedy
Actors play characters
It is scripted
The Big Bang Theory has a narrative which is resolved at the end of the episode
The humor comes from everyday situations