To the class...
I am sorry to anyone I inconvienienced by posting this a few hours late. I have literally been sitting here for 2+ hours trying to get my internet to work (thanks quinnipiac), and once I fixed that, I couldn't figure out how to post on the blog page. So if I hampered anyone's plans by not enabling them to respond to a blog earlier today, I apologize, and feel free to punch me in the mouth in class on Tuesday...
In chapter 15, we are introduced to a plethora of different ways to interpret media audiences. I feel the most important part of the chapter is “Questions of Audience Reach.” At this stage in understanding media audiences, it is obvious that there are both “passive” and “active” media consumers. There are also examples of polysemy and intertextuality (making sense of one media text through its use in another text), that seem to reward active media consumers. McQuail called this “the attentive audience; those that actually read, watch, listen, etc., to particular content. With this in mind, we do not have to address the “mindless television” issue. There are people that will actively watch anything. People not only watch American Idol, but hen text message the “star?” they want to see move on to the next round. With the breakthrough of technology that allowed an active attentive audience to really flap their wings, it was only a matter of time until this happened…
http://www.xchangemag.com/articles/537/73h2810131774057.html
CBS has gotten the head start in the race for what in the next 5 years will become active audience research. Streaming video is indeed everywhere, but CBS’s plans show a great enhancement to the internet mainstay. CBS, with this campaign is empowering the audience a an entire new level. While reality shows promote and active audience by promising that the audience can help dictate a contest winner, CBS is now promising that an active audience can dictate the programming of an entire network…Power to the people.
While we are talking about the attentive audience however, I think it is important to examine some television shows that reward an attentive audience, not for using another media outlet to be active, but instead for using other media outlets to become more attentive. Parodies like South Park reward people for paying attention to other television shows. Just for kicks, here is a link to a recent South Park episode, shot as if it were an episode of 24.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5814476104452143572&q=south+park+24
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I think it is about time TV stations like CBS are finally realizing how to play to 'active audience members'. Reality shows have been focused on them for years and now they are even dictating the shows on the TV. Although this sounds like a grand idea, putting all the programing in the hands of the viewer could get dangerous. As much as we think we want to control what is on TV, I know if my mom had her choice every show would involve Oprah and somebody crying followed by an emotional hug and a violin solo. My point is, it is great that TV execs are realizing what their audience wants, but I hope they still leave most of the deciding to the professionals. And now like the Principal in "Billy Madison" says, I hope you are not all a little bit dumber after hearing what I have to say."
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