Questioning The Media; Chapter 5, Friday February 12th

18.Describe your earliest memories of watching television. What was your favorite show? Which, if any, shows did your family watch together? Were there shows that you were not allowed to watch? Which ones and why?

(response to question #18) 

My earliest memories of watching television, are sitting in my living room at my mothers house with my little brother. (My mom informs me) My favorite show was "Barney", i knew all of the characters and could recite by memory all of the songs. My family and I watched cartoons on the weekends; while my mom cooked breakfast my brother and I would watch Tom and Jerry, Dexter's Laboratory,  Rocket-power, and PB and J otter ( to name a few favorites). A couple shows that came on later in the night were "not appropriate" and "used bathroom language"; these were my mothers words exactly. Some of the shows that were deemed "inappropriate" were, Beavis & Butthead, The Simpsons,  and Pinky and the brain. MTV, VH1, and HBO were also among the "adult" shows my brother and I were restricted from. 

19.How much television do you watch today? Which programs do you try to watch regularly? What attracts you to your favorite program(s)?

(response to question #19) 

I watch television whenever I am not too busy with homework or choir rehearsals. I probably turn on the TV whenever I am in my dorm room, but usually just for the company of sound. The shows I watch regularly are: Criminal Minds, CSI, and Bones. The attraction to these shows is simply a hunger for good vs. evil. As young children most of us are taught that there is a right and a wrong and that in a perfect scenario, good always concurs evil . When a character we have come to love on one of these shows is faced with adversity at the highest degree, we are pulled in and sometimes even cheer when justice is served. 

22.How could television be used to improve social and political life in the United States?

(response to question #22) 

Television producers could create programs that are more educational about the worlds political and economical challenges. I believe that television is truly the portal to other countries, even other periods in history. Through television, the ignorant can sometimes be informed through an eye opening program. Programs such as National Geographic, and the History channel have been able to shed light on some of the topics that aren't discussed regularly in common conversation. I believe that with the expansion of programs like these, television could truly become a form of social and political education for the lives of citizens, not only in the U.S., but in the entire world.