Narrowcasting and Convergence in the 1990s-2010s
actively engage two (2) screenings (choose from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Hush”; Fresh Off the Boat, “So Chineez”; Master of None, “Indians on TV”) and at least one (1) reading (Ron Becker’s “Gay-Themed Television and the Slumpy Class” AND/OR L.S. Kim’s “Be the One that You Want) – please write about the texts that you find most interesting or compelling. Below are a few questions that you may opt to address (though you are welcome to reply in any way that makes sense and about other topics not posed here): How do these shows speak to or counteract the “Slumpy” target demographic that Becker describes in his article? To what social/political effect? In what ways do the episodes reflect a trend toward “niche” programming and/or reinforce the environment of narrowcasting and convergence that developed around 1990s-2010s television? How do the representational politics of these episodes compare with those of 1970s “relevance” sitcoms and/or 1980s “reconciliation/recuperation” programs? In what ways do the shows comment on or engage with television/broadcast history? How do Fresh Off the Boat and/or Master of None align with or contradict Kim’s predictions about Asian American representations/industry engagement in “Be the One that You Want”? How do these shows fit into the historical narrative that she recounts?
