"Genre Study and Television" (1987/1992)

In this chapter from the anthology Channels of Discourse: Television and Contemporary Criticism, Jane Feuer introduces the concept of genre as a way of categorizing scripted TV programs. (Of course, news, sports, and reality" are also genres, but we will be focusing on scripted series because they are relevant to our upcoming group project.)

Here is editor Robert Allen's synopsis of the chapter from his introduction to Channels of Discourse:

In her essay on genre theory and television, Jane Feuer argues that part of the process of making sense and deriving pleasure from any given text involves relating that text to others. Genre theory helps to provide us with ways of relating industrial practice in television (the need to turn out, on a regular schedule, huge numbers of texts that must appeal to millions of different viewers) to the texts that are produced as a result of this process and both to the expectations of audiences. (27)

As you read and annotate, think about your favorite genres and how you might define them. This reading is relevant to this week's discussion on genres. Reviewing the discussion prompt before reading the text will help prepare you for that assignment.

Be sure to review the guidelines for annotations in the syllabus (under "Coursework") before you begin. Annotations are due at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Read & Annotate "Genre Study & TV"