TV 2.0 How streaming services enhance the world of TV shows text: Rabea Tennenberger
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From their emergence in the late
These TV programs are set in a
1940s fictional televisions serials
universe that follows strict rules and
have been labeled as one of the lower
in which we meet familiar characters
media of mainstream entertainment
but they still manage to surprise us
by both critics and media theory.
with unexpected twists and turns.
Actually though, a TV series is a wonderful way to escape from reality for a few minutes or hours: The (basically)
unchanging
worlds
of
programs like The Big Bang Theory or Modern Family, in which any problem is solved within twenty minutes, provide an element of stability. The more dramatic adventures of fictional physicians, lawyers and police officers in Grey’s
&
so real to us that we spend hours discussing their fates, are genuinely happy for them when a long expected romance finally blossoms and actually grieve when a beloved character dies. The title of NBC‘s flag ship comedy perfectly summarizes what we feel these TV characters become Friends. It’s not just that the six New York City-based characters around
Order
which the program revolves are
and CSI on the other hand help put
friends, they are our friends, too, and
the goings-on in our own life into
we shared their fictional sorrows and
perspective.
joys for years.
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Anatomy, Law
The on-screen characters become
