apearce@academy.net.au
Thu, 27 Nov 1997 01:50:05 +1000
Stuart wrote:
>>Erm...trying to make this on-topic...does anyone have any arguments I can
>>use on my lecturer for why we should watch and study all five series of PG
>>when we start to look at Childrens Television in a couple of weeks?
Joy wrote:
>Murray's (?) idea of "example of 'good children tv'" sounds good, but maybe
>you could also look at what I was talking about before: the limits of
>children tv, and how it may cease to become purely targeted at children of a
>certain age (and you can mention the 33 year old nutters on this mailing
>list perhaps? ;)) and whether that deviates from the original intent and if
>that deviation shouldn't actually be encouraged. Think of the three aspects
>(I'm sure you know all these but I thought I might actually use my brains a
>bit during the holidays :)) - - Audience (children/adults), Industry ($$$),
>as well as text (quality, etc.). So yeah... this probably didn't help, but
>there you go! Have fun! :)
I have heard it said that some of the problems with children's TV
result from its attempt to cater to as large an age range as possible, to
maximize ratings. Children's books, on the other hand, are generally aimed
at a specific age group, probably in recognition of the fact that different
age groups have different levels of reading skills. I think that this
"catering to all ages" factor in children's TV has (a) led to a large number
of bland programs and (b) that by attempting to make the programs suitable
for younger viewers, a gaping hole has been left when it comes to quality
programs for older kids/teenagers. This is where Press Gang comes in. It
is one of the few shows that actually gives its viewers some credit for
intelligence, rather than talking down to them and trivializing the issues.
This is actually what makes it accessible to viewers older than the target
audience (i.e. 33-year olds.)
A case in question: I don't know if any of you have ever seen
"Streets Apart". It has some aspects in common with PG (storyline is
centred on the romance/unresolved sexual tension between the two main
characters....also, the lead female character is successful, independent and
runs a publishing house.) Quite enjoyable, but PG beats it hands
down.....because there is so much more to PG than just the Spike-Lynda romance.
I've probably left a lot of stuff out, but anyway, that's my two
cents worth.
Ann
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