Worst in Show: Television Talk Program Genre and the Reification of Class Consciousness

• In Event: 121 - Section on Marxist Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 07. Culture, Music, and Identity: Critical Perspectives

Abstract

Television talk programs have been existent since the late 1940s. Changes in the format have included the inclusion of celebrity features, audience participation, and specialty programs devoted to particular themes (cooking, lifestyles, medical, etc.). An underlying theme of these programs since the beginning has been a reflection of cultural assumptions or values accepted within societal norms at that time period. In addition, the factor of class consciousness tends to be present through the depiction of celebrity gossip or everyday people engaged in interpersonal conflict situations. This paper examines the television talk genre though an explanatory underpinning of considering the cultural values reflected by various types of programs (e.g., Morton Downey Jr., Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey, or Jerry Springer). Such analysis will be accompanied by an analysis according to how class consciousness is depicted in situations appealing to different audience members. The subsequent impact of reification or false consciousness is then considered in the context of the produced media narrative which impact upon how viewers relate to the situations or images portrayed in this television talk genre. The application of high culture (e.g., celebrity information) versus low culture (Springer, Wilkos, and Povich as programs specializing in conflict among working and lower class individuals) will serve as an important part of this analysis. In addition, literature specifically related to talk shows and the critical work of Marcuse, Adorno, and Schutz, and others will be considered in referring to the formation of social or class consciousness.

Author

• Lloyd Klein, Hostos Community College, CUNY