Monday, July 12, 2010
Do People Notice?
I was watching TV today and it occurred to me that almost all sitcom television series are the same. I mean of course they have different characters, but all the storylines are common. Like the classic, “the kids ditch school and get caught by someone they know” and the “parents go out of town, time for a party!” and don’t forget “parents snooping in kids room, and finds something they shouldn’t have.” Besides the slight differences in the episodes, a lot of shows are becoming predictable. Does that stop people from watching them? No, infact people watch reruns all the time. They just can’t get enough of the same thing. I am not saying that I don’t watch shows again myself, because I do, but only when it was one of my favorite episodes. Like today, some show came on and a man was struggling to get his dollar in a vending machine. After all his hard work he put in the code for a Twix and guess what happened, it got stuck. I saw that coming the moment he put a big smile on his face and declared his ridiculous craving for some chocolate. I couldn't even laugh because I ruined what was going to happen myself. I know after a while it becomes hard to remake a plot that has been remade a hundred times, but I think it wouldn't hurt to try a little harder. I have to admit however, that there are some uniquely different and hilarious episodes out there that I enjoy. I think this is why so many people turn to reality TV because it is almost completely unpredictable. So I wonder: Do people notice that we are being amused by something we have basically seen before?
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Janae, I have also observed and spotted out same ideas on different shows... how odd! That idea had never even dawned on my thoughts, until you just mentioned it. For example, a "Spongebob Squarepants" episode highlights Spongebob ditching boating school to hang out with Patrick. Guess what happens... Ms. Puff caught him when he didn't return to class on time. Also, on "Full House", Stephanie and D.J. ditch school to get a singer's autograph at the mall. Their uncle Joey catches them... surprised? So yes, you made a very good point. I also agree with you; that T.V. is "almost completely predictable." You can always guess what's going to happen in a movie or T.V. show. Another example is in horror movies. Haven't you ever noticed how at the finale, right when you think it is all over, the monster "pops out" and terrorizes the sole survivor. This gets annoying after a while. So yes, Janae, people do notice that we are being amused by repeated scenarios (at least I do).
ReplyDeleteI agree with ya'll, but the shows that have repetitive plots are mostly family sitcoms and kid shows. The shows are designed to "teach" us right from wrong. In the Spongebob episode where Spongebob ditches school, are you really expecting an ending where Spongebob doesn't get in trouble and lives his life with no lessons learned? Yeah, basically all episodes of different shows are the same, but I think it's because TV producers are playing it on the safe side to avoid accusations of teaching people "wrong" ideas.
ReplyDeleteJanae, this reminds me of something a previous teacher told me about stories and how they all come from the same basic plotlines. A common example is, "Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl doesn't," or, "Boy meets dog, boy falls in love with dog, dog dies," I find it funny how people can watch movies or T.V. shows that are so predictable. Old Yeller and the book Where the Red Fern Grows are two prime examples where a young boy gets a dog, they grow up together, and then the dog dies. Even though it is predictable most people still find themselves sobbing as they read or watch these stories. I wonder why it doesn't get old for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone has to say. Even though T.V. repeats itself, we never get tired of the same story being retold to us. My theory for this is that we can all relate to the situation that takes place. It's kind of like fashion: it's all just a cycle. Television writers will always use these same basic plot lines because the outcome is successful. Not only can we relate to the stories being told, but we enjoy watching these situations from the "sidelines".
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. The concepts and plots of certain television sitcoms are similar to each other in order to give off the same message, but of course they add some minor details to make the show more interesting. Although sitcoms tend to use old plots, it is probably because it amuses and entertains us again and again. Why change something when it works? Also i don't think many people realize this is happening since they watch television to relax.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Kevin. Why fix something that isn’t broken? I think it’s kind of like a guilty pleasure, like, we know it’s going to end the same way, and that’s why we like it.
ReplyDeleteThis topic reminded me of the show Cold Case. I love this show because I know how it’s going to end with each episode. The opening scene is of the past and shows the suspects and the person who was murdered. Then the detectives are given the case and interview a series of people involved with the murder victim. The murderer is usually the first or second person the detectives interview and is usually revealed within the last eight minutes of the episode.
Some people just think of the shows as shows. There are some who do notice that most plots are alike, they just added a few things here and there. I also noticed how many television shows are basically alike, I only like the original shows not the new made up ones, unless they have some sort of different plot.
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