What are some of the advantages of live television and why do you think it was the prevailing format during TV's first decade? What are its disadvantages? How is "liveness" (or the illusion thereof) used by TV today?
Live television was the prevailing format during TV’s first decade for a few reasons. First and foremost, the technology did not yet exist for TV to be recorded or watched at a later date. Reruns of shows were almost as important as the new live episodes in building a show or program’s fanbase. Live shows added an extra element of importance for the average viewer though. If you didn’t watch a program live, you couldn’t talk about it the next day with your peers. This eventually led to the birth of watercooler culture, in which people gathered in person to discuss the previous night’s program. The biggest disadvantage of live viewing was that you had to be in your house at night during the primetime hours to catch the program. There was no other method to watch, unless you went to a peer’s house. Today, live viewing is less essential. The advent of DVRs and online streaming have almost, although not yet, killed off the importance of live viewing. Advertisers still are most dependent on overnight ratings to determine if a program is popular or not, despite the fact that a large majority of many programs are watching in ways that are much harder to track (illegal downloads, for instance.
I think your point about the lack of the presence of the "rerun" as being the largest disadvantage depends on the group you're saying was disadvantaged. There were some negative social implications for the television viewer, as you began to refer to in the instance of timing, and an audience weighing its social options as to watch the next episode of its favorite series, or make plans outside of the home. I imagine that this, for the most part, largely benefited networks and advertisers, though. Television programming is a unique medium in that it's extremely interconnected. Aside from the lengthy and/or segmented film or book, television embarked on a unique endeavor of creating a platform to present fiction that so closely models real-life: in that story lines, character arcs, whatever else have you, do not end after the course of one singular plot/narrative rising and concluding. Audiences don't merely connect with programming, but become invested in the lives of these sort of "weekly visitors." Perhaps not every viewer became so invested in every program that they make drastic social and scheduling decisions around their favorite situation comedy, but surely enough actually did feel this way, and this at-the-time-unavoidable liveliness definitely benefited programmers and advertisers. I also love your phrase "almost, although not yet, killed off the importance of live viewing." I could talk endlessly about my anxiety toward Netflix beginning to create their own series exclusive to the platform; the total opposite of television as it was known in the time periods we've examined in class. Netflix offering streaming of both previously broadcasted television series and of their own series (Will a new word develop for this? House of Cards is not television...a....short film series? Netflix series?) I think completely encourages binge viewing due mostly to convenience. People don't have to wait to get the next bit of information regarding the characters that they're invested in. And I think Netflix these days, more so than even illegal downloading or DVRs, is what will be the ultimate demise of live television- whether broadcasted literally live, or even simply premiering for the first time "live" on cable.
Live television gave people the advantages and comforts of watching an event unfold in real time without having to leave the house. They did not have to deal with social pressures to dress up and go out in order to see a baseball game or a play. A person would not have to actually be present at the event, so they could still discuss it with their friends the following day. They had the convenience of being caught up with the current programs even though they may be too busy at work or home to go see the event in real life. Live television seemed to be the prevailing format due to its ability to bring people together over certain occasions despite the fact that not everyone was in the same place at the same time. A disadvantage was that people started to hole up in their homes rather than be more social with each other. They had an excuse not to go out on the weekends, and attendance at theaters and stadiums began to drop dramatically. Watching an event on television can be entertaining, but there is a certain novelty in actually going to a game or a show. Today, liveness in television is used to bring excitement and anticipation to the programs, such as the Emmys or the Oscars. No one knows what the outcome will be, and watching these events unfold in real time can be thrilling. However, with the inventions of DVRs and other recording devices, “live” television loses its charm, since anyone can record the program and watch it later. Even though it is still considered “live”, not everyone is watching at the exact same time.
In the first decade of television, having “liveness” was one of the most popular trends in that current era and society. Having images and events occur in real time was stellar and it gave individuals the opportunity to visualize what was happening and see television shows, sport events, and other shows without preparation. Viewing formats live were an asset to television viewers, though it became a disadvantage to the networks. For example, if there was a live taping of “Amos n’ Andy” and Andy forgot one of his lines, it would interrupt the show and make the entire production a mess. Being live takes away practice and mistakes that will and can happen at any production. Today, “liveness” is used primarily in sports events and talk shows. Talk shows can be rehearsed and sporting events are usually live to keep the excitement and anticipation in the event. In addition to talk shows and sports, news programs also use this function. Most news programs have live segments and live broadcast; however there are certain packages and stories that can be recorded in advance. Nevertheless, “liveness” can make or break and production and any director, producer, and staff must be aware of this powerful media tool.
Live television was used primarily during TV’s first decade because of broadcast technology. In order to record a television show, directors had to film the live television monitor. Today, live television is used in numerous ways. Sporting events are filmed live so audiences are able to watch the game without having to travel to arenas and stadiums. Awards shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys are filmed live. Events like these allow audiences to collectively gather and see results right as the winners are announced. Live television creates a bond between the audiences. All viewers are watching the same media at one time. Today, communities are brought together even more during these events with Twitter and Facebook. While watching live television events, viewers post statuses and threads. This creates interaction between viewers. Additionally, shows like Saturday Night Live create a different vibe for television. During the show comedians may break character; unexpected mishaps may occur. Moments like these are what attract audiences. When watching prerecorded television shows I see the actors as celebrities engrossed in their character. When I watch Saturday Night Live, the celebrities seem more like real people when they “mess up”. The disadvantages to live footage, I guess, would be when inappropriate mishaps occur. For example, in the early 90s, Saturday Night Live had Shiney O’Connor on as a musical guest. Unexpectedly, O’Connor ripped a picture of the Pope in front of the crowd during her performance. Audiences flooded the studio with complaints. Live television is definitely less controlled than previously recorded television. In my opinion, that’s what makes it more interesting.
I think it is also important to recognize that live, scripted, narrative television today is a commodity. Our live shows are, for the most part, reality shows. SNL though is more like the scripted single cam shows we are used to, but with the added excitement of liveness. I believe that this is what keeps people coming back year after year despite the shows quality.
The majority of television was live during its first decade for a few reasons. One was that much of television transitioned over from the radio and most of the programs on the radio were live. Therefore, it made sense to television executives to continue making a live product when transitioning over from radio. A second reason was that it was cheaper to shoot live television since networks would not have to spend any money on post-production work to edit and shape the film into place. A final reason for having mostly live programming was for television to distinguish itself as a separate product from film. For a brief while television and film were direct competitors, and television executives wanted to create a product that was seen as different from film in order to convince consumers that it was worth watching over film. Distributing live television on air was the networks’ way of creating must see events for viewers watching at home. It was the first time one could witness an event occurring live without having to be in the vicinity of where the event was taking place. There were more topics that one could discuss and debate, as well as more people who one could discuss and debate these topics with. However, since there were no recording devices during the early history of television, viewers had only one opportunity to catch their favorite shows. If one were to miss a show airing one night, there was no way to go back and watch it later. “Liveness” has mostly been relegated to sports and talent shows today. However, shows that have been previously recorded but are airing for the first time are often watched live, despite the growing number of people who are streaming and DVRing episodes today. For event series like Breaking Bad, more people will tend to watch the show during its initial airing to avoid hearing or reading about spoilers online.
Live television was prevailing because of its ability to connect far off places and people. A viewer could now participate in an event going on across the country without actually being there. They could watch it unfold in the comfort of their own home and feel involved. This was before the era of the internet, which now connects the world in unimaginable closeness. Television used to be the main way people would get their news and keep updated on current events. When this was the only option, there was a shared cultural experience of watching important news events unfold. Live tapings also created a problem for the networks in that there was no way to edit out mistakes or mishaps that may ensue during live filming. It also created a social disadvantage. People would rather be in their homes watching than out participating in an audience or being a part of the event going on. Liveness is used today because it still joins people in the experience of watching an event on TV. Millions of people flock to their televisions and share in the experience of watching the Superbowl, or award shows like the Oscars. It’s a way to experience culture without leaving ones comfort zone. Liveness is also an illusion today because it is often presented at a slight delay based on your timezone to edit out foul language or wardrobe malfunctions.
One of the advantages of live television is the lurking possibility that things will completely go off the rails (a la Ashlee Simpson on SNL, Kanye and Miley on the VMAS, etc.) Viewers, or perhaps voracious consumers of pop culture, live for watching these kinds of humiliating flubs. The network gets press, the star involved gets press, and we have something to talk about for the next month or so (unfortunately). On the other hand, performing something on live television means that there was no editing, no outtakes. What you see is what you get. Watching something live on your television is just a facsimile of actually being there and experiencing it for yourself. It’s impressive to see people performing something in real-time, knowing that it took a lot of practice and effort to not mess up on the one and only take. The disadvantages of live television are just the other side of the coin. Sometimes these live “disasters” are just that—disasters. On her first episode of being on Saturday Night Live, Jenny Slate let the “f-word” slip. She did not return for a second season. While we love to bask in them, these moments do give us a shiver of secondhand embarrassment. Live television today is sometimes a gimmick. Because it’s not as necessary as it was at the beginning of TV, its intense, raw quality is presented in the sense that “something crazy might happen” or “we worked really hard to get this right for live TV.”
Live TV was an important part of early television, mostly because it really differentiated it from films. There were no movies on television and TV shows didn't resemble ongoing movies, at all. They were more like going to see a variety show with your family on a Saturday night, but without even leaving the house! Liveness is a very cool thing and can trigger a lot of excitement in viewers. The advantages mainly revolve around it's ability to make people feel like they are part of the experience. Viewers of the program would know cognitively that it was going on at (almost) the same time. However, there are many disadvantages that took place when TV was a new medium. The actor's intense work that they had to put in to make the show run smoothly, and the dark makeup they had to wear. There were far more mistakes and these were hard to cover up with current technology.
Today, live TV is barely live at all. Shows like Teen Mom and Dance Mom's only show what the director or producer want the audience to see. They skew and edit what actually happens into a very thought out show. A lot of them are even scripted!
Back in the day, live television was the only method of watching anything on television. Nothing was ever recorded – everything was just live. If one were to miss a program on a specific time, he or she would not be able to watch it unless the reruns of the show were to be shown. An advantage of having live television would be for the audience to truly see the immediate emotions of reporters in major breaking news, which could make the story just as powerful. I still feel that there are more disadvantages of having just live television. Just like I stated earlier, missing an episode would mean that one would have to wait for an unknown period of time just to watch the rerun episode. The fact that it’s possible to record television programs is such a major breakthrough. One of the biggest disadvantages of live television in my opinion was that people were able to see many horrific events live. For instance, the complete gory events the suicide of politician Robert Budd Dwyer was shown live. In today’s times, the “liveness” of television has changed. To avoid showing full controversial events such as Dwyer’s suicide or Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction during Super Bowl XXXVIII, the FCC enforced live broadcast programs to have a slight delay to allow television networks to add censorships. In addition, anything live today could easily have been edited only to appease the audience.
Live television was prevailing as a format in TV's first decade because as Boddy said, it synthesized "immediacy of the live theatrical performance, the space conquering powers of radio, and the visual strategies of the motion picture". Therefore, this new format was comforting since it tied in elements of other older medias. The elements of live television had compartments of other medias and as an ensemble it worked as this magically vulnerable and real entertainment device. Also the idea of "liveness" is intrinsically exciting. Live television gave the audience an opportunity to be on the experience for better for worst.
Of course live television has changed today, one significant change being the slight delay to allow television networks to edit or censor any unplanned mistakes or disasters. Everything is live but can be manipulated as something previously taped is, in the window of delay the liveness loses its mystic. Also it seems as live is almost interchangeable with reality TV. It is a common misconception today because the characters in the show are real people and some of the events are real. Although there are similar elements, these shows aren't live because there previously taped, scripts are written, and edits are made for stylistic and conceptual purposes. Often producers will steer the show on particular story lines because it'll be the most gratifying or shocking to the public. Most live television today is a manipulation of material.
Back in the early days of television, shows were broadcast live mainly because the technology didn't exist yet to record the shows. More than that, though, it was thought of as an interpretation of live theatre but in a way that the audience didn't have to leave their home to see. Owning a television was a big deal and shows that were broadcast were big events that viewers didn't want to miss out on. There was no recording, no DVR, no Internet streaming, and no social media. If you missed it, you missed it and therefore shows were much more of an event. It also helped separate television from the world of film, making it something you would want in your own home because it's live and everything feels very real. The obvious disadvantages are that there are no do-overs; if something or someone messes up then the show must go on. Also, it was incredibly difficult to ever see something after it aired because it was near impossible to record it.
Today, live television has completely changed. With so many platforms to watch television shows, live TV has to promote itself as a large event for viewers to enjoy as it's designed: live. These days live television works along with social media to keep viewers connected while they watch the event. From reality shows like American Idol or The Voice where viewers can vote on winners to sports games where sports fans can feel like they're actually at the game, everyone wants to be a part of it in the moment. It's no good to watch a singing competition that isn't live because you can't vote later, just as it's no fun to watch a sporting even live because you probably already know who won.
Most of the television broadcasted in the first decade of television was primarily live. It was a prevailing format because it created a setting for people to relax and feel connected to other places in the world, whether the program was a late night talk show, a news broadcast, or a sitcom. It allowed people to engage with celebrities and tv personalities in a way that was personal even though they weren’t actually in their presence or on the set. People liked feeling as though they were part of something and that is an aspect of live tv that is an advantage: it makes people feel included and connected. Though live tv was and still is a success in my opinion, there are some disadvantages to the spontaneity of it because there is only one chance to perform correctly with live tv. With that said, if someone messed up lines, or didn’t anything wrong or offensive, or something didn’t go accordingly to plan and time ran out, that could really damage a program or an actor’s reputation. Today, liveness on tv is something I feel that is set aside for award shows, breaking news, government speeches, and SNL. I think these live broadcasts today still have the aspects of a creating a connected relationship between those on tv and those watching especially with award shows. I think there is an excitement with live tv because it’s fun to watch “what will happen live.”
Live is a specific moment in time. It is a time period that no one can change. It is spontaneous. Live is creativity, quick thinking and ingenuity. Live television can never, ever be duplicated or edited again.
These elements of live television make it impervious to time and when analyzing television’s history live TV has remained an integral element of many programs and stations today. A live production brings people together. It is the concept of watching something all together, all at one time... whether it’s a sports game, award show or Saturday Night Live skit, the audience becomes unified as one to what is happening at a given moment on screen. It is the “sitting at the edge of your seat” moment that creates excitement, evokes emotion and transforms the viewing experience by not wanting to miss a second. Further, live TV benefits all elements of the television industry from production to advertisement sales because the viewer’s remain attentive for the duration of the program. This aspect of live TV is critically important to the popularity of live TV in the past and present because the television industry is after all, an industry.
Live TV is unlike any other media production both historically and now. It brings audience members together and evokes emotion... That is something truly priceless.
Live television was, as most people have already mentioned, the result of technological limitations that existed for broadcasting in the early years. The picture was sent directly as it was captured from the studio (or location) to the monitor. As a form of entertainment, however, live television was popular for many reasons. First, not only was the television set itself a novelty and therefore a spectacle, but it was also very wisely used as a way to bring the spectacle based entertainment into the home. For example, it reflected vaudeville, a popular form of entertainment in the early years of television. Vaudville often featured many miscellaneous live acts, and many live television programs mimicked this format. Live television as a vehicle for spectacle was and still is true of sporting events, award shows, live newscasts and variety shows. The clearest disadvantages of live television lie in the possibility of mistakes that cannot be corrected with post-production. And though mistakes such as Milton Berle’s fumbles in the Texaco Star Theater are both easily adlibbed away and have very few consequences, imagine the consequences of mistakes in a live newscast (which sadly happens a lot). If a newscaster, or even those feeding him or her information are misinformed, especially during a situation like a tragedy or emergency, misinformation could lead to widespread panic. Here, even if the mistake is corrected, trust in the source is diminished and many are left misinformed.
After reading Boddy's article about live television it was apparent that live TV was the prevailing format during the TV's first decade because it presented an intimate relationship with the audience by connecting to them to the characters personally. Boddy described that the viewer was also able to be in two places at once. They were able to be in the space of the television and the comfort of their own home because "television bridges the gap between time and distance instantly and united the individual at home with even afar" (Boddy 1). Film was known to edit and create different styles to their movies which left the viewer feeling a little disconnected to the characters and the film itself. However, television was known to make the audience feel as though everything they see and hear on the TV was in the present and extremely real. With the reality of television, the audience felt as though they were involved in the characters' lives. Some disadvantages to live television was that sponsors hated them because they were often associated with communists, which meant they were also anti consumerists. The live television was about everyday people not selling certain lifestyles to the viewers through products. This was one reason there was a move to film series, which is why it is a disadvantage to live television. “Liveness” is used today with many different television shows such as different talk shows and competition shows. For example American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Chelsea Lately, Saturday Night Live, etc. They are similar to early live television because they present that feeling of being there while being at home. The actors also cannot mess up their lines because it will all be caught on air as was the case in early live television.
Live television was the prevailing format during TV’s first decade for a few reasons. First and foremost, the technology did not yet exist for TV to be recorded or watched at a later date. Reruns of shows were almost as important as the new live episodes in building a show or program’s fanbase. Live shows added an extra element of importance for the average viewer though. If you didn’t watch a program live, you couldn’t talk about it the next day with your peers. This eventually led to the birth of watercooler culture, in which people gathered in person to discuss the previous night’s program. The biggest disadvantage of live viewing was that you had to be in your house at night during the primetime hours to catch the program. There was no other method to watch, unless you went to a peer’s house.
ReplyDeleteToday, live viewing is less essential. The advent of DVRs and online streaming have almost, although not yet, killed off the importance of live viewing. Advertisers still are most dependent on overnight ratings to determine if a program is popular or not, despite the fact that a large majority of many programs are watching in ways that are much harder to track (illegal downloads, for instance.
I think your point about the lack of the presence of the "rerun" as being the largest disadvantage depends on the group you're saying was disadvantaged. There were some negative social implications for the television viewer, as you began to refer to in the instance of timing, and an audience weighing its social options as to watch the next episode of its favorite series, or make plans outside of the home. I imagine that this, for the most part, largely benefited networks and advertisers, though. Television programming is a unique medium in that it's extremely interconnected. Aside from the lengthy and/or segmented film or book, television embarked on a unique endeavor of creating a platform to present fiction that so closely models real-life: in that story lines, character arcs, whatever else have you, do not end after the course of one singular plot/narrative rising and concluding. Audiences don't merely connect with programming, but become invested in the lives of these sort of "weekly visitors." Perhaps not every viewer became so invested in every program that they make drastic social and scheduling decisions around their favorite situation comedy, but surely enough actually did feel this way, and this at-the-time-unavoidable liveliness definitely benefited programmers and advertisers.
DeleteI also love your phrase "almost, although not yet, killed off the importance of live viewing." I could talk endlessly about my anxiety toward Netflix beginning to create their own series exclusive to the platform; the total opposite of television as it was known in the time periods we've examined in class. Netflix offering streaming of both previously broadcasted television series and of their own series (Will a new word develop for this? House of Cards is not television...a....short film series? Netflix series?) I think completely encourages binge viewing due mostly to convenience. People don't have to wait to get the next bit of information regarding the characters that they're invested in. And I think Netflix these days, more so than even illegal downloading or DVRs, is what will be the ultimate demise of live television- whether broadcasted literally live, or even simply premiering for the first time "live" on cable.
Live television gave people the advantages and comforts of watching an event unfold in real time without having to leave the house. They did not have to deal with social pressures to dress up and go out in order to see a baseball game or a play. A person would not have to actually be present at the event, so they could still discuss it with their friends the following day. They had the convenience of being caught up with the current programs even though they may be too busy at work or home to go see the event in real life. Live television seemed to be the prevailing format due to its ability to bring people together over certain occasions despite the fact that not everyone was in the same place at the same time.
ReplyDeleteA disadvantage was that people started to hole up in their homes rather than be more social with each other. They had an excuse not to go out on the weekends, and attendance at theaters and stadiums began to drop dramatically. Watching an event on television can be entertaining, but there is a certain novelty in actually going to a game or a show.
Today, liveness in television is used to bring excitement and anticipation to the programs, such as the Emmys or the Oscars. No one knows what the outcome will be, and watching these events unfold in real time can be thrilling. However, with the inventions of DVRs and other recording devices, “live” television loses its charm, since anyone can record the program and watch it later. Even though it is still considered “live”, not everyone is watching at the exact same time.
In the first decade of television, having “liveness” was one of the most popular trends in that current era and society. Having images and events occur in real time was stellar and it gave individuals the opportunity to visualize what was happening and see television shows, sport events, and other shows without preparation. Viewing formats live were an asset to television viewers, though it became a disadvantage to the networks. For example, if there was a live taping of “Amos n’ Andy” and Andy forgot one of his lines, it would interrupt the show and make the entire production a mess. Being live takes away practice and mistakes that will and can happen at any production. Today, “liveness” is used primarily in sports events and talk shows. Talk shows can be rehearsed and sporting events are usually live to keep the excitement and anticipation in the event. In addition to talk shows and sports, news programs also use this function. Most news programs have live segments and live broadcast; however there are certain packages and stories that can be recorded in advance. Nevertheless, “liveness” can make or break and production and any director, producer, and staff must be aware of this powerful media tool.
ReplyDeleteLive television was used primarily during TV’s first decade because of broadcast technology. In order to record a television show, directors had to film the live television monitor. Today, live television is used in numerous ways. Sporting events are filmed live so audiences are able to watch the game without having to travel to arenas and stadiums. Awards shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys are filmed live. Events like these allow audiences to collectively gather and see results right as the winners are announced. Live television creates a bond between the audiences. All viewers are watching the same media at one time. Today, communities are brought together even more during these events with Twitter and Facebook. While watching live television events, viewers post statuses and threads. This creates interaction between viewers. Additionally, shows like Saturday Night Live create a different vibe for television. During the show comedians may break character; unexpected mishaps may occur. Moments like these are what attract audiences. When watching prerecorded television shows I see the actors as celebrities engrossed in their character. When I watch Saturday Night Live, the celebrities seem more like real people when they “mess up”. The disadvantages to live footage, I guess, would be when inappropriate mishaps occur. For example, in the early 90s, Saturday Night Live had Shiney O’Connor on as a musical guest. Unexpectedly, O’Connor ripped a picture of the Pope in front of the crowd during her performance. Audiences flooded the studio with complaints. Live television is definitely less controlled than previously recorded television. In my opinion, that’s what makes it more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think it is also important to recognize that live, scripted, narrative television today is a commodity. Our live shows are, for the most part, reality shows. SNL though is more like the scripted single cam shows we are used to, but with the added excitement of liveness. I believe that this is what keeps people coming back year after year despite the shows quality.
DeleteThe majority of television was live during its first decade for a few reasons. One was that much of television transitioned over from the radio and most of the programs on the radio were live. Therefore, it made sense to television executives to continue making a live product when transitioning over from radio. A second reason was that it was cheaper to shoot live television since networks would not have to spend any money on post-production work to edit and shape the film into place. A final reason for having mostly live programming was for television to distinguish itself as a separate product from film. For a brief while television and film were direct competitors, and television executives wanted to create a product that was seen as different from film in order to convince consumers that it was worth watching over film.
ReplyDeleteDistributing live television on air was the networks’ way of creating must see events for viewers watching at home. It was the first time one could witness an event occurring live without having to be in the vicinity of where the event was taking place. There were more topics that one could discuss and debate, as well as more people who one could discuss and debate these topics with. However, since there were no recording devices during the early history of television, viewers had only one opportunity to catch their favorite shows. If one were to miss a show airing one night, there was no way to go back and watch it later.
“Liveness” has mostly been relegated to sports and talent shows today. However, shows that have been previously recorded but are airing for the first time are often watched live, despite the growing number of people who are streaming and DVRing episodes today. For event series like Breaking Bad, more people will tend to watch the show during its initial airing to avoid hearing or reading about spoilers online.
ReplyDeleteLive television was prevailing because of its ability to connect far off places and people. A viewer could now participate in an event going on across the country without actually being there. They could watch it unfold in the comfort of their own home and feel involved. This was before the era of the internet, which now connects the world in unimaginable closeness. Television used to be the main way people would get their news and keep updated on current events. When this was the only option, there was a shared cultural experience of watching important news events unfold. Live tapings also created a problem for the networks in that there was no way to edit out mistakes or mishaps that may ensue during live filming. It also created a social disadvantage. People would rather be in their homes watching than out participating in an audience or being a part of the event going on. Liveness is used today because it still joins people in the experience of watching an event on TV. Millions of people flock to their televisions and share in the experience of watching the Superbowl, or award shows like the Oscars. It’s a way to experience culture without leaving ones comfort zone. Liveness is also an illusion today because it is often presented at a slight delay based on your timezone to edit out foul language or wardrobe malfunctions.
ReplyDeleteOne of the advantages of live television is the lurking possibility that things will completely go off the rails (a la Ashlee Simpson on SNL, Kanye and Miley on the VMAS, etc.) Viewers, or perhaps voracious consumers of pop culture, live for watching these kinds of humiliating flubs. The network gets press, the star involved gets press, and we have something to talk about for the next month or so (unfortunately).
On the other hand, performing something on live television means that there was no editing, no outtakes. What you see is what you get. Watching something live on your television is just a facsimile of actually being there and experiencing it for yourself. It’s impressive to see people performing something in real-time, knowing that it took a lot of practice and effort to not mess up on the one and only take.
The disadvantages of live television are just the other side of the coin. Sometimes these live “disasters” are just that—disasters. On her first episode of being on Saturday Night Live, Jenny Slate let the “f-word” slip. She did not return for a second season. While we love to bask in them, these moments do give us a shiver of secondhand embarrassment.
Live television today is sometimes a gimmick. Because it’s not as necessary as it was at the beginning of TV, its intense, raw quality is presented in the sense that “something crazy might happen” or “we worked really hard to get this right for live TV.”
Live TV was an important part of early television, mostly because it really differentiated it from films. There were no movies on television and TV shows didn't resemble ongoing movies, at all. They were more like going to see a variety show with your family on a Saturday night, but without even leaving the house! Liveness is a very cool thing and can trigger a lot of excitement in viewers. The advantages mainly revolve around it's ability to make people feel like they are part of the experience. Viewers of the program would know cognitively that it was going on at (almost) the same time. However, there are many disadvantages that took place when TV was a new medium. The actor's intense work that they had to put in to make the show run smoothly, and the dark makeup they had to wear. There were far more mistakes and these were hard to cover up with current technology.
ReplyDeleteToday, live TV is barely live at all. Shows like Teen Mom and Dance Mom's only show what the director or producer want the audience to see. They skew and edit what actually happens into a very thought out show. A lot of them are even scripted!
Back in the day, live television was the only method of watching anything on television. Nothing was ever recorded – everything was just live. If one were to miss a program on a specific time, he or she would not be able to watch it unless the reruns of the show were to be shown. An advantage of having live television would be for the audience to truly see the immediate emotions of reporters in major breaking news, which could make the story just as powerful. I still feel that there are more disadvantages of having just live television. Just like I stated earlier, missing an episode would mean that one would have to wait for an unknown period of time just to watch the rerun episode. The fact that it’s possible to record television programs is such a major breakthrough. One of the biggest disadvantages of live television in my opinion was that people were able to see many horrific events live. For instance, the complete gory events the suicide of politician Robert Budd Dwyer was shown live. In today’s times, the “liveness” of television has changed. To avoid showing full controversial events such as Dwyer’s suicide or Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction during Super Bowl XXXVIII, the FCC enforced live broadcast programs to have a slight delay to allow television networks to add censorships. In addition, anything live today could easily have been edited only to appease the audience.
ReplyDeleteLive television was prevailing as a format in TV's first decade because as Boddy said, it synthesized "immediacy of the live theatrical performance, the space conquering powers of radio, and the visual strategies of the motion picture". Therefore, this new format was comforting since it tied in elements of other older medias. The elements of live television had compartments of other medias and as an ensemble it worked as this magically vulnerable and real entertainment device. Also the idea of "liveness" is intrinsically exciting. Live television gave the audience an opportunity to be on the experience for better for worst.
ReplyDeleteOf course live television has changed today, one significant change being the slight delay to allow television networks to edit or censor any unplanned mistakes or disasters. Everything is live but can be manipulated as something previously taped is, in the window of delay the liveness loses its mystic. Also it seems as live is almost interchangeable with reality TV. It is a common misconception today because the characters in the show are real people and some of the events are real. Although there are similar elements, these shows aren't live because there previously taped, scripts are written, and edits are made for stylistic and conceptual purposes. Often producers will steer the show on particular story lines because it'll be the most gratifying or shocking to the public. Most live television today is a manipulation of material.
Back in the early days of television, shows were broadcast live mainly because the technology didn't exist yet to record the shows. More than that, though, it was thought of as an interpretation of live theatre but in a way that the audience didn't have to leave their home to see. Owning a television was a big deal and shows that were broadcast were big events that viewers didn't want to miss out on. There was no recording, no DVR, no Internet streaming, and no social media. If you missed it, you missed it and therefore shows were much more of an event. It also helped separate television from the world of film, making it something you would want in your own home because it's live and everything feels very real. The obvious disadvantages are that there are no do-overs; if something or someone messes up then the show must go on. Also, it was incredibly difficult to ever see something after it aired because it was near impossible to record it.
ReplyDeleteToday, live television has completely changed. With so many platforms to watch television shows, live TV has to promote itself as a large event for viewers to enjoy as it's designed: live. These days live television works along with social media to keep viewers connected while they watch the event. From reality shows like American Idol or The Voice where viewers can vote on winners to sports games where sports fans can feel like they're actually at the game, everyone wants to be a part of it in the moment. It's no good to watch a singing competition that isn't live because you can't vote later, just as it's no fun to watch a sporting even live because you probably already know who won.
Most of the television broadcasted in the first decade of television was primarily live. It was a prevailing format because it created a setting for people to relax and feel connected to other places in the world, whether the program was a late night talk show, a news broadcast, or a sitcom. It allowed people to engage with celebrities and tv personalities in a way that was personal even though they weren’t actually in their presence or on the set. People liked feeling as though they were part of something and that is an aspect of live tv that is an advantage: it makes people feel included and connected. Though live tv was and still is a success in my opinion, there are some disadvantages to the spontaneity of it because there is only one chance to perform correctly with live tv. With that said, if someone messed up lines, or didn’t anything wrong or offensive, or something didn’t go accordingly to plan and time ran out, that could really damage a program or an actor’s reputation. Today, liveness on tv is something I feel that is set aside for award shows, breaking news, government speeches, and SNL. I think these live broadcasts today still have the aspects of a creating a connected relationship between those on tv and those watching especially with award shows. I think there is an excitement with live tv because it’s fun to watch “what will happen live.”
ReplyDeleteLive is a specific moment in time. It is a time period that no one can change. It is spontaneous. Live is creativity, quick thinking and ingenuity. Live television can never, ever be duplicated or edited again.
ReplyDeleteThese elements of live television make it impervious to time and when analyzing television’s history live TV has remained an integral element of many programs and stations today. A live production brings people together. It is the concept of watching something all together, all at one time... whether it’s a sports game, award show or Saturday Night Live skit, the audience becomes unified as one to what is happening at a given moment on screen. It is the “sitting at the edge of your seat” moment that creates excitement, evokes emotion and transforms the viewing experience by not wanting to miss a second. Further, live TV benefits all elements of the television industry from production to advertisement sales because the viewer’s remain attentive for the duration of the program. This aspect of live TV is critically important to the popularity of live TV in the past and present because the television industry is after all, an industry.
Live TV is unlike any other media production both historically and now. It brings audience members together and evokes emotion... That is something truly priceless.
Live television was, as most people have already mentioned, the result of technological limitations that existed for broadcasting in the early years. The picture was sent directly as it was captured from the studio (or location) to the monitor. As a form of entertainment, however, live television was popular for many reasons. First, not only was the television set itself a novelty and therefore a spectacle, but it was also very wisely used as a way to bring the spectacle based entertainment into the home. For example, it reflected vaudeville, a popular form of entertainment in the early years of television. Vaudville often featured many miscellaneous live acts, and many live television programs mimicked this format. Live television as a vehicle for spectacle was and still is true of sporting events, award shows, live newscasts and variety shows. The clearest disadvantages of live television lie in the possibility of mistakes that cannot be corrected with post-production. And though mistakes such as Milton Berle’s fumbles in the Texaco Star Theater are both easily adlibbed away and have very few consequences, imagine the consequences of mistakes in a live newscast (which sadly happens a lot). If a newscaster, or even those feeding him or her information are misinformed, especially during a situation like a tragedy or emergency, misinformation could lead to widespread panic. Here, even if the mistake is corrected, trust in the source is diminished and many are left misinformed.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Boddy's article about live television it was apparent that live TV was the prevailing format during the TV's first decade because it presented an intimate relationship with the audience by connecting to them to the characters personally. Boddy described that the viewer was also able to be in two places at once. They were able to be in the space of the television and the comfort of their own home because "television bridges the gap between time and distance instantly and united the individual at home with even afar" (Boddy 1). Film was known to edit and create different styles to their movies which left the viewer feeling a little disconnected to the characters and the film itself. However, television was known to make the audience feel as though everything they see and hear on the TV was in the present and extremely real. With the reality of television, the audience felt as though they were involved in the characters' lives. Some disadvantages to live television was that sponsors hated them because they were often associated with communists, which meant they were also anti consumerists. The live television was about everyday people not selling certain lifestyles to the viewers through products. This was one reason there was a move to film series, which is why it is a disadvantage to live television. “Liveness” is used today with many different television shows such as different talk shows and competition shows. For example American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Chelsea Lately, Saturday Night Live, etc. They are similar to early live television because they present that feeling of being there while being at home. The actors also cannot mess up their lines because it will all be caught on air as was the case in early live television.
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