User's Guides to Popular Culture – serie

Examines social and cultural phenomena through the lens of different television showsWe all have opinions about the television shows we watch, but television criticism is about much more than simply evaluating the merits of a particular show and deeming it 'good' or 'bad.' Rather, criticism uses the close examination of a television program to explore that program's cultural significance, creative strategies, and its place in a broader social context.How to Watch Television brings together forty original essays from today's leading scholars on television culture, writing about the programs they care (and think) the most about. Each essay focuses on a particular television show, demonstrating one way to read the program and, through it, our media culture. The essays model how to practice media criticism in accessible language, providing critical insights through analysis—suggesting a way of looking at TV that students and interested viewers might emulate. The contributors discuss a wide range of television programs past and present, covering many formats and genres, spanning fiction and non-fiction, broadcast and cable, providing a broad representation of the programs that are likely to be covered in a media studies course. While the book primarily focuses on American television, important programs with international origins and transnational circulation are also covered.Addressing television series from the medium's earliest days to contemporary online transformations of television, How to Watch Television is designed to engender classroom discussion among television critics of all backgrounds.

Examines social and cultural phenomena through the lens of different television showsWe all have opinions about the television shows we watch, but television criticism is about much more than simply evaluating the merits of a particular show and deeming it 'good' or 'bad.' Rather, criticism uses the close examination of a television program to explore that program's cultural significance, creative strategies, and its place in a broader social context.How to Watch Television brings together forty original essays from today's leading scholars on television culture, writing about the programs they care (and think) the most about. Each essay focuses on a particular television show, demonstrating one way to read the program and, through it, our media culture. The essays model how to practice media criticism in accessible language, providing critical insights through analysis—suggesting a way of looking at TV that students and interested viewers might emulate. The contributors discuss a wide range of television programs past and present, covering many formats and genres, spanning fiction and non-fiction, broadcast and cable, providing a broad representation of the programs that are likely to be covered in a media studies course. While the book primarily focuses on American television, important programs with international origins and transnational circulation are also covered.Addressing television series from the medium's earliest days to contemporary online transformations of television, How to Watch Television is designed to engender classroom discussion among television critics of all backgrounds.

Forty original contributions on games and gaming culture What does Pokémon Go tell us about globalization? What does Tetris teach us about rules? Is feminism boosted or bashed by Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? How does BioShock Infinite help us navigate world-building?From arcades to Atari, and phone apps to virtual reality headsets, video games have been at the epicenter of our ever-evolving technological reality. Unlike other media technologies, video games demand engagement like no other, which begs the question—what is the role that video games play in our lives, from our homes, to our phones, and on global culture writ large? How to Play Video Games brings together forty original essays from today's leading scholars on video game culture, writing about the games they know best and what they mean in broader social and cultural contexts. Read about avatars in Grand Theft Auto V, or music in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. See how Age of Empires taught a generation about postcolonialism, and how Borderlands exposes the seedy underbelly of capitalism. These essays suggest that understanding video games in a critical context provides a new way to engage in contemporary culture. They are a must read for fans and students of the medium.

Forty original contributions on games and gaming culture What does Pokémon Go tell us about globalization? What does Tetris teach us about rules? Is feminism boosted or bashed by Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? How does BioShock Infinite help us navigate world-building?From arcades to Atari, and phone apps to virtual reality headsets, video games have been at the epicenter of our ever-evolving technological reality. Unlike other media technologies, video games demand engagement like no other, which begs the question—what is the role that video games play in our lives, from our homes, to our phones, and on global culture writ large? How to Play Video Games brings together forty original essays from today's leading scholars on video game culture, writing about the games they know best and what they mean in broader social and cultural contexts. Read about avatars in Grand Theft Auto V, or music in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. See how Age of Empires taught a generation about postcolonialism, and how Borderlands exposes the seedy underbelly of capitalism. These essays suggest that understanding video games in a critical context provides a new way to engage in contemporary culture. They are a must read for fans and students of the medium.

36 original essays on sports media and cultureSports are frequently romanticized as a pure escape from the daily grind, but in reality, the stadium is a mirror reflecting our most contentious cultural and political battles. How to Watch Sports disrupts the comfortable narrative of passive entertainment, presenting thirty-six original essays that challenge readers to critically engage with the global phenomenon of sports media.Moving beyond the highlights, this comprehensive volume utilizes case studies of iconic teams, athletes, and events to illuminate the unseen structures of the industry. Leading scholars unpack diverse topics, ranging from the aesthetics of Steph Curry's play style and the cultural impact of Air Jordans to the labor politics inherent in the Madden video game series. The collection fearlessly navigates hot-button issues, including the national debate over trans inclusion, the rise of Barstool Sports and betting culture, and the gender pay gap.Structured to guide readers through the nuances of form, social representation, industrial practice, and evolving technology, the book demonstrates how media shapes our understanding of athleticism. Whether analyzing the colonial implications of the Olympics or Simone Biles' advocacy for mental health, the authors provide the tools necessary to decode the messages behind the spectacle. How to Watch Sports is an essential field guide for students and fans alike, offering a vital framework for understanding the deeper meanings of sport and reimagining what it means to be an informed, accountable spectator.

36 original essays on sports media and culture Sports are frequently romanticized as a pure escape from the daily grind, but in reality, the stadium is a mirror reflecting our most contentious cultural and political battles. How to Watch Sports disrupts the comfortable narrative of passive entertainment, presenting thirty-six original essays that challenge readers to critically engage with the global phenomenon of sports media. Moving beyond the highlights, this comprehensive volume utilizes case studies of iconic teams, athletes, and events to illuminate the unseen structures of the industry. Leading scholars unpack diverse topics, ranging from the aesthetics of Steph Curry's play style and the cultural impact of Air Jordans to the labor politics inherent in the Madden video game series. The collection fearlessly navigates hot-button issues, including the national debate over trans inclusion, the rise of Barstool Sports and betting culture, and the gender pay gap. Structured to guide readers through the nuances of form, social representation, industrial practice, and evolving technology, the book demonstrates how media shapes our understanding of athleticism. Whether analyzing the colonial implications of the Olympics or Simone Biles' advocacy for mental health, the authors provide the tools necessary to decode the messages behind the spectacle. How to Watch Sports is an essential field guide for students and fans alike, offering a vital framework for understanding the deeper meanings of sport and reimagining what it means to be an informed, accountable spectator.

A new edition that brings the ways we watch and think about television up to the presentWe all have opinions about the television shows we watch, but television criticism is about much more than simply evaluating the merits of a particular show and deeming it "good" or "bad." Rather, criticism uses the close examination of a television program to explore that program's cultural significance, creative strategies, and its place in a broader social context.How to Watch Television, Second Edition brings together forty original essays—more than half of which are new to this edition—from today's leading scholars on television culture, who write about the programs they care (and think) the most about. Each essay focuses on a single television show, demonstrating one way to read the program and, through it, our media culture. From fashioning blackness in Empire to representation in Orange is the New Black and from the role of the reboot in Gilmore Girls to the function of changing political atmospheres in Roseanne, these essays model how to practice media criticism in accessible language, providing critical insights through analysis—suggesting a way of looking at TV that students and interested viewers might emulate. The contributors discuss a wide range of television programs past and present, covering many formats and genres, spanning fiction and non-fiction, broadcast, streaming, and cable. Addressing shows from TV's earliest days to contemporary online transformations of the medium, How to Watch Television, Second Edition is designed to engender classroom discussion among television critics of all backgrounds.To access additional essays from the first edition, visit the "links" tab at nyupress.org/9781479898817/how-to-watch-television-second-edition/.