Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1994

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Ronald Taylor

Committee Members

Hebert H. Howard, Sam Swan, Barbara Moore, Charles Maland

Abstract

More than 2,500 made-for-television/cable movies have been shown since the form originated in the 1960s. Made-for-television movies comprise about 25 percent of the big three networks' (ABC, CBS, and NBC) prime time schedule and substantial amounts of some cable networks' programming. Approximately 17 percent of made-for-television/cable movies can be categorized into the social problem genre. Social problem television/cable movies are characterized by narratives that examine a problem that faces contemporary society. The problem is explored within the context of a family, but is generalized to society through the conventions of the use of explicit dialogue, multiple examples, identification with characters, and geographical and temporal setting. The study examined twelve made-for-television/cable movies that were produced between 1989 and 1993, and which were shown on network television and cable during 1992 and 1993. The movies were studied from the perspectives of genre analysis and feminist theory. The twelve movies examined social problems that were grouped into categories of "feminine issues" and "other issues." The six feminine issues movies covered rape, incest, and physical abuse. Within these movies, women tend to be the victims and men the perpetrators of the crimes. The six other issues movies dealt with abortion rights, capital punishment, education reform, parental rights, sexual orientation, and tobacco liability. The twelve movies were found to be heavily dependent on dialogue. It was largely through dialogue that the movies' ideological viewpoints were most often spelled out; they have a distinct position on right and wrong, and they suggest ways that social problems can be solved. In a majority of the twelve movies, social problems are resolved through the judicial system: victims take their abusers to court, where justice eventually prevails. However, justice is not immediate. Frequently the laws must be changed by activists - who function as the heads of small groups of heroes— so that victims can be rewarded and victimizers punished. The overall tone of the movies is that the existing government/social system works in the best interests of Americans, and that the system is flexible enough to be self-righting.

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