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Home > Hidden Forces > American History and Culture as Television from 1946-2009 | A Conversation with Gary Edgerton
Podcast: Hidden Forces
Episode:

American History and Culture as Television from 1946-2009 | A Conversation with Gary Edgerton
Category: Business
Duration: 01:03:50
Publish Date: 2017-03-20 01:00:00
Description:

In Episode 4 of Hidden Forces, host Demetri Kofinas speaks with famed historian of television culture, Gary Edgerton. Professor Edgerton is Dean of the College of Communication at Butler University. He has published eleven books and more than eighty book chapters, journal articles, and encyclopedia entries on a wide assortment of media and television culture topics. He is also co-editor of the Journal of Popular Film and Television. His award-winning book, The Columbia History of American Television, was named the 2008 John G. Cawelti Award winner for Outstanding Scholarly Inquiry into American Cultural Studies by the American Culture Association.

In this episode, we cover the history of Television as a technology. One that fundamentally transformed American society and culture from the end of World War II, until the very early part of the 21st century. We cover the ways in which the growing aspirations of Americans - their changing norms, their victories, as well as their tragedies - all played themselves out on that flickering screen. Demetri looks at the ways in which American society dealt with the tragedy of Vietnam through shows like MASH and the A-Team. He explores the hero story through shows like MacGyver, Nightrider, and Jack Bauer in 24. Gary Edgerton looks back on the protofeminist show I Love Lucy. Both Demetri Kofinas and Gary Edgerton discuss the Cosby show and the genius of Bill Cosby. The subject of racism in America is discussed through conversations about shows like Amos 'n' Andy and All in the Family. We talk about the role of syndication in television. Demetri remarks on the success of Baywatch. We uncover the origin of the "close-up" as a tool of character development and soap operas. Finally, Demetri Kofinas and Gary Edgerton examine the way in which television has transformed itself in this new, digital culture.

This is a discussion near to my heart. I heard most of my stories about manhood, courage, humor, myth, and sex from that gorgeous, magical, flashing box. If only we could have talked longer. I hope you all enjoy the conversation.

Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas

Editor: Connor Lynch

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