1. Audience Pleasures in
Audience
Pleasures
Example from Text
Comedy entertainment
(it’s funny) – makes us laugh
at the end of a long, possibly
bad day
Simple conventions that are
easily understood (or new
variations to create interest)
-Stereotypical characters
- Canned laughter
- Limited locations
- Comic Trap
- Small number of characters
Simple plot – does not ask
the audience to think too
hard or even watch regularly
Familiarity – meeting the
same people regularly, we
know their personalities and
can predict their behaviour –
like family and friends
Identification with
characters or situations that
occur – we can relate to the
characters of situation
because we have experienced
them
Identification with themes,
e.g. work, family,
relationships, getting on in
life – we have had the same
issues
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2. Audience Pleasures in
Important social issues may
be addressed – but in a
humorous/ non-threatening
way
Narrative resolution – the
satisfaction of the story
ending and all loose ends tied
up
Awkward Situations – that
we are glad we are not in and
can enjoy watching other
people suffer (their life is
worse than yours)
Narratives are based on
everyday life and
relationships that we
understand
Use of Guest Stars – This is
a pleasure to watch if the
audience is a fan of that star
If the narrative is an ongoing
the audience enjoys the
developing relationships and
story
Different story every
episode so you can enjoy it
without watching the whole
series
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