TV Critic assignment

As we talked about in class today, this assignment is in many ways more about the research and preparation process than the writing. Try to figure out who this writer is and what their style is, based on some of the ideas discussed yesterday: perspective, vocabulary, rhythm, etc.

Some Guidelines:

1. Choose a TV show you watch now or have watched. Must be narrative (i.e. not news, sports or documentary; reality TV is okay)
2. Look around for some well-written criticism. It can be formal or informal, professional quality or more amateur. Snarky is fine!
3. Consider the publication and audience. Does the critic's style change from one venue (website or magazine) to another? In what ways?
4. You don't have to agree with what the critic says to find his or her style or viewpoint interesting.
5. It will be helpful to make a list of some words that describe the critic's style.


First step of the assignment:

Post to the blog in the next few days, 2 or 3 television critics whose work you like, who have written about the same show you're planning to write on, and a few thoughts (a couple sentences) on why you like it or find it interesting. Provide at least one link to their work. This should be somewhere between 200-400 words total.


Your assignment, a 500-800 word blog post in the style of the critic you choose, is due by Tuesday November 18th.

Please ask any questions here! I will continue to post links of TV critics here, and we will also continue to discuss the assignment in class.

From an outside perspective

I'm new to this whole Murphy-Falchuk scene. That being said, there are some observations I can make from the outside.

Nip-Tuck foreshadows the edgy cinematic look and content that is being displayed in American Horror Story. In a way both of these shows revolutionized the way that television is viewed. Murphy and Falchuk never cease to push the limits in what can be gotten away with.

But how? Sure, controversy follows them like a newborn duckling but the ever increasing higher tolerance of the American people tends to reflect the amount of content that is pushing the limit. In other words, as we watch more killing and violence, we become more conditioned to it.

Nip-Tuck did a great job of giving it's audience content to analyze. What Murphy and Falchuk can do where others fail, is delivering that "controversial" content in a way that the audience feels uncomfortable but wants more. They are able to take a subject that is buried in taboo and present it to "outsiders" like a zoo of our own inner fantasies.

American Horror Story was foreshadowed and so will the next shows that be created by this duo. They have realized that their own creations are effecting the industry that they work in. As time goes on television will continue to push the limits. As the limits are being pushed, it will get the public ready for the next round that is bound to show up.

I look forward to continuing to watch these shows and to see what Murphy and Falchuk will come up with next.

What's your fix?

After watching one episode of Nip/Tuck (the only one I have ever seen) and looking at the foreshadowing of the stylistic elements in the newest series of American Horror Story (also I have not seen) is the acceptance of stealing kidneys and leaving medical waste in a car. Both of which were pretty graphic and disturbing. I suppose one social issue would be how the public is okay with horror present on television. Another example would be how all of the components of horror are condensed into one series. This could be a reflection of how people have different needs that they seek while watching a show, and American Horror Story with its shifting historical and geographical settings, gives people that satisfaction. I guess there are people out there who need their fix of viewing gory, spooky-scary, and supernatural all into one. Just as the next person needs to know who Christian will sleep with next.

Nip/Tuck: an iconic series?

Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's series Nip/Tuck was groundbreaking for its visual intensity and commentary upon the superficiality of contemporary culture.

How does the series foreshadow the stylistic elements of their newest series America Horror Story? What social trends or issues are explored via this series, with its shifting historical and geographical settings?

Hello; WTF

What is up with these clowns?

 This story from comicbook.com explores the insane backlash against the recent portrayal of a homicidal clown on American Horror Story: FREAKSHOW.

Wow. Just. Wow.