The era of modern television and its influence on culture is visible everywhere, from the sports on ESPN to cable and streaming. Television can be accessed, as long as you have a good internet connection and a working streaming service. Then there comes the decision of choosing what TV show to watch. This is usually a daunting task for many: picking something new to watch or your favorite comfort show. If you do decide to pick something new, then you have to find which genre suits you best.
Comedy: This is perhaps the most accessible type or genre of TV to watch. Situational comedy shows, also known as sitcoms, feature live studio audiences and a multi-camera setup, with limited locations and with laugh tracks. This genre of shows became popular in the 1990s and 2000s, with shows like “Fuller House,” “Seinfeld,” “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
Action: Action and adventure shows focus on high-stakes and fast-paced stories, danger, intrigue and mystery. Shows focusing on human relationships, philosophy and psychology are rarely explored in action, as the genre aims to create a thrilling experience. This genre of shows started in the 1960s. Action and adventure shows include “The Flash,” “Percy Jackson,” “Batman: The Animated Series” and “Power Rangers.”
Drama: Drama shows rely on emotional storytelling, compelling narratives and conflict to engage viewers. These are part of the foundational elements. The foundational elements of drama, as well as any good show, is strong writing and acting. Drama relies heavily on the performances, because the performances are something that keeps many viewers engaged. One of the most popular forms of drama shows are Korean dramas, better known as K-damas. K-dramas have recently had a surge in popularity boosted by streaming services like Netflix. The production of more K-dramas has been bolstered by the popularity of Squid Game. Because of this several K-drama production companies have adopted a season system. A system that aims to create shows with more seasons in mind. This system is still evolving, shifting from the usual airing of 16 episodes to short seasons containing 10 to 12 episodes. This shift is due to the changing preferences of viewers. The majority of K-dramas are being written with only one season in mind, meaning that there can be either quality issues, confusing plots or unfinished storylines in later seasons if they are being renewed for more.
Mystery: Mystery shows are programs featuring “whodunnits” or events involving disappearances. The central character is mainly a detective, like Sherlock Holmes. The mystery genre is mainly contrasted with hardboiled fiction or noir, where hardboiled stories focus on gritty realism and action. Noir stories focus mainly on good usage of the mystery/detective plot. One such show is the TV show “Twin Peaks,” created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. It focuses on FBI agent Dale Cooper who is tasked to lead an investigation into the murder of popular high school student Laura Palmer through a seedy small town.
Horror: Lastly, horror TV shows, such as “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Stranger Things,” “The Last of Us” and “Supernatural” have several key characteristics in general: Firstly they are meant to frighten, shock or scare you. The themes of any horror story deals with either the unknown, supernatural, violent and psychological terror. The heavy atmosphere relies on building that sense of fear and unease. Horror can be a reflection of society and explore political or economic issues. Classic shows that include these characteristics are: “The Twilight Zone” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” while more modern shows include HBO Max’s “IT — Welcome to Derry” and “Midnight Mass.”
TV shows continue to influence the popular media, creating a shared experience among the audience, wherever you’re watching in the room. Television studios continue to bank money by making spin-offs and sequel series, which end up being a failure. This is because spin-offs or sequels are safer than launching an entirely original show. For the majority of people, they probably go back to their comfort watch and the safety of their living rooms during these very cold and sometimes boring nights.
