Source 3

The main argument of this article discusses the comparison between melodrama and the serial show Dallas. Unlike sitcoms or series like The Big Bang Theory, serial shows have a continuous plot line where each episode must be watched in one particular order. The book then continues to discuss what components of a show will draw in more viewers (e.g. show time) and how Dallas shares similar structures to a prime time soap opera (although isn't necessarily one) but overall, can definitely be defined as a melodrama. Ien Ang explains, "It is also sometimes said that melodrama is a failed tragedy: the plot is so exaggerated and overdone that the story becomes ridiculous and bereft of any credibility and sensibility" (480). However, that being said, people still continue to watch and follow the tragedies the characters endure. No regular viewer could endure such adversities in such a short period of time so the exaggerated plot just draws in the viewer even more. Overall, I would consider this source very useful because it explains melodrama perfectly and highlights the components of Dallas that make it a melodrama. Compared to the rest of my sources, I think this would be a great addition not only to expand my explanation of melodrama but also to explain why people are so intrigued and continue to watch them. I would consider this source reliable because it draws quotes from other sources and cites them throughout the essay but, I would not consider it biased. The book explains more of what Dallas is - from the plot and structure to character analyzation. With this useful source, I would be able to compliment my paragraph about why people watch reality tv as well as incorporating specific parts of melodrama and how they are relevant to Keeping up with the Kardashians.

The Moral Occult

Peter Brook's The Melodramatic Imagination, discusses melodrama and draws in useful references from various works. Perhaps the most interesting component he explains about melodrama is the "moral occult" or "...the domain of operative spiritual values which is both indicated within and masked by the surface of reality" (p. 5). In other words, the "moral occult" is best defined as contemplating between what's right and wrong or good and evil, however, this doesn't apply to just any topic. The "moral occult" pertains to what an individual perceives as what's morally right. Brook explains, "It bears comparison to unconscious mind, for it is a sphere of being where our most basic desires and interdictions lie..." (p. 5). It differentiates between what one wants and what prevents us from obtaining those desires.This is relevant to All that Heaven Allows that we discussed in class. Cary's "basic desire" is to marry Ron and live a low profile and simplistic life, however, it becomes near impossible because their relationship is not accepted by societal standards due to the difference in their social classes. Her children and the rest of the wealthy community view Ron as an inferior in Cary's life and now Cary must contemplate between choosing love and happiness (the good/what's right) or abiding to societal norms and living the rest of her life lonely and unhappy (the evil/what's wrong).

Source 2

The main arguments of this source thoroughly discuss the Kardashian business empire that boomed from the "low-level stuff that titillated and fascinated the American public". In other words, Kim's infamous 2007 sex tape that leaked might always be thrown as a jab at Kim, but the family - with the help of their "momager" Kris Jenner - was able to transform that scandalous publicity into a reality TV show that would soon skyrocket Kim Kardashian's name as a brand. The book covers various topics from discussing the celebrity status of the family to materialism and the luxuries and sexuality they display on their show. The author, Amanda Scheiner McClain, then proceeds to explain that the popularity of the show is a direct result of the audience they are targeting. The show is said to have most views from women aged 18-49 because it represents female-oriented production and scheduling and because of this, the views increase in vast numbers. Viewers relate to the matriarchal family (seeing as they are responsible for 85% of household purchases) and see themselves in the shoes of the Kardashians' lavish lifestyle. Additionally, McClain explains that the reality TV show is more like family sitcom if you remove the "booze, bleeped language and bawdy sex talk" and is scripted based on a formula of narratives and commercial breaks that will draw viewers back every time. After reading this book, I would say that it's a useful source because it evaluates why people watch reality TV shows by examining what the targeted viewers are interested in, how the Kardashians have used the show as a means to commercialize their products, and breaks down the show to explain what components make the show so entertaining. While this may not be as academically based as my other sources, I think the information is very reliable and not at all biased because the author promotes how great of business women the Kardashians are. With this source, I would be able to explain who the Kardashians are, how they represent American culture through ideologies of capitalism and individualism, and why their reality TV show is so widely popular. As far as my opinions about my topic, my interest continually increases as I read sources that thoroughly examine how reality TV shows and American culture and societal norms correlate.

Source 1

The main argument of this article is applying the sensitivity theory or the theory of 16 basic desires to explain why people watch reality tv through a psychological approach. Reiss' theory borrows ideas from Aristotle in the analysis of individuality but for the most part, the theory evaluates how people will pay attention to things that satisfy their basic desires. The article then proceeds to explain why these desires/motives influence what people pay attention to and what they do and applies it to answer the question of why people watch reality television. The topics discussed include the explanation of the theory itself, how people decide what reality show to watch and the 16 basic motives with subgroups: Motive Name, Motive, Animal Behavior and Joy. Overall, the article is written on a psychological basis that borrows ideas from philosophers to explain the hysteria surrounding the ever-growing interest in reality tv. Based on the citations, I would say that this source is extremely reliable because of its scholarly nature and in depth perception it provides in both explanation and analysis of how the data was gathered. Compared to my other sources, I would say that this is the most reliable one because the evidence is backed up with proven theories. I wouldn't say it's biased because it's very open in explaining that those who are strongly motivated to socialize will most likely watch shows that portray groups, fun or friendship while those who are strongly motivated by vengeance are more likely to watch programs with aggressive content. Reiss' research is only a theory and the author doesn't claim that this is the sole reason why people watch reality tv but rather tries to persuade the reader to understand that Reiss' theory is an important factor. In conclusion, I believe this source was extremely helpful because it shed a different light on the question by approaching from a psychological standpoint rather than an article written by People Magazine or something. This article will prove useful to by backing up my research paper with a scientific basis which will improve the overall essay because it is scholarly. My opinion has not changed about my topic but I sure have learned a lot from this article.

Topics for Research Paper

Melodrama is everywhere within pop culture and none is more relevant than in American television. Whether it's soap operas to reality t.v., nothing screams dramatic more than what producers display on the screen for the audience. For my research paper, I would like to brainstorm on a few different topics that perfectly exemplify "melodramatic" film: (1) Reality T.V. (2) Commercials (3) Celebrity gossip.
(1) Personally, I think reality t.v. is extremely entertaining despite knowing that the show is more than likely scripted. The punchlines, dynamic music and overly dramatic scenes that portray conflict between certain characters just gets me so engulfed into the show that I keep tuning back in each week just to see how the situation played out. To approach such a topic, I plan on discussing a renown reality t.v. show like Keeping up with the Kardashians which I, personally, used to watch religiously. I would express the connection I felt with the siblings in an opinionated way, as if I was there with them in that current situation. I found myself choosing sides when a conflict sprung up between rival siblings and began feeling hatred towards a certain character because of the way the producer portrayed the character in close-up screen time, ominous music and the dramatic commercials. Having a connection with the audience will be discussed thoroughly but I also want to talk about how everything is exaggerated, especially in the life of the Kardashian millionaires.
(2) Commercials come in all different forms from humorous to awkward and heartwarming to absolutely ridiculous. However, I want to focus solely on the heartwarming commercials that tug at the heartstrings of its viewers in as little as 30 seconds. As a sucker for any tear-jerking motion picture that presents love, I think commercials are the most dramatic pieces in that the whole point is to sell the viewer a product by toying with one's emotions...and it's the most ingenious idea ever! For this, I would discuss the characters involved in the shoot, the actual situation (how it can relate to the audience but in a way is exaggerated) and of course, the music.
(3) Celebrity gossip is also melodramatic in its own way. I would tune into shows like E! News to keep up with the latest celebrity gossip to see who was increasing in fame, whose career was crumbling by the second to who was getting married. The show varied in topics that covered celebrity news but you could always count on Giuliana Rancic to update you on what celebrity was doing what and why we cared. I would approach this topic by discussing how the hosts of the show would make it seem like what the celebrities were doing were important and emphasized how their lives should be compared to ours.

All That Heaven Allows

All That Heaven Allows is a melodramatic film released in 1955 that focuses on the taboo relationship blooming between Cary Scott and Ron Kirby. As a wealthier older woman, it is socially unacceptable for Cary to marry a man like Ron: a young tradesman. However, the relationship still blossoms despite the never-ending social critique given by both her children and her friends at the country club. Her friend Sarah even suggests that town gossip would have people rumoring that Cary started an affair with Ron while she was still married to her husband. As a result, social criticism became the demise of their relationship and can be further explained in Melodrama: Genre, Style, Sensibility. John Mercer and Martin Shingler explain that, "The film can firstly be regarded as a subversive social critique of suburban American attitudes and prejudices" (61) and "In Sirk's films we see characters looking in mirrors when they are conforming to society's rules, when they are playing a role, when they are deluding themselves" (54). Cary has had countless screen time where close-ups displayed her dramatically staring in any reflective surface and it is at this point where she contemplates whether she should follow societal norms or pursue her happiness. Sirk's style of melodrama is exemplified through this particular technique where the emotion of the character is pretty evident. In the end, Cary realizes that all her sacrifices were for nothing seeing as Ned was moving away and was considering selling the house while Kay was engaged to be married. The arguments that her children made against the marriage between their mother and Ron were justified by their means but now that they were doing the complete opposite of what they initially wanted, they left their mother heartbroken and lonelier than ever. The movie shares the theme that social criticism can and will rule one's world if they let it.

What Does Melodrama Mean?

When I looked up the term "melodrama", I got the actual definition defined by Google: (1) A sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions (2) historical a play interspersed with songs and orchestral music accompanying the action. As decades have passed, each generation has put their own spin on films that resembled a melodrama. However the films are still melodramas when you get to the core. To make it easier on the average Joe, filmsite.org defines melodrama in a simple yet easy to understand way. As the author put it, "Melodrama plots with heart-tugging (literally tear-jerking), emotional plots (requiring multiple hankies) usually emphasize sensational situations or crises of human emotion, failed romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness, loss (the death of a child or spouse), neuroses, or emotional and physical hardships within everyday life...Often, film studies criticism used the term 'melodrama' pejoratively to connote an unrealistic, pathos-filled, campy tale of romance or domestic situations with stereotypical characters (often including a central female character) that would directly appeal to feminine audiences...There are many names for melodramatic films - 'women's pictures', 'weepies', tearjerkers, soap operas (or soapers), and more recently, 'chick flicks'".


http://www.filmsite.org/melodramafilms.html