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TV Drama Genre's

By Jack Hill

There are several different types of genre of tv drama's these include Medical Crime Family Science-fiction Period drama Docu-drama Soap opera Sitcom

British Sitcoms Key features

A British sitcom is a type of sitcom made in Britain and containing typical 'british humour'. They are normally 30 minutes but some shows such as The Office and Peep Show have experimented with longer episodes Sitcom's are fictional with a series of writers creating the character and developing there storyline The storyline is often based on workplace's homes or other institutional places where contrasting characters are thrown together. They are typically 6 episodes per series.

Key Texts

Pinwright's Progress 1946-1947. This is an important text because it is the first ever British Sitcom, it was not very popular though. Dad's Army 1968-1977. This is a key text because it signified the first sitcom that was really a hit on TV. Only Fools and Horses 1981-1991. This is key as it is considered the best ever British Sitcom. There have also been several international remakes of the show. Two spin off series were also made. The Young Ones 1982-1984. This a key text as it was a popular 'alternative sitcom.

Father Ted 1995-1998. This is a key text as it was very popular and was a different perspective compared to other sitcoms.

Dad's Army

Dad's Army is a british sitcom about the home guard during the second world war. It ran from 1968-1977, and ran for 9 series and 80 episodes all together. It is one of the most popular British Sitcoms ever and in its prime it averaged roughly 18 million viewers per episode. Dad's Army made light of the war and took a different take on the times of hardship that occurred during the second world war. Possibly the most famous scene in Dad's Army is the Don't Tell Him, Pike scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_oSDSPEEdw&f

Only Fools and Horses

Only Fools and Horses is a British Sitcom that was on between 1981 and 1991, and occasional christmas specials running up to 2003. It was about a market trader called Derek Trotter aka Del Boy, his brother Rodney and there Grandfather and later there Uncle. It follows there life and there dodgy dealings and general mishaps that happen in there life. holds the record for the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode, attracting 24.3 million viewers. In a BBC poll it was voted the most popular British Sitcom of all time.

Father Ted

Father Ted was a British/Irish comedy series set in Ireland. It ran for 3 series from 21 April 1995 till 1 May 1998. There was 25 episodes in total. It follows the life of 3 Irish priests and there housekeeper who have been exiled to a tiny irish island. Father Ted was very popular and won several BAFTA's and was the starting block for many Irish comedians and actors.

Crime Drama's Key Features

Crime drama's are a very popular type of TV drama. The length of the show is often 1 hour long. They run in episodes where stories often run over 1 or 2 episodes. Characters often face adversity as well as having to solve crime. They often face difficulties in there lives that prevent them from solving cases as quick as theyd like.

Key Texts

CSI October 200- . This is key as it is possibly the most popular crime drama programme in the world. The Mentalist: September 2008- . This is key as it is a very popular alternative crime drama. The Bill : October 1984 August 2010 . This is key as it is the most popular crime drama ever on British TV.

NCIS

NCIS is an american crime drama that started in September 2003 and is still running today. It follows a team of special agents from the Naval Crime Investigative Service which often conducts investigation involving the U.S Navy and Marine Corps. It is a heavily character driven show, with much of the storyline involving these characters doing through difficulties and other challenging times will also having to solve crimes. NCIS is the most watched TV series in the United States. It currently runs in 53 countries worldwide. .

CSI

CSI is a franchise of crime drama's which include the shows. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY as well as several video games. The CSI franchise is available in 200 territories with an audience of 2 billion people. Shows such as CSI have shown a sharp rise in people interested in forensic science. In the UK applications for forensic science jobs rose 30% because of CSI. The shows follow a team of forensic scientists who aim to solve cases. The franchise has spawned a string of similar shows, and has a great effect of general life as many criminals watch CSI to learn how to cover there own backs and not get caught.

The Mentalist

The Mentalist is an american crime drama. It follows the story of a consultant who becomes involved with the fictional CBI. It follows the main character Patrick Jane as he helps the CBI to solve homicide cases. It also highlights the many mental issues Patrick Jane has, and the relationships he build up with the CBI officers, in particular Teresa Lisbon who he builds up a very good relationship with. The pilot episode of The Mentalist pulled in 15.6 million viewers.

Soap Opera's Key Features


Often shortened to Soap. Its an ongoing episodic piece of dramatic fiction. It often follows the lives of a group of people living there normal lives. It shows how the lives of the characters affect each other.

Key Texts

EastEnders February 1985Coronation Street December 1960Emmerdale October 1972Hollyoaks October 1995Neighbours March 1985Dallas April 1978- May 1991

EastEnders

EastEnders is a soap opera based in the east end of London. It follows the lives of the residents of the fictional Albert Square and the lives they live. We see the troubles that they go through during everyday life. However EastEnders is often criticised for its far fetched storyline and not accurately representing the area it is based in. It is set in the fictional postcode of E20 and despite being small contains a pub, a market, a cafe, a nightclub, an off-licence and several other shops

Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a soap set in Manchester of the fictional town of Weatherfield. It follows the lives of the residents of this area and what they go through, they often experience very bad things and the storylines are often exaggerated versions of things that would happen in really. It was first shown in 1960 and is going today. It is the longest running UK soap opera and alongside EastEnders it is considered to be the most popular soap opera in the country

Dallas
Dallas is an American soap opera that ran from 1987 to 1991. It revolves around a rich Texas family called the Ewings. The family work in oil and cattle-ranching industries. The show follows the lives of the family and what goes on day to day in there. It ran for 357 episodes. It was a very popular soap opera in America and in the UK. The show was notorious for its many cliff-hangers which viewers loved. There also was a film made about the show. It has been re-made and is due to be aired in mid 2012

Different Formats Of TV Drama

There are many different formats of TV drama. These include in Single Drama, Series, Serials and Soaps. There are also things such as one off's. Most series are often 6 episodes long. They will then be off the air for a period of time and then will be back for a second series or possibly more. One off series will often run for one or two episodes. They will often have an ongoing storyline that goes one for the two episodes it will often be a very gritty drama that will get viewers hooked. The variety of the shows available make it good for the audience as there is much more that they can watch and keep them entertained.

Todorov's Theory of Narrative

Todorov came up with the theory above. He believed that every narrative went through this sequence. It would start off with everything being okay, there is then a disruption that stops the perfect equilibrium, this is then followed by the recognition of there disruption. They then attempt to repair the damage and reach a new equilibrium

The theory of narrative can be seen in the very first episode of the TV series Life On Mars. The perfect equilibrium is him leading his normal police life solving crimes. The disruption is him then getting by a car which sends him back in time. The recognition of the disruption is later within the episode when he realises he is in the 1970's, he then attempts to repair the damage by writing a list of things he does in the modern day. This is then followed by the new equilibrium of him accepting that he is stuck in the 1970's

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