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Tabloid TV What exactly is tabloid television? Tabloid television has many different formats, but generally, “stories about sex, crime, drugs and alcohol drive the leading syndicated tabloid TV news programs.” (www.cmpz.com) The common question asked about these shows is; does tabloid television fabricate stories, or play a part in influencing characters to create better shows? In addition, how does this form of television reflect, influence, and shape American society? The answers to these questions are quite simple. Tabloid television reflects American society by presenting viewers with a glimpse into life styles they, the viewers, are not familiar with. After reading numerous articles and watching numerous shows, I have realized that what Jib Fellows said in “Why viewers watch” was correct. He stated that tabloid television brings people together; it acts in a way as a unifier. It is heard in everyday conversations, hey did you see Cops last night? It starts conversation and links two people together on a common level. Whether it is men, women, adults, kids, rich, or poor, they all still watch these shows and talk to one another about what they have seen. That is another reason why people watch-to get the feeling that their lives are better. However, Scott Kirkham thinks differently, saying: They appeal to the baser instinct in all of us that tells us that if we are not as messed up as these people on television, we must be pretty O.K.
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