Showtime (Eng. Comp. Essay)

Travis Stetler

English 101

Mr. Segars

3 November, 2008

Showtime

It proves interesting that a primetime TV watcher's personality can be classified by his or her favorite shows. An individual who may watch House religiously may have a healthy appetite for problem solving and comic relief. A Grey's Anatomy addict probably is a hopeless romantic with an ear for social drama. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles watchers hunger for a meaningful sense of purpose found in war. And the typical Heroes fan would most likely be a deep and eclectic individual who 'wants it all.'

One of the most popular TV shows on primetime television would be the Fox channel original House. Airing every Monday night, this sarcastic saga has captured the hearts and ratings of millions of viewers nationwide. The main protagonist, “snarky” Dr. House, provides the large majority of the shockingly dry and insensitive humor that abounds to balance the drama that exists within this medical facility. Despite his abrasive nature, House proves himself time and again as a medical genius and thereby receives a new medical mystery every episode to poke and prod. These mysteries never fail to keep the cast as well as the viewers on their toes at all times.

Patrons of House are drawn into each episode by his or her intellect. The witty one-liners pouring out of Dr. House’s cluttered mind are not always grasped by the weak minded. His snide remarks and inappropriate behavior are a fountain of guilty pleasure

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for the generally well mannered viewer. The inquisitive watcher becomes as obligated to see the matter through just as the patient’s physician. And anyone with basic medical knowledge finds oneself in a virtual race with House to find a diagnosis by the end of the episode.

Another prominent medical show is ABC’s top drama Grey’s Anatomy. Dr. Meredith Gray is just starting out on her medical career in one of the nation’s top fictional hospitals, Seattle Grace. Despite her incredible natural aptitude for her profession, her inability to manage her personal life, emotions, and dysfunctional relationships continually keeps her in constant trouble at work. Grey’s friends are not much better at life than she is. Challenge after tribulation occur and she finds herself drowning, sometimes more literally than others.

Grey’s Anatomy provides a sense of understanding for those of us with less-than-perfect lives. Those who have been through more than they wish to share seem to draw comfort in seeing someone in similar or, perhaps, more severe hardships. Throughout it all, Meredith struggles with a “dark and twisty” past, anxiety, stress, commitment issues, immoral decisions, and unsatisfactory relationships; most of which are issues viewers easily relate. Meanwhile, “high school drama” abounds in the workplace playing off the belief of some that life, aside from more freedom and responsibility, doesn’t change much after graduation. However, the main theme is one in which we all participate: the pursuit of love.

 

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On the other end of the spectrum, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, new to Fox, is an excellent blend of depth and war. Based on the 1984 pop-culture classic The Terminator, this series brings an extremely deep plot highlighted by pyrotechnic sci-fi action scenes. When engaged by robotic assassins sent back in time to “terminate” him, teenager John Connor, son of Sarah Connor and future world leader, must find a means of survival and purpose within his prophetic calling to lead humanity toward victory. Until it is time to fulfill his destiny, he must remain in hiding, because if he were to die, the world would have no hope of survival.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles attracts those who realize there is a time for everything, including war. The teenager demographic is well filled due to John’s age. John frequently tries to duck out of the responsibility that awaits him. He, although just a teen, feels a great burden upon his shoulders, like so many others. Those intellectually inclined will enjoy the subtle themes relating to the Manhattan Project, Samson and Delilah, and The Wizard of Oz. Every action junky is sure to get his daily allowance of adrenaline during each fast-paced fight scene. And the very concept of time travel and robotic humanoids encased in living tissue is more than enough to get your typical science geek fidgety with anticipation during each commercial break.

Finally, no discussion about primetime television would be complete without mentioning NBC’s hit phenomenon Heroes. While being on air for only 3 seasons, this run-away series is outlined in elements of fantasy, science fiction, drama, suspense, mystery, and action appealing to the true eclectic. All of these elements come together to

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spin a tangled yet delicate web of correlations, themes, and possibilities. Heroes features the classic “superhero” theme, yet brings it to the common man and enlarges the scale further than ever before. The world as a whole has normal people developing unique abilities. Each of which if faced with the choice to place his or her loyalty in a number of unsure locations.

Such a show evokes a reaction in people from all walks of life regardless of age, race, ethnicity, culture, or personality. There stands a character to for everyone to relate to. All types of people are willing to watch that they are considered in that so much is offered. Enthusiasts within each category of entertainment are guaranteed at least a taste of common ground while being challenged in several different ways. Those who “want it all” seem fascinated by the depth and diversity offered. Nevertheless, Heroes poses the timeless question, “what would your superpower be?”

People of all walks of life have found a common interest offered in primetime TV shows. Each of these people has a very specific list of shows that apply directly to their interests and individual personality traits. Whatever an individual’s favorite show may be, whether House, Grey’s Anatomy, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes, or any other, certain attributes of his or her personality can be reasonably deducted.