Page 58 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

FORMULAIC ANALYSIS

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TV.” This environment of hostility and back-biting conveys the latent
message that conflict is more interesting to watch than cooperation.
In the same vein, conflict has been incorporated into political talk
shows, in an effort to move the genre beyond the static “talking heads”
format typically seen on Sunday morning television. Today, moderators
bait the guests into the verbal sparring matches by asking leading ques-
tions and personalizing the discussion.
In order to keep the stories fresh, media communicators rely on con-
temporary issues, trends, and points of interest. As a result, the collective
plots of a genre are a barometer of cultural attitudes, values, trends, and
preoccupations. As an example, the plot summaries of American soap
operas covering the week of July 11–15, 2005, are as follows:

ALL MY CHILDREN: Ryan flipped out when Greenlee said she’s preg-
nant. Later, he walked out on her. Worried about the outcome of Greenlee’s
pregnancy announcement, Zach and Kendall kept tabs on her. Di (Dixie)
told everyone she really is Dixie and then agreed to a DNA test to prove
it. Everyone was nervous when Aidan arrived with the test results. Tad
told Di (Dixie) he doesn’t hate her. After watching Di (Dixie) and Tad
together, Krystal told Tad that their romance is over and she can’t marry
him. Babe told David to stay out of her life because he set up the whole
Di-Dixie scenario. Amanda fantasized about being married to Jamie
(after he becomes a wealthy doctor), and later flirted with Josh in hopes
of making Jamie jealous. Garret warned Daniel not to tell Reggie she
slept with Josh.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Dusty found Jennifer after she fell while in
a remote cabin. Dusty delivered Jennifer’s premature baby, then got her
and the baby to the hospital. Gwen also gave birth to a premature baby.
Craig spent a moment in the nursery with both babies, the one he fathered
(Jennifer’s) and the one he and Rosanna plan to adopt (Gwen’s). Jen-
nifer was devastated to later learn her baby had died. Craig rushed to
the hospital after learning his and Jennifer’s baby was dead. Craig heard
Jennifer insist that the dead baby wasn’t her son. Casey got into a fight
with Will after Gwen admitted Casey was her baby’s birth father. Celia
broke up with Casey after learning he fathered Gwen’s baby. Jack met
Iris, the woman in the photo with Carly’s father (Ray).

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Thomas and Gaby decided they
had to tell Ridge and Taylor that they secretly married, but Agent Dunn
got to them first, stunning Ridge and Taylor with the wedding news. After
Ridge said he isn’t sure he should be with Taylor, Brooke told him to make

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