How to Write About a Tv Show in an Essay

Free TV Show Analysis Essay Examples & Topics

A TV show can refer to a single episode of television. For instance, Gossip Girl has 45 minute long shows. The word itself can be used as a collective noun to describe all episodes. However, to refer to the whole TV program, people usually use the phrase "TV series." In this article, we will use the terms interchangeably.

Film and screenwriting students are more likely to find it necessary to write a TV show analysis essay. There are several ways to approach it. Some tasks require you to review the show, not to criticize it. However, most likely, you will be assigned to analyze the TV program.

You'll need to watch at least several episodes to write an essay on it. Checking at least a few of them is necessary when describing the characters, the setting, what the show is about, and what emotions it evokes.

In this article, our experts have described how you can approach the analysis and review of a TV show essay. But we will start with an analysis of terms that will be useful to you in preparation.

TV Show Critique vs. Review

Even though you might see TV show reviews and critique as interchangeable terms, there is still a difference. In the article, we will equate analysis with criticism since both types examine the work from different angles. However, a review is usually a part of such analytical essays.

In this section, we will explain in detail what are the differences between TV show critique and review:

• TV show critique:

It is an analytical paper that might be published years after the release of the show. TV show critique essays serve as an evaluation of the series. The writer can compare the series to other ones and provide an estimated effect on the viewers.

• TV show review:

A review of the TV show is consumer-oriented and serves as a recommendation for viewing the series. They can be found in popular magazines or newspapers, while critiques – in scholarly publications.

You can look at the TV show review essay examples, as well as critique samples below.

TV Show Analysis Essay: Top Tips

To write a flawless paper, you should understand what exactly you're supposed to examine or discuss. That's why it's better to check TV show analysis essay examples and see how others dealt with the task. Besides, in this section, we've prepared some tips that can help you nail the assignment.

Things to cover in your TV program review essay:

1. Summary. You should at least write a synopsis of the show or give a general description of what is happening in the TV series.
2. Your impression. Ask yourself how the show made you feel. Did it produce any emotional response? How well were the dialogues written? Did you have to pause to understand what was happening?
3. Performances. How well did actors portray the characters? Were they age-appropriate? If there are too many good actors, you can focus on the main ones and describe them.
4. Director's other works. If necessary, you can mention other notable works of the director. You can devote a paragraph to compare his other movies or shows to the one you chose.

Here are some tips for your TV show analysis:

Provide some general information:

• What's the name of the show?
• How many seasons or episodes have already aired?
• What are the genre and intended audience?

Talk about realism:

• How real is the show?
• Do the actors look like ordinary people or models?
• Are their emotions realistic or politically correct for the time?
• Do they portray issues that happen in real life?

Elaborate on the script:

• Is it good?
• If you're describing Reality TV, is the show scripted?
• Do people act, and if they do, how is it evident?
• How the show makes you feel?

Describe the overall impression:

• Would you recommend it? Why?
• What was the reason to start watching the show initially?
• What were the expectations?
• How did they influence your final impression of the show?

Thanks for reading! We hope this was helpful to you. In addition, you will find free essays about television shows via the links below.

146 Best Essay Examples on TV

"The Axis of Evil": Changing the Perception of Middle East

"The Axis of Evil" served a crucial role in changing the perspectives of American citizens regarding Middle East residents.

"Super Nanny" and "Wife Swap": Analysis of Episodes From TV Shows

The main behavioral problem of this family is the mother's inability to make the children respect her. The head of the Wiggins family is ex-marine; the family has a high socio-economic status; they are respected [...]

Broadcast on Television Analysis

The fact remains that the news channels need to be directed in a manner that would allow them to ensure that the sort of information being broadcasted is according to the needs and requirements of [...]

Should the FCC's Indecency Restriction be extended to Cable Television?

The FCC needs to regulate cable television to ensure that indecent material is not broadcast because this kind of material is harmful to consumers especially children who tend to copy what they see.

Three Episodes of "Friends" Television Program

The three episodes of this program to be analyzed are the following: 'The One Where Nana Dies Twice', 'The One Where Eddie Wo not Go' and 'The One Where Ross is Fine'.

Death in TV-Series "Six Feet Under"

The paradox that is based on the conventional fear of death and the perception of death almost as one more member of the family cannot but leave a significant sign on each member of the [...]

Reality TV Genre in Australian Television Programming

Reality television entered into the general usage of television programming in the early decades of the 1990s through the footage of Fox's Cops and other emergency programs.

Media Shows as Social Intervention

The first thing to do before the intervention is to define if this occurrence is really a problem for the society. The first step of the evaluation research is to identify clearly the objective of [...]

The American People & Television

The show is one of many that are related to healthcare and have kept its charm in the eyes of the American public.

Experiencing Sports Event in the Open Air or by Watching It on TV

Taking the example of any sports activity it is possible to criticize and analyze it from different points of view, such as the expectations from attending the sports activity and watch it in the open [...]

The Impact of Television on Today's America

The common opinion is that TV is so harmful that it may be considered the root of all evil because it is one of the main causes of poor eye-sight, fatness, and even an increase [...]

Psychology of Biomedical Fiction

The chances of giving a more correct description of hospital incidents and the weaving of crimes into medical life cater to the fancies of the public.

Contemporary British Soap Operas

It is difficult to say whether the soap operas are useful or whether they, on the contrary, distort people's perception of reality as once a person starts watching it on a regular basis it is [...]

Aspects of Game Shows and Quiz in "Quizzical Pleasures' by John Fiske

Thus, Fiske concludes that the show quizzes are categorized in terms of knowledge and social class. The knowledge that is most used and grouped in terms of social power is factual and academic.

"Sex and the City" the Television Series by Darren Star

In reality, the movie held up a mirror to both the male and female sector of the society and showed us the shortcomings and ill conceived notions of many that have no place in the [...]

Big Brother: Famous Reality Shows

The members of the family are one in saying that they have been watching Big Brother since it was introduced in TV.

The Oprah Winfrey Show Review

The theme chosen for the discussion is intriguing and important to the American viewers of the program. In addition, the multi-camera style allows the audience to capture the host and guests as well as the [...]

What Is a Reality Show?

Reality shows can be devoted to different subjects but the main fact is that they should provide the participants of the shows with the freedom to play and react in the most real and typical [...]

Leave It To Beaver and Desperate Housewives Contrast

In order to understand how much the American family has changed over time, it would be best to study the similarities and differences of two shows in particular, in this case, the shows are "Leave [...]

"I Love Lucy" Sitcom: Popularity Reasons

The 1950's classic sitcom 'I Love Lucy' has long been considered the hallmark of how America and the rest of the world view are the 50's and the societal clique of that age.

Sex and the City Show Review

The use of jokes, irony, and metaphors throughout the program makes it an easy-to-watch and fascinating work and renders different meanings of the issues the director paid the viewer's attention to.

Television Systems: Innovation and Evolution

The invention and subsequent innovation and evolution of the television may not be the greatest since 'the invention of the wheel'.

Should Trials Be Televised?

In most cases, it could be seen that the rights of the defendants could be lowered, if not compromised, in the event of trial proceedings going public, since community opinion could play a major role [...]

Reality Shows: Theories.

The perspective also view social systems as unjust and often cruel upon the "have-nots" of the social order as the systems are repeatedly used by the "powerful" in society to promote their views and defend [...]

"House MD" TV Series. Work Group Analysis.

The patient is generally misdiagnosed over the route of the episode and treated with medicines appropriate to the misdiagnoses. The only one, who has such a credit is Gregory House.

The Reality TV Shows Addiction: Cause-Effect Essay

The viewers feel like the actors are just in the same scenario as them and every development is a success to both the actor and his viewer.

Development of High Definition Television Technology

However, looking at the present state of the US electronic consumer market, it is a surprise to note that in the twenty-first century, the availability of the HDTV is not at par with the set [...]

Children and T.V.: Violence or Wrong Perception?

A violent and aggressive hero has the same impact on children as the good one forming aggressive behaviors patterns and violent stereotypes.

Homosexual Stereotypes in Film and TV

Homosexuals are feeling more comfortable and open with their sexuality mainly due to the rise of new shows on American television that feature gay individuals and this exposure has resulted in a deep awareness of [...]

La Hija Del Jardinero Television Show

With the theme of love, the focus of the episode was Luis Haundra and Caros Eduardo Gomes relationship and Petro who mistakenly becomes a father.

Reality Television, Its Nature and Effect

This is because, if reality television wants to assist the novice and the poor, it should not do it at the expense of misusing the young people.

Gossip Girl: Interpersonal Communication

Friendship rules, betrayal, and barriers to cooperative verbal communication will be incorporated in the examination of interpersonal relationships among the characters in Gossip Girl.

Telemundo Company in Latin Media History

The growing popularity of the programs aired by this free-to-air television network, especially the Telenovelas, made it necessary for the company to consider translating some of the programs into other languages. The move was necessitated [...]

"Gossip Girl" the TV Show Analysis

Based on the thorough investigation of the scholarly sources, which discuss the primary aspects of the theory and its criticism, the foundation for the development of the original research will be established.

The US in the 1950s in "Leave It to Beaver" TV Show

The period after World War II and the transition to the time of the Cold War affected the culture of American society in many ways.

Canadian Producer's Pitching to Netflix

The industry's chief regulator, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, and its largest trade body, the Canadian Media Producers Association, believe, given the revenue as large as $942 million in Canada, Netflix should make contributions [...]

MTV Channel and Music Video Genre

Michael Jackson was an artist who benefited greatly from the national exposure and also contributed to the music video genre development to a great degree.

The Television Show "Law and Order: SVU"

The pacing of the show supports the formula and leads to a suspenseful hour of television. Unfortunately, my favorite character has left the show, but I do not intend to stop watching because it is [...]

Northern Exposure TV Show of Medical Dramedy Genre

Northern Exposure is a dramedy that is defined as a TV show with the elements of dramas and comedies where the development of a character is present, the inner conflict is discussed, and the plot [...]

Will TV Succumb to the Internet?

However, in the late 1990s, cable and satellite companies acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Of course, the companies expand their brands bringing them to the Web.

Television Pros and Cons Assessment

The show is associated with the category of good television because it is informative, and it contributes to the promotion of science and exploration.

TV Programming Analysis: Gendered Themes

The scripting of most of the episodes is based on the premise that racial integration is a positive attribute of society and that all people no matter their race or gender can make it in [...]

Reality Television Definition and Impact

The article is about the nobility of scientific or investigative television shows, such as "CSI" and "Numb3rs". According to the author of this article, television is the biggest storyteller in the world.

Trisha TV Show and Pop Culture Issues

The factor which contributed to my awareness of the audience is the plot of the show, which touches on family disagreements, deception, and emotions.

"Insecure" Comedy-Drama TV Series by Rae and Wilmore

One of the most interesting elements of the show is Issa deals with her self-image starting from work and friends to relationships.

Utopia Fantasia in the "Black Mirror" TV Show

Stated differently, this paper demonstrates how the concept of utopia has evolved from the quest for a virtuous and free life to the desire for people's approval from the lens of an individualised life.

French Specific Content in Media and Television

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Historical TV Channels Strategies in Broadcasting

This form of programming involves a combination of particular shows that will attract the attention of the audience for a specified time of the day.

"Hill Street Blues as a Narrative" by Caren J. Deming

The author has used a narrative form to analyze the production in terms of the storyline, the timeline, the audience, and the characters.

Intercultural Communication in the Series "Tyrant"

Caught up in the middle of a revolt against the ruling family, he loses his father, who died during the coup, and is forced to help his brother and the new president to overcome the [...]

"Empire": TV Show Overview

In particular, the analysis will be comprised of the introduction of the selected show, the examination of its background, and the impressions it makes on critics, the industry that produces the show, the social context [...]

The American TV Series: Characters and Themes

One of the most important trends concerns the representation of the social diversity of the American population in the media, as well as the growing scope of themes and issues discussed on TV.

Television Show Suggestion: M*A*S*H

While the unit that was shown in the series was fictitious and the story was focused not on the war itself but the individuals working in the MASH, the portrayal of war events also contributed [...]

Fake News Understanding

Hence, it is necessary to stress that the principal cause of fake news is people's desire to shape certain views, attitudes, etc.

Discourse in the "Prison Break" TV Series

Moreover, seeking to bring back the success of the past, Fox, the channel that used host Prison Break, decided to revive the show in the form of a short sequel.

Northern Exposure: TV Medical Comedy Series

The following topic was determined for further research on the selected TV series in the context of the history and development of American radio and television before the 2000s: The importance of Northern Exposure for [...]

Television and Communication with Viewers

In this article, the author shares some insights on the contemporary media communication between fans and the creators of popular TV shows.

Why Is "The Amazing Race" So Popular?

The Amazing Race is an example of one of the distinct type of the show, which has become popular both because of the presence of some familiar elements, like the characters who are easy to [...]

TFC TV Company's Competition Problem

The TFC's vulnerability to this threat is justified by a variety of factors, including the lack of audience-specific approach and relatively low revenues from CPM and advertising.

"Let's Talk About Boundaries" Black Sitcom

The paper tries to analyze the success and failures of the black sitcom, "Let's talk about boundaries." In the past, the contemporary black sitcoms portrayed failure of the black race than the positive achievements to [...]

TV Content: "The Walking Dead"

The essay analyses the content of six episodes in the first season of the television drama The Walking Dead. Consequently, the presence of violence in the program is in the storyline as it is the [...]

American Entertainment Industry: Digital Transformation

The purpose of this paper is to examine the aspects of the current competition between streaming companies and television networks with the focus on observed digital transformations in sharing information and to discuss what further [...]

Digital Video Production in Australia

The discussion covers the following issues: Digital video production, recording, and HDTV implementation in Australia; Impediments of HDTV in the market; Australian HDTV system; How to make HDTV system interactive and lastly we will describe [...]

Aggression and Violence in the "Vikings" TV Series

The main character kills one of the rivals with a sword and the moment when the sword transpierces the warrior is depicted in close-up.

Crime Television Series: "Al Fin Cayó!"

The major weakness of the finale is that Escobar as a character is not integral enough for the episode to make a strong statement.

TV Visual Analysis: Boardwalk Empire

The plot focuses on the society that underwent a drastic change after the entry of Prohibition providing responsibility for the production and sale of alcoholic products. Wool jackets, often with lapels and collar with the [...]

"The Walking Dead" Television Series

Rick is lucky to find his wife and child living in a camp of survivors in which a man named Shane is trying to be the leader.

Arab Stereotypes in the "Tyrant" TV Series

With an update of the setting to the present days and the shift to the identification of the traditions of the target culture, the series seems a rather promising start.

Douyu TV and Young People in the Virtual Community

The virtual community that is associated with sharing and watching the live videos broadcasted with the help of streaming platforms similar to Douyu TV is characterized by features typical of other virtual communities, and it [...]

Black Families' Issues in the "Soul Food" Series

The whole family decided to help him deal with the problem and get him a job that would keep him busy.

Quite Interesting, British Television Programme

And it is possible to say that the mentioned standards are as well relevant to QI show as one of BBC's services.

"A Tribute to the 100 Families" in Gladwell's Context Theory

Therefore, the comparison of the relevant sources has provided one with a complete picture of the context's concept one might follow the process from the theory of context to its application and, finally, to the [...]

Medical Melodramas: House vs Grey's Anatomy

Medical melodramas occupy a significant place in the lives of the TV audience, whether the viewers are professionally connected with the sphere of medicine or not.

The Influence of Medical TV Programs on Viewers

Before analyzing the impact of medical melodramas on nursing students, it is necessary to identify the reasons why people watch this kind of TV shows and what they are searching for in them.

TV Shows: House, Scrubs and Quincy

The main idea is to reflect the life of a young doctor through the prism of J.D.'s point of view. D, is in the fight between the good and the evil.

"Stranger in Town" Episode of The Andy Griffith Show

The fact that Ed knows about the whereabouts of people and the town in general leaves them with many questions. The people are concerned about the whereabouts of Ed and question his presence in the [...]

The Fashion Channel: Cable TV Network

The most appropriate strategy is to target the best customers and viewers. TFC has the potential to focus on the changing expectations of different viewers.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation vs. British Broadcasting Corporation Canada

The main reason behind the decline in CBC's viewership as compared to BBC Canada is in the type of programming that is available on the channel.

Television Show: "Wil Time Bigtime"

Since its inception, Wil Time Bigtime has aired a number of shows that can deemed offensive and bad for society and this is one of the reasons why the show had to change its name [...]

Television News Coverage Analysis

The coverage of the grand piano on a sand bar story became a little more subjective in the ABC News example.

Reality TV Show Analysis: Masterchef Australia

The analysis of this reality TV show can therefore be taken as the comprehensive analysis of the majority of today's reality TV shows that have the same aspects of style as this one.

Political Issues of "The American Idol" Television Show

This paper presents a comprehension of the issue of democracy and participation through the lenses of the political landscape and the reality television show, the American Idol, which is followed by the exploration of the [...]

BBC and NPR: Radio Station Websites Comparison

In terms of the design features of the BBC radio website, the background has not interrupted the text used. The home page of the BBC radio website has a navigation bar that enables the audience [...]

TV Shows' Influence on Families

Despite the fact that the article is long as compared to the other article, the story and all its explanations flow in a rhythm that is encouraging and not tiring.

"Why Do People Watch Religious TV?" by Robert Abelman

A Uses and Gratification Approach by Abelman applies the Uses and Gratification Theory, which is one of the various audience theories, to explain the role of Television as a mode of mass media from the [...]

TV Soap Operas: Reasons of Popularity

Soap operas are popular since they have interesting stories that captivate the minds of the audience. In addition to this, soap operas are popular since they keep viewers company.

Television: Features, Functions and Outcomes

In the twentieth century, the saint then became the patron of television, and this story appears to reflect the desire of people to be involved in the magic of a personal TV set.

"Watching TV Makes You Smarter" by Steven Johnson

Although "Red Queen" is based on solving one mystery of killing an antiques dealer, viewers receive the opportunity to stimulate their cognition because of the necessity solve a range of additional mysteries proposed by the [...]

"Watching TV Makes You Smarter" by Steven Johnson

It is the belief of this paper that television programming can be considered as one of the most important teaching tools currently in place due to the unprecedented access to information that people can get [...]

The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy

One of characteristic features of the two sitcoms is that they have audience reaction as a background. In conclusion, it is necessary to note that The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy sitcoms are [...]

Does TV Shows Have a Negative Influence on the Children?

While a section of the society argues that television shows are beneficial to children because they are educative, others feel that they have a negative influence on them.

Digital TV and Its Consequences: A Changing Media Industry

The main idea that is being promoted throughout the article by Gripsrud is that the very paradigm of TV-broadcasting, in the traditional sense of this word, is somewhat inconsistent with the discursive implications of the [...]

Sexual Content in Broadcast Media: United States Case

The first Amendment of the US Constitution declares that the congress shall not make any law that will abridge the freedom of speech or the freedom of the press.

Should Media be Censored by Government for Protecting the Society in Australia

Australia, like many other countries in the world, has faced the problem of the information spread and the problem of the need of the information filtering.

Media Censorship. Wikileaks

Wikileaks just offers the information which is to be available for people. Information is not just a source of knowledge it is the way to control the world.

The Role of the Media in Spreading Violence, Horror, and Pornography

It is possible to conclude that characters and individuals in the media provoke some behavioral norms, which affect the behavior of children.

The Effects of Television on the Way People Understand Themselves

This is because, despite the fact that the advocates of political correctness encourage citizens to believe that the specifics of one's racial affiliation are not being reflective of his or her tendency to commit crimes, [...]

Race in Media

This paper examines the subject of being white and non-white and goes on to look at how the media is contributing to either aggravate the situation or weaken the culture of considering whites as being [...]

"10 Years Younger" and "How to Look Good Naked" Television Shows

The most important thing about appearances here is that the older get to look younger on the "10 Years Younger" show and those with insecurities about their shapes and sizes get to accept who they [...]

Beavis and Butt-head

The Beavis and Butt-head show introduces many lessons to be understood by people of different age; still, the most serious impact of the show is possible on young children, who are under a threat of [...]

Carolina Pad and Bloggers

However, declining the offer would affect the company's relationship with other bloggers while subjecting the company to additional advertisement costs. If April conceded to the offer, the company would be exposed to the contents of [...]

Forbidden and Dangerous Information Technology

In such as setting, the functional unit head ensures proper control and management of the technology to regulate the chances of such technological resources landing on wrong hands.

Television in Emirati Culture

The UAE is the gateway of the Far East and western hemisphere throw a dynamic maritime linkage in ambition to welcome people all over the world to enjoy the cultural heritage of this region along [...]

Does Exposure to Media Violence Promote Aggressive Behavior?

One of the major changes that have been prominent in the social environment is the satiety of the mass media. It is incorrect to focus on the irregularities witnessed in the studies whilst the researches [...]

Positive Effects of Television on the way People Understand Themselves

In efforts to investigate the role that television has on making people understand gender, Williams conducted a study on how children classified men and women after watching some television shows.

Violence in the Media

The left frontal lobe of the participants was analyzed and found to be more active in the control group than in the exposed group. Exposure of children to violence in the mass media leads to [...]

Literature review and methodology for the case of violence on TV

The survey is intended to provide the opinions of the viewers on the level of violence on the programs shown by KTDS.

Television and violence

The KTDS management should react to the problem, not for the benefit of the politicians but for the whole population, since a successful business caters for the needs of all customers.

Central China Television's (CCTV)

Following the unprecedented growth of the economy, increased per capita income and literacy levels; the mass among the Chinese and other communities in the world was spurred.

Television

The "first" generation television systems had a display or the TV screen was characterized by a small motor with a neon lamp and spinning disc.

The Impact of the Pilkington Report on the British Television in the 1960s

In spite of the fact that the main ideas presented in the Pilkington Report were actively criticised by the broadcasters, government, sponsors, and by the public, the effect of the report on the further growth [...]

Transmission and Reception of Television Signals

In his book Electronic signals and systems: television, stereo, satellite TV, and automotive, he explains to the reader the process of signal transmission and reception.

American Television History

As it will be shown in the succeeding sections, the culture of electronic advertising changed wherein advertisers became increasingly aggressive with their product placements and means of getting the public to be more aware of [...]

Evolution of Television

Throughout the decade, the cable television was the means of transmission between the transmitters in television network premises and the receivers at the viewer's home.

What Is "Real" About Reality TV Through Susan Boyle's Debut On Britain's Got Talent

This was depicted with the look on the faces of the judges and the audience who thought she was just in the competition to make a normal appearance.

The Types of Features Used in Different Television Shows

Other factors that the television stations consider include the setup of the studios or the show rooms, the characters that will participate in the shows and the kinds of languages to be used in the [...]

Concept of "Lifestyle" in the 20th Century

Advertizing culture and mass media has created the concept of lifestyle in the 20th century through: The rise of mass media in the last 50 years has created what has been referred to as a [...]

Reality Television

It is supposed that reality viewers may be encouraged to evaluate and differentiate their own state of affairs with those stars of the reality shows.

TV Show Classification

According to my classification system, TV shows can be classified according to main theme of the show. Under the theme of conflict, three different types of conflicts were used to categorize the TV shows.

Television and Cultural Change

First of all, the Public Service Broadcasting is aimed at satisfying the needs of the customers as the direct consumer of the services.

How to Write About a Tv Show in an Essay

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