Returning to the subject of failed adaptations--and those we might fear will fail--I suggest that we not only look at place but also time as a central category whose uniqueness impacts a show's success.
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Archive for January, 2011
“You’ll always be young, you’ll always be beautiful”
What Are You Missing? January 16-29
Ten (or more) media industry stories you might have missed recently.
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From Veronica Mars to Pretty Little Liars
This post explores social power and millennial television. Where have we come from Veronica Mars’ Lily to Pretty Little Liars’ Alison? What do we make of this fascinatingly repeated trope of the dead, sexually-promiscuous girl who haunts the narrative in potent flashback?
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Reflections on the Challenger Disaster 25 Years Later
25 years ago today, one of the most significant tragedy-induced media events of the twentieth century took place: the Challenger Disaster.
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The State of Reality TV: Kidding Around with Reality
Though not the most popular or influential entry in the genre, Kid Nation appropriately offers an elementary school primer both on the conventions of reality competitions and their negotiation of social structures taken for granted in the "real" world.
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Late to the Party: Dirty Dancing
With a title like that, it was bound to either be more dirty or less dirty than I expected.
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Harry Potter Takes Fans from Apathy to Activism
Ulaby’s story of how Harry Potter fans were becoming activists demonstrates how surprising it is for most people that fans are not loners, hiding away from the world, but rather are productive and rational- and can create real political change.
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MTV Gets Some Skin in the Game
MTV’s adaptation of the British TV teen Drama Skins just may be one of those rare shows where what happens on screen is second in precedence to the responses surrounding the show.
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Late to the Party: Let’s Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy
In the latest installment of Late to the Party, I familiarize myself with Steve Martin's classic stand-up comedy albums.
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Steve Wiebe: Donkey Kong Master, Rock Star
On the spectacle of watching King of Kong hero Steve Wiebe play Donkey Kong at Logan's Hardware, January 15, 2011.
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The Gilded Globes: Legitimacy Amidst Controversy
While some may have found Ricky Gervais' pointed remarks as host of this year's Golden Globes tough to swallow, it's hard to argue with his attack on the awards' legitimacy in light of recent controversy.
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What Are You Missing? January 2-15
Ten (or more) media industry stories you might have missed recently.
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Charlie Chan and Contemporary B-Movie Fandom
A controversial new book argues that it’s okay to enjoy Charlie Chan movies.
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Misfits, very British Teen TV
In a week when discussions of US and UK televisual differences and distinctions, particularly around class, accompanies the broadcast of US remakes of Shameless (Showtime) and Skins (MTV), its great to get a chance to talk about a British show that owes a debt to both, but in my view is arguably superior.
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Deracinated TV: Watching Misfits in America
Last month, I was in need of a new show. Upon the recommendation of Lainey Gossip and my Twitter feed, I decided on Misfits, a show about which I knew very little, save the following: 1.) It is British. 2.) It is about teenagers.
3.) I couldn't obtain it through strictly legal means.
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