Don’t Change that Channel...
When television first made its way into homes, it consisted of one channel in black and white, with a limited number of shows. Today, you can surf through hundreds of channels, record and pause live television, and stream it to your computer or phone. now the world of storytelling has expanded to the Internet and “transmedia” where viewers can watch a series on YouTube and even interact with characters on social media. We have a certain love affair with entertainment, and while stories move to new genres and ways of interacting with their audience, the fundamentals of what captures our attention remains the same.
It’s one thing to sit down for a two hour movie, or invest a few days reading a book, but what keeps an audience coming back week after week, for years? Just like in movies, books, and music, when a universal truth is expressed, it resonates with the deepest part of ourselves. Here’s a list of television series that touch us beyond just their drama, suspense and humor:
TEDx
As their slogan says, Ted Talks focus on “ideas worth spreading.” From scientific research to works of art, the topics covered are broad, but the main idea is to spread knowledge, inspiration, and hope. There are no flashy graphics or special effects, just a speaker on stage, sharing their stories and ideas, but perhaps that’s the draw of it. One person, offering something to the world with passion and sincerity. There is a certain energy that is created between a speaker and the audience, which the Divine Principle would call, “give and take.” With thousands of talks and topics to choose from, even if you only have a few minutes, you’re sure to find something to ignite your own passion or touch your heart.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries falls into the new genre of “transmedia”. It’s a scripted web series that puts a modern spin on the classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. If you are familiar with Austen’s version, you know that it’s a story about learning to be humble, to overcome our own perceptions (our pride and/or prejudice!), and to find love where we might least expect it. The new adaptation retains the essence of its original charm while adding creative modern twists. The added bonus here, and what makes it “transmedia” is that the storyline didn’t just unfold through the videos, but is played out in real time on multiple platforms. Each character of the show had their own twitter, facebook, or tumblr accounts where fans could interact.
The series has finished now, but the reruns are all up on youtube for you to watch, and if you want to jump in on the exciting transmedia trend, the creators of LBD have a new series that is currently running, Emma Approved, which, you guessed it, is a modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma. The new series also just began a storyline that has the characters raising money for charity. The story might be scripted, but the charity is real, and fans can actually donate to a non-profit organization that seeks to end human trafficking. Now that’s using the power of media and entertainment for the greater good!
Once Upon a Time
This ABC television series is relatively new but has become wildly popular within its three season run. These fractured fairytales create both nostalgia and intrigue as we watch favorite story book characters come to life and struggle with much more complex challenges and adventures, both real and magical, than was ever presented in their bedtime story or Disney movie versions. Still, the overarching storybook themes are what pulls it all together and makes us gasp with anticipation or reach for a box of tissues. Spoiler Alert! Good somehow always triumphs over evil, and even some of the evil characters are able to find their humanity and turn, if only on occasion, towards the light instead of the dark. The hero always finds a way, and, of course, true love can break any curse.
Dr. Who
Having celebrated an astonishing fiftieth anniversary this year, Dr. Who is a long-running chronicle of a Time Lord and his companions’ adventures traveling through space and time. It has managed to entertain and inspire generations of viewers. The recipe for its success? The right blend of change and consistency. With an endless variety of destinations and characters, including the “regeneration” of The Doctor himself as he changes appearance and personality (how else could the character last on television for 50 years?), the story is always fresh and interesting.
However, the Doctor’s persistent core values of nonviolence, curiosity and belief in the goodness of the human race create a character with character! No matter where or when in the world he travels, his values are never left behind. While some say the show rejects religious faith, others suggest quite the opposite. For example, one episode which was apparently written to show how faith paralyzes society featured what many viewers considered to be a moving portrayal of people brought together by worship. The episode later became nominated for an Epiphany Prize, an award for positive depictions of belief in the media.
As these four shows illustrate, entertainment and inspiration can come in all sizes and formats. Whether we want the slower pleasures of a book, the weekly devotion to a TV show, or the quick plot development burst of a web series, quality storytelling with solid values is ripe for the picking!
What’s on your DVR or must-watch list? Let us know in the comments below!