Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study looks at the on-air promotion for NBC’s fall 2004 prime-time lineup within the high-profile prime-time Summer Olympic broadcasts on NBC. NBC made a number of adjustments to the promotion practices during previous Olympic coverage and September 2004 ratings results indicated that many programs received a substantial bump following the Olympic broadcasts. Surprisingly, every new series increased ratings over their time slot in the previous year and three of the five new shows increased by more than 2 ratings points—as did more than one-third of returning shows. Only one primetime program promoted during the Olympics suffered a significant ratings drop. NBC’s focus on promotion during the Olympic broadcasts and strategic decision to move several premiere episodes earlier in September was justified.

Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: Recently, the detective/crime show genre in American television has birthed several long running shows based around the experiences of a woman working in law enforcement. The presence of these characters suggests a progressive response to the criticism of representations of women a helpless victims and/or demeaned eye candy. This paper examines three examples of the new female detective who is a leader, who is
exceptional, and whose innate complexities drive the narrative of the show. Whether
she is the lead interrogator for an elite unit (The Closer), a psychic whose insights solve major cases (Medium) or a forensics specialist whose expertise is often the crux of a successful prosecution (Crossing Jordan), these characters can be relied on to break the case and bring in the bad guy, often while overcoming substantial internal and external
obstacles. What are the aesthetics of empowerment where these characters are concerned? Do the aesthetics of the hour-long television drama lend themselves to the production of qualitatively superior depictions of gender, and ultimately, does the presence of such characters on primetime television signal the production of a critical, feminist aesthetic in American culture?

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: A content analysis was conducted to examine the portrayals of women, minorities, African American women in particular, and their work roles in primetime. The sample consisted of 178 characters, representing 25 shows with a scripted plot and recurring characters which air on the five broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and the CW. The primary goal of the pilot study was to compare how gender, race, and occupation are portrayed on primetime television. In comparison to men and other racial minority groups, it was found that of the 13 African American women coded in the entire sample, a little more than half were employed. Most held jobs as professionals and members of law enforcement. Second, the relationship between race and gender, and work status, as well as between race and gender and job authority was explored. Though significant results were not found, this could be explained by the existence of more racially-diverse and gender-balanced casts. However, Asians, Native Americans, and blue collar workers were notably absent, while most characters worked in law enforcement. Implications for future content analyses are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Prior research examining the portrayal of crime in media has largely focused attention on coverage in major and regional newspapers, local network news outlets, national network outlets, reality television programming, and on television crime dramas. Little or no scholarly research has examined crime coverage on cable news networks. This research seeks to address this gap in the empirical literature by reporting the findings of a content analysis of a sample of transcripts of primetime news programs appearing on the Fox News Network. The research questions addressed include: 1) how much of the overall news coverage is dedicated to crime and criminal justice system issues?; 2) of the total crime coverage that appears, what types of crime events receive the most coverage and 3) are there certain characteristics of the crime events that are covered that increase the overall intensity of the coverage. The implications of these findings will be discussed.

Publication Type: Extended Abstract
Abstract: Please see attached extended abstract