Television Dramas and the Global Village

A critical summation of television's mirror for humankind, this collection of 20 essays covers major American series plus dramatic and comic presentations from 10 countries other than the US. Character and theme analyses review the intent of dramatizing particular quandaries, such as disdain for homosexuals as portrayed through the career of footman Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey and amplification of changing morals as depicted in the Brazilian telenovela Delegacia de Mulheres…. [T]his book will be an excellent addition to the public and university library media shelf. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.

* Choice Reviews *

Rios and Lin have found the perfect balance of scholarship and entertainment research. This will be a welcomed book for the classroom and for those looking for best practices in the much-needed areas of gender roles and identities, socio-economic “caste” systems, race, sexual and psychological violence, and cultural identities. The vast view of streaming and access to these media portrayals are valuable and furthers research, theoretical frameworks, and the overall knowledge within our discipline. The inclusion of social media usage and how the advancement of those watching “over the air” television series has expanded to a global realm really sits at the cornerstone of this important work. This is a must-read for those interested in intersectionality and the understanding of the many differences in our world today.

-- Jerry Crawford, The University of Ka