Meta-commentary and mythology: "Episodes" as a performance of transatlantic TV

Bignell, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4874-1601 (2019) Meta-commentary and mythology: "Episodes" as a performance of transatlantic TV. In: Hills, M., Hilmes, M. and Pearson, R. (eds.) Transatlantic Television Drama: Industries, Programs and Fans. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 163-180. ISBN 9780190663124

Abstract/Summary

The chapter focuses on the comedy drama "Episodes" (2011-), created by the American writers Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane, and made by the British production company Hat Trick for the BBC (UK) and Showtime (USA). The programme's storyline is based the remaking of a British TV comedy in the USA, as well as having a hybrid identity as a transatlantic production. It can be read as a commentary on the similarities and differences between American and British television cultures. In other words, "Episodes" not only talks about transatlantic television, but self-consciously performs it. Rather than evaluating whether "Episodes" reflects real national differences and similarities, the chapter argues that it is a meta-commentary on deeply embedded myths about the TV of each nation.

Item Type	Book or Report Section
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/69134
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Arts and Communication Design > Film, Theatre & Television
Publisher	Oxford University Press
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