Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Blog Assignment: In the Style of...


As we talked about yesterday, this assignment is in many ways more about the research than the writing. Try to figure out who this writer is and what their style is, based on some of the ideas discussed yesterday: perspective, vocabulary, rhythm, etc.

Some Guidelines:

1. Choose a TV show you watch now or have watched. Must be narrative (i.e. not news, sports or documentary; reality TV is okay)
2. Look around for some well-written criticism. It can be formal or informal, professional quality or more amateur. Snarky is fine!
3. Consider the publication and audience. Does the critic's style change from one venue (website or magazine) to another? In what ways?
4. You don't have to agree with what the critic says to f ind his or her style or viewpoint interesting.
5. It will be helpful to make a list of some words that describe the critic's style.


First step of the assignment:

Post to the blog in the next few days, 2 or 3 links to the critic's work and a few thoughts on why you like it or find it interesting.


Your assignment, a 300-500 word blog post in the style of the critic you choose, is due by Friday October 18th.

Please ask any questions here! I will continue to post links of TV critics here, and we will also continue to discuss the assignment on Friday in class.

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19 comments:

  1. Jonanthan BringuierOctober 9, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/dexter-series-finale-review-1200655158/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/09/dexter-review-goodbye/

    http://www.tv.com/shows/dexter/community/post/dexter-season-8-episode-12-series-finale-review-remember-the-monsters-137966150076/

    Anyone who is a fan of Dexter and hasn't seen the finale or all of the last season watch out for these threads, CONTAINS SPOILERS.

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    Replies
    1. Jonanthan BringuierOctober 17, 2013 at 11:31 AM

      Never clarified which critic I was doing, my apologies. I am going with Brian Lowry, he is the first link. Here are a couple other of his critics...

      http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-review-american-horror-story-coven-1200700561/

      http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/the-walking-dead-amc-1200672046/

      http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-review-masters-of-sex-1200654967/

      Delete
  2. Peg AOctober 9, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    Great stuff, thanks. I love Dexter.

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  3. ShadaOctober 13, 2013 at 8:21 PM

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/08/dereks-whole-storyline-is-rapey-stop.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/08/strong-female-character-friday-audrey.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/07/i-want-my-kids-to-turn-out-like-finn.html

    Ever since I did my Twin Peaks assignment I fell in love with Deborah Pless blog. Her writing style is very entertaining and comical. From the beginning to the end she captures my attention, and this doesn't come by me very easily.

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  4. Michael AdemaOctober 13, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    Matthew Gilbert is an engaging writer that recognizes the positive qualities of different television series. I appreciate his witty tone because he creates descriptive stories and one-liners to express his agreeable opinions. His language is reassuring and comparative to other works. Emulating his style will be a challenge, and I am considering writing on either Mad Men or a more focused piece on Shameless. Perhaps I will include the ways in which each display a controversial social condition yet remain thoroughly enjoyable to watch every time!

    http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/

    http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/07/15/breaking_bad_a_gripping_portrait_of_change/

    http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/2013/10/05/wait-for-mad-men-splits-its-final-season-two/ZmH9ix6xgAGKgkOut4IxzJ/story.html

    http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/01/07/macy_and_a_touch_of_humor_lift_dysfunctional_family_drama_shameless/

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  5. Francesco AlbaneseOctober 15, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/once-upon-a-time-in-wonderland-review-curiouser-and-curiouser/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/blue-bloods-review-please-dont-hurt-my-family/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/once-upon-a-time-review-the-fear-of-love/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/the-mentalist-review-protect-your-dream/

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    Replies
    1. Francesco AlbaneseOctober 15, 2013 at 11:30 AM

      I was planning on doing an article in the style of Christine Orlando because I like the way that she tries to grasp what comes in later episodes by taking points and quotes to back up her opinion. She makes one ponder the new possibilities that lie ahead. Also spoiler warning for anyone who watches any of the shows linked above as those are all up to date.

      Delete
  6. James WeidmanOctober 15, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/tv-review-brooklyn-nine-nine.html

    http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/tv-review-agents-of-shield.html

    http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/seitz-review-fox-dads-is-bad.html

    I like how this critic structures and organizes his reviews, he doesn't just ramble, he writes in an orderly fashion and gets straight to the point of the review. He also isn't overly formal about it which I like because it makes it easier for the reader to relate to the critic and understand what he is trying to say.

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  7. UnknownOctober 16, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/08/breaking-bad-review-to-tell-the-truth/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2011/11/the-vampire-diaries-review-when-humanity-happens/

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/07/dexter-review-one-right-turn/

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  8. UnknownOctober 16, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/10/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-review-the-gang-s.html
    http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/05/arrested-development-review-indian-takers-episode.html
    http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/07/ray-donovan-review-black-cadillac-episode-104.html

    I enjoy reading reviews written by Shane Ryan. He manage to use language that is both informal and intellectual. He also mixes in analysis and recap quite fluently.

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  9. Kasandra VOctober 16, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/the-originals-review-declarations-of-war/
    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/the-originals-review-the-sins-of-the-father/
    http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/10/bones-review-the-beginning-in-the-end/

    Miranda Wicker has a cool conversational style when she reviews. She delves not only into the plot but into the depths of the characters as well. With well-placed one liners and hilarious anecdotes, her critic style is one I could definitely enjoy reading on all of my shows.

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  10. UnknownOctober 16, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-premiere-review-breaking-bad-blood-money-better-call-saul
    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-premiere-review-game-of-thrones-valar-dohaeris-return-to-burning-man
    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching

    Alan Sepinwall has a more professional style to his reviews. But he can be funy and goes out of his way to throw jokes into all of his reviews. He is very knowledgeable about television and television production, so he can provide very interesting insights. He also blends reviews and recaps very well.

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  11. UnknownOctober 16, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. UnknownOctober 17, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/It-s-back-and-ready-to-shatter-your-idea-of-what-2813425.php

    http://blog.sfgate.com/tgoodman/category/sopranos/

    Although not very snarky, Tim Goodman's reviews are pretty captivating. He tells you what you want to hear, while still maintaining his point of view. He pays very close attention to character detail that makes you want to go back and see what he saw.

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  13. UnknownOctober 17, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    Over this weekend, I chose to look into the critic known as Mary McNamara. When looking at the review posted on the blog before about American Horror Story, I decided to look into her because I found her writing amusing. Something about her writing and its more casual nature while still maintaining certain critic traits to it made me want to attempt to write within her style of reviewing. She uses some descriptive mention, but she doesn't go too deep into metaphor and also shows that she's familiar with certain themes in stories by playfully poking at them and referencing them in a natural manner. Her opinion is clear and pretty to the point.

    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-mistresses-20130603,0,3670121.story
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-american-horror-story-coven-20131009,0,5805104.story
    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-under-the-dome-20130624,0,4111484.story
    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-twisted-review-20130611,0,6148920.story
    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-whodunnit-review,0,1117011.story
    http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-0711-sharknado-need-we-say-more-20130711,0,1772285.story

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  14. Sam LacovaraOctober 17, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Like Shada, I also used Deborah Pless as a source in my Twin Peaks paper, and I knew as soon as we were assigned this that I would want to emulate her writing. She is as snarky as any other TV critic, but also uses feminist perspective. She is aware of issues that I am interested in (rape culture, misogyny, body shaming, etc.). It helps me connect with her writing because I feel like we have a similar understanding of the world and our basis for analysis of the media is rooted in the same issues.

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/10/supernatural-is-sexist-and-misogynistic.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/10/pilot-season-super-fun-night-enough.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/10/returning-shows-new-girl-jess-done.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2013/10/returning-shows-parks-and-rec-its-kind.html

    http://www.kissmywonderwoman.com/2012/05/gaying-of-peter-guillam-in-tinker.html (movie review, but still helpful!)

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  15. ericanardellaOctober 18, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-netflixs-orange-is-the-new-black-concludes-a-triumphant-first-season

    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-parks-and-recreation-the-pawnee-eagleton-tip-off-classic-like-a-good-neighbor

    http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-womens-prison-show-orange-is-the-new-black-may-be-netflixs-best-original-yet


    I decided to chose the show Orange is the New Black. After researching and reading different reviews I enjoyed reading reviewer Alan Sepinwall's pieces. He has a simple but straight to the point reviewing writing style. I like that he is honest and talks about exactly what he likes and exactly what he doesn't like about the show he is reviewing.

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  16. UnknownOctober 18, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    I will concede that the only reason that I started to read Ken Tucker’s reviews was because we shared the same last name. After reading a couple of his TV reviews and even watching some interviews he did with Craig Ferguson, I found him to be a pretty straight shooter. He's a graduate from NYU, has a good vocabulary, and was even praised by Pamela Anderson for his quoted "poetic" description of her...yeah. Anyway, I thought he would be a good critic for me to try to emulate because we think and write in a different manner.
    http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20660864,00.html


    http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20662974,00.html

    http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20665261,00.html

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  17. UnknownOctober 18, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    There were a number of shows I was considering reviewing for this assignment and it took some time before I settled on CW11’s Hart of Dixie. I tried to look for reviews on shows that I felt had similar character dynamics. At first I searched for reviews for ABC Family’s Gilmore Girls, one of my personal favorites, because much like Hart of Dixie the characters are dynamic, quick witted, and quirky. I came across Rob William Berg’s review of his discovery of the first season of Gilmore Girls. Overall I liked his style, but the part of his review that caught my eye is where he likens the complexity of the show with that of Pushing Daisies, another show I really appreciated for its peculiar cast of characters. This led me to search for other shows he had reviewed. While I couldn’t seem to find a review for Pushing Daisies, I did find Berg’s review of NBC’s Chuck. Though Chuck’s plot leans slightly more in an action-comedy direction, rather than the dramatic-comedies of the other shows, it still has that common factor of interesting, intelligent characters that can produce a laugh at every turn.
    http://www.robwillreview.com/?p=4607

    http://www.robwillreview.com/?p=8948

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