My Purpose

     The way in which the viewing audience responds to a specific show is a result of how they code and decode the signs presented by the show. Codes are dependent on the agreement of its users (Hermann). The conventions used "depend on changes in society" (Hermann), and can be seen through the way in which different viewing audiences decode signs. In determining how the show Friends is read and interpreted, the way in which the viewing audience is separated into age groups and their reactions and responses to the specific episode, and also the show in general, were recorded.

     The way in which the data was collected was simple. By engaging the viewer in a conversation about the show in question. Rather than using a survey, where the subject would answer specific questions, I chose to simply talk about the show with the subject. While I did ask for specific reasons why the subject watches the show, the data collected focusses more on their opinions and what they get from the show rather than specific questions about the show.

     The subjects I chose to feature were people I knew watched the show. Most of the data comes from the conversations. For example, after the episode aired, I was talking to a few coworkers of various ages about what they thought of it. It was through that conversation from which much of the data was taken. When you engage someone in a conversation that they have genuine interest and knowledge in, that knowledge becomes evident. Whether they know it or not, the way that they code and decode the signs within the show also becomes evident.

     Specifically, I asked each subject why they watch Friends in general, why they watched the episode in question, and then compiled the top 3 answers. The fact that the top 3 responses from each group were similar suggests that there are specific themes and signs that the show wants to get across to its viewers, or that the viewers are prompted to decoded signs a specific way.

Work Cited: Hermann, Stefan. "Do we learn to 'read' television like a kind of 'language'?" http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/sfh9901.html

Melissa Lim

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