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SOSC 4318: Modes of Communication: "Reading Television?"
Sopranos

Frasier

Friends.1

Survey Results:
Part I:

Gender: There were 8 males and 2 females
Age: 6 were between 18-25, 2 were between 26-35 and 2 were over 45
Hours of T.V. per day: All watch between 1-3 hours per day
Place: All watch T.V. at home
With who: 4 watch T.V. mostly with family, 6 watch T.V. alone
Consistency: All consider themselves consistent viewers of The Sopranos

Part II:

What do you think the show is about?
- The Mafia and family with a modern twist.
- A Mafia family.
- The Mob.
- Just a family.
- The personal lives of a family and the Mafia.
- A man looking for a kind of self worth within the harsh world of the Mob.
- It is a depiction of the modern day mob but further than that it is an exploration of human nature.
- A real life Mafia show.
- The life of a present day mob boss.
- The dramas that occur within a large family.
Why do you watch The Sopranos?
- Entertainment.
- Interesting, funny, very enjoyable.
- I think it’s funny.
- Because it deals with issues that are real and important to us even though it is within the context of the Mafia.
- Well presented, well acted and interesting.
- It’s original and the drama is realistic.
- It is great entertainment. The characters are extremely multi dimensional and well developed. The storylines have a lot of depth and the show is totally engrossing.
- The story is realistic and the character interactions are unique.
- It's original, unlike any other show, it's uncensored and it's very entertaining.
- I think the storyline has a lot of depth and it is different.
Do you think this show offers you something that other shows do not? If so what is it?
- Yes, it’s a fresh idea and its funny and entertaining.
- Yes, it’s very different than all other shows- such that its premise is different and unique.
- Yes, it’s a drama and a comedy.
- Yes, it portrays true to life experiences.
- No, not really.
- It provokes my intelligence and makes me think.
- Yes, it is more realistic than other shows.
- I think this show offers an element of realism that you wouldn’t find in many other shows. Partly because it’s uncensored but also because they’re willing not to compromise the integrity of the show by omitting content that may be offensive to some viewers. They portray what is seemingly a very believable depiction of what the life of a crime boss would be.
- I think it’s funny
Who is your favourite character? Why?
- Tony, he has the best part – he’s the boss so it’s interesting to watch him.
- Paulie – he’s so funny.
- AJ, because he’s so funny and realistic.
- Tony, because he’s flawed.
- Tony, he’s got depth and is interesting to watch.
- Paulie, because he’s got guts and is funny
- Tony’s wife. She realizes and condones the moral position of what her family does and is involved in while at the same time manages to upkeep a sense of morality and integrity in the eyes of the viewer.
- Tony, he seems like a nice guy but always does what has to be done even if he has to kill someone.
- My favourite character is Furio because he is an illegal immigrant whose inherently evil nature makes him typical and he doesn’t take crap from anybody.
- The wife, she is very strong willed and stands up for herself in her own way.
Do you think the elements of swearing and violence are necessary in the show? Why do you think they are used?
- Yes, because it keeps the show real, this is how it is in real life so you need it in the show
- Possibly, if that’s the way the Mafia speaks and acts then I’d say yes, in order to get an accurate portrayal.
- Yes, it supports the content of the show and it wouldn’t be realistic if it didn’t contain these elements.
- Yes, to make it more realistic.
- Yes but maybe not too such an extent, it’s used to add to the realism.
- I guess so but I think it gets a bit much at times, I think its used because it’s something that attracts people to watch it.
- Yes, I think the characters depicted would talk and act like this and the fact that the creators have the guts to depict them accurately- good and bad – makes it the quality show that it is.
- Yes, people have always been fascinated by the Mafia and the real life elements suck people in, it also add to the realism.
- Yes, it adds credibility to the show. This is what a person would expect the real life to be like, so the television should be no different. The show would be very unbelievable without them. It wouldn’t be the same show.
- Yes, it gives the show an edge and makes it believable.
Do you think there is a general message or meaning the show tries to convey? If so what do you think it is?
- It conveys the ups and downs of organized crime and family life.
- Not sure
- The show is making light or showing a humanistic side of something that we probably don’t know much about.
- No matter what you are, life is tough.
- Not really
- Family is very important in life.
- I think it tries to be real and accurate and explores the personalities and psyche of its characters within the context of what they do as well as in terms of our collective human experience. It deals with day to day issues that all of us face within a very unique framework, which makes it a hugely entertaining and fascinating show.
- Yes, the message is that people in organized crime are still regular people with regular problems.
- Crime doesn’t pay.
- Life is tough and you’ve got to work at it.