And the Making of And the Making of a Media Eventa Media Event

Brian Kehoe Steve Thompson

Television Television VectorsVectors

Introduction

“This essay examines the intersections of television technology with the construction of national culture through an analysis of the ultimate all American event of television of the 1990’s: the televised freeway chase of O.J. Simpson in June 1994.”

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Main Points

1. creates shared identity 2. complex elements 3. creates cultural memories

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Identity

media viewers as global citizens

tv as american cultural imperialism creates homogenized audience

citizenship through national experience diana = british gulf war = american

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Live Television

aim to establish commonality creates immediacy and urgency trivial acquires meaning

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Geography

living room as virtual space fading boundaries power of media

determines newsworthiness

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Ability

more affect than witness sharp focus of tv lens omniscient point of view

creates desire oj fans on side of highway

bumped NBA finals national and local participation achieved

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Helicopter

capacity to link space vietnam war

rescue and release power and failure of american technology

police vehicle traffic reporter

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Re-writing the Freeway

seen as divider rich/poor white/non white

road rage & rodney king o.j.

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Talking the Nation

role of cell phone role of talk radio o.j.

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Media Event

sporting event history aftermath

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Reenactments

court tv

television memory

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Criticisms

too ambitious

not generalizable

not clear

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Conclusion

1. creates shared identity 2. complex elements 3. creates cultural memories 4. o.j. did it

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions

Questions

Do you agree? Is it Relevant? What is our generation’s o.j. moment?

Intro

Live TV

Geo

Identity

Ability

Helicopter

Freeway

Talk

Event

Criticisms

Conclusion

Questions