Magazine Shows

Magazine Shows

This Morning, The One Show, Top Gear, Sunday Brunch, Blue Peter, BBC Breakfast, Soccer AM

Format

The usual format starts off with an opening sequence before telling the audience what the program will be discussing, this mainly consists of a discussion on the latest topics and current news affairs as well as a variety of different activities ranging from cooking to child care and so on. The presenters can give a sense of familiarity to a format, for example the presenters of Sunday Brunch started on a show called Something For The Weekend in which the format was three meals with a few minor topics in between, this format transitioned over to Sunday Brunch which is what allowed the show to stay popular.

Appeals

These shows can offer a different perspective on certain subjects as the presenters usually have to give their opinion on the subject, they also can provide information on how to get cheaper items such as food and clothes. For example This Morning’s cooking segment provides supermarkets that have the items used for a reasonable price; this allows the audience to engage with the show by participating alongside it.

Target Audience

The target audience for these shows is typically working class, this is evident from how a majority of the topics that are discussed are the kind that would effect that audience such as the cheapest prices for certain items or discussions on the government and how they would affect the ‘everyday person’. The age and gender of these audiences varies by what the show is about, for example Top Gear would more likely have middle aged men with a good income as cars are typically seen as being masculine and with most of the cars being discussed having their performance and price highlighted more than their looks. However a show such as Blue Peter is more aimed at children/teens as it discusses issues that younger people are concerned about such as cyber bullying, festivals and the latest reality shows just to name a few.

Opening sequence

The opening sequences of these shows are very similar; they feature aspects of the show and highlight what they are about. For example Sunday Brunch uses food items that are iconic of a breakfast such as bread and jam, toast and a Sunday newspaper, this not only makes it clear that the show is exclusively on Sunday without presenting the title but also shows that the show is focused on food. The title is cleverly implemented into the sequence by having it be the table that the food items are on, this is a unique and creative way in which they present their title. This Morning however shows how it is a more all-around show by having several images that symbolize different topic points, for example the stethoscope next to the pills that form the heart shape shows that one of the focuses on the program are healthcare and how to stay healthy. Another example is the folded up star made out of a newspaper, this not only shows that the show is focused on the news but also celebrity news as the star represents “super stars”.

Setting

The setting is a studio that has two sofas facing each other for interviews, some shows such as Sunday Brunch or This morning also contain a kitchen for cooking segments. Some of these shows have the presenters in front of a window, such as This Morning, which is based in London shows the activities of the average people outside. Top Gear is set in a dark studio with no windows and a few spotlights to highlight the area in which they place their cars; this is done to make the audience focus on them more as they are the only objects given a source of light.

Technical Codes

The most consistently used shot type is the shot reverse shots, this is done because of the interview format that these shows use when with their guests as most of them are on the show to talk about their involvement in something recent e.g. a singer talking about their latest album. When the presenters are standing up medium shots and long shots are used, either stationary and cutting between the two or tracking away or towards the presenters. Usually when the camera tracks away from the presenters it is to visually show the audience that the show is ending either for a break or to show the end of the show for that day, this slowly disengages the audience as they know they no longer have to focus on the programme. On the other hand tracking shots from a long shot to a medium shot are used when the show has come back on after a advertisement, this is to visually show that the audience should be engaged as the camera gets closer to the target so that they fill in the frame more.

Characters & Representations

Programs such as these often contain two to three presenters; usually one male and one female though this varies. For example there are only male presenters on Sunday Brunch and earlier seasons of Top Gear. Each show uses their presenters as a means to create a different vibe, for example Sunday Brunch uses its two male presenters as a way of creating a ‘two mates in a kitchen’ feeling while Top Gear is more of a ‘lads on tour’. Neither of these are played to be threatening and are instead intended to be welcoming, as their age range is roughly in their late 40’s early 50’s and so the viewer is most likely to know someone who resembles them in the way they act. They are simple and easy to understand in order to create a connection with the viewer, most of them have a long history with the show which creates a stronger connection than most shows.

Narrative

Most shows of this nature will include a preview of stories and topics that are going to feature in the show, these are sometimes followed with what times they are going to appear on such as with This Morning though this isn’t always the case. The presenters ask rhetorical questions to the audience in order to get them thinking and engaging with the show more, these questions will be answered later on in the program and so by asking those questions the audience gets the feeling of satisfaction because their questions are answered. Some shows will have certain topics on at certain times or they will follow a certain pattern, for example This Morning starts their cooking segment roughly around lunch time while Sunday Brunch starts off with a starter course before moving on to a main and then finally a dessert.