The set of the show tends to have different sections about it that will be explored as time goes by. Shows like these tend to have 2-3 hosts to accommodate all the information that needs to be conveyed. The two hosts tend to be people who have worked together before as comedic effect is very prominent in these shows to keep audiences engaged through talking sections. These do not tend to have music except in the title credits or for example in shows like Soccer AM or Blue Peter during challenge sequences or highlights. The camera tends to stay in the same place in a fixed position of where the people are talking or as close ups of the individual person who is speaking. These shows tend to feature special guests, mostly celebrities from the entertainment world.
Setting
Magazine shows tend to have a set location that they're filmed in which is often referred to as the (Show Title) headquarters or studio. 70 % of the show is based here whereas the other 30% tends to be at locations in which challenges take place. These locations give the show some identity for example in Top Gear audiences know Top Gear by the chairs made out of an old car and the test track outside that features heavily in the show
Technical Codes
The camera in these shows takes up basic positions as the majority of the shots tend to be medium or close ups depending on the situation. If the camera needs to show the full group or the hosts talking the the medium shot tends to be the option taken. When focusing on the special guest a lot of close ups are used to show the importance of this person and to make it worth their time as these people tend to be in demand at the time. The editing tends to be slow paced as the camera doesn't really move a lot and features a lot of continuous shots. Non diegetic music isn't very frequent as a lot of talking takes place however if there is a montage of clips of some kind then there tends to be a music track or sound that can only be heard in the clip so a non diegetic sound.
Characters and Representations
The hosts of the show have no characters to play as they are just being themselves. The common use of characters is a male and a female in which they tend to be around the same age which is different o the news. In the show their roles is to take the show forward by signalling to move onto the next section of the show or asking the special guest that they have on the show questions. If they have an actor on the show they they tend to show segments from the film and question them about certain aspects of the film like for example how a special voice was created, whereas if its an music artist then the questions revolve more around how the upcoming album was recorded, tour dates and then the the release date of the album its self. The hosts are there to help convey this information of the show.
Narrative
Typically their is a structure to the show but not really much of a narrative as the show doesn't tend to be showing any story as its just not the style of it. Top Gear for example starts with a voice over from someone like Jeremy Clarkson boldly saying 'Tonight' and then listing the events that will be shown on the show in a comedic fashion. These tend to be very subtle enigma codes as it doesn't explicitly give the audience a mystery on the levels of Game of Thrones however it gives the audience a very straw clutching mystery by listing the events that will follow. If for example the host says that they will be featuring someone from Game of Thrones on the show then audiences will continue watching as they want to see what the Game of Thrones actor has to say. Todorov's theory doesn't apply to Magazine Shows because of the lack of Beginning, Middle and End. Magazine shows tend to give the audience something to escape to as they're the middle ground between shows like the news and for example The Graham Norton show as they feature plenty of topics that are in the news and also enough celebrities that keep audiences intrigued. Its a less serious version of modern society and tends to laugh at some issues in the world.
OOTelevision Magazine Shows
Typical examples of said genre include: Dateline NBC, Top Gear, Blue Peter, The One Show, BBC Breakfast, Entertainment Tonight and Sunday Brunch.
Format: Magazine shows on television can be scheduled whenever, however through the examples I used, I found that they tend to take place near the end of the week - Friday to Sunday. With Dateline NBC airing Fridays at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time (9:00 p.m. Eastern for special two-hour editions) and on most Sundays, outside of NFL season, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time; special Saturday editions also occasionally air during the fall and winter months. The typical format of a magazine show is executed by starting with an opening sequence and generally informing the audience of the discussions the show will be promoting today - which consists of the latest topics and current news affairs. Appeals: Due to a Magazine show's continuity and consistency, the genre is typically mainstream. The magazine shows function as informational texts with more of an emphasis on entertainment. Top Gear for example, emphasises humour as well as information on trending and worthwhile cars to purchase. Unconventional in the sense that Magazine shows typically engage the audience more than other television genres. And as for production values, there seems to be a dependence on the content of the show which defines the budget. While BBC Breakfast consists of people discussing trending topics in a singular room, Top Gear requires an extensive budget to afford high-end vehicles. Target Audience: As previously mentioned, continuity and consistency are a trope of magazine shows - and thus they appeal to a mainstreamer audience who expect the content they tuned in for. A popular topic on most magazine shows is 'what's the cheapest?...', which could be an indicator that magazine shows appeal to a lower-class audience too.
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.
Typical Examples Magazine shows are usually broadcasted across the major channels e.g. ITV, BBC and Channel 4. Examples of magazine shows are:
This Morning
Top Gear
The One Show
Blue Peter
Sunday Brunch
Format
Magazine shows usually are continually broadcasted. Most of them will be broadcasted every weekday, either during the morning or early evening e.g. This Morning and The One Show. Others may be scheduled to be broadcasted every week on a specific day at a certain time e.g. Top Gear and Blue Peter. Magazine shows will usually have presenters in a studio that will cover a range of topics like entertainment, current affairs, real life issues and more. Some of this will be broadcasted from the studio interspersed with links to reporters in specific locations during news features. It will usually have two presenters maybe one male and one female.
Appeals
I think the appeals of Magazine shows is that it provides a lot of information about a range of subjects. There are so many subjects within the show that most people could relate to at least one part. If they watch the whole show they will gather enough information about a range of subjects that this will allow them to discuss what they've learnt and communicate with their friends. This means magazine shows can be used for the use of information due to the news featured included in them. Also it helps with social interaction as since the audience gains new information on a range of subjects they will be able to use this new knowledge and form connections with friends and family. It may even help with personal identity as the audience may be able relate to the people being interviewed and the situations that they have been in. The shows usually have a similar layout every show, touching a range of subjects but at certain times e.g. a feature on showbiz. With this conventional layout the audience will know when to tune in and what to expect so the audience is more likely to come back and return to what they know. The audience will know the presenters as they will be famous, they will see them at least once a week so will trust the show and become familiar with it, due to this the audience will take the preferred reading.
Audience
I believe that the target audience is the mainstreamer as most magazine shows e.g. Top Gear become known among family and friends and so do the people on it therefore this will appeal to them as their core need is security. It will also deal with the issues of everyday lives and is very family oriented, and usually shown at a time when younger children or mothers are around. Again, appealing to the mainstreamer as it's very domestic.I think it may also appeal to students or elderly people as they may have more time on their hands of a morning or early evening so will tune in to these shows. Another audience type that may watch this show are Groupies, as these types of shows are very popular as they tackle a broad amount of subjects, so this will appeal to them as they will want to be accepted by those around them. They can even gain information from the shows allowing them to be more diverse so people can form more of a relationship with them. Drop-outs may also enjoy these types of shows as they wont have to tune in every week to know whats going on, this means that they wont have to commit, which will appeal to them.
Opening Sequence
The opening sequence of This Morning is very bright and colourful. This lighting makes the programme seem very positive encouraging people to watch it as its very natural and bright, maybe reflecting how the presenters and show is. Paired up with the lively, upbeat theme tune this reinforces the idea that this show is welcoming and supportive. It shows Phil and Holly in very normal surroundings, walking down a lively city street and meeting common people, this may make them seem down to earth encouraging the audience to relate to them and watch the show. However we see that one group of people want to get a picture with Phil, a selfie in fact, maybe showing that he is of a higher status than common people, as others will stop for a picture with him. This may also show that even though he is older he is still up to date with new ideas and technology. They also constantly display a smile upon their faces when interacting with others, and each other, this is shown through medium close ups so we are allowed to see their facial expressions and their body language. This warming behaviour shows how they have a good relationship with each other and others allowing the audience to again, form a relationship with them and want to watch on. Setting
Most of the shows will be filmed within a studio. The studio may be filled with homely furniture making it feel familiar to the audience. Most of these shows will be intertwined with features that are live or prerecorded in specific locations. This will create a sense that the presenters are only receiving the information as the audience is reinforcing that connection. The features that are mostly filmed in locations where the information is coming from creates the impression that the show is up to date and connected with the world, allowing the audience to trust the show and the information even more. Technical codes
Most of the shows will have shots that are straight and a long shot, allowing the audience to see both of the presenters and the studio around them. The camera will sometimes use shot reverse shot during interviews so the audience can see the interviewees facial expression and feel closer to them but are also allowed to see the presenters reactions. There are close ups and medium close ups used, especially during features outside the studio again allowing to connect and see the presenters reactions. There may be prerecorded footage of events so people can see what happened before the interview so they can gain extra information and actually see the events unfold, rather than just hearing someone talking about what happened. This will make the audience trust the show even more as they may see this as if they are actually watching an event happen from a neutral perspective. However we know this is not true, how the magazine shows edit these features will have a great influence on what the audience thinks e.g. only including certain shots, using low angle angle shots to create suspense, close ups to add emotion etc. The theme tune which is a non-diegetic sound will sometimes be used when coming back and leaving from a break,letting the audience to know what they are still watching and reinforcing the programmes brand. Characters and Representations I believe that the presenters are expected to be bubbly and represented as people that are down to earth, this will allow the audience to feel that the presenters are on their level. However even though they are empathetic they are not too over the top, they remain professional and non patronising. This allows the audience to respect them. This will also be shown though their body language e.g. they will lean and nod in agreement when interviewing others, making them seem understanding and inviting. They will be smartly dressed with nothing too revealing, emphasising that the main focus is their job. Most people within the show are usually represented in a positive or mostly neutral way, this allows the audience to make their own decision on the subject and the people. However the audience may still be influenced and take a preferred reading by the type of the questions they get asked and the technical codes, e.g. more close ups will influence the audience to relate to the person more.
Narrative Magazine shows will usually have a quick preview of the stories and topics, usually so brief that they will ask a rhetorical question that will then be answered further into the show. This creates suspense making the audience want to watch on and see what happens. All the stories within the show will be resolved by the end giving the audience a feeling of satisfaction. The show may have certain features at certain times e.g. home cooking feature during dinner time. These shows will usually cover quite positive themes, covering topics such a love, and family. The shows usually encouraging audiences to get involved in some way.
