First Published in 2005. In this engaging cultural and industrial history of early television, Susan Murray examines how and why the broadcasting industry gave birth to the idea of TV stars. Combining a sweeping view of the rise of the medium with profiles of Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, and other early television greats, Murray illuminates the central role played by television stars in the growth and development of American broadcasting.
Autorentext
Susan Murray is Assistant Professor of Culture and Communication at New York University. She is co-editor of Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture and her work has appeared in Cinema Journal, Television & New Media, and various anthologies.
Zusammenfassung
First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Inhalt
Introduction
1. Radio and the Saliency of a Broadcast Star System
2. "A Marriage of Spectacle and Intimacy": Modeling the Ideal Television Performer
3. Lessons from Uncle Miltie: Ethnic Masculinity and the Vaudeo Star
4. "TV is a Killer!" The Collapse of the Vaudeo Star and Television's Talent Crisis
5. Our Man Godfrey: Product Pitching and the Meaning of Authenticity
6. For the Love of Lucy: Packaging the Sitcom Star
Epilogue
Notes
Index