Missouri State University

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Bear Bulletin

A blog for Missouri State University alumni.

  • Alumni Association
  • Resources
  • Update Info
  • Volunteer
  • Homecoming
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Faculty News / Why you should watch more television

Why you should watch more television

Expert shares the happy ending of consuming media.

July 12, 2022 by

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Watching a familiar television show can feel like visiting an old friend.  

Trying out or binge-watching new shows can give you a conversation icebreaker or help you share in a larger conversation.  

How much is too much television, though?  

According to Dr. Holly Holladay, associate professor of media, journalism and film at Missouri State University, overconsumption doesn’t exist.  

“During COVID, we each turned to something, and media is a great answer to that,” Holladay said. “We’re really narrative creatures. In the same way you would pick up a book, it’s nice to have a television series that you can spend some time with and invest your time in.” 

Media’s not the boogey man
You never have to give up your shows

Media as the good guy

Throughout history, media has been feared and demonized, noted Holladay. But she said it’s not the boogey man it is often portrayed to be. 

“There were moral panics associated with media from the very beginning, whether that’s newspaper or film,” Holladay said. “When we were growing up, obviously it was video games.” 

People feared the lack of exercise, isolation and desensitization to violence associated with different forms of media.  

Most media forms today aren’t isolating, and are increasingly social, she argued.  

“My students talk about this all the time: They have friends all over the world they play video games with. So, I don’t necessarily think that even the quote unquote over consumption we were doing was isolating.”  

Don’t feel guilty

Just as she doesn’t believe in over consumption of media, Holladay also doesn’t believe in the idea of guilty pleasure television.  

“Part of my resistance to calling something a ‘guilty pleasure’ is that much of it is made for and by women,” she said. “You should just unapologetically and enthusiastically enjoy whatever it is you enjoy.” 

Never have to let go

Holladay recently published an article about how we interact with media – in particular television shows.  

“We are granted all sorts of access to our fan objects because of streaming services, social media, rewatches and all of these ways that we can continue to engage even after a show concludes.” 

Rewatching a series can be a comfort activity for many, Holladay said.  

“When a series has been on the air for five, eight, 10 years, you’ve really gotten to know these characters. They feel like friends and family who are really important to you,” she said. “We have a tendency to pathologize that, but it’s such a normal thing.” 

Read transcript 1

Read transcript 2

 

Filed Under: Faculty News Tagged With: Discovery, faculty, Faculty and Staff Page, Holly Holladay, media journalism and film, missouri state journal, research, Reynolds College of Arts and Letters

Share:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

MarooNation Events

  • MarooNation Events

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

Connect with Alumni Association

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Make your Missouri statementMake your Missouri statement
  • Last Modified: July 12, 2022
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
  • © 2013 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information