The Televised Cult

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I believe the authors incorporated sufficient amount of comparisons and references to their case, however, they did not bring sufficient amount of sources to back up their allegations. For example, after comparing a talk show audience to a Colosseum, they follow up with, “Two thousand years later, the crowds yelled, “Why don’t you cut his balls off?” (153) and “Kill, Kill, Kill!” (153) These people weren’t at the Colosseum, however, they were in the audience of a TV talk show”(153). What show were these quotes from? When did it take place? The authors do not provide the info for these sources. Secondly, the authors did not suffice their readers with rating information on specific shows. Heaton and Wilson mention, “Most of the shows that have attempted to focus on positive topics have either dropped in the ratings or gone off the air completely”(153). As a reader I’d ask what kind of revenue are these modern shows making? Are they still airing? Did anyone complete any surveys on a specific audience? Are all high quality talk TV shows out of business? Heaton and Wilson fail to support these (what are believed to be) facts. I know Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz provide great information and answers to common problems, still air everyday, and have a great audience that listen. In my opinion, Heaton and Wilson did not provide enough sufficiency to their claims.

Heaton and Wilson’s overall analytical argument was very much relevant, but lacked credibility and sufficiency. They had an abundant amount of information to compare and contrast, but being a psychologist and educational advisor does not impede these originators to lack proper sources, hard facts, or statistical evidence.

Work Cited:

Heaton, Jeanne Albronda and Nona Wilson “Talk TV: Tuning in to Trouble” 75

Reading Across the Curriculum: An Anthology. Ed. Chris Anson. Boston: McGraw, 2008. 153-158. Print.

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