Media And The Shared Experience

Cynthia Lopinto Then & Now Leave a comment 2,424 Views

By CYN LoPINTO
Editor-in-chief, gerontologist

The way we watch a television show or movie has really changed over the last few years. During the 1960s and 1970s, there were not a lot of television channels available and most of us were viewing the same programs. When mini-series like Roots, Rich Man Poor Man and The Thorn Birds were playing, we all watched at the same time. I remember seeing my friends the next morning and talking about what had happened on the show the night before. It was a totally shared experience and the whole country was in on it.

Plot twists and finales were also a big deal in the past. Many of us remember the “Who Shot JR” phenomenon from the 1980s hit show, Dallas. The season ended without the murderer revealed and viewers had to wait until the following season to find out. Show finales for both M*A*S*H and Newhart were watched by many Americans and dominated office water cooler conversations the following day.

With all the options for television and movie viewing today, this shared experience is rare. Media is watched on our own personal schedule and seen on our laptops or phones. We have to be careful not to discuss episodes and plot twists because our family and co-workers may be on a different episode or even an older season. We can binge watch years of a tv show in one weekend or spread it out over time. The schedule is totally up to us.

The only real shared media experiences today are sporting events, political debates and award-type shows. These are primarily watched live and viewers are slaves to the tv station’s schedule. This includes watching commercials and not being able to pause shows for bathroom breaks and kitchen runs. For many younger adults, this is hard to cope with. Once you get used to calling the shots, it is hard to give up that control.

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Cynthia Lopinto

Cyn LoPinto, M.A. is a gerontologist focusing on significant issues affecting older adults and their families. Her areas of interest include lifestyle enrichment, family dynamics, and caregiver support. Cyn has worked in both the recreational and healthcare industries.