On the first day of school, I had my students fill out a questionnaire about themselves including their favorite TV shows. Following is an overview of the results. With very few exceptions, their favorite TV shows are from the US.A lot of their favorite shows were dramas: Heroes, Monk, Gossip Girl, 90210, House, CSI: NY, and Lost. But also making the list were the comedies Friends, Ugly Betty and Two and Half Men.
American reality shows were well represented: American Idol, Jon & Kate plus 8, America’s Next Top Model, Survivor, and Air Crash Investigations.
When asked their favorite show, two students simply wrote The Disney Channel. Many were more specific: Hannah Montana, Sonny with a Chance, and The Suite Life of Zach and Cody.
Favorite animated shows include South Park, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob.
The exception to the American trend were a few Korean dramas and a Japanese show. I find the titles intriguing so I’m going to have to keep my eyes open as I flip channels: 1 Night 2 Days , 1 Litre of Tears, Boys over Flowers, Naruto, and Light 2 Days.
I only had one student list a local, Cantonese-language show as her favorite.
Interesting.
One of America’s strongest exports appears to be television.
Naruto is a good one - we watched it for a few years. Start at the beginning though!
ReplyDeleteUgh.... Friends is a drama? It's obvious, Jack, that you have not appreciated American television appropriately in your time here.
ReplyDelete