Abstract

This study considers whether television shows depicting the media industries are reflexive about the challenges currently facing traditional media. It draws upon a multimethod qualitative analysis of five series—30 Rock, Entourage, Mad Men, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and Ugly Betty—to investigate whether reflexivity constitutes an attempt to safeguard these industries' mythical place at the “mediated center.” We argue that reflexivity elucidates these shows in 3 ways: via textual reflexivity (within the shows themselves); producer reflexivity (as articulated by the production staff); and research reflexivity (how we, as researchers, engage with the data and their contradictions). We conclude, however, that reflexivity is used to inoculate these representations from highlighting the very real threats facing traditional media industries.

You do not currently have access to this article.