Davis, Walter T., Jr., Teresa Blythe, Gary Dreibelbis, Mark Scalese,
Elizabeth Winans Winslea, Donald L. Ashburn, Kimberly Ayers, and Lonnie
Voth. Louisville, KY: Geneva Press, 2001. xxii + 338 pp. $19.95 (USD).
ISBN: 0-664-50193-1.
[1] Watching What We Watch is a collective effort of eight
people, most of whom are associated with San Francisco Theological
Seminary (SFTS) or the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). In order
to analyze religion on television, these authors - representing a variety
of professions, including seminary and college professors, members
of the clergy, and media professionals - define religion as consisting
of four elements: a worldview composed of a web of mutually reinforced
beliefs and values; a moral code; periodic public rituals; and a community
of believers who practice these rituals (xii). They conclude that
television provides all four of these elements.
[2] The body of the book is a detailed analysis of sitcoms, prime-time
dramas, and fact-based programming, as well as the business of television.
Sitcoms such as Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Moesha,
Will & Grace, and Ally McBeal, prime-time dramas
such as Law & Order, ER, Beverly Hills 90210,
Touched by an Angel, and The X-Files, and non-fiction
programming such as the evening news and the Super Bowl, make up the
heart of the study, with commercials and other aspects of the business
of television completing the analysis.
[3] Through various "lenses," Watching What We Watch
is intended to assist the reader in interpreting and appraising the
truth and meaning created by television. Literary criticism provides
a lens on narrative by examining its three basic elements of the narrative:
setting, character, and plot. The structural lens analyzes the worldview
of the narrative: types, structures, and codes. The lens of signs
and codes are something we sense and the meanings ascribed to them
in a particular context. The lens of ideology and power is instrumental
in sorting out the relationships among characters in the narratives.
The lens of function explores the effects that the programs have on
the lives of people in the society. Finally, theological interpretation,
the lens of faith, leads us to the deep and broad reflecting questions
regarding the human conditions: good and evil, changes, desires, passions,
community, sins and grace, etc.
[4] The mission of this book can be summarized easily: If television
functions as a religion for millions of Americans - a religion whose
dominating message (consumerism) is at odds with genuine religious
faith - we need guidelines for "discerning the spirits" at
work in this popular religion (277). This study has accomplished its
mission in providing a means to read television. Indeed, ignoring
the impact of television on our culture and in our lives is not a
valid option. Therefore, the suggestions for action to be taken by
communities of faith suggested in the conclusion are invaluable. Having
learned to evaluate television in a critical way, viewers are encouraged
to express their opinions (negative or positive) directly to television
stations and networks. In addition, readers are also reminded that
they can choose alternative media such as public access television
and the Internet. If readers want to know more about this project,
they are invited to visit an affiliated Web site (www.lensoffaith.org).
[5] The three appendices at the end of the study ("Methods for
'Reading' Television," "Worksheet for Analyzing and Interpreting,"
and "Lesson Plans") are significant because they are the
roadmaps by which the authors developed their study. By following
the format established in these appendices, readers are able to work
on their own analysis of a television program through the lens of
faith.
[6] Watching What We Watch is recommended to all who are concerned
about the effects of television in our society in general, and to
those who would like to acquire some effective tools to analyze and
interpret programs on television through the lens of faith in particular.
In sum, it is a great resource that helps readers to be informed,
critical, and responsible viewers.
Alan L. Chan
Director of Mission, Chinese Lutheran Church
San Francisco, California
alanchan1@ureach.com
