Thursday, September 6, 2012
Serial Format: Pretty Little Liars
The show Pretty Little Liars is a show that uses serial format really well. At the end of each episode it shows a short sneak peek of next weeks episode and leaves the audience with a cliff hanger every time. They also continue to throw in new spins to the original plot that has allowed the show to go on for so many seasons and have it still be successful. This demonstrates perfect use of serial format (considering you'd think a mystery show originally based upon only one murder wouldn't go on for four seasons without viewers getting bored).
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Hey, I've only seen this show a few times but i definitely agree with you! I recently have gotten really into Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones isn't too predicable the way some shows are now, and its important to not miss an episode!! because it will ruin the storyline.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of tv shows are like this now, which is why websites like HULU and taping your favorite shows has become so popular. Movies are like this too. The movie will end with a cliff hanger, cluing that there will be a sequel or something, like Twilight or the Bourne Trilogy.
ReplyDeleteA lot of shows these days are in the serial format. All the episodes seamlessly lead right into the next, whether it be the next day or the next month. I think my favorite show that follows this format is Modern Family on ABC. Not only does it follow the rules of the serial format, but it is also one of the funniest shows on television. Its on wednesday nights at nine to nine-thrity. I seriously suggest watching it.
ReplyDeleteMany shows use the serial format with a continuing story line; however there are some shows that use the serial format differently without a continuing story line. For example the show Family Guy is in serial format with a new episode every week, but the episodes are non-continuing and have different plots every episode. This method clearly keeps viewers tuning in without letting the story line go stale and preserves the originality. Family Guy is a hysterical show that uses this serial formatting method along with a couple other shows.
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