{"product_id":"and-there-was-television-clear-eyed-media-studies","title":"And There Was Television - Clear-eyed Media Studies","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of And There Was Television, the reader gets a thoughtful, academic look at television's cultural role rather than a sensational account of media harms. Professor Ellis Cashmore re-examines common claims that television causes violence, reduced attention spans and political indoctrination and argues much of that panic is overstated. The bottom line: this book is best for readers who want a measured critique of television as a commercial, consumer-focused institution and a clear explanation of why the medium's social power should be seen through the lens of consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book traces arguments about television influence up to its 1994 publication, helping readers place debates in context.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical thesis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cashmore presents the central argument that television operates primarily as the apparatus of consumer society, reframing concerns about content into concerns about commercial effects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalanced analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author weighs theories and evidence against television instead of accepting popular panic, offering readers a cautious and evidence-oriented approach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible prose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Although scholarly, the writing remains readable for non-specialists interested in media studies and cultural criticism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book connects questions about attention, literacy and violence to wider debates in social sciences and media studies for useful cross-disciplinary reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at students, instructors and general readers curious about the social role of television and its relationship to consumer culture; it suits anyone wanting an intellectual, rather than polemical, treatment of media effects. Its arguments are useful for courses in \u003cstrong\u003ecommunication and media studies\u003c\/strong\u003e or for readers assembling a bibliography on television and society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a how-to guide for media literacy, a collection of primary data tables, or a contemporary update on streaming-era issues should look elsewhere, as the book reflects the concerns and media landscape up to 1994 rather than digital-era developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a clear, conceptually sharp argument about television's role within consumer society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalances popular fears about television with reasoned evidence, making it a useful teaching text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReadable prose that bridges academic and general audiences in media studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003ePublished in 1994, it does not cover post-broadcast changes such as streaming and social media.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnd There Was Television (Routledge Revivals)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProfessor Ellis Cashmore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunication \u0026amp; Media Studies, Social Sciences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal publication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1994\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTelevision influence and television as consumer apparatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Revivals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd There Was Television remains a valuable, concise critique for readers interested in how television functions as part of consumer society rather than as a simple cause of social ills. It offers strong conceptual payoff for students and instructors, and represents good value as a revival of an influential 1994 text, though readers should pair it with newer work when researching modern digital platforms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on evidence or opinion?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book weighs theories and available evidence critically, emphasizing a reasoned argument over alarmist claims.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this relevant for media studies students?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; it is useful as a theoretical and historical text in communication and media studies curricula.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it cover streaming or social media?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo; the book reflects the media landscape up to 1994 and should be supplemented with contemporary sources for digital-era analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Professor Ellis Cashmore, Ellis Cashmore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48774337396955,"sku":"0415810671","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61cZ02626wL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778778479","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/and-there-was-television-clear-eyed-media-studies","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}