Dissecting narrative formulas: Professional drama and melodrama in medical shows

Authors

  • Afonso Albuquerque Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Melina Meimaridis Universidade Federal Fluminense

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/fem.2016.182.05

Abstract

In 2015 there were more than 400 scripted shows on American television. In this sea of productions, there is a constant presence of workplace dramas, especially medical series. This article aims to analyze the reasons behind this ubiquity through an interdisciplinary analysis of television series. We argue that this fertility is due to an easily reproducible framework, which is structured around the imbalance between a common world – represented by the everyday lives of the characters and ordered by melodramatic codes, and an extraordinary world – which is established with the influence of the medical institution, both real and fictional, and provides the basis for professional narratives.

Keywords: medical dramas, television, fictional series.

Author Biographies

Afonso Albuquerque, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Graduado em Ciências Sociais pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1988), mestre (1991) e doutor (1996) em Comunicação e Cultura pela mesma universidade. Docente da Universidade Federal Fluminense desde 1992, atualmente é Professor Titular do departamento de Estudos Culturais e Mídia e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Pesquisador do CNPq desde 1998.

Melina Meimaridis, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Mestranda em Comunicação no Programa de Pós-Graduação da UFF, formada em Estudos de Mídia pela Universidade Federal Fluminense. Atualmente desenvolve pesquisa na área de ficção seriada e comunicação e saúde. Desde 2012, mantém o Série Clube, projeto colaborativo dedicado ao debate, reflexão e produção de conteúdo em torno das produções ficcionais seriadas televisivas.

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Published

2016-03-29

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2016): May/August

Section

Articles

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