Television Show Trends, 2016-2020: Authenticity, Diversity, Sexual Candor, and Retrospection

Euphoria, Normal People, Atlanta, Ramy, Vida, I May Destroy You, Stranger Things, and Lovecraft Country were created between 2016 and 2020 and exemplified four noteworthy trends: authenticity, diversity, sexual candor, and retrospection. This book examines these shows through the lens of these trends, discussing their significance, intentions, background information, similar shows and precedents, storytelling approach, cinematic form, and how they are emblematic of those trends. Identifying trends is important for viewers who have a keen interest in narrative television shows, as they have the potential to become part of the mainstream.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Euphoria, Normal People, Atlanta, Ramy, Vida, I May Destroy You, Stranger Things, and Lovecraft Country are a group of TV shows that were created between 2016 and 2020 and share several notable trends. These trends include authenticity, diversity, sexual candor, and retrospection. This book is the first to examine these shows through the lens of these trends and provides a comprehensive analysis of each show.

The significance of the platform and format, the intentions of the creators and showrunners, pertinent background information, similar shows and precedents, the storytelling approach, the cinematic form, and how the show is emblematic of that particular trend are all discussed for each show. These trends are important to identify as they emerge, especially for viewers who have a keen interest in narrative television shows.

Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson, is a drama series that follows a group of high school students in Los Angeles. The show is known for its raw and authentic portrayal of teenage life, with a focus on issues such as drug addiction, mental health, and social inequality. The platform and format of Euphoria are important, as it was released on HBO, which is known for its high-quality programming. The creators and showrunners of Euphoria, including Levinson, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and meaningful, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their stories.

Normal People, created by Sally Rooney, is a drama series that follows two young adults, Connell and Marianne, as they navigate their way through life in Ireland. The show is known for its realistic and nuanced portrayal of relationships, with a focus on the emotional complexities of young adulthood. The platform and format of Normal People are important, as it was released on Hulu, which is known for its original programming. The creators and showrunners of Normal People, including Rooney, wanted to create a show that was both relatable and thought-provoking, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their relationships.

Atlanta, created by Donald Glover, is a comedy series that follows the life of a young man named Earn, who is trying to make it in the music industry in Atlanta. The show is known for its unique and satirical take on the music industry, with a focus on the struggles of black artists. The platform and format of Atlanta are important, as it was released on FX, which is known for its edgy and unconventional programming. The creators and showrunners of Atlanta, including Glover, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and thought-provoking, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their experiences.

Ramy, created by Ramy Youssef, is a comedy series that follows the life of a Muslim man named Ramy, who is trying to navigate his way through life in New Jersey. The show is known for its honest and relatable portrayal of Muslim life, with a focus on the challenges of being a Muslim in America. The platform and format of Ramy are important, as it was released on Hulu, which is known for its original programming. The creators and showrunners of Ramy, including Youssef, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and thought-provoking, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their experiences.

Vida, created by Tanya Saracho, is a drama series that follows the life of two Mexican-American sisters, Emma and Lyn, as they navigate their way through life in Los Angeles. The show is known for its authentic and nuanced portrayal of the Mexican-American experience, with a focus on the struggles of women and the importance of family. The platform and format of Vida are important, as it was released on Starz, which is known for its high-quality programming. The creators and showrunners of Vida, including Saracho, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and meaningful, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their stories.

I May Destroy You, created by Michaela Coel, is a drama series that follows a young woman named Arabella, who is trying to rebuild her life after being sexually assaulted. The show is known for its raw and honest portrayal of sexual assault, with a focus on the emotional aftermath of the experience. The platform and format of I May Destroy You are important, as it was released on HBO, which is known for its high-quality programming. The creators and showrunners of I May Destroy You, including Coel, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and meaningful, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their stories.

Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers, is a science fiction series that follows a group of young children who are trying to find their way back home after being kidnapped by a mysterious creature. The show is known for its nostalgic and nostalgic take on the 1980s, with a focus on the struggles of children and the importance of friendship. The platform and format of Stranger Things are important, as it was released on Netflix, which is known for its original programming. The creators and showrunners of Stranger Things, including the Duffer Brothers, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and meaningful, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their experiences.

Lovecraft Country, created by Misha Green, is a horror series that follows a group of black characters as they travel through the United States in the 1950s. The show is known for its unique and innovative take on the horror genre, with a focus on the themes of racism and oppression. The platform and format of Lovecraft Country are important, as it was released on HBO, which is known for its high-quality programming. The creators and showrunners of Lovecraft Country, including Green, wanted to create a show that was both entertaining and meaningful, and they achieved this by focusing on the characters and their experiences.

In conclusion, Euphoria, Normal People, Atlanta, Ramy, Vida, I May Destroy You, Stranger Things, and Lovecraft Country are a group of TV shows that were created between 2016 and 2020 and share several notable trends. These trends include authenticity, diversity, sexual candor, and retrospection. This book is the first to examine these shows through the lens of these trends and provides a comprehensive analysis of each show. The significance of the platform and format, the intentions of the creators and showrunners, pertinent background information, similar shows and precedents, the storytelling approach, the cinematic form, and how the show is emblematic of that particular trend are all discussed for each show. These trends are important to identify as they emerge, especially for viewers who have a keen interest in narrative television shows.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476689227