Some of us are more active consumers of popular entertainment than others, but even if you don’t feel like you spend much time watching movies and playing video games, you’re probably still affected by what the media has to say about how people should look and act. While most media outlets are clearly commercial enterprises out to make money in any way possible, what about content that seems to serve no clear commercial or financial interest? Is it really possible that mainstream entertainment can give us anything of value? We think so! Here are some reasons why popular entertainment might be worth your while after all.
Drama & Comedy TV shows
The entertainment industry can provide inspiration and information for your writing, whether you’re making decisions about your character’s plot or daydreaming about how they’d react to situations you come across in real life. If you’re a fan of comedies and dramas, get a sense for how humor and conflict are developed over time, as well as how scenes are structured—the most effective ones often follow a three-act structure. Study how they maintain tension within each act; it will make writing your own scenes easier. You might even find yourself noticing things like pacing (how long do we stay on a scene?) and dialogue (is it natural?). Studying TV shows is also an excellent way to learn more about different cultures and backgrounds. You may even be inspired by watching characters tackle problems similar to yours in their everyday lives. For example, if you’re working on solving relationship issues with your significant other, watching characters work through similar problems could help you figure out how best to approach them with your partner. And if you’re looking for some lighthearted fare that won’t take up too much of your time, check out some reality TV shows like Big Brother or Survivor . They’ll give you ideas for plotting twists into your stories while simultaneously teaching you new vocabulary words!
Movies
I’m not a fan of many movies that are made today, but if I had to choose some that offer real value, they would be movies with simple premises that use cinematography and music well. Movies like: The Godfather, Forrest Gump, Shawshank Redemption and Apollo 13. These aren’t complex storylines but they are visually appealing and even emotionally affecting. To me there’s nothing wrong with fun entertainment. So I think The Avengers is probably a very good example as it was visually appealing and there were good performances from most actors/actresses in it. I don’t mind seeing these sorts of movies every once in awhile for sure. TV Shows: TV shows are a little harder because there are so many different genres and types of shows out there. But if you look hard enough you can find something that offers something more than just an escape from reality or mindless comedy. For example, I really enjoy Arrested Development (the original version) because it was funny but also offered commentary on American culture and politics while also being incredibly smart at times. It also offered great performances by all actors involved (especially Jason Bateman). It wasn’t popular when it aired so maybe that’s why people haven’t heard much about it since then but those who did watch will always remember how great it was.
Books
Nowadays, we are bombarded by new books on a daily basis. Whether you are online or off, at your favorite bookstore or library, there is no shortage of books to choose from. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. On one hand, having so many options makes it easy for every reader to find something that will interest them. After all, you can read an award-winning literary novel one day and hard-hitting erotica the next! On top of that, these options mean our libraries will always be full and bookstores busy—which means jobs for authors and publishers alike! For readers who love stories but don’t have time to make all their own entertainment, it seems like a fantastic tradeoff. But what about those who aren’t interested in reading about other people’s adventures? If you’re not into fantasy novels, why should you have to suffer through hours of reading about dragon attacks when you could be watching a movie instead? In short: Should popular entertainment offer us anything of value? And if so, what does that look like? The answer to that question depends entirely on you. If you enjoy escaping into someone else’s world for awhile, then go ahead and read all those books! Just remember to balance out your mental diet with movies and television shows too; they might just help you gain some perspective along the way.
Podcasts/YouTube Videos
Watching your favorite TV shows and movies is a great way to unwind, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Since popular entertainment is so accessible, it can provide us with profound insights into our culture and values. Whether you prefer watching comedy specials or breaking down Netflix’s latest original series, there are endless opportunities for self-reflection through entertainment. Take advantage of them whenever you get some time off—you might find that they offer something valuable in addition to pure enjoyment!
Reading literary fiction has been shown to boost empathy levels and encourage critical thinking; learning about other cultures will expand your worldview; documentaries can teach you about society’s most pressing issues; comedies give you an honest look at everyday life; even consuming fictional stories gives us insight into human nature by allowing us to see how others think, feel, and act. You might not always agree with what you learn or be able to apply it immediately, but popular entertainment offers a unique way for us to reflect on our own lives and our society as a whole. Do not forget that popular entertainment is still just that: entertainment! It’s important not to take things too seriously—after all, it was created for enjoyment! If you find yourself getting wrapped up in a storyline or character development, take some time off from watching/reading/listening so that you don’t lose sight of why these things are so enjoyable in the first place. You don’t want to get caught up in fictional worlds forever—it can be hard enough just making it through your day-to-day life!
