Media Magic and Time Travel

What I love about media is the consuming power it has on its’ viewers. I by no means think that we should be ignorant followers or consumers who succumb blindly to media message. Like everything else, I think media consumers should learn about each vehicle of media in order to better appreciate the experiences more fully. Television and Film have the power to teleport their viewers into different realms of reality. While viewing a single episode of a sitcom or first half of a film, audiences become suspended in time and space. Viewing a film from the 1950’s can show contemporary audiences the socio-political climate of the time, it shows the style, fads, and ideologies present that day all the while still entertaining the masses with particular colloquialisms specific to that generation.

I don’t mean to get all geeky or anything but it truly fascinates me that media has almost a time-machine quality to it. Even in more contemporary terms, I watch episodes of Save by the Bell or American Gladiators (which yes, I grew up on) and feelings of nostalgia overwhelm me. Memories flood my mind as I remember where I was when I was first watching these programs. Certain shows on television helped form my adolescence. I remember I wasn’t allowed to watch 90210 (the original Luke Perry version…) because a) I was too young for the subject matter and b)when I was five I asked my mom what a condom was and she freaked out. I was inquisitive ;) Some things never change I guess. It is interesting watching shows now. I remember 90210 being so risqué and ahead of its time in so many ways. Now, however, I watch marathons of it and while I still enjoy it, I can’t help but find the acting and storylines to be a bit cheesy. Obviously tastes change and you grow out of fade but I am curious. Have you all ever identified with a character on television or film so personality that you continue to think of the show with personal fondness and importance even after the series or film has run its’ course?