Television historian Thomas Cripps and scientific advisor Eli Rubinstein address the social and cultural impact of television and film in the second of a two-part discussion. The scholars discuss lobbying groups and coalitions attempting to influence programming, and the phenomenon of “narrowcasting” and its role in television viewing. Cripps and Rubinstein consider how film and television act as cultural indicators and the likely future of regulation and television. They conclude by urging the teaching of television viewing skills to children, enabling them to get the most out of their viewing experience.
At the time of this interview, Cripps, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1980-81), was professor of history at Morgan State University. Rubinstein was adjunct research professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and vice-chairman of the Surgeon General’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and the Young Viewer.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
