6 Television Shows That Changed The Rules – clip

Robert Thompson / Syracuse University

Americans have been watching TV for more than three-quarters of a century, and what we see on the screen has changed a lot since the late 1940s. Usually that evolution was gradual, reflecting historical developments in society, politics, and culture. But sometimes the change was radical and sudden, thanks to important individual shows that introduced new possibilities to the medium. In this course, Professor Thompson will examine six pivotal shows that transformed television in ways that can still be seen in the programs we watch today.