For those of you who are unfamiliar, let me enlighten you on the phenomenon that is 7th Heaven. The series centers on the Camden’s, a family of nine (originally seven until the third season.) The father of the family, Reverend Eric Camden, is a minister for a local community church, while his wife, Annie, stays at home, has children and takes care of them and the household.
At the heart of each episode there is an ethical or moral problem that the family must work through and learn from. The family and their friends deal with varying issues spanning from pre-marital sex and addictions, to community service and voting. Most resolutions tend to come from a socially conservative Christian point of view. Meaning pre-marital sex is wrong, violent videogames and music corrupt our youth, family should come before career ambitions, and Christ should be central to the family.
In my opinion it’s incredible that in a world so obsessed with violence and sex that a series starring a religious family, who involve Christ in every aspect of their life, can become popular and stay popular for over eleven years! It seems to prove that the American public craves a little wholesome family programming, because when they are introduced to it they soak it up like sponges!
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7th Heaven ran for eleven seasons from 1996 thru 2007 and is still in syndication today. 12.5 million people tuned in to 7th heaven causing it to break the record for the most watched hour on the WB television network. It is the most watched television series on the WB (now CW), and is still currently the longest running family drama in television history!
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The slogan “sex sells” has been beaten into most of our brains, but it seems that the absence of sex also sells. Not only the absence of sex, but the inclusion of Christ sells. I’d bet if you asked the average person whether or not they watch or watched 7th Heaven, most would chuckle and shake their head no. However, ratings don’t lie and millions of Americans did and still do watch the show. But why wouldn’t they admit it? If you’d like to apply theory to my assertions you could say that the third person effect causes people not to admit that they like wholesome family entertainment, when in fact they really do. Ha-ha. I think the world you be a better place if the media would market more shows like 7th heaven.
So…is it possible that the public would appreciate more television series devoid of sex, guns, and violence? Or was 7th Heaven a one time fluke?
So…is it possible that the public would appreciate more television series devoid of sex, guns, and violence? Or was 7th Heaven a one time fluke?
The public would appreciate more television series devoid of those things because their has been other successful shows that also have a religious family oriented theme. The show is a family drama and the target audience are people who would enjoy shows without evil influence. As long as there are still people who enjoy wholesome show there can be wholesome television shows.
ReplyDeletePeople can appreciate shows like 7th Heaven because they can relate to it in some way or another. Most people in America (stats show it's between 70% and 80%) are of Christian faith. Although their beliefs may differ slightly, some are similar. Shows like 7th Heaven depict real life (more or less) for them and they enjoy this. Perhaps having wholesome shows provides hope because it shows others are trying to do good and live up to their faith as they are.
ReplyDeleteIf any program has a pertinent, personal message, then It'll probably have an audience. The producers of 7th Heaven found a setup that allowed them to explore something that is very pertinent and personal, i.e. how sometimes seemingly ancient and outdated religion guides and interacts with modern life. And I think you're right. If ratings are any indicator, then their formula works. The issue of religion in our lives isn't going away any time soon.
ReplyDeleteA content analysis of the television shows currently aired on television should answer the question. I cannot think of one present television series that basis its episodes on anything but sex, violence, etc. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see a similar show become popular in the future. Everything depends on the economics of attention.
ReplyDeleteI remember a couple years ago when 7th Heaven was on and a lot of my friends would watch it. Although it was centered around christian values, there was a lot of twist and turns with each episode. I think people enjoyed it because it had family values and it gave people a break from other shows filled with sex, violence, etc. People like to watch shows that make them feel good and give them hope that they can have a family like that one day.
ReplyDeleteI think that a television program like 7th Heaven is much needed. Most television serious that air today center around a supposed American culture devoid of any value and these programs don't do anything but desensitize us. Having more programs like 7th Heaven may level things out a bit.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think it is possible for another television show like 7th Heaven to be successful. The series shows a life of a preachers family that has it's pitfalls, but they all recover and stay close as a family. I think that many looked to the show as a way to deal with their family issues, seeing that no family is perfect. I think the problems which occured during each eposiode would resonate with it's audience because they were real life experiences that were not far fetched. The show also gave parents hope that eventually their family would end up like Eric Camden's family.
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