Friends - not only a sitcom but a way of life! : an audience reception analysis of the sitcom Friends : a comparative and synchronic study of Maltese and American viewers

Abstract

Recently the renowned situation comedy FRIENDS arrived in Malta and has already made its mark. This research compares the explanations of American and Maltese regular viewers for watching the sitcom. It also shows that Maltese youths, use and perceive the sitcom differently to American youths. The data was obtained through qualitative in-depth interviews, using semi-structured open-ended questioning. The research can be placed in the theoretical context of the 'effects', 'uses and gratifications', and 'cultivation analysis', drawn from the American Communication Studies. The meanings given to the programme were of equal importance to this research therefore buying into British Cultural Studies theory. American and Maltese explanations for viewing concern: escapism; entertainment; realism; emotional involvement; critical distancing; problem solving; value reinforcement; and social utility. The overall pleasure attained from viewing FRIENDS indicates issues of media 'effects'. The introduction provides a brief overview of audience theory, the methodology and of the situation comedy FRIENDS. Chapter one covers the audience theory beginning with the 'effects' research leading up to present day audience 'reception analysis'. It explores the American Communications Studies School and the British Cultural Studies School showing how this research borrows from the two. Chapter two defines situation comedy. It gives a brief overview of the history of situation comedy from 1950-1990' s. It explores the themes, structure and the audience of sitcom. Chapter three explains the methodology used to attain the data needed for this dissertation. Chapter four deals with the analysis of the qualitative data and the findings of the research. Chapter five offers my own conclusions and comments and possible areas of further research on this topic.