Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Deshotel, Kelly Thompson Losch
Author's Email Address	klosch1@lsu.edu
URN	etd-1104103-113636
Title	Behind the Scenes: Uncovering the Structures and Manipulations of Tabloid Talk Show Workers, Guests and Audiences
Degree	Master of Mass Communication (M.M.C.)
Department	Mass Communication
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title David Kurpius Committee Chair Lori Boyer Committee Member Ronald Garay Committee Member
Keywords	social comparison theory cultivation theory social learning theory
Date of Defense	2003-11-03
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract How talk show workers, guests and audiences behave behind-the-scenes is largely a mystery to the public. This research focuses on the behind-the-scenes workings of a daytime syndicated talk show to better understand the motivations of talk show guests and how talk show workers manipulate guests and audiences. While researchers have conducted studies of talk show guests using formal interviews and questionnaires, no researchers have posed as covert observers to study talk shows. The researcher conducted participant observation to study the behaviors of those involved with the on and offstage talk show structure. The researcher interned for the show without revealing she was conducting a study. She anticipated the workers', guests' and audiences' behaviors would not be affected by her presence. The researcher was able to participate in the talk show environment, ultimately being accepted by those under study. This study found that talk show workers manipulate guests and audiences to engage in onstage behavior that potentially increases ratings. This research also determined additional reasons why guests appear on talk shows. Due to those under study perceiving the researcher as an intern, they behaved as if she was a natural part of the environment, not an observer recording their actions.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    Deshotel_thesis.pdf 436.99 Kb 00:02:01 00:01:02 00:00:54 00:00:27 00:00:02

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