iParticipate Eight

During the only television show I watch at this time, American Horror Story, there are several ads that stand out to me. There's a vodka ad (I can't remember the name of the product) that basically states that "a perfect product can come in an imperfect bottle," with examples like a model with a gap between her teeth, yet viewed as perfect. There are ads for vehicles, like Mercedes Benz, which claim to have a superior vehicle with sleek stylizing in the commercial.

There are many commercials for upcoming scary movies or television shows that relate to American Horror Story, which is playing to the audience who likes to see macabre and scary media. There are no product placement ads within American Horror Story, but the fact that they show so many commercials for scary movies/television shows speaks volumes to their ploy to get horror viewers to watch more horror.

These ads do a good job of selling their products, especially the commercials for horror movies and television shows. The American Horror Story viewer is more likely to go and see the scary movie or seek out the scary television show than, say, someone who watches the Hallmark Channel.

iParticipate Seven

I interviewed my parents about their experiences with television and cable news. They both watch our local news station, WBKO, as well as WAVE, Headline News, and even BBC news.

The impact televised news has had on my parents has been different for both of them. My mother stated that events like the JFK assassination and the 9/11 attacks were "devastating. It seemed like everything stopped and nothing was important but looking for answers." My father remembered the Mercury and Apollo space launches from when he was a kid. He said "it was the biggest thrill a kid could get," watching those spaceships launch into space.

Both of their attitudes toward televised news have changed. Mom said she doesn't watch the news as much anymore or will change the channel while watching it because of all the negative news and violent crimes they choose to show. Dad said he doesn't trust the news channels because they all have an agenda. He also noted that the news channels choose to publicize negative stories. He said he gets most of his news online from Yahoo! News, instead.

My father noted that one news show on WAVE (he couldn't remember the name of it, but it comes on at 6:30 p.m. central time) starring Dawn Gee, has a good balance of negative and positive news. He said, "Dawn Gee will cry when she tells a sad story, and she does this thing called "pass the cash" where she helps people in need. It's a really good news show." My father also noted that he watches BBC news because it seems to be less biased than the American news channels.

As far as television news experiences that stick with my parents, for Dad it was the space missions. My mother said natural disasters and mass murders stick with her, although she wishes they wouldn't, and they make her thankful that her loved ones are safe.

I believe my parents are correct in stating that the news channels have an agenda and that they mostly publicize negative events. I can see why someone would get their news online, as opposed to television. The fact that negative stories on a grand scale stick with my mother shows the power the news channels have in showing these negative stories, and them having a lasting effect on the viewer.

iParticipate Six

In comparing Mother Earth News with Kentucky Game & Fish, there are several differences. In Mother Earth News, there are stories about how to create a backyard pond, pruning fruit trees, and convenient recipes. The ads range from canning food to plowing your garden to wines. In Kentucky Game & Fish, there are stories about things like hunting without dogs, apps for hunters, and hunting small game. The ads range from Grizzly smokeless tobacco to electric food slicers to hunting television shows. In both magazines, it is evident that they are playing to their audience with the ads. The placement of the ads in both magazines were near related content, usually, such as the wine ad next to the fruit tree article and the hunting show ad next to an article about...you guessed it, hunting!

Ads definitely influence magazine content, especially in women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan. They advertise the makeup, skincare products, and hair care products next to pictures of glamorous models. Women want to look their best, and compared to those airbrushed beauties, real women fade in comparison. It would be more desirable if the editorial content were not so perfect. If they showed real women, what real women look like on a day-to-day basis, it would be more realistic and encouraging.

iParticipate Five

When thinking about the cultural representation of other cultures in movies, one movie comes to mind immediately: Borat (or, the full title: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan). This mockumentary comedy treats foreigners who are not from the United States as if they are imbeciles or of a lesser cognitive function than Americans. The movie narrative treats Borat as an outsider (or strange curiosity) to the Americans that he annoys and confuses. The foreign environment in this film (his home of Kazakhstan) is seen as very backward and inhospitable, but is presented in a comedic light. His language and difference of appearance set Borat apart from everyone he encounters in America. This movie was made to poke fun at Islamic countries, and it is not a good representation of how those people would see themselves. Borat is viewed through a "white, middle-class, American male gaze," and it is not flattering.

iParticipate Four

According to radio-locator.com, these are the radio stations in my listening area:

Info		Call Sign	Frequency	Dist./Signal	City	School	Format
		WSGP	88.3 FM	17.8 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Religious
		WKYU	88.9 FM	39.9 mi.	Bowling Green, KY	Western Kentucky University	Public Radio
		WZVK	89.3 FM	4.1 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Christian Contemporary
		WDCL	89.7 FM	43.1 mi.	Somerset, KY	Western Kentucky University	Public Radio
		WJCR	90.1 FM	30.4 mi.	Upton, KY		Gospel Music
		WCVK	90.7 FM	33.2 mi.	Bowling Green, KY		Christian Contemporary
		WBFK	91.1 FM	8.9 mi.	Hiseville, KY		Religious
		W218CM (KAWZ)	91.5 FM	5.3 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Religious
		WTKY	92.1 FM	19.1 mi.	Tompkinsville, KY		Country
		WDNS	93.3 FM	18.8 mi.	Bowling Green, KY		Classic Rock
		WLYE	94.1 FM	2.9 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Country
		WGSQ	94.7 FM	65.4 mi.	Cookeville, TN		Country
		WGGC	95.1 FM	16.0 mi.	Bowling Green, KY		Country
		W239BT (WOVO)	95.7 FM	5.3 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Adult Contemporary
		WBVR	96.7 FM	21.6 mi.	Auburn, KY		Country
		WHSX	99.1 FM	20.3 mi.	Edmonton, KY		Country
		WVLE	99.3 FM	22.8 mi.	Scottsville, KY		Adult Contemporary
		W261BD (WPTQ)  (CP)	99.7 FM	5.3 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Classic Rock
		W261BD (WPTQ)	100.1 FM	14.8 mi.	Bowling Green, KY		Classic Rock
		WKLX	100.7 FM	24.8 mi.	Brownsville, KY		Adult Hits
		WUBT	101.1 FM	53.6 mi.	Russellville, KY		Hip Hop
		WCLU	102.3 FM	12.3 mi.	Munfordville, KY		Adult Contemporary
		WKWY	102.7 FM	23.2 mi.	Tompkinsville, KY		Country
		WHHT	103.7 FM	5.3 mi.	Cave City, KY		Country
		WCKQ	104.1 FM	37.8 mi.	Campbellsville, KY		Top-40
		WPTQ	105.3 FM	10.2 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Classic Rock
		WGRK	105.7 FM	28.6 mi.	Greensburg, KY		Country
		WOVO	106.3 FM	14.8 mi.	Horse Cave, KY		Adult Contemporary
		WUHU	107.1 FM	21.6 mi.	Smiths Grove, KY		Top-40
		WKYR	107.9 FM	33.2 mi.	Burkesville, KY		Country
		WNSR	560 AM	88.9 mi.	Brentwood, TN		Sports
		WIDS	570 AM	46.7 mi.	Russell Springs, KY		Gospel Music
		WRUS	610 AM	56.4 mi.	Russellville, KY		Country
		WSM	650 AM	84.5 mi.	Nashville, TN		Country
		WHAS	840 AM	91.1 mi.	Louisville, KY		News/Talk
		WKCT	930 AM	28.6 mi.	Bowling Green, KY		News/Talk
		WLOC	1150 AM	18.6 mi.	Munfordville, KY		Country
		WCDS	1230 AM	1.2 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Sports
		WLCK	1250 AM	22.8 mi.	Scottsville, KY		Gospel Music
		WTKY	1370 AM	23.2 mi.	Tompkinsville, KY		Country
		WCLU	1490 AM	2.9 mi.	Glasgow, KY		Talk

As you can see, there are numerous country stations in this area. That is logical, though, because a lot of people in this area listen to country music. What's missing are rock stations. I, personally, love industrial rock, but the closest thing we have in this area is classic rock. I believe there are many like me who are underserved in the rock category. 

Internet radio, satellite radio, podcasts, and HD radio are much better options for people like me. I, personally, hook my phone up to my auxiliary port in my car when I want to listen to music, and listen to the hours of songs I have downloaded to my phone. There's just not enough rock in this area. Of any kind (except classic).