Television and the Meaning of 'Live'

Paddy Scannell is professor in the department of communication studies at the University of Michigan. He was one of the early pioneers of media studies, and a founding editor of the journal Media, Culture and Society.

• Acknowledgements viPreface viiiPart one: An introduction to the phenomenology of televisionPrologue: Heidegger's teacup 31. What is phenomenology? 52. Available world 143. Available self 274. Available time 395. Turning on the TV set 606. Television and technology 78Part two: Television and the meaning of live7. The meaning of live 938. How to talk – on radio 1079. How to talk – on television 12810. The moment of the goal – on television 15311. Being in the moment: the meaning of media events 17712. Catastrophe – on television 19113. Television and history 209Notes 225References 245Index 253

“Television and the Meaning of Live is an important and exciting book, which helps one to see television, and media in general, in new ways. More than this, it is a book that can help one to see the world as a whole anew, as befits the task of ‘unconcealment’ that was Heidegger's goal. It cannot be recommended highly enough.”Critical Studies in Television ''Taking a refreshing phenomenological perspective, Paddy Scannell offers a thoughtful and compelling analysis of the way live radio and television capture and disclose the everyday human situation. A remarkable intellectual achievement by one of the most influential theorists of communication, this book will definitely enrich and deepen our understanding of the central role of broadcasting in our lived experience.''Milly Buonanno, La Sapienza University of Roma, author of The Age of Television''Can a phenomenology of « live » broadcasting illuminate the nature of everyday human situations? Paddy Scannell daringly answers : yes. The meaning of « Live » has much to tell us about the meaning of « Life » . Inspired by Heidegger’s Being and Time, this brilliant and provocative book challenges us to unlock media theory from the relentless embrace of sociologism.''Daniel Dayan, Centre National de la Recherche scientifique & Institut d’études Politiques, Paris''Using television, Paddy Scannell examines our situatedness in the world and carves out a strikingly fresh approach to media analysis. A seminal contribution--perceptive and humane.''Carolyn Marvin, Annenberg School, University of Pennsylvania