Chapter 12: Television and Video Art

1. What distinguishes television from video art? a. The moving image is not the subject matter of video art. b. Only television uses animation. c. Unlike television programs, video art can be viewed on video monitors, but not on a computer screen. d. Video art is more experimental than television. Answer: d

2. Who was the first superstar of television? a. Milton Berle b. Jack Benny c. Fred Allen d. Merv Griffin Answer: a

3. Early situation comedies typically a. focused on upper-class families that audiences would want to emulate b. centered on urban working-class families facing everyday problems c. lacked diversity, thus reflecting prevailing racist attitudes of the time d. were one hour long, rather than the half-hour format that is common today Answer: b

4. The usual series episode on television is a. unpredictable b. an offshoot of drama c. self-contained d. incomplete Answer: c

5. The power of the serial was made most evident by the production of a. Rich Man, Poor Man b. Roots c. Upstairs, Downstairs d. Another World Answer: b

6. Who was the most important early video artist? a. Nam June Paik b. Peter Campus c. Gary Hill d. Judith Barry Answer: a

7. Which of the following artists created Imagination, Dead Imagine? a. Nam June Paik b. Peter Campus c. Gary Hill d. Judith Barry Answer: d

8. Which of the following artists won the International Prize at the Venice Biennale in 1999 for Electric Earth? a. Bill Viola b. Peter Campus c. Doug Aitken d. Judith Barry Answer: c

9. Who is the most celebrated video artist working today? a. Bill Viola b. Peter Campus c. Doug Aitken d. Judith Barry Answer: a

10. Which of the following is true about Bill Viola’s work? a. It rejects religion and spirituality. b. It is heavily influenced by contemporary painters. c. It is often playful and lighthearted. d. It makes effective use of a slow-motion technique. Answer: d

11. Which of the following helped begin the open-ended serial? a. The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) b. The British Broadcasting System (BBC) c. Home Box Office (HBO) d. The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Answer: b

12. Texaco Star Theater was a a. situation comedy b. dramatic series c. variety show d. soap opera Answer: c

13. Matt Dillon was the main character on which television show? a. Bonanza b. L.A. Law c. Gunsmoke d. The Honeymooners Answer: c

14. Which of the following is NOT typically associated with video art? a. sound b. a dramatic narrative line c. innovation d. unpredictable structures Answer: b

15. What differentiates The Sopranos from most gangster movies? a. It glorifies mob life. b. It often relies on cliff-hanger climaxes at the ends of episodes. c. Because it is on television, nudity and obscene language are restricted. d. It has an extended space in which to work. Answer: d

Essay Question

What makes The Sopranos effective as a television series? Would it work as a film? Study individual scenes and shots, and explain what the producers have done to make The Sopranos effective on a television screen.