A Guide to the Neo-Television of the 1980s

Abstract

UMBERTOECO The following notes explain the differences between Neo-Television and Paleo-Television. They deal with the most sadistic American show, technical innovations, the behaviour of the Neo-TV viewer, and furthermore, they offer a word of prophecy. Once upon a time there was Paleo-Television. It was produced in Rome or Milan for everyone. It spoke of the appointment of ministers and it saw to it that the public only learnt about harmless things, even if it meant telling it lies. With the multiplication of channels, privatisation and the arrival of new electronic devilries, we are now living in the era of Neo-Television. It was once possible to compile a small dictionary of Paleo-TV with the names of its protagonists and the titles of its programmes. With Neo-TV this wouldn't be possible, not just because the number of protagonists and programmes is infinite (and no one can remember or recognise them), but also because the same characters play different roles, depending on whether they are speaking on public or private channels. A small dictionary of Neo-TV cannot, therefore, be anything other than a review of new forms of behaviour, and a sketch of general outlines, tendencies and coming developments. Studies have already been carried out on the character of Nee-TV (for example, the recent research done at 245