"Exploring television at once as a technological medium, an economic system, a facet of democracy, and a part of everyday life, this landmark text uses numerous case studies to demonstrate the past, immediate, and far-reaching effects of American culture on television - and television's influence on American culture. Arranged topically, the book provides a broad historical overview of television while also honing in on such finer points as the formal attributes of its various genres and its role in gender and racial identity formation." "Replete with examples, this pedagogically rich text includes many end-of-chapter case studies and narratives with suggestions for further reading - and, appropriately, viewing. Illustrations and photographs - primarily DVD grabs - contextualize historical footage and older television programs that may not be familiar to younger students."--Jacket.