Communication Observed from Television

Show: The Big Bang Theory

Viewing of show with sound turned off: I do not regularly watch this show and I have only caught a little bit of an episode here or there while others were watching it. The title of show does not give away what it is about either. I noticed while watching it without the sound on that a couple of the characters use a lot of facial expression. The part of the show I watched with no sound took place in what looks like a college. I was able to observe some other body language from the characters. Some hand gestures and such, but it was really hard to tell what was going on at all. I think the characters are friends or possibly coworkers.

Viewing of show with sound turned on: Watching the show with the sound on did help things make more sense. I was able to hear the tone of voice that went along with the facial expressions I was seeing and I was also able to hear what they were saying to each other. When I had the sound turned on I was also able to hear the laughter that is on some comedy shows when something funny is said or done on the show. I think my assumptions definitely would have been more accurate if I had been watching a show I usually watch. I know the characters in the shows I watch and I am familiar with them. I also know what to expect. With these characters, it was difficult for me to follow some of it, partly because I am unfamiliar with it, partly because it is not a show that particularly interests me.

Reflection: It was interesting to me the difference that having the sound on and off had. I gained some information watching with the sound off, but turning the sound on certainly gave me a clearer understanding of what was going on. I do not watch a lot of television, but when I do watch television I typically watch reality shows, murder mystery shows or home and garden type shows. I was not able tell what the show was going to be able. I could see the characters interacting with one another, but it did not tell me a lot about how they communicate until I turned the sound on. With the sound on I was able to figure out what was going on much easier. This was an interesting assignment to me. After completing the assignment, it made me pay closer attention to the characters in the shows I do watch to see how they communicate.