Journalists decide pop culture

By: Sara Crouse

Hype about an upcoming movie or TV show can often lead to increased viewers. In fact, in most cases the advertising and marketing hype prior do generate better ratings.

Journalists flock to the scene locations of the 'biggest' shows, and get inside tips from the cast members. Journalists hope the inside information on the ‘most-watched TV show’ is the news viewers and readers alike want to hear.

Entertainment Weekly magazine recently published a great article on why certain shows get publicity over others, and why critics/journalists chose to pay specific attention to particular TV shows. With his/her own best interest in mind, a journalist will publish the story closest to the hearts of the people.

Whether that story is about the true life of an ordinary person with some sort of gut-wrenching twist, or the extravagant ‘one could only hope for’ life of a privileged young adult, it matters what people watch.

Well what were journalists thinking with their recent trend of interviewing the stars of the TV show Gossip Girl over the stars of One Tree Hill?


Perhaps journalists thought the plot line of upscale New York prep school teenagers would be more appealing to pop culture than the lives of straight-out-of-college young adults just trying to find their way in the real world.

Whatever the reason, recent news articles and marketing campaigns have been highly geared towards generating interest in Gossip Girl. Little has been heard of One Tree Hill since its early years in 2003-2006.

Gossip Girl related items and stories can be found everywhere in department stores, while One Tree Hill is a little harder to find.

Yet 3.6 million viewers tune in on Monday nights for One Tree Hill , while only 2.2 million viewers take the time each week to watch Gossip Girl.

Journalists may have it wrong this time about which story is news even if it is soft news.