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Telling Rural America's Stories: A New Approach in Television

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In the wake of President Donald Trump's 2016 election, the television industry has grappled with the challenge of portraying rural and red-state Americans on screen. While some creators have struggled to connect with these audiences, several recent TV series have taken a different approach, aiming to transport viewers to the realities of rural America. Shows like HBO's "Task" and FX's "The Lowdown" have managed to tackle the complexities of these regions, providing a nuanced understanding of the people and places often overlooked by mainstream media.

Key Takeaways:

  • "Task," a HBO procedural mini-series, is set in Pennsylvania and concludes its seven-episode run Sunday night, transporting viewers to a downtrodden stretch of rural America.
  • Creator Brad Ingelsby aims to use his art to put his audience in a different reality, exploring themes of heartbreak and redemption in the face of societal forces that wear down these places and their residents.
  • Sterlin Harjo's "The Lowdown" takes place in Oklahoma, showcasing the complexity and diversity of red-state America, with authentic characters and storylines that address politics, class, and corruption directly.
  • These shows strive to give an accurate sense of their settings, transport viewers to somewhere other than their own reality, and provide a chance at empathy, rather than offering escapism.
  • Unlike shows like "Tulsa King," which feels like it's skimming along the surface of issues, "Task" and "The Lowdown" delve deeper into the lives and struggles of rural Americans, offering a more nuanced portrayal of these communities.
  • The success of these shows lies in their understanding of place and their ability to transport viewers to these settings, providing a unique perspective on the lives and concerns of rural Americans.

Statistics:

  • The HBO mini-series "Task" is set in Pennsylvania, concluding its seven-episode run Sunday night.
  • FX's "The Lowdown" is set in Oklahoma, showcasing the complexity and diversity of red-state America.
  • "The Lowdown" is an authentically eccentric tone, a striking contrast to shows like "Tulsa King," which hardly feels rooted in its location.
  • The show creators aim to transport viewers to a different reality, using their art to explore themes of heartbreak and redemption in the face of societal forces.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • Pete Kramer/HBO
  • Sam Whitney/The New York Times

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