The Talking Cure examines four nationally syndicated television talk shows--Donahue; The Oprah Winfrey Show; Geraldo and Sally Jessy Raphael--which are primarily devoted to feminine culture and issues. Serving as one of the few public forums where working-class women and those with different sexual orientations have a voice; these talk shows represent American TV at its most radical. Shattuc examines the tension between talks feminist politics and the television industry; who; in their need to appeal to women; trades on sensation; stereotypes and fears in order to engender product consumption. However; this genre is not a one-way form of social interaction. The female audience complies and resists in a complex give-and-take; and it is this relationship which The Talking Cure aims to understand and reveal.
#1521614 in eBooks 2014-04-15 2014-04-15File Name: B00JH8H4GY
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A gem of a book about a gem of an American theatre...By C. WilliamsonThis was an altogether fascinating book; not only for those who are familiar with the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster; PA; one of the oldest theatres in the US; but for those interested in the history of theatre in general. Through the prism of the Fulton; Leslie Stainton provides a rich history of American theatre; from minstrel shows to wild west extravaganzas to actors touring companies. She treats such subjects as race and womens rights as reflected by what appeared on the Fulton stage. She also weaves in her own memoirs about her experiences as a young actor and later an employee at the Fulton. Her writing is superb; evocative and haunting; as we find the theatre not only haunted by the ghosts of its past (which includes an horrific slaughter of Native Americans in a jail that stood on the theatres present site); but by the authors personal ghosts and memories as well. The book is intensively researched (the lengthy notes in the back are as enjoyable as the text itself). A perfect book for theatre lovers; and a necessity for anyone who has ever seen or performed in a show at this majestic and historical gem of a theatre.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One American Theaters Condensed HistoryBy Alexis ElliotI have attended shows at the Fulton since the 70s and seen many of the changes that are talked about in the book. I enjoyed the early history of the build. Lancaster; PA is a very historic area and the Fulton played a large part in its history. I was left; however; wanting more about each of the periods that Ms Stainton talked about. I thought her personal history with the building was interesting; but found myself skipping over most of it because I was more interested in the buildings history. There was probably a lot of information found and left out that might have made this a excellent book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... been going to the fulton for years and its great to learn about the history of the theatre and ...By Wallace P. KamperI have been going to the fulton for years and its great to learn about the history of the theatre and the site.the failureof the book is its more biographacal of the author then the theatre.i did find the book interesting but would likemore on how the theatre was restored and what modern productions played there.either way long live the fulton theatre.my favorite performing theatre and if you have not been to the theatre in lancaster yet and you are in the areathen dont miss it
