THE RISE OF AN EMPIRE: AN HISTORICAL DISCOURSE ON THE TELEVISED POKER GENRE
A Thesis
Presented to
The Faculty of the Department of Television, Radio, Film, and Theatre
San Jose State University
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts
by
Lucinda Dobinson
May 2007
© 2007
Lucinda Dobinson
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ABSTRACT
THE RISE OF AN EMPIRE:
AN HISTORICAL DISCOURSE ON THE TELEVISED POKER GENRE
by Lucinda Dobinson
This thesis explores the popularity of the televised poker genre. Historical and technological shifts in our culture are surveyed in conjunction with established genre theory in order to examine which external factors shape and have shaped poker shows. The game show genre and the televised sports genre are studied, as are the role of other media outlets, most notably internet poker.
Research has revealed that prevailing technology, cultural acceptance, various proliferations of media, and established genres like televised sports and game shows work together to define the televised poker genre. Furthermore, the examination of such extenuating factors may serve as a template for further exploration in television genre studies.
Table of Contents
List of Figures ................................................................................... vi
Chapter One: INTRODUCTION .....................................................1
Significance .....................................................................2
Terminology ..................................................................6
Literature Review ..........................................................7
Method .........................................................................15
Feasibility ......................................................................17
Chapter Two: GENRE AS HISTORY .............................................19
Chapter Three: GENRE ORIGINS ..................................................32
The Game Show Influence ............................................32
How the Televised Sports Genre has Influenced Poker..40
Chapter Four: CROSS-POLLINATING TELEVISED POKE.....49
Chapter Five: CONCLUSIONS AND REFLEXIONS ...................60
WORKS CITED .................................................................................66
APPENDIX A: Poker Programming in North America ......................72
APPENDIX B: Images of Poker ........................................................ 73
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