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This is the story of Benedict Cumberbatch, still only in his thirties, and one of Britain's foremost acting talents, excelling in theatre, television, radio and cinema.
The first study of opinion polls using an interdisciplinary approach combining cultural studies, sociology, political science, and mass communication. Rather than dismissing polls, Lewis considers them a significant form of representation in contemporary culture; he explores how the media report on polls and, in turn, how publicized results influence the way people respond to polls.
Consumer capitalism dominates our economy, our politics and our culture. Yet there is a growing body of research from a range of disciplines that suggests that consumer capitalism may be past its sell-by date. Beyond Consumer Capitalism begins by showing how, for people in the developed world, consumer capitalism has become economically and environmentally unsustainable and is no longer able to deliver its abiding promise of enhancing quality of life . This cutting-edge book then asks why we devote so little time and effort to imagining other forms of human progress. The answer, Lewis suggests, is that our cultural and information industries limit rather than stimulate critical thinking, kee...
Is 'Leadership' a useful sociological tool in the increasing professionalisation of the Church's ministry and mission, or a dangerous threat, akin to a heresy?
Originally published in 1991, this introduction to studying the television audience discusses developments in semiology and cultural studies and their contribution to our understanding of the power of television. How, in the most precise and intricate sense, does television influence the way we think about the world? What ideological role does it play in contemporary culture? Does TV control us or do we control it? This insightful book assesses the progress in responding to these questions and offers some answers of its own. In the 1980s, with the emergence of semiology and cultural studies in particular, there were a number of significant theoretical developments in our understanding of television's power of which this book provides an overview while also incorporating traditional approaches. It suggests that television influences us ambiguously and unpredictably, depending upon who we are and how we think. Ambiguity does not blunt television's power, it simply diversifies it into a very modern kind of omnipotence. Employing two major qualitative audience studies, this impressive study illustrates its argument with findings that are both unexpected and disturbing.
Great Britain's national treasure Gary Barlow, OBE has achieved unrivalled success with boyband Take That, as a solo artist and songwriter, and as a judge on The X Factor. However, the path of fame is rarely easy, and although Gary's journey has been full of inspiring highs, there have been distinct and crushing lows, too.In this fully updated biography, Justin Lewis offers a valuable insight into the life and loves of the singer-songwriter, including his time spent with his young family, his dedication to fundraising for charity and his recent endeavours in musical theatre. It is the definitive guide to one of the UK's most accomplished artists.50 MILLION RECORDS WORLDWIDE...23 TOP-TEN HITS......ONLY ONE GARY BARLOW.
Critical Cultural Policy Studies: A Reader brings together classic statements and contemporary views that illustrate how everyday culture is as much a product of policy and economic determinants as it is of creative and consumer impulses.
Olly Murs may have finished in second place on television's The X Factor in 2009, but the heartthrob singer has since become one of British pop's winners. The cheeky chappie with the tight trousers and the porkpie hat has sold out concert tours, released bestselling albums and enjoyed a string of hits including 'Please Don't Let Me Go' and 'Heart Skips a Beat'. A regular in the charts and in the gossip columns, Olly is regarded by many as a possible successor to icons like Robbie Williams and Will Young. But not content with his triumphs as a singer, he has also become a TV fixture. After becoming the co-host of The Xtra Factor, he graduated to his own series, Olly: Life on Murs, in 2012. Olly Murs: The Biography follows his journey from suburbia to stardom and beyond. It explores how a seemingly ordinary and grounded Essex boy was determined to follow his dream - and was strong and shrewd enough to survive the heady world of entertainment. Along the way, we see how his promising first career as a semi-pro footballer was halted and we discover how he deals with the pros and cons of a celebrity lifestyle. This is a must-read for any music fan.
Every human endeavour, from a primary school to the government, needs leadership. The Church believes itself to have a clear understanding of what constitutes Christian leadership, but advocates of leadership have been unable to give a clear, concise and universally accepted definition of the term. Justin Lewis-Anthony argues that our understanding of both secular ('managerial') and religious ('missional') leadership has been fatally compromised by the unconscious functioning of 'mythic' leadership, presented through the medium of the dominant culture of our own day, popular Hollywood film. We describe our leaders as if they should be collaborative, enabling, saints and/or expect them to show our enemies who is boss. We search for the 'great man' who will rescue us from all our problems through redemptive violence - within the Church, we talk about Jesus Christ but we expect John Wayne. This book shows how leadership is, at best, a 'contested concept' and at worst a dangerous, violent and totalitarian heresy.
The definitive reference guide to an area of rapidly expanding academic interest this comprehensive and up-to-date guide looks at: theoretical perspectives; narrative, representation, bias; television genres; content analysis, audience research and relevant social, economic and political phenomena.