A Study of Thai Television Game Show Genre

Abstract

The purposes of this research is to study the characteristics, patterns, and conventions of Thai television game shows genre, using genre theories, game show concepts, and television production concepts as the research framework. The research methodology used in this study are content analysis on 87 TV game shows, and in-depth interviews with 15 TV game show producers.

            The study finds that the genre of Thai television game shows is aimed at entertaining audience. The program structure consists of 4 stages, which are: 1) introduction of competitors , 2) notification of the rules, 3) competitors’ accomplishing missions, and 4) award presentation. Generally, program content revolves around competition of entertaining skills. The program’s condition of rules consist of punctuality, accuracy, capability, accomplishment, luck, rationality, and compatibility. The highest reward is worth 30 million baht. The competition venue is generally constructed in TV studio. The shows are usually aired from afternoon to evening on weekends, and conclude within an episode.

            The game show comprise 5 main characters: 1) the ‘competitor’ who has the most important role, and is mostly selected from ordinary people, 2) the ‘host’ who is mostly male, with female assistants, 3) the ‘judge’ who has various other roles beside judging the competition, 4) the ‘audience’, and 5) the ‘sponsor’ who appear as logos on the show.

            Lastly, the audio and visual characteristics of the show are as follows: 1) illustration is used, apart from explaining the competition, to grab audience's attention; 2) graphics are crucial to the show; 3) sound effect are used to make graphics more attractive and vivid; 4) narration is used to fulfil host’s duties and entertaining audience; and 5) music is used through band and sound supplementary.