Ryan Engley

Ryan Engley, a television theory scholar and co-host of the Why Theory Podcast, dives into the fascinating world of TV aesthetics and history. He explores how laugh tracks and studio audiences create an imagined community for viewers. Engley contrasts the fluid storytelling of TV with the structured nature of film, discussing how shows like Twin Peaks and The Sopranos revolutionized serial narratives. He also examines how the commercial nature of television has influenced audience engagement and memory in storytelling.

In this insightful discussion, Todd McGowan, a film and theory expert, and Ryan Engley, a media studies aficionado, dive into the fascinating interplay of psychoanalysis and film. They explore how constraints in classic cinema sparked subversion and the importance of viewing films as 'garbled messages.' From Barbarella’s unexpected feminism to the notion that 'kindness is punk,' they challenge conventional nostalgia. With practical tools for deeper interpretation, they urge listeners to engage with art on a transformative level that transcends mere entertainment.

Ryan Engley, a cultural critic and co-host of the Why Theory Podcast, dives into the fascinating world of television. He explores how shows like Seinfeld and Severance use audience forgetting to enhance narrative twists. Engley also reveals the intricate role of laugh tracks, treating them as a form of rhythm that deepens meaning rather than just prompting laughs. Additionally, he shares insights from a classroom exercise that uncovers how viewers subconsciously process TV episodes. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the aesthetics of television!