Satirical Essay Example--Frontline Add Sex and Stir

“WITH SATIRE, WE LAUGH AND WE LEARN” Sitch et al’s “Frontline” demonstrates in the episode, “…Add Sex & Stir”, how the truth can be easily manipulated with the aid of technology in hope of producing a controversial “true” story that will boost the ratings. It also shows how in the world of mass media, credibility is considered to be of vital importance and is practically treated as the product traded in the industry. Sitch et al satirises that commercial TV, despite having the absolute care for their own image, will go as far as extending the truth to the point that it ruins another person’s image, all for the sake of ratings. The episode starts with Brian referring to women’s sports feature as the “Mortal Enemy of Ratings.” By personifying ratings, it amplifies how they are irresolute when it comes to those types of stories. These stories are referred to in such a way because there are no big sponsors therefore little or nothing can be profited from making this coverage. With this, it also reveals how a story is chosen not for its substantial content but because of its projected monetary value when it will be aired. When Marty mentions “Take any story, add sex and stir,” with the use of a flagrant metaphor it ridicules how stories can easily be modified for ratings and profit like any other recipe. Ironically, a sudden change of opinion is evident after Brian learns that the story undertakes a member being dropped from the team for not being gay. This quick shift from rejection to acceptance exposes how commercial TV does not have any reluctance in reporting a controversial story as it attracts the curiosity of the viewers. The interview with Allison proceeds, without even looking at the whole story and confirming the issue with other members of the sporting team. Accepting the idea and fabricating a full length feature of this interview despite knowing that there will devastating events not only to the interviewee but to the whole sport, shows the