Title: Adventures in Shondaland
Description: "Shonda Rhimes is one of the most powerful players in contemporary American network television. Beginning with her break-out hit series Grey's Anatomy (2005 - Present), she has successfully debuted Private Practice (2007-2013), Scandal (2012 - Present), How to Get Away with Murder (2014 - Present), and The Catch (2015 - Present). Rhimes's work is attentive to identity politics, "post-" identity politics, power, and representation, addressing innumerable societal issues such as: adoption, parenthood, extramarital affairs, organ donation, infertility, bereavement and death, beauty and body politics, mental and physical health, sexual violence, mass violence, natural disasters, and war. This volume serves as a means to theorize Rhimes's contributions and influence by inspiring provocative conversations about television as a deeply politicized institution and exploring how Rhimes fits into the implications of 21st century television. Each chapter showcases complex interpretations of "Shondaland" and engages paradoxical elements of Rhimes's influence as the most successful black female showrunner in the history of network television. In separate sections that focus on industry and production, text, and audience, Adventures in Shondaland engages questions such as: how is Rhimes's positionality as a black woman relevant to this contemporary moment in the history of television? How do intersectional representations of television function paradoxically in contemporary society amid social protests for inclusion and equality? What is the public pedagogy of Rhimes' characters/storylines/shows? This is the first collection to focus on Rhimes and her successful shows and explores industry and audience implications alongside textual examinations"--
Subjects: African americans in television broadcasting, Women in television broadcasting, African american women, Motion picture authorship, Television broadcasting, united states, Criticism and interpretation, History, Women television producers and directors, African American television producers and directors, African American women screenwriters, Television broadcasting, PERFORMING ARTS / Television / History & Criticism, Social aspects, ShondaLand (Firm)