TELEVISION DRAMA AND THE CRITIQUE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN WALE ADENUGA‟S “SUPERSTORY”

TELEVISION DRAMA AND THE CRITIQUE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN WALE ADENUGA‟S “SUPERSTORY”

Abstract:

This study investigates the nature and effectiveness of drama (Television drama) as a tool for communicating development. The study argues that beyond entertainment, drama has a revolutionary impulse to engender social development. The theoretical framework for this research is hinged on the ―Social Development Theory of Biliance (1997) Amartya Sen (1995) and Tamilnadu (2000) which views Social Development as the promotion of human wellbeing. The study adoptsa qualitative research approach as a method of data collection. Some of the key findings of the research indicate that Superstory drama is done in English Language and Yoruba language, and this limits the viewership of Nigerians who do not understand English and Yoruba, thereby narrowing their knowledge on the social development issues treated in the serial.In this study, some social development issues or problems were identified to be treated by ‗Superstory‘ which are typical crises confronting the contemporary Nigerian society. The drama under study demonstrates these crises and presents a way out. Some of the social development issues captured in the drama border on corruption, betrayal, poverty and education. This study therefore suggests that efforts should be intensified to research the society for concrete stories that stress positive social development. Principles of participation and co-design between producers and the audience should be adopted in story derivation and scripting for Superstoryand other serials rather than strong reliance on fictional non-participatory scripts. Superstory should provide concrete effective feedback mechanisms for the audience to talk back or air their views on issues raised in the production. Phone-in strategies,opinion polls and e-mail approach could be deployed as feedback mechanisms to get the views of audience in an interactive manner.

TELEVISION DRAMA AND THE CRITIQUE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN WALE ADENUGA‟S “SUPERSTORY”