The reception of the television sitcom Friends in Portugal
a comparative analysis of Generations X, Y and Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34629/cpublica.743Keywords:
audio-visual reception, entertainment, television fiction, sitcom, FriendsAbstract
The aim of this article is to analyse the reception of the American television sitcom Friends in Portugal, by comparing generations X, Y and Z. The analysis focuses on generational differences on the reception and the acquired gratifications regarding a sitcom that reached an influence and a longevity that goes well beyond its ten seasons. Adopting a quantitative approach, data was collected through a survey, with a sample of 608 respondents from generations X, Y and Z. It was possible to analyse the differences in the way these three generations make meaning out of this media content, confirming that they are looking for distinct gratifications and develop different identification and empathy connections with the characters. The results thus show the impact of a sitcom originally produced more than twenty years ago that not only transcends generations but also impacts them differently.
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