My favourite TV show, is the Channel 4 series Top Boy. The fictional drama is set in a gritty East London housing estate known as Summerhouse, and follows the effects of the underground drug trade on the poverty ridden community. The show follows many stories and consequently, I find it easier to relate with and this makes the text more enjoyable. The Series focuses on main character Dushane, who runs the Drug trade in Summerhouse.
The series takes exception to Strauss' binary opposition theory. The primary character Dushane is a ruthless drug lord who isn't afraid to hurt people to cover his own mistakes. Dushane's enemies change from season to season, but whether it's a rival dealer or a corrupted supplier, there's no such good character to counter-act the bad like Strauss' theory suggests. The only signs of goodness are represented by the Metropolitan police force, but they only really make cameo's as they're constantly one step behind Dushane & Partner in crime Sully's schemes.
The Channel 4 show partially follows Todorov's narrative theory however it starts at a different point to the one Todorov suggest. The series starts out of equilibrium from the very beginning when Raikes' (The head honcho in Summerhouse) is having to deal with rival drug dealer, Kamale, moving in on his territory. Sully and Dushane gain Raikes' trust and convince him to let them run Summerhouse for him, and soon they've ridden Kamale from the area. The show is then thrown back into dis-equilibrium when Kamale steals a huge amount of drugs that Dushane has been entrusted by Raikes. Then over the rest of the 4 part series the show follows Dushane trying to get retribution on Kamale and re-gaining the trust of Raikes before Raikes' feels he must take violent action.
The show appeals to a wider audience because of its casting too. Ashley Walters, who plays the main character, was formerly a member of popular group 'So Solid Crew' and has been arrested in the past for firearms charges so knows the role he is playing, better than most others. The show's ensemble cast means that there are many different kinds of people being represented. There's a full spectrum of Ethical backgrounds, Class and Cultures on display.
I personally watch the show for a number of reasons, uses and gratifications. Some people watch this show, as they consider themselves to be the bad boy, drug takers they see on the screen and enjoy it for that reason, as they can gain insight into ones self. Others like me can still seek personal uses from the show. Some people seek different models of behaviour like the way Dushane is portrayed as a confident, cool but still fierce and respected character. The main reason I chose to watch the show personally, is through its entertainment value. The main use for a show like this is relaxation, and escapism for example, as it let's you look into a lifestyle you're not used to. I for one enjoy the fact you can watch shows like Top Boy and see things you wouldn't see in every day life. It really pushes the boundaries when it comes to the seriousness and the darkness of the show, and at times portrays scenes that you couldn't imagine being aired before 10PM at night. People can seek Social uses and gratifications from the piece, some enjoy gaining insights from others lives, like me. Some people will watch the show just to fit in and be able to talk and converse with other viewers. The show is even more popular due to it's easy accessibility I believe. Channel 4's 4oD service that runs through their own website and YouTube, means if someone hears about it from others, it's easy for them to catch up and learn about the show.
You put more into this response than I asked, which is only a good thing. The gratifications are correct, but you could apply more detail to each point. Similar to your other work, you make a point and move on to the next one before it is fully explained. Refer to the text and particular scenes in order to correctly justify the point/gratification you identify. I am not sure you have hit all the gratifications the intended audience may have, simplistic elements such as the setting, age of cast and nationality could all attract the audience.
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