'Comparing 'Popworld' (Channel 4, 2007), with 'Top of the Pops' (BBC, 1970's)'

Representation is an interesting issue to consider when looking at Top of the Pops and Popworld, for example the issue of age can be discussed when looking at top of the pops/popworld. They are mainly aimed at a modern youth culture, and for that reason, use younger presenters in order to relate to the audience which are usually teenagers or young adults. In both Top of the Pops and Popworld the majority if not all of old age people are excluded from the programmes, in order to appeal to a younger generation who tend to watch more music television programmes than older adults. The intro shown on Top of the Pops shows a disorientated and confused atmosphere possibly to relate to the fast paced and psychedelic life of teenagers in the 60’s/70’s, in order for the show to become more popular, it must relate to modern culture.

Gender is represented in both Top of the Pops and Popworld. Women back in the 60’s/70’s were more or less objectified and were being exploited to most men. A woman shown in the intro of TOTP is shown gazing into the camera, this can be seen as exploitation of women but on the other hand can be seen as a post-feminist view as she holds control over the males watching the programme due to her powerful gaze.  

The hegemonic view back in the 70’s was for men to be masculine and women feminine/objects of desire.

However modern music programmes such as Popworld tend to have more equality in the role of males and females due to the ‘indie’ culture.

While Top of the Pops remains structured and keeps within the constructs of its genre, Popworld can be read as a Postmodern text