A Sociological Analysis of Television

New genres of programmes appeared on French televisionin the 2000s. They shaped people's relations to entertainment, and to a certain extent the nature of their interests. TVredefined itself under the influence of foreign channels. Until then, France had harshly defended its cultural autonomy; but American formats eventually made their way into the media to become mainstream. Why were these broadcasts so successful? Had viewers been looking forwardto enjoying them? This paper discusses whether reality television has reflectedan evolution of French ethics. A selection of three French broadcasts is scrutinized in this regard-a quiz show (The Weakest Link), a talk show (My Own Decision) and a reality show (Loft Story). These shows reveal aspects of the ways in which television acts upon mentalities. They also threaten, according to sociological studies of the media, the quality of cultural production-in science and in the arts, in philosophy or in law-as well as democracy and political life at large.