Moral interrogation and the politics of recognition in the talk show

Lunt, P. (2011). Moral interrogation and the politics of recognition in the talk show . Zagreb conference: "New challenges and methodological innovations in European media audience research". 7-9 April 2011.

Abstract: This paper explores audience participation in a contemporary UK TV Talk Show, Jeremy Kyle. In the traditions of talk Shows, Jeremy Kyle brings groups (usually families) together to discuss their conflicts and the complexities and morals of their relationships. The themes discussed involve the nature of family (boundaries and transition), genetics (parenting, DNA testing, responsibility), Forms of long-term relationships (marriage, cohabitation, living apart together, plastic families) the financial and the feelings and emotions of these relationships. The performance of the lay participants is examined from the perspective of the Politics of Recognition for a group of mainly white working class people experiencing the difficulties of living in the contemporary world and seeking recognition for these problems and the validity of their experience. The Host deploys an approach focused on contesting the presuppositions of the moral claims of the protagonists and is interpreted as a form of meta-ethical interrogation. Interpreting both the performances of the lay participants and the hosts governmentality and the politics of recognition are deployed to tease out the identity work done in the programme and to outline features of the mediation of the intimate sphere of family relationships as a reflection of the idea of social life as a perpetual dialogue and agonistic struggle.