Researchers Exploring Why We Can't Hear Actors on TV
Television shows often employ pounding bass lines and hip synthesizer beats to set the mood of a scene or to engross viewers. Sometimes, though, that "ambient noise" can detract from the action, or it can even drown out character dialogue completely. In the U.K., distracting and obtrusive sounds have created such a backlash among some viewers that the BBC is backing a study to determine if background music and noises are too overpowering. Garnering specific mention for their overbearing music and sound effects are the hit shows 'Mad Men,' 'The Wire,' and 'Waking the Dead.' Jay Hunt, the controller of BBC1, told the Daily Mail, "There are particular issues with background music that makes certain programmes difficult for older viewers." (The report doesn't mention which shows draw stateside criticism, but we're guessing that, in addition to the previous three, 'Matlock' reruns and anything on The History Channel catch a fair bit of flak.)
No solutions are given for the noise problem, but, after studying the effects of background music on the abilities of young and old people to aurally comprehend TV shows, the researchers will propose new guidelines for ambient noise. We're not sure when this issue became such a problem, but we're blaming MTV (dang, we're getting old), 'The Real World,' and the proliferation of reality television. Who needs dialogue when people are eating live insects and raw animal organs and fighting in their underwear? [From: The Daily Mail]
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