Televisiedrama volgens kijker/criticus: Kwaliteitsoordelen in online recensies en publieksreacties over dramaseries

In the digital age, the enjoyment of television drama can expand beyond viewing weekly episodes. With new media, viewers can publish different kinds of user generated content, including critical reviews. Yet the emergence of such user reviews implies a shift in the cultural field, as criticism is no longer exclusively produced by professional cultural reviewers. Which quality standards are relevant in the evaluation of dramaseries? And how do professional and amateur critics relate to each other in formulating these evaluations?
This article presents a discourse analysis of online professional and amateur reviews on popular drama series Grey’s Anatomy, Elementary and The Good Wife. Findings demonstrate that audiences draw on knowledge, experience and commitment with regards to tv-shows, when evaluating characters and their relationships. While both professional and amateur reviewers combine critical and referential perspectives, the use of suggestive versus expressive discourses distinguishes them.