Lectures on Tap - When American Television Became American Literature

📍 Location: Exact address given in confirmation email

📚 Lecture: "When American Television Became American Literature"

🎤 Speaker: Prof. Ben Alexander

Join us for an engaging evening with Ben Alexander as we explore the transformative evolution of American television during the 2000s, where TV became a medium for literary expression. This era marked the emergence of the serial subscription drama, with groundbreaking series such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, and Mad Men, which serve as a form of 21st-century American literature.

In this lecture, Ben will provide a brief overview of the political and cultural backdrop that birthed the iconic "anti-hero," tracing its roots from Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon to Lance Armstrong's doping scandal. He will delve into the impressive literary depth found within these series, drawing connections to works of great literature such as Hamlet and Macbeth.

Additionally, Ben will highlight how a second generation of shows, beginning with Narcos and continuing with True Detective and Mare of Easttown, not only reference literary traditions but also adopt literary forms like Magic Realism and Southern Gothic.

Ben Alexander teaches in the English and Film Studies Departments at Barnard College and Columbia University, and his edited volume "This America Man" will be published soon.

Don’t miss this opportunity to unpack the literary significance of television with Ben Alexander!

Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌

Agenda

6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key.

6:55 PM – Host introduction

7:00 PM – Lecture begins

7:45 PM – Audience Q&A

8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round

8:30 PM – Wrap up.

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