Issues, Debates and Analysis

Report by: Niall Doherty

For: Jim Doherty

Date: 10/05/2018

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Importance to the Broadcaster

3.0 Taste and Decency

4.0 Quality and Standerds

5.0 Audience Ratings

6.0 Complaints

7.0 Conclusion

8.0 Bibliography

1.0Introduction

In this report I will investigate the TV series Lucifer. I will investigate the benefits of the show to the broadcaster as well as issues and controversy surrounding the show.

2.0Importance to the Broadcaster

Lucifer is a TV series produced by FOX. It premiered on FOX TV on the 25th of January 2016. The show is currently on its 3rd season and is expected to get a 4th season for 2019. The character for Lucifer was designed by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg for a DC comic called The Sandman. Lucifer later got his own comic series called Lucifer also owned by DC. The current TV series is popular with its viewers. The show is about Lucifer having grown tired of being lord of hell, moving to Las Angeles. The story is based around Lucifer working with Detective Decker to help her solve murder cases around the city.

3.0Taste and Decency

Lucifer had attracted controversy because of its portrayal of the devil. The American Family Association and One Million Moms set up an online petition to have the show taken out of development by FOX.

The organisation also gave these reasons for preventing the show from being developed. ‘Previews of the pilot episode depict graphic acts of violence, a nightclub featuring scantily-clad women and a demon.’

A petition online by the organisation ‘One Million Moms’ that was set up in 2015 to stop the show from being developed. The link to the petition is below.

https://onemillionmoms.com/current-campaigns/urge-fox-drop-plans-to-air-lucifer-sign-petition-now/

Despite the organisation trying to stop the show`s development and getting over 38,000 signatures on a petition the TV series was aired. As well as having religious controversy because of the shows premise the show also occasionally has scenes with blood and gore that can offend viewers.

Lucifer also has a surprisingly light hearted storyline. Instead of using techniques such as shock factor and intense storytelling the episodes use the viewers emotional investment in the characters as the main incentive to keep them watching the show. This is done by having a continuous storyline that revolves around the drama between the characters. Every episode in the show gradually evolves the relationships between the different long term characters.

One of the major factors the the TV adaptation for Lucifer introduced that was not in the comics is the police procedural aspect of the show. Every episode in the show revolves around a case that Lucifer, Detective Decker and the rest of the LYPD team work on to solve. In some episodes the cases have more relevance to Lucifer and the other cases have more relevance. The TV show uses this mechanic well to show the character development of Detective Decker and Lucifer. The cases also work as a catalyst for the rest of the relationships of the characters on the LYPD teams.

4.0Quality and Standards

The quality of Lucifer is a decent standard. The long term story that takes place between Lucifer and the rest of the characters can sometimes be stretched over to many episodes. The police procedural aspect to the show creates a sense of familiarity for the audience but can get repetitive at times.

The casting for Lucifer is exceptional because of the way the actors bring their roles to life. Every character in the show is unique in their own way and this makes the show stand out in its own way. The character for Lucifer in the show is based of David Bowie in his manner and personality. This gives the character a certain charm.

The cases in each episode are also done very well. Each case, although typical for a police procedural program, are very entertaining to watch and they usually tie into the character’s character development.

The first season in Lucifer consist of thirteen episodes. This was increased to 18 episodes for the second season and then increased to 24 episodes for the third season. The increase in the amount of episodes per season is a result of the producer offering to to more episodes and the three final episodes in the second season being transferred to the third season.

5.0Audience Ratings

The show has had good ratings overall during its 3 seasons. The ratings for the show on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic have being mostly positive with the show scoring around 8 out of ten in for most reviewing sites. The show also is on the top 10 highest grossing TV shows on FOX at the moment which bodes well for the future of the series.

6.0Complaints

Complaints involving the show from the audience is that the pacing of the main storyline is to slow. Another common complaint of the show is that it is very generic and that it is very boring. The main complaint for the show is the fact that it is based on the Devil.

7.0Conclusion

8.0Bibliography

Christian Today Website- https://www.christiantoday.com/article/foxs-lucifer-stirs-up-more-controversy-by-giving-god-a-wife-who-escaped-from-hell/85033.htm

IMDb website- https://www.imdb.com/

Rotten Tomatoes Website- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/