Paper Tiger Television

Paper Tiger Television

1981 1 Seasons 25 Episodes ⭐ 0.0 Documentary News Talk

Paper Tiger Television is a public-access television series created in 1981 by a New York–based media collective led by DeeDee Halleck. Produced with a low-budget, do-it-yourself aesthetic, the series features artists, scholars, and activists critically examining mainstream media, often by analyzing newspapers, magazines, or television content on camera. Distributed through public-access channels and grassroots networks, the program became an influential example of alternative media, promoting media literacy and challenging corporate control of information.

Paper Tiger Television is a public-access television series created in 1981 by a New York–based media collective led by DeeDee Halleck. Produced with a low-budget, do-it-yourself aesthetic, the series features artists, scholars, and activists critically examining mainstream media, often by analyzing newspapers, magazines, or television content on camera. Distributed through public-access channels and grassroots networks, the program became an influential example of alternative media, promoting media literacy and challenging corporate control of information.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Herbert Schiller Reads The New York Times: The Steering Mechanism of the Ruling Class

Media scholar Herbert Schiller analyzes The New York Times, examining how its structure and content shape political and

EP 2

Natalie Didn’t Drown: Joan Braderman Reads The National Enquirer

Joan Braderman critiques tabloid journalism through The National Enquirer, focusing on sensationalism and narrative cons

EP 3

Stuart Ewen Reads The New York Post: Fantasy, Morality and Authority

Stuart Ewen examines The New York Post, analyzing its presentation of morality, authority, and popular culture.

EP 4

Bill Tabb Reads U.S. News & World Report: Disrobing the Economy

Economist Bill Tabb critiques economic reporting in U.S. News & World Report, focusing on how financial narratives are f

EP 5

Tuli Kupferberg Reads Rolling Stone: Always Smile When You Give ’em the Shaft

Poet Tuli Kupferberg analyzes Rolling Stone, examining its political positioning and cultural messaging.

EP 6

Martha Rosler Reads Vogue: Wishing, Dreaming, Winning, Spending

Artist Martha Rosler critiques Vogue, focusing on consumer culture, gender roles, and advertising imagery.

EP 7

Archie Singham Reads Foreign Policy: A Look at the Old Boy’s Network

Archie Singham examines Foreign Policy magazine, analyzing its perspectives on global power and elite networks.

EP 8

Joel Kovel Reads Life Magazine: It’s a New Life, Painting a Corpse

Joel Kovel critiques Life magazine, exploring how it constructs narratives of American life and social reality.

EP 9

Stanley Aronowitz Reads The New York Times: A Timely Look at Labor

Stanley Aronowitz analyzes labor coverage in The New York Times, focusing on representation of workers and unions.

EP 10

Elayne Rapping Swoons to Romance Novels

Elayne Rapping examines romance novels, exploring their themes, audience, and cultural significance.

EP 11

Richie Perez Watches Fort Apache: The Bronx

Richie Perez critiques the film Fort Apache, The Bronx, focusing on its portrayal of urban communities and policing.

EP 12

Patty Zimmerman Reads Variety: Hooray for Hollywood

Patty Zimmerman analyzes Variety, examining the film industry’s trade press and its framing of Hollywood.

EP 13

Pearl Bowser Looks at Early Black Cinema: The Legacy of Oscar Micheaux

Pearl Bowser explores early Black cinema through the work of Oscar Micheaux, examining its historical significance.

EP 14

Renee Tajima Reads Asian Images in American Film: Charlie Chan Go Home!

Renee Tajima critiques representations of Asian Americans in film, focusing on stereotypes such as Charlie Chan.

EP 15

Marc Crispin Miller Reads Cigarette Ads: Lots More Ifs, Ands & Butts

Marc Crispin Miller analyzes cigarette advertising, examining persuasive techniques and cultural messaging.

EP 16

Jean Franco Reads Mexican Novelas: Adiós Machismo! Hola Maquilladora

Jean Franco examines Mexican popular literature, analyzing gender roles and cultural narratives.

EP 17

Flo Kennedy Reads U.S. Press on South Africa: The Hair in the Milk

Flo Kennedy critiques U.S. media coverage of apartheid South Africa, focusing on omissions and framing.

EP 18

Noam Chomsky Reads The New York Times: Seeking Peace in the Middle East

Noam Chomsky analyzes The New York Times’ coverage of the Middle East, examining language and political framing.

EP 19

Thulani Davis Asks, Why Howard Beach?: Racial Violence and the Media

Thulani Davis examines media coverage of racial violence, focusing on the Howard Beach incident.

EP 20

Donna Haraway Reads The National Geographic on Primates

Donna Haraway critiques National Geographic’s portrayal of primates, exploring scientific narratives and ideology.

EP 21

Born to Be Sold: Martha Rosler Reads the Strange Case of Baby S/M

Martha Rosler examines media coverage of a high-profile custody case, analyzing themes of commodification and morality.

EP 22

Fred Landis Reads The Washington Times: The Dark Side of the Moonie

Fred Landis analyzes The Washington Times, focusing on its ownership and ideological influence.

EP 23

Protest + Education Can Equal Change (featuring Kathy High)

This program documents activist strategies combining protest and education to promote social change.

EP 24

The Last Graduation: The Rise and Fall of College Programs in Prison

The film examines the development and dismantling of higher education programs within U.S. prisons.

EP 25

Class Dismissed (featuring Howard Zinn and James Loewen)

Historians Howard Zinn and James Loewen critique the teaching of American history, focusing on omissions and narrative b

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