Media‐constructed anti‐intellectualism: The portrayal of experts in popular US television talk shows

Abstract

While intelligence is generally regarded as valuable, some important contexts portray intelligence in a negative light. This study examines the popular portrayal of intellectual expertise through a content analysis of 200 of the 10 top‐rated popular US television talk shows. Results showed that experts in this sample were typically brought on late in the program, allotted little speaking time, placed among non‐experts, frequently interrupted, and sometimes disagreed with or challenged. In addition, “intellectual experts” were treated more negatively than “non‐intellectual” experts. These and similar data suggest a “leveling” of experts on television talk shows in that they seem to be treated no differently than non‐expert guests. Grounded in the theory of Cultivation, these findings indicate that television talk shows contribute to social‐order maintenance by weakening the status of intelligence through their treatment of experts.