Paper Tiger Television
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.
Season 1
25 episodes
- 1. Herbert Schiller Reads The New York Times: The Steering Mechanism of the Ruling ClassMedia scholar Herbert Schiller analyzes The New York Times, examining how its structure and content shape political and cultural narratives.CC30minJan 1, 1981
- 2. Natalie Didn’t Drown: Joan Braderman Reads The National EnquirerJoan Braderman critiques tabloid journalism through The National Enquirer, focusing on sensationalism and narrative constructionCC30minJan 1, 1982
- 3. Stuart Ewen Reads The New York Post: Fantasy, Morality and AuthorityStuart Ewen examines The New York Post, analyzing its presentation of morality, authority, and popular culture.CC30minJan 7, 1982
- 4. Bill Tabb Reads U.S. News & World Report: Disrobing the EconomyEconomist Bill Tabb critiques economic reporting in U.S. News & World Report, focusing on how financial narratives are framed.CC30minMay 26, 1982
- 5. Tuli Kupferberg Reads Rolling Stone: Always Smile When You Give ’em the ShaftPoet Tuli Kupferberg analyzes Rolling Stone, examining its political positioning and cultural messaging.CC30minOct 13, 1982
- 6. Martha Rosler Reads Vogue: Wishing, Dreaming, Winning, SpendingArtist Martha Rosler critiques Vogue, focusing on consumer culture, gender roles, and advertising imagery.CC30minDec 1, 1982
- 7. Archie Singham Reads Foreign Policy: A Look at the Old Boy’s NetworkArchie Singham examines Foreign Policy magazine, analyzing its perspectives on global power and elite networks.CC30minMay 4, 1983
- 8. Joel Kovel Reads Life Magazine: It’s a New Life, Painting a CorpseJoel Kovel critiques Life magazine, exploring how it constructs narratives of American life and social reality.CC30minSep 21, 1983
- 9. Stanley Aronowitz Reads The New York Times: A Timely Look at LaborStanley Aronowitz analyzes labor coverage in The New York Times, focusing on representation of workers and unions.CC30minSep 22, 1983
- 10. Elayne Rapping Swoons to Romance NovelsElayne Rapping examines romance novels, exploring their themes, audience, and cultural significance.CC30minSep 23, 1983
- 11. Richie Perez Watches Fort Apache: The BronxRichie Perez critiques the film Fort Apache, The Bronx, focusing on its portrayal of urban communities and policing.CC30minSep 28, 1983
- 12. Patty Zimmerman Reads Variety: Hooray for HollywoodPatty Zimmerman analyzes Variety, examining the film industry’s trade press and its framing of Hollywood.CC30minJun 20, 1984
- 13. Pearl Bowser Looks at Early Black Cinema: The Legacy of Oscar MicheauxPearl Bowser explores early Black cinema through the work of Oscar Micheaux, examining its historical significance.CC30minJun 21, 1984
- 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.CC30minJun 22, 1984
- 15. Marc Crispin Miller Reads Cigarette Ads: Lots More Ifs, Ands & ButtsMarc Crispin Miller analyzes cigarette advertising, examining persuasive techniques and cultural messaging.CC30minJan 1, 1985
- 16. Jean Franco Reads Mexican Novelas: Adiós Machismo! Hola MaquilladoraJean Franco examines Mexican popular literature, analyzing gender roles and cultural narratives.CC30minJan 3, 1985
- 17. Flo Kennedy Reads U.S. Press on South Africa: The Hair in the MilkFlo Kennedy critiques U.S. media coverage of apartheid South Africa, focusing on omissions and framing.CC30minFeb 1, 1985
- 18. Noam Chomsky Reads The New York Times: Seeking Peace in the Middle EastNoam Chomsky analyzes The New York Times’ coverage of the Middle East, examining language and political framing.CC30minJun 1, 1985
- 19. Thulani Davis Asks, Why Howard Beach?: Racial Violence and the MediaThulani Davis examines media coverage of racial violence, focusing on the Howard Beach incident.CC30minJan 21, 1987
- 20. Donna Haraway Reads The National Geographic on PrimatesDonna Haraway critiques National Geographic’s portrayal of primates, exploring scientific narratives and ideology.CC30minJan 22, 1987
- 21. Born to Be Sold: Martha Rosler Reads the Strange Case of Baby S/MMartha Rosler examines media coverage of a high-profile custody case, analyzing themes of commodification and morality.CC30minJan 1, 1988
- 22. Fred Landis Reads The Washington Times: The Dark Side of the MoonieFred Landis analyzes The Washington Times, focusing on its ownership and ideological influence.CC30minJan 1, 1989
- 23. Protest + Education Can Equal Change (featuring Kathy High)This program documents activist strategies combining protest and education to promote social change.CC30minJan 1, 1992
- 24. The Last Graduation: The Rise and Fall of College Programs in PrisonThe film examines the development and dismantling of higher education programs within U.S. prisons.CC30minJan 1, 1997
- 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 bias.CC30minJan 1, 2004
Paper Tiger Television
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.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- DeeDee Halleck
- Studio
- Paper Tiger Television Collective
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.