UNDERSTANDING CARNIVALESQUE FORMS OF MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT: THE CASE OF THE BRITISH TV SHOW MISFITS.

Focusing on the phenomenon of carnivalization, the paper offers an insight into contemporary notions and opinions on carnivalesque forms of communication present in various cultural forms and media products. The text's aim is to provide a theoretical overview of different approaches to understanding the term "carnivalization" in the context of visual-auditory media production, as well as an analysis of carnivalesque aspects present in the British science-fiction and comedy television show Misfits. The paper works with the basic assumption that media carnivalization may appear to be a form of social criticism, black humour or satire (in this particular case associated with the current popularity of superheroic narratives that are mocked by the analysed TV show), but it is, in fact, a very efficient form of social control and a clear consequence of existing social inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]