Investigating the creative formations and ideological physiognomies of Greek TV Comedy Series of the 1990s as influenced by the sociocultural principles of their zeitgeist.

During the last decade, Greek Media studies have started to engage with investigations on the Greek television field under the scopes of Entertainment, and Arts and Humanities, deviating from their traditional politico-economical focus. Within a vibrant and rapidly developing environment of scholarly engagement, many recent studies are currently filling in gaps in knowledge related to various Greek television aspects, by producing discourses which usually combine production perspectives with textual analysis on Greek television fiction. Therefore, in order to contribute to covering part of the gap of academic discourse on the field of Greek television, this study investigates, through textual analysis, how eleven popular Greek comedy series produced during the 1990s (a decade considered as the golden era of Greek television comedies) have portrayed Greek national identity, political ideologies and sociocultural beliefs related to the institution of family through their narratives. While previous work has focused on political economy and state-media relations, this research shifts the focus toward the cultural and ideological underpinnings of Greek television fiction, offering a new perspective on how popular media can shape and reflect societal values. By analysing the creative processes behind these comedies, the study uncovers the complex interplay between entertainment, national identity, and cultural norms during a transformative period in Greek broadcasting. Through its examination of these, previously underexplored, areas, the study provides a more nuanced understanding of Greek television’s role in shaping collective memory and identity, both in the past and in its contemporary reimagining. This contribution enriches both the academic literature on Greek television and the broader field of media studies, offering valuable insights into how television functions as a cultural and ideological force within society.