Dear Chris,
That project sounds fascinating -- are you working with
Barbara on it? If you were my student, I would tell you to
read Bourdieu's Distinction or one of the essays abstracted
from it in various anthologies. He deals with the creation
of critical taste hierachies and the fit between producers
and audiences, of which Northern Exposure is a very good
example. THere's also an essay on Viewers for Quality
Television in the Lisa Lewis anthology Adoring Audiences
that should be relevant. As a matter of fact you might want
to read their newsletter or get in touch with them since I
am sure Northern exposure is one of their endorsed programs.
Roberta Pearson