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