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