ABSTRACT
Radio comedian Fred Allen once observed, “Imitation is the sincerest form of
television.” Allen never made the successful transition to television, so his remark may
have been seen as sour grapes. But, as with many jokes, the humor in the statement
comes from its ring of truth. Television has borrowed its visual and aural style from other
entertainment forms. Where necessary, it co-opted and transformed these other media to
produce the look and sound of the television we see.
