Many people believe that we live in the “golden age” of television. Shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad opened the floodgates, and ever since they ended, showrunners and executives have been trying to capitalize on the “next best thing.” We’ve even seen many well-known actors make the switch from movies to television.
Television, like film, has the potential to explore some really interesting themes and tackle a variety of genres, especially in this day and age where we have cutting-edge technology that can make great elements look better than ever. However, it’s often the most down-to-earth TV shows that make it to the top. Furthermore, it is often the everyday topics we face that fascinate us the most.
gambling on tv
One of the themes is gambling. We often hear about gambling movies – what are the best movies about poker, casinos or card counting. However, the images of gambling on television are rarely discussed. This is very interesting to consider considering that TV shows are more likely to depict some of the more modern forms of gambling.
For example, many people may have learned about the concept of online gambling from television. For example, we can often see characters in the background playing poker on a laptop or smartphone. Online casinos are very popular nowadays. You can learn more and learn more about how online gambling works by checking out the casinos.com Top Casinos Analysis page.
If television is equally capable of representing casinos and gambling, why aren’t more people talking about it? This probably has a lot to do with the fact that the film industry is much larger. However, since we do live in the “golden age” of television, we thought it was fair to look at some of the ways in which shows depict gambling, casinos, and even online casinos.
Gambling as a personality trait
Gambling is often used as a character trait, a way to enhance character and tell us more about the people on screen. The 2004 medical drama House is a perfect example. House is a rather interesting take on Sherlock Holmes, following the life of the eccentric, sociopathic and sometimes unpleasant but brilliant Dr. Gregory House.
House is a stubborn man who rebels against any form of authority and is willing to take any risk, no matter the danger. His practice was very professional and took care of arranging various medical procedures that could have resulted in failure. However, he was equally willing to take risks in his personal life. We often see House playing poker and blackjack on his work computer, and in previous seasons, he often played pony. His portrayal of the gambler tells us that Dr. Gregory House is a risk-taker, cementing his image as a rebellious doctor willing to do whatever it takes to cure his patients. Of course, he was not interested in the patient as a person, but in the puzzle that needed to be solved. In this sense, gambling enhanced his characterization not only as a risk-taker but also as a person uninterested in the consequences.
gambling as entertainment
Poker is generally considered a gambling game, similar to blackjack, baccarat, etc. Of course, while luck plays a role, all the best poker players rely on skill and strategy to win the game. Perhaps for this reason, poker tournaments are also very entertaining, especially when the players are skilled.
This is why many TV channels broadcast live or pre-recorded poker matches and tournaments. A good example of this is the High Stakes Poker Show, which has been running since 2006 and still attracts people today. Top poker pros come together and risk their own money in hopes of outsmarting each other.
There’s also a celebrity poker showdown. Of course, you can guess what the premise here is just by looking at the name. Celebrity Poker Showdown brings together film and television stars who are well-known poker players and pits them against each other, with light-hearted banter and chat enhancing the experience for both players and viewers.
Casinos as mood regulators
Finally, casinos, gambling dens, etc. are often used in television to capture a certain mood or atmosphere. Take The Sopranos , for example. The show revolves around the New Jersey Mafia and the family drama of its leader, Tony Soprano. As a mob boss, Tony had to deal with a number of businesses, including gambling. This mafia show perfectly depicts an illegal gambling den, creating a dowry atmosphere every time we find ourselves in one.
In contrast, legal casinos, such as those in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and throughout the United States, are generally considered to be an incredible experience. Grand, luxurious, glamorous, and exciting gambling venues are often associated with entertainment on television. It’s for this reason that every situation comedy has its essential “casino episode.” In these episodes, the main cast finds themselves in a casino, and the comedy often stems from incredible wins or devastating losses. Whatever the case, it’s always fun.
Some things to consider
Gambling has been a part of human culture for as long as we have existed. The discovery of dice-shaped bones from the Paleolithic Age proves this. Throughout history, gambling has been regulated in different ways, often banned outright. Today, we live in a golden age, not only of television, but of gambling as well. Governments have realized they cannot ban the practice, so they have begun focusing on regulation. Casinos, whether land-based or online, must be licensed to operate and must meet certain standards set forth by various committees specifically established to ensure the safety of players around the world.
Source link
