The emotions industry in Italy : you've got mail

This chapter focuses on the Italian television program, You’ve Got Mail - a successful prime-time series that has been broadcast on Italy’s Mediaset's Channel 5, from 2000 until today - in order to present an Italian example of the emotions industry. Thus, the main question posed is: “How does emotional disclosure as presented on the Italian television program You’ve Got Mail contribute to the Italian emotions industry?". The hypothesis advanced is that programs such as You’ve Got Mail create the illusion of a virtual community that can replace a real community. As a result, viewers form deep emotional and personal bonds with the protagonists appearing on the show. The implementation of qualitative analysis, specifically critical discourse analysis (CDA), of the show indicates that stories, especially dramatic stories, attract audiences. Furthermore, evidence suggests that a radical process of individualization followed by the breakdown of any real community make it difficult for individuals to cope with personal problems. Hence, TV has become the social arena to turn to when one feels the need to be heard or ask for assistance. Among the reasons for these emerging tendencies is the breakdown of traditional cultural agencies, such as the Church and schools. In addition, in a narcissistic culture, the image is at the center of both individual and social life and thus appearance is the main criterion for judging a person. Consequently, appearing on TV is a major sign of success.