Fill In the gap and be intrigued.

         I always wondered what it was about TV shows that kept me glued. Turns out it is due to the fact that TV writers use the "gap-filling" technique. Gap-filling is when the audience brings assumptions and knowledge of similar texts to the construction of the meaning. This brought me to wonder if  TV shows are popular or less popular due to gap-filling. Do we as an audience need gap-filling in order to find a TV show intriguing?

         I quickly thought of some of my favorite TV shows, Modern family, Gossip Girl, Law and Order, and America's Next Top Model.Once I took a closer look at these TV shows, I realized that not all of them use this gap-filling technique as often, but most of the shows I enjoy do incorporate . Modern Family doesn't offer too many cliff hangers. However, Gossip Girl, Law and Order, and America's Next Top Model rely on gap filling in order to keep the audience engaged.  With GG one is always wondering what Blair's next scheme is going to be. In Law and Order we always feel we know who the murderer is.  ANTM often has us guessing "who will be eliminated next?" I feel that for some TV shows "gap-filling" is vital, but for others it isn't. A question I cant seem to answer is what makes TV shows that don't have too much "gap-filling" successful?