Culture (1994)

Rituals

Winter Olympics Popular With Viewers

Zoglin, Richard. "The Olympics That Came In From the Cold." Time 143.10(Mar1994): 65. Academic Search Complete. Terrell Lib., Washington State University. 13 Oct. 2008 http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu.

The 1994 winter Olympic games in Norway drew a larger audience than any previous games. Ratings had been struggling for a number of years with the Olympics. But prime-time viewership nearly doubled between these 1994 Olympics and the previous 1992 summer games. Though the events were canned, viewers were kept at the edge of their seats. In fact, 48.5% of all American households tuned-in for the women's short ice skating program. Editing was provided to enhance dramatic effect, adding suspense and interest. For the first time in many years, Americans found heroes in the games. Americans watched, in awe, as countless Americans took gold at these winter Olympics.


Woodstock Makes a Comeback

Morse, Steve. "Woodstock '94 is BIG." The Boston Globe (June1994): 8B. LexisNexis Academic. Terrell Lib., Washington State University. 13 Oct. 2008 http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu.

Woodstock 1994, designed to commemorate the original festival, was larger than anyone could have anticipated. Making between $25- and $30-million, Woodstock spanned two stage venues a half-mile apart, each more than 100 acres in size. It also had 600 shuttle buses, two 52-bed mobile hospitals, 425 doctors and nurses, and an on-site newspaper. This 1994 event was too large to be held at the original location: Bethel. The legend of Woodstock 1969 was cause for such an overproduction the second time around. The 'Surreal Field' was a tent village built between the two stage venues so that participants did not have to leave throughout the weekend. Interestingly, no alcohol could be consumed or sold during the festival. Later, the concert series could be bought on pay-per-view. And although it was a cultural tradition with a strong legacy, Woodstock 1994 could not quite capture the momentum of Woodstock 1969. Society and social upheavals were very different. In 1969, concert-goers were interested in not only the music, but the message as well.