Political sex scandal as an outgrowth of television culture: Moving the phenomenon beyond its sensational roots

Media outlets enthusiastically cover news of political sex scandals in the United States when a politician is caught breaking sexual norms. While the content of scandals, by definition, is sensational and highly titillating, it is important not to view these events merely as filler, soft news. Rather, this article argues that while scandal is an outgrowth of television culture, indicative of the premium society places on its scintillating content, analysis of mediated scandals can also reveal fundamental elements of our social fabric that make the subject necessary for analysis.