Which is an example of intertextuality in TV drama?

• A. A meta-commentary that nods to a classic series
• B. An entirely original plot with no references
• C. A show copied from another without attribution
• D. A spin-off that ignores prior works

Answer: (A)

Intertextuality in TV drama is about a show deliberately referencing or echoing other texts to create a dialogue across works. A meta-commentary that nods to a classic series is the clearest example because it signals to the audience that the current drama is in conversation with something familiar from the past. This might be a line, a joke, a visual cue, or a scene that mirrors an iconic moment, inviting viewers to bring their knowledge of the classic series into the new story. This use of recognizable references adds extra layers of meaning and humor by linking the new show to a broader TV tradition.

An entirely original plot with no references lacks this cross-textual dialogue. A show copied from another without attribution isn’t intertextual in the sense of engaging in a dialogue with the source text; it’s simply lifting content. A spin-off that ignores prior works builds a separate universe rather than actively engaging with its predecessors.