Entertaining Television
The BBC and Popular Television Culture in the 1950s
1st Edition
Published on 1. November 2015
232 pages
978-1-5261-0160-0 (ISBN)
Description
Entertaining television challenges the idea that the BBC in the 1950s was elitist and 'staid', upholding Reithian values in a paternalistic, even patronising way. By focusing on a number of (often controversial) programme case studies - such as the soap opera, the quiz/ game show, the 'problem' show and programmes dealing with celebrity culture - Su Holmes demonstrates how BBC television surprisingly explored popular interests and desires. She also uncovers a number of remarkable connections with programmes and topics at the forefront of television today, ranging from talk shows, 'Reality TV', even to our contemporary obsession with celebrity.
The book is iconclastic, percipient and grounded in archival research, and will be of use to anyone studying television history. -- .
The book is iconclastic, percipient and grounded in archival research, and will be of use to anyone studying television history. -- .
Reviews / Votes
Anyone interested in television studies, British or American and its history or present will find much here to inform and enhance their knowledge and interest., Kathleen Collins, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 92(2), 14 May 2015 -- .
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More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations, black & white
ISBN-13
978-1-5261-0160-0 (9781526101600)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2013
Manchester University Press
€27.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
09/2008
Manchester University Press
€131.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Su Holmes is Reader in Television Studies at the University of East Anglia -- .
Content
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 Public Service and the Popular: Debates and Developments
2 'Neighbours to the Nation': 'Soap Opera', the BBC and (Re)visiting The Grove Family (1954-57)
3 'The "Give-Away" Shows - But Who is Really Paying?' Rethinking Quiz and Game Shows on 1950s British Television
4 The Problem Show - 'An.... Unmarried mother sat in a wing-backed chair on TV last night...'BBC Television asks Is This Your Problem? (1955-57)
5 From 'Serialitis' to 'Torture, Treacle, Tears and Trickery': Framing Television Fame
6 Conclusion: 'There's nothing really better than what you're used to, is there?'
Bibliography -- .
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 Public Service and the Popular: Debates and Developments
2 'Neighbours to the Nation': 'Soap Opera', the BBC and (Re)visiting The Grove Family (1954-57)
3 'The "Give-Away" Shows - But Who is Really Paying?' Rethinking Quiz and Game Shows on 1950s British Television
4 The Problem Show - 'An.... Unmarried mother sat in a wing-backed chair on TV last night...'BBC Television asks Is This Your Problem? (1955-57)
5 From 'Serialitis' to 'Torture, Treacle, Tears and Trickery': Framing Television Fame
6 Conclusion: 'There's nothing really better than what you're used to, is there?'
Bibliography -- .
