| Entertaining Television: The BBC and Popular Television Culture in the 1950s Contributor(s): Holmes, Su (Author) |
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ISBN: 0719077915 ISBN-13: 9780719077913 Publisher: Manchester University Press OUR PRICE: $123.50 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2008 Annotation: This book challenges the idea that the BBC in the 1950s was elitist and 'staid, ' upholding Reithian values in a paternalistic, even patronizing way. By focusing on a number of (often controversial) program case studies--such as the soap opera, the quiz/ game show, the 'problem' show and programs 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 programs and topics at the forefront of television today, ranging from talk shows and 'Reality TV' 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. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Performing Arts | Television - History & Criticism - Social Science | Popular Culture |
| Physical Information: 1" H x 6.4" W x 9.3" (1.15 lbs) 232 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher 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. |