British Television Drama in the 1980s

In this fascinating collection of twelve essays, the innovative programmes of the period are analysed and placed within their social and political contexts.

George W. Brandt (Edited by)

9780521427234, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 September 1993

304 pages, 12 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.5 kg

"It is good to have a book of essays...that recognizes the significance and vitality of television drama in contemporary British culture....Brandt's selection of subjects shows good judgment." Andrew Davies, Times Literary Supplement

This is the first book to examine an outstanding decade of British television drama. The 1980s witnessed a series of changes and innovation in television, in which a fourth channel was established, studio production largely gave way to location filming, and programmes reflected key political events. In this fascinating collection of twelve essays, the innovative programmes of the period are analysed and placed within their social and political contexts. The writers analyse programmes as di

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Notes on the Contributors
Foreword DAVID ROSE
Introduction George W. Brandt
1. Talking Heads: A Bed Among the Lentils (Alan Bennett) Albert Hunt
2. Brookside: Damon's YTS Comes to an End (Barry Woodward) Vera Gottleib
3. Yes, Prime Minister: The Ministerial Broadcast John Adams
4. Inspector Morse: The Last Enemy (Peter Buckman) Richard Sparks
5. Edge of Darkness (Troy Kennedy Martin) Andrew Lavender
6. Boys from the Blackstuff (Alan Bleasdale) Bob Millington
7. Tumbledown (Charles Wood) and The Falklands Play (Ian Curteis) Geoffrey Reeves
8. Four Days in July (Mike Leigh) Paul Clements
9. Tutti Frutti (John Byrne) Hugh Herbert
10. The Jewel in the Crown (Paul Scott-Ken Taylor) George W. Brandt
11. The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (Fay Weldon-Ted Whitehead) Liz Bird and Jo Eliot
12. The Singing Detective (Dennis Potter) Joost Hunningher
Appendix 1. Programmes on Videotape
Appendix 2. The Independent Broadcasting Authority/Independent Television Commission Research Papers
Select Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Television [APT]