Television is perhaps one of the most pervasive forms of culture there is and one that demands rigorous study to its effects and impact upon individuals and society as a whole. Unfortunately, whilst this study may be important , most of us have other pressing questions regarding television. What lessons in life can Bagpuss teach us? Which American Teen drama is the best? What in the hell were the Clangers really going on about? Yes, these are the burning issues that preoccupy many people’s minds on a regular basis. God help us if there’s a(nother) war.
Shouting At The Telly is a collection of essays (well, musings) on the glass teat that has weaned many a youngster since John Logie Baird decided that the radio was just not good enough. Highlights include Rebecca Front, currently on the receiving end of lots of foul language in ‘The Thick Of It , reminiscing about her stint on spoof news show ‘The Day Today’ and marvelling just how close the real news has become to Chris Morris sharp satire. Richard Herring has a go at Gary Sparrow for his ‘Paucity of Ambition’ in the sitcom ‘Goodnight Sweeheart’, wondering why – with the ability to travel in time – did he not much more whilst Monica Long identifies her guilty pleasures. Collections of this nature are usually hit and miss, and this is no exception, but it’s an extremely fun ragbag of opinions, nostalgia and facts (including a list of all those who were considered for the role of The Doctor but never quite made it) that is tremendous fun to read. Perfect for Xmas, when you’ll most likely be doing a lot of shouting at the TV yourself.
Shouting At The Telly is published by Faber and Faber is available all good bookstores and online.
Thanks to Faber and Faber we have two copies of the book to giveaway to our lovely readers. So if you would like the chance to win one please head on down to the comments box and tell us your favourite forgotten TV show and why.
NB: Please be sure to read our terms and conditions which you are deemed to have accepted by entering! Winners will be picked by random using random.org so why not give it a go! Closing date: 11th January 2010
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED – WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!
AND THE WINNERS ARE: Steven Taylor & Phil Darling. Congratulations – emails are winging their way to you now. Apologise for lack of random.org image – you’re just gonna have to trust us as we are cursed with limited technology at the moment!
Please note the post initially offered five copies of the book but we were only sent two copies – apologies for any confusion.
My favourite forgotten TV show is Rising Damp. It’s just so naughtily funny and inappropriate. We’d never get away with having that sort of humour on the telly box these days so I feel privileged to have been around when it was on but also quite sad that that kind of British humour has been laid to rest.
“Sapphire & Steel” – scared me to death!!!
hi ron hope you’re keeping well x
On the Buses takes me back to my childhood. It was all ‘Nudge, nudge, wink wink’ with Blakey and his moustache and clipboard and Olive and her rollers. Fun, silly, inoffensive humour that can still tickle your fancy even now.
the A team, because of BA… AMAZING
My forgotten favourite is ‘The Owl Service’ – used to really scare me!
Would love to see it again, will I still be scared??
The Avengers reminds me of when I was a kid, I used to watch it with my dad!!
Arthur of the Britons
On at teatime when I was a teenager – two gorgeous leading men in one show (Oliver Tobias & Michael Gothard)
Tru Calling – excellent program but another one to bite the dust because American viewing figures weren’t high enough.
Ooh – The Adventure Game! It had it all, a talking aspidistra plant, scary games, alien money and ‘the vortex’! Absolute classic
“The Riff Raff Element” from the early 1990’s about the upper class and their servants. It was well acted, funny and memorable!
the wild family. i could so relate to the main character. my sister was the strange boy who would collect all the horrid animals and my parents were just as forgetful as hers!
man about the house – george & mildred 🙂
typical married coiuple lol
Fabulous Cities of Gold
One Foot in the Grave will never get old as far as I am concerned. I find it as funny now as it was all those years ago.
The Crystal Maze – theme tune is a classic and I like watching it as much now as I did before Channel 4 changed their logo.
Mind Your Language. They don’t make T.V. like this any more!
That 80’s Show. I think Fox were trying to cash in on the success of That 70’s Show and it didn’t get the same ratings so was cancelled, unfairly. Boooo! Also starred Glenn Howerton before he hit the dizzying heights of success with It’s always sunny in Philadelphia, ahem!!
nightmare. it was miles ahead of its time
Only Fools And Horses cos it’s funny
Sykes – cant understand why it is never repeated
Bless this House, true british comedy
Blind Date
What happened to good old fashioned meeting instead of through facebook
My favourite forgotten TV programme is The Monkees – I wish they’d repeat them all! Brilliant!
Dallas – used to love it
The Avengers reminds me of when I was a kid, I used to watch it with my mum
Logans Run, as it was my favourite program as a child
Rentaghost…….The days of pantomine horses on TV when they were exceptable….
Has to be “The High Life”! Awesome in a jar
The Rag trade – comedy at its best
It has to be “Out of This World” which I used to watch in my early teens. But only because I used to fancy Evie (played by Maureen Flannigan)
saphire and steel. used to scare m. brought a copy last month and watched it and couldnt believe how rubbish it was and why it scared me so much. lol
Grandstand on BBC. A great British Saturday afternoon tradition.
“Sunday Night at the London Palladium” was unmissable. I am no longer a teenager so most of you will not remember it but it was a variety show which also had audience participation in the form of games and ended with a word game. Quite often they ran out of time and ended with “can you come back next week for the word game”. Shows were aired live in those days and anything could happen.
My favourite forgotten TV programme is The Equalizer. He was honest, caring and intelligent with a bit of hmmm!
Grange Hill was ace but me and my brother were banned from watching it cos our parents thought it was a bad influence!!!
Showing my age now but I used to love “Lizzie Dripping” when I was little 🙂
Whatever happened to the likely lads, still love it on sky!
Bullseye – I think it still is on some channel but not on my TV. Even though the prizes weren’t that good we’d always shout BUZZ to things we wanted. Jim Bowen was great!
I really loved Saphire & Steel. Looked forward to it every week. Shame thaere’s nothing on tv I even want to watch these days.
My favourite forgotton TV show is Game On, hilarious!