American Television on British Screens : A Story of Cultural Interaction

This work explores how American programmes have become an important part of British television culture since the 1950's, moving from schedule fillers to cornerstones and 'must see' attractions. The book analyses popular and industrial discourses, the changing roles of such programmes on British screens and interviews with key British broadcasters. American programmes have always been part of British television, from I Love Lucy in the 1950s to more recent 'must see' programmes, such as Lost. They have been used throughout the schedules, playing primetime, the afternoon and late night slots. However, many British critics, broadcasters and scholars alike, have in the past tended to malign, ignore, or sideline their role. Many ferared that this popular and shiny culture was eroding British culture. Now, when British viewers can watch American television 24 hours a day, is a good time to re-evaluate the American contribution. Through an analysis of popular and industrial discourses, interviews with key British broadcasters, and an examination of the way programmes are assimilated into the schedules, Paul Rixon explores the role of American programmes on British screens American Programmes Have Always Been Part Of British Television, From I Love Lucy In The 1950s To More Recent 'must See' Programmes Such As Lost. They Have Been Used Throughout The Schedules, Playing In Prime-time And In The Afternoon And Late-night Slots. However, Many British Critics, Broadcasters And Scholars Alike Have In The Past Tended To Malign, Ignore Or Sideline Their Role. Many Feared That These Popular And Shiny Products Were Eroding British Culture. Now, When British Viewers Can Watch American Television 24 Hours A Day, Is A Good Time To Re-evaluate The American Contribution. Through An Analysis Of Popular And Industrial Discourses, Interviews With Key British Broadcasters And An Examination Of The Way Programmes Are Assimilated Into The Schedules, Paul Rixon Explores The Role Of American Programmes On British Television Screens.--jacket. Theories Of Cultural Assimilation -- Re-evaluating British Television History : From I Love Lucy To Desperate Housewives -- The Economic Rationale : Push And Pull Factors -- Broadcasters As Active Mediators -- The Black Art : Scheduling American Programmes -- Discourse Of Television Critics -- The Next Generation? Paul Rixon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 191-205) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-7 Theories of Cultural Assimilation....Pages 8-31 Re-evaluating British Television History: From I Love Lucy to Desperate Housewives....Pages 32-58 The Economic Rationale: Push and Pull Factors....Pages 59-82 Broadcasters as Active Mediators....Pages 83-105 The Black Art: Scheduling American Programmes....Pages 106-134 Discourse of Television Critics....Pages 135-161 The Next Generation?....Pages 162-183 Conclusion....Pages 184-190 Back Matter....Pages 191-211