The 70s - Top TV viewing
17th April 2012
Regular readers, and indeed those that know me, will be well aware of my flag waving zeal for the 1970s. Why on earth alert you once again to my sad (others’ opinions of course, not mine) and seemingly terminal nostalgic affliction? Well, my retro-inspired fuel tank got a boost last night with some top TV, care of the BBC (and more specifically BBC2). First up at 9pm, “The 70s”, a documentary presented by historian Dominic Sandbrook, followed by “Sounds of the 70s” at 10pm. I’ll be honest; the TV Licence money was not begrudged yesterday night.
Prior to being gripped by the goggle box, there was a certain satisfaction to be had in others taking time to alert me to the looming joyous occasion. My wife, sensitive to my predilection, had already studied the TV guide and appreciated that my needs would determine the Baldwin viewing schedule for the evening. My father in-law phoned in just to make sure that I was aware of the treat awaiting me – an excellent standard of phone based domiciliary care I must state.
Whilst I was grateful for the consideration, my emotional wellbeing agents need not have worried; I already had “heads up” thanks to this
article on the BBC News website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17703483
Why not follow the link and read it too.
This link about the making of the series is also worth following.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2012/04/the-70s.shtml
In the countdown towards 9pm, I called a similarly affected friend just in case he was at risk of missing out but, whilst it was good to chat, I needn’t have
worried because he was already primed too.
Last night, the Sandbrook documentary spent an hour addressing UK social history from 1970-1972.
Home ownership was a key topic; with the relaxing of some local lending restrictions, the banks could start lending mortgages (something that only building societies had been able to do previously), the mortgage market ballooned and the nation of homeowners was born. It was fascinating to
see young families of the time being interviewed about owning their own homes and moving out of the cities and into newly built homes in the suburbs (or new towns) to get a better standard of living. This mirrored perfectly the experiences of my parents whom, prior to my arrival in the world, moved out of a flat in London to a new house in Dunstable in 1970.
Another interesting subject was the rise of the foreign holiday and the impact that new travellers had on demand for goods and services back in the UK. I learnt some new things too: I had no idea that Thomas Cook and Lunn Polly were nationalised businesses until the early 70s. I also didn’t appreciate that until the 70s, holiday makers faced restrictions in the amount of currency they could take out of the UK.
Thanks to the masses being able to access package holidays, and the desire of those travellers to bring some of their experiences home with them; the UK wine market was born. Mrs Baldwin and I therefore owe a significant debt of gratitude to those pioneers. Thank God though that Blue Nun, Black Tower and Mateus plonk are not the current pinnacle of wine appreciation.
Other subjects covered included power cuts, miners’strikes, flying pickets, Ted Heath, haircuts and popular music. I could write about all of them but you should probably get on the iPlayer and watch the episode for yourself. Don’t miss out on the archive footage of Mark Bolan and David Bowie – classic stuff.
Today in the office, surrounded by younger colleagues, I asked if anyone else had watched the 70s visual feast. The answer from those around my desk pod was resoundingly “no” and then, to add insult – “most of us weren’t even born in the 70s”.
Okay I felt a bit old at that point! Still, I found some solace with a similarly aged colleague (he has 'O' levels too) in finance who had watched and enjoyed. The youngsters, they missed out on both the decade and the programme – a shame on both counts if you want my opinion. Still if they
read this post, they can at least correct one failure. Only a time machine would solve the other.
Before I wrap up – the “Sounds of the 70s”, the programme that followed the documentary was great too. Archive footage of Queen, the New York Dolls, David Bowie and Rod Stewart was cracking. Thirty more minutes of engaging visual entertainment.
Last night saw 1.5 hours of essential TV viewing and what’s even better is that more documentary episodes follow over the next few weeks, as the rest of the decade is covered! I know where I’ll be at 9pm on Monday night for the next three weeks – just don’t try to phone me (unless you’re happy with voicemail).
And Dominic, if you ever read this post, thanks for your efforts. The 70s needs more advocates and I am delighted to find you and, vicariously, the BBC championing the cause. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again (it is my site): The 70s rocked.
I love the seventies (read an earlier post)
Back to reviews and recommendations home
Regular readers, and indeed those that know me, will be well aware of my flag waving zeal for the 1970s. Why on earth alert you once again to my sad (others’ opinions of course, not mine) and seemingly terminal nostalgic affliction? Well, my retro-inspired fuel tank got a boost last night with some top TV, care of the BBC (and more specifically BBC2). First up at 9pm, “The 70s”, a documentary presented by historian Dominic Sandbrook, followed by “Sounds of the 70s” at 10pm. I’ll be honest; the TV Licence money was not begrudged yesterday night.
Prior to being gripped by the goggle box, there was a certain satisfaction to be had in others taking time to alert me to the looming joyous occasion. My wife, sensitive to my predilection, had already studied the TV guide and appreciated that my needs would determine the Baldwin viewing schedule for the evening. My father in-law phoned in just to make sure that I was aware of the treat awaiting me – an excellent standard of phone based domiciliary care I must state.
Whilst I was grateful for the consideration, my emotional wellbeing agents need not have worried; I already had “heads up” thanks to this
article on the BBC News website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17703483
Why not follow the link and read it too.
This link about the making of the series is also worth following.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2012/04/the-70s.shtml
In the countdown towards 9pm, I called a similarly affected friend just in case he was at risk of missing out but, whilst it was good to chat, I needn’t have
worried because he was already primed too.
Last night, the Sandbrook documentary spent an hour addressing UK social history from 1970-1972.
Home ownership was a key topic; with the relaxing of some local lending restrictions, the banks could start lending mortgages (something that only building societies had been able to do previously), the mortgage market ballooned and the nation of homeowners was born. It was fascinating to
see young families of the time being interviewed about owning their own homes and moving out of the cities and into newly built homes in the suburbs (or new towns) to get a better standard of living. This mirrored perfectly the experiences of my parents whom, prior to my arrival in the world, moved out of a flat in London to a new house in Dunstable in 1970.
Another interesting subject was the rise of the foreign holiday and the impact that new travellers had on demand for goods and services back in the UK. I learnt some new things too: I had no idea that Thomas Cook and Lunn Polly were nationalised businesses until the early 70s. I also didn’t appreciate that until the 70s, holiday makers faced restrictions in the amount of currency they could take out of the UK.
Thanks to the masses being able to access package holidays, and the desire of those travellers to bring some of their experiences home with them; the UK wine market was born. Mrs Baldwin and I therefore owe a significant debt of gratitude to those pioneers. Thank God though that Blue Nun, Black Tower and Mateus plonk are not the current pinnacle of wine appreciation.
Other subjects covered included power cuts, miners’strikes, flying pickets, Ted Heath, haircuts and popular music. I could write about all of them but you should probably get on the iPlayer and watch the episode for yourself. Don’t miss out on the archive footage of Mark Bolan and David Bowie – classic stuff.
Today in the office, surrounded by younger colleagues, I asked if anyone else had watched the 70s visual feast. The answer from those around my desk pod was resoundingly “no” and then, to add insult – “most of us weren’t even born in the 70s”.
Okay I felt a bit old at that point! Still, I found some solace with a similarly aged colleague (he has 'O' levels too) in finance who had watched and enjoyed. The youngsters, they missed out on both the decade and the programme – a shame on both counts if you want my opinion. Still if they
read this post, they can at least correct one failure. Only a time machine would solve the other.
Before I wrap up – the “Sounds of the 70s”, the programme that followed the documentary was great too. Archive footage of Queen, the New York Dolls, David Bowie and Rod Stewart was cracking. Thirty more minutes of engaging visual entertainment.
Last night saw 1.5 hours of essential TV viewing and what’s even better is that more documentary episodes follow over the next few weeks, as the rest of the decade is covered! I know where I’ll be at 9pm on Monday night for the next three weeks – just don’t try to phone me (unless you’re happy with voicemail).
And Dominic, if you ever read this post, thanks for your efforts. The 70s needs more advocates and I am delighted to find you and, vicariously, the BBC championing the cause. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again (it is my site): The 70s rocked.
I love the seventies (read an earlier post)
Back to reviews and recommendations home
