Things That Gladden The Heart

[The Squirrel]

I clearly watched a lot more tv than you in my youth . Did you not watch black and white films when you were younger? Not see black and white morning tv shows from days gone by? Old westerns, gangster films, musicals etc. We watched them because of the channel restrictions, 3 then 4. Nothing else available. In terms of music, I was aware of the big band scene, swing then rock and roll from the 50's.

But in terms of timescales, that’s only like today’s teens being aware of, say, Radiohead or Oasis. Which they are.

Unlike listening to Radio 1 in times of yore, streaming services have a wider time palate and kids will be exposed to music having no idea if it’s from yesterday or 50 years ago, so at least in terms of music I’d suggest they have as wide a palate as ever.

Film, and especially TV, just ages a lot less kindly on average, I think. Special effects, obviously but even the onscreen action, social norms and behaviours (and humour based on these). Seminal works that will never age are unlikely to be enthusiastic teen viewing (e.g. Schindler’s List).

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

As a kid I had no choice but to watch black and white movies, old westerns etc as my dad loved them plus we only had 4 channels until Ch5 came along but was viewed as to “out there”For my parents to watch. With the exception of that Dross soap opera they released called “El Dorado” my mum loved that.

My post school viewing would be other crap soaps mum had on like “Sons and Daughters”. I definitely don’t look back at nostalgic tv and see anything that I’d class as a classic. Even films I loved as a kid I’ll look at now and think god that really was crap

I don’t blame kids nowadays for having no exposure to it, they’ve got far more choice or channels, streaming services and better quality TV to watch.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm going to throw out an ear worm for all those that remember, Champion the Wonder Horse . Come on, you are hearing the title music, it will be with you all day now

 

[cliveb]

True. Even Python is actually wildly inconsistent.

That's an understatement. I'd say 90% of Python's TV output is just woeful. And yet they delivered Life Of Brian - possibly the greatest comedy film of all time.

Despite it being before my times (although I would have seen one of the many repeats), I still think Fawlty and the 4 Yorkshiremen sketch is the pinnacle of timeless British comedy - and 4Y proves it by even having my teens laughing!

+1 for Fawlty Towers. Still brilliant (but sadly now unbroadcastable).
Other classics from back then that have stood the test of time: Porridge, Yes Minister, Blackadder.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Rented from Rumbelows
My kids don’t believe me when I say we rented our telly. And a bloke used to come round in a van every week and we rented videos off him.

I don't really remember when renting stopped. Renting your tv was standard, people rarely owned them at one time. Mr Rumbelows and Mr Radio Rentals had a hell of a business for a good few years. Then all of a sudden, gone.

Did tv's suddenly become cheap? I wonder what caused the big change in that market?

 

[irip]

I don't really remember when renting stopped. Renting your tv was standard, people rarely owned them at one time. Mr Rumbelows and Mr Radio Rentals had a hell of a business for a good few years. Then all of a sudden, gone.

Did tv's suddenly become cheap? I wonder what caused the big change in that market?

I think blockbusters put an end to man in a van.
The shop not the tv programme (another great).
I think the introduction of buy now pay later put an end to renting TVs.
You paid the same but owned it at the end of the contract.
Trouble is by then the tv was so old it was worthless.
Do you remember having to warm it up and the national anthem being played at 23.00 and then tv going off

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I think blockbusters put an end to man in a van.
The shop not the tv programme (another great).
I think the introduction of buy now pay later put an end to renting TVs.
You paid the same but owned it at the end of the contract.
Trouble is by then the tv was so old it was worthless.
Do you remember having to warm it up and the national anthem being played at 23.00 and then tv going off

I just about remember warming the tv up, not the anthem. I was too young, would have been in bed then.

I certainly remember getting up to turn the tv over and the excitement of having a remote for the first time. That remote was attached to the tv by a long wire .

All laugable to my kids, and I am not sure they believe me when I say this.

The other one that does them, I never used a computer through my school and university time. There were specific computer rooms but I never used them.