Media Studies

As most of you know TV took off in the 50s and many people bought  a set to watch the Coronation in 1953. There are, and were, some brilliant shows on TV but many turned out to be mediocre or even dross. I truly regret that my parents  bought a set in 1955. I must have been watching The Grove Family instead of doing my homework in preparation for the 11 plus. At that time many middle class parents were absolutely scared of the Tripartite System - Grammar - Technical -Secondary Modern, because they saw the danger of their offspring ending up at a Secondary Modern.   As a consequence many teachers earned extra income from 11 plus coaching. No doubt there were many naturally bright youngsters destined to pass - but for many of  the remainder  Saturday Night At The London Palladium, The Grove Family and fascination with Oxo adverts pulled them into the local Secondary Plod. I acknowledge that the arrival of the Open University was a very a positive step and of course it used  television to transform many lives.

When the  Internet arrived I found my TV viewing hours greatly reduced, but of course surfing the Net does little for muscles and the cardiovascular system.  Age does not help either. A few days ago I had a dream in which I had decided to take cricket up again. Then I woke up and found I was over 60. Runs would be even more difficult to get at such an age.

At last we got a flat screen TV. It opened me up to the temptations offered by multi channels. No doubt there are some very commendable Americans but their culture, as portrayed by many channels, has a soft obese look about it.

Back in 1976 two of us got lost in the Black Forest. When we found our way again we were in a world of largely obese Germans. I did not realise it at the time but that was the way it was going to go in the United Kingdom, and the way it had been in the United States for a long time. People who spend too much time on the Internet or watching TV are not usually going to be in glowing health are they? No doubt there are many that achieve a good balance but so many  are storing up trouble.

My master plan is to use the Internet for only four hours per week and leave  that cheerful comedy show, Eastenders, to others. The argument that such programmes as Eastenders give the general public insight into how to deal with life does not convince me.

I am going to close the door on Eastenders and much of the Internet and get some glowing health; when I achieve that I will have a pint with Brian and the lads. Mind you I will find time for Derby County v QPR on BB2. BBC4 is not bad as well. Channel 4 news with John Snow and his colleagues is brilliant  and I cannot afford to miss that.

WB