Just a quick reminder, for those newly arrived at Curious British Telly, that there are two Curious British Telly books to be found on Amazon.
Both The Curiosities of British Children’s Television and More Curiosities of British Children’s Television rummage through the attic of children’s television. In particular, they focus on programmes that time has politely forgotten or that were barely written about in the first place.
This means, yes, there are chapters on not only Codename Icarus and Rowan’s Report but also that grand oddity which is Treasures of the Mindlord. Many sound so improbable you might assume they’re invented, yet every one of them genuinely flickered across British screens for the nation’s curious young eyes.
Best of all, I managed to track a surprising number of the people involved, so this means the books are peppered with first-hand insights from such luminaries as Derek Griffifths, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Bill Oddie and Joy Whitby. It lends the books a pleasing authority, and also demonstrates the strength of their memories for work they completed several decades ago.
I don’t plug the books very often these days, and it’s unlikely I’ll write any more, but do have a look and, if tempted, consider taking one home.
I got my hands on a copy of your first book this morning and have started to read through it. I like how you are reminiscing about early memories of these forgotten shows and also speaking to people involved in these shows to get a better understanding of what went on. This website and also your books are the kind of things I love to read as they unlock old memories and reinforce other memories that I knew existed but can't speak to friends about them because they are convinced I am making it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting the book, even better that you're enjoying it. I was convinced that I was making some of them up until I finally tracked down footage of them!
DeleteYou say that you might not write another book but I like to see you do one on the personalities of legendary British kids TV. The likes of Cosgrove-Hall, Anna Home, Peter Firmin and Oviler Postgate as well the legendary stars of these shows such as Brian Cant, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin would make for a good book.
ReplyDelete