If you’re reading this section of the paper, you probably enjoy TV to some degree. Whether that’s simply in a ‘sit on the sofa with your flatmates and a cuppa’ capacity or in ‘feverishly marathon the entire Sopranos boxset in a weekend’ capacity, you’re all still fans of TV.
We’re definitely at another high point in TV right now. With the likes of Breaking Bad captivating audiences, New Girl and Happy Endings finally breaking the curse of Friends, and properly original shows that, although getting cancelled due to low viewers, at least shows writers are thinking about doing something different, leads me to argue that perhaps we are living in a Second Golden Age of TV.
The United States of Television is here to show you why TV is so bloody good. Originally airing on PBS in 2011, this re-edited version also features contributions from Alan Yentob. It is perhaps one of the cleverest shows about television to have ever aired, capturing why exactly we love TV while gauging how a square box has managed to change society in America and the world.
Split into four parts, each focusing on a different types of TV characters (The Misfit, The Crusader, Independent Woman, and Man of the House), the series looks at the history of these characters throughout history. Accompanied by talking heads from many of the people involved, both in front of the camera and behind, it not only gives us a great look as to how these shows came to be, but also how certain shows have influenced society, with I Love Lucy redefining the way women are portrayed on screen.
If you love TV in any way, I highly implore you to watch this show if not simply to add more shows to the list of things you need to watch.
