Publication Date:November 6, 2007 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days Shipping:International shipping available Condition:In stock - Sent fast from British booksellers.
An Effort Of A Book, But Not What You Want To Read.January 4, 2009 When Channel 4 came to it's 25th anniversary in 2007, there was a sudden vast majority for a few books about the channel. Two books were published, this and a book about the early years with Jeremy Issacs (which sounds more interesting to someone like me - with a strong interest in continuity and it's early programming).
When I read a book about a television channel, I want a detailed book about the events of the start and the early disastors (like the IBA strikes that used to happen around 1982-1985). Instead we get Maggie Brown who is more interested in talking about 'Big Brother' (which is a show that I think destroyed the channel, along with 'The Word'). So in the introduction we get a detailed idea on how she wrote the book, then followed by 2 chapters on 'Big Brother'. When she does go back to 1980 (when the channel was starting to get pulled together) she only give it around a paragraph of attention!
Brown neither manages to give good examples of some the early programmes, but a detailed description on the 90's and present days - which is not what I'm looking for. Some programmes appear with a snapshot of attention and that's that.
Despite what said, Brown did actually blame 'Big Brother' for being a let down to the channel as a sum-up.
I normally associate the British Film Institute's books for being a good read, but this one now lays gathering dust behind my favourite books.
