Raising Laughter: How the Sitcom Kept Britain Smiling in the '70s
About this ebook
Many of these sitcoms tapped into the decade's sense of cynicism, failure and alienation, providing much-needed laughter for the masses. Shows like Rising Damp and Fawlty Towers were classic encapsulations of worn-out, run-down Britain, while the likes of Dad's Army looked back sentimentally at a romanticised English past.
For the first time, the stories behind the making of every sitcom from the 1970s are told by the actors, writers, directors and producers who made them all happen. This is nostalgia with a capital N, an oral history, the last word, and an affectionate salute to the kind of comedy programme that just isn't made anymore.
About the author
ROBERT SELLERS was born in Leeds in 1965. Following graduation from drama school, he dreamt of a career on stage and screen. Alas, despite a few walk-on roles, the world has been spared his acting, which is perhaps all for the best. Instead, he turned to film journalism - why not write about the medium he loves if he couldn't appear in it. Since the early 90s, he has written numerous biographies, books on film and TV and popular culture including the bestselling Hellraisers (Preface, 2009). His book The Battle for Bond was the subject of controversial litigation and for a time was banned in Britain.
