Pasta, Pizza and Propaganda: A Political History of Italian Food TV

This book explores the political history of Italian food television, focusing on the central role of food in Italian culture. It examines how food, television, and politics interact, collaborate, and fight behind the scenes, while writers, intellectuals, and celebrity chefs discuss, prepare, and taste the best Italian dishes. The book traces the history of Italian food television from the 1950s to the present, including the political twists and controversies of different eras. It aims to demonstrate that cooking spaghetti in a TV studio is a political act and aims to uncover how watching food television can make viewers citizens. The primary readership is academic, but the popularity of Italian food and food television may also attract a wider audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Intellect Books

This captivating book delves into the intricate political history of Italian 'good food on national television, shedding light on the central role of food in Italian culture. Through a unique interdisciplinary approach, it explores the fascinating intersection of food studies, media studies, and politics. The three central protagonists of this narrative are food, television, and politics, intricately intertwined and playing out behind the scenes while captivating audiences in front of the camera.

The book takes readers on a journey through the evolution of Italian food television, tracing its roots from the early shows of the pioneers under strict Catholic control in the 1950s and 1960s to the left-wing political twist of the 1970s, the conservative riflusso or resurgence of the 1980s, the disputed Berlusconian era, and the rise of celebrity chefs. This comprehensive historical narrative reveals how food television has shaped Italy's political landscape, making it akin to other Western countries.

What sets this book apart is its bold assertion that cooking spaghetti in a TV studio is a political act. It challenges readers to consider the ways in which television programming influences our understanding of citizenship and societal norms. By examining the ways in which food is presented, prepared, and consumed on television, the book uncovers the mechanisms through which we become citizens, both consciously and unconsciously.

The primary readership for this book will be academic audiences, including scholars and researchers in the fields of food studies, media studies, politics, Italian studies, sociology, and anthropology. However, its appeal extends beyond the academic sphere. The popularity of Italian food and food television has created a wider readership interested in exploring the cultural and political dimensions of food consumption.

In conclusion, this book offers a groundbreaking exploration of the political history of Italian 'good food on national television, shedding light on the central role of food in Italian culture. Through a unique interdisciplinary approach, it challenges readers to consider the ways in which television programming shapes our understanding of citizenship and societal norms. It is a must-read for anyone interested in food studies, media studies, politics, Italian studies, or anthropology, as well as for those with a broader interest in the cultural and political dimensions of food consumption.

Dimension: 244 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789384062
Edition number: New ed