Raising Laughter: How the Sitcom Kept Britain Smiling in the '70s

The 1970s were a turbulent decade with the three-day week, Troubles in Northern Ireland, winter of discontent, trade union Bolshevism, and wildcat strikes. Raising Laughter provides a fresh look at this era through sitcoms that tapped into the culture of the day, offering entertainment and laughter to millions. The stories behind the making of these sitcoms are told by the actors, writers, directors, and producers, making it a nostalgic and affectionate salute to the kind of comedy programme that is no longer made.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

The 1970s were a tumultuous decade marked by various events and trends that left a lasting impact on British society. One of the most significant aspects of the decade was the three-day week, which occurred in 1973 and 1974 due to a coal miners' strike. This event caused widespread disruption and hardship, with many people unable to work or afford basic necessities. The Troubles in Northern Ireland, which began in the late 1960s, also had a profound impact on the country, with violence and political instability continuing for many years. The winter of discontent, which took place in 1978-79, was a period of widespread industrial unrest and strikes, with workers demanding better pay and conditions. Trade union Bolshevism, which emerged in the 1970s, was a radical movement that sought to transform the workplace into a socialist utopia. Wildcat strikes, which were unauthorized strikes that were not sanctioned by the trade union, were also a common occurrence during this time. Despite the challenges and difficulties of the decade, the 1970s also saw the emergence of a new form of comedy, known as sitcoms. Sitcoms, such as Raising Laughter, provided a fresh and humorous look at the culture of the day, offering a satirical commentary on the social and political issues of the time. Many of these sitcoms tapped into the decades 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 Dads Army looked back sentimentally at a romanticized 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.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 200 x 130 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803993683
Edition number: New ed