the avengers Flashcards
what type of show
The Avengers is a British spy (espionage) drama.
when was the show on and how many seasons did it have
the 1960s and 6 seasons
name of set episode
“The Town of No Return”
when did the avengers air
It was scheduled to air on ITV on Saturdays at 9.05pm every week, which is considered Prime Time viewing.
was the avengers pre or post watershed
This was after the watershed
what is watershed
the time when TV programmes which might be unsuitable for children can be broadcast.
evidence of popularity
The 4th series attracted audiences of around 7 million homes with episodes often appearing in the top ten TV programmes.
The show did well internationally, especially in America.
who produced the avengers
the Avengers was produced by ABC which was an company owned by ITV.
why did the avengers have better funding than cuffs
ITV had higher budgets for productions than the BBC because of the profits made from advertising.
issue with avengers production - comared to cuffs
However, TV at the time would usually be studio based and shot live (as videotape editing was very expensive) which meant TV shows looked stagey and actors mistakes would not be changed.
cost of each episode
Each episode cost £56,000 which was incredibly high for the time.
4 ways the avengers targets mass audiences
- Using elements of comedy combined with exciting spy thriller.
- Using sophisticated camerawork and editing (for it’s time it was considered groundbreaking).
- Using a range of interesting locations - again at the time this was new and exciting.
- Having a strong, intelligent and attractive female protagonist - this was important in appealing to female audiences who wouldn’t usually be the target demographic for Spy thrillers. (identification)
john steed
A secret agent working for the British Intelligence. He is suave, sophisticated and ruthless, with impeccable dress sense. - hero
emma peel
An agent who is a specialist in martial arts and certified genius. A heroine who is rarely defeated in fights and is able to rescue John Steed. -
uses and grats - personal identity
Could identify with a tough, intelligent female hero who was the equal of Steed.
uses and grat - social interaction
- Could watch the programme together as a family - as there was only one television in the house. However, not younger children due to the watershed.
- Would enjoy discussing the programme with friends and co-workers and feel like they haven’t missed out. - link to popularity
uses and grats - entertainment
Could de-stress by losing themselves in the fantasy world.
Could enjoy the jeopardy of their heroes’ situations and how they escaped from these with style, sophistication and humour.
Could enjoy the fact that their is a new villain each week and familiar closure at the end of each narrative.
uses and grats - information
Could feel that they were gaining information about the upper class world.
Could feel that they were gaining information about the world of spies which was frequent subject in the news.
why may modern audiences have a different response to 1960s
- Changes in social attitudes and values (e.g. towards gender or sexuality).
- Changes in performance style
- Changes in production techniques (B&W, camerawork, sound)
- Personal experiences
- The cult status of the show supported by fan sites.
what channels were available
Only 3 channels available during the 1960’s - BBC1, BBC 2 and ITV.
why were audiences more loyal to particular channels in the 60s
There was no convergence, no computers and no way to record television.
This meant that audiences were much more loyal to a particular channel.
+ channels had to be changed manually which was hard and could cause damage
what type of channel is itv
commercial broadcastor
why must itv appeal to mass audiences
TV must appeal to mass audiences in order to attract the advertisers that fund them.
live broadcasting
watching a TV programme at the same time that it is broadcast live on the TV.
time shifting
watching a TV programme after it has been broadcast (on-demand and recording)
streaming
watching content that has never been broadcast live (e.g. Netflix)
conflict of representations
Peel objectified but also independent
contradiction between emma as an equal to steed and her objectification (smash cut to her behind when walking with steed)
3 reinforced stereotypes
Rural britain seen as more backward
Men are more powerful
Formality of Britain
3 challenged stereotypes
Peel adventurous
women independant and intelligent
Men thoughtful
contexts - gender
Emma peel ‘working woman’ - more than housewife, multiple interests
equal to steed as spy
objectified - outfits
john steed stereotypical lead male - power and authority through demeanour and gentlemen style outfits
contexts age - john steed
generational values of traditional Post-War Britain
fought in ww2 - believes duty to queen and country
costume - hat, umbrella, suit - British city gentleman
accent, choice of language - conservative views refers to Emma as Mrs Peel
context - age - emma peel
swinging sixties and the changing attitudes of youth - younger, carefree
costumes - leather catsuit, black and white beret, mini-skirt - symbolic of liberation women were experiencing fashion
respectful of her elders, commitment to duty, goes on her mission with Steed without question - tension for 60s young people
still required to follow certain rules.
race relations act 1976
makes it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), and national or ethnic origin
contexts - ethnicity
no characters of other ethnicities in the Town of No Return apart from white
none in whole series
TV didn’t keep up with Race Relations Act - still many racial equalities in Britain
contexts - espionage and cold war
both sides of cold war used to gather info
double agents found guilty of spying
any detected to be soviet spies imprisoned
common theme
avengers audience
itv seen as a more working class channel
different viewers and how they were catered to
this was a time of rapid change , the older wartime generation celebrated the values of duty and perseverance and the younger generation celebrating freedom , spontaneity and consumption
