Note: In celebration of our book launch this week, we’re releasing this special discussion on British TV, but it’s not part of our numbered cadence of episodes. It’s truly an extra episode!
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan Thomas discusses the launch of his new book, ‘Great British Telly,’ which serves as a comprehensive guide to British television. He reflects on his personal journey with British TV, its cultural significance, and the rich history of television in the UK. The conversation covers the top 50 British TV shows, the importance of understanding British slang, and current British TV recommendations. Jonathan emphasizes the unique storytelling and humor found in British television, making it a beloved medium for Anglophiles around the world. It’s a fun exploration of this key aspect of British culture and history. The book is available now from booksellers everywhere. Through the episode, Jonathan walks you through how and why he chose his top 50 British TV shows, conducts a reading of the introduction, and ends the episode by talking about all the British TV shows he’s currently watching.
Links
- Great British Telly Announcement Blog Post
- Great British Telly on Authorpage.link
- Buy Direct from Anglotopia
- Buy on Amazon
Takeaways
- British TV is a gateway for many Anglophiles to connect with Britain.
- The book ‘Great British Telly’ serves as a comprehensive guide to British television.
- British TV has a rich history, starting from its invention to the present day.
- The top 50 British TV shows include classics like Doctor Who and Monty Python.
- The author shares a personal journey of discovering British TV over 30 years.
- The book includes a deep dive into the economics and cultural significance of British TV.
- British TV is known for its unique humor and storytelling style.
- The author emphasizes the importance of understanding British slang for better viewing experience.
- The book features a section on the impact of British TV on American culture.
- The podcast concludes with current British TV shows the author is watching.
Sound Bites
- “British TV was my gateway drug into becoming an Anglophile.” – Jonathan explaining how British television first sparked his love for British culture.
- “I have watched thousands of hours of British TV, much to Mrs. Anglotopia’s probable annoyance.” – A humorous admission about his extensive viewing habits.
- “Most people don’t know that TV was actually a British invention.” – Highlighting a key fact about television’s origins that opens the book.
- “I like to think that I’m an expert on British TV after all these years.” – Jonathan’s confident assessment of his qualifications after decades of viewing.
- “Grand Designs is actually probably my favorite reality British TV show… It’s one of the most memeable shows on the internet.” – His enthusiasm for the long-running architecture series.
- “This book has been years in the making… It is 400 pages. It has a lot of content.” – Emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their new guidebook.
- “British television didn’t just entertain me, it educated me.” – From the book’s introduction, explaining TV’s deeper cultural impact.
- “The painful truth is that I could not include all of my favorite British TV shows on this list.” – Acknowledging the difficult editorial choices in creating the top 50.
- “I will die on this hill – British TV is so excellent at historical drama, even still, compared to American productions.” – A passionate defense of British period dramas.
- “Mind the gap and enjoy the show.” – His charming British-influenced sign-off at the end of the book’s introduction.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to British TV and Anglophilia
- 03:01 The Launch of Great British Telly
- 05:23 History of British Television
- 08:38 Top 50 British TV Shows
- 11:33 Honorable Mentions and Long-Running Shows
- 14:14 Christmas Specials and British TV
- 15:45 British TV Slang and Culture
- 18:43 The Economics of British TV
- 21:12 Personal Journey with British TV
- 25:54 Conclusion and Reflections on British TV
- 28:01 The Essence of British Television
- 34:52 Current British TV Favorites
- 59:45 Conclusion and Call to Action
- 59:56 anglotopia-podcast-outro.mp4