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Pop Culture in “Britain”
British popular music
The Beatles : led a “British invasion”
into American (and global) popularity in music
led the creation of what are now “music videos”
reflected in interests Britain’s imperial heritage .
British Popular Music Today
Some British pop stars, like Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, are succeeding on world pop charts.
Cornershop
Indians and “cornershops”
Reflects British Imperial heritage and migrants
musical style mixes Indian and other Western popular music styles (rock, trip-hop, disco)
Techno and Ravers
As far as the English-speaking world is concerned, “rave culture” seems to have first “flowered” in London.
“Other Stuff”
The diversity that surrounds this allows other styles, including regional styles like “the Bristol Sound”, to receive attention worldwide
British Media - TV
BBC TV is publicly funded (by tax) in Britain
no “adverts” world famous for
news, sports, and original programs, including many re-adapted for American TV
Alternatives for “The Telly”
In the past few years, satellite and cable TV have grown in popularity.
Popular local programs of the past and present include...
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Soap Dramas
“East Enders” and, before it, “Carnation Street” were widely popular soap dramas, mostly featuring characters that seem slightly mundane or “tame” compared to in American soap operas.
Imported Formats & Programs
GAME SHOWS: Weakest Link
REALITY TV:UK Pop Idol/X-FactorBig Brother
FOREIGNPROGRAMS:Sex & The City,Friends, The West Wing
UK Pop Idol / X-Factor
What is the real purpose of this show? to discover new pop stars? or to entertain us with the awfulness of people who
think they are talented, but aren’t?
Check this out...
Newspapers and Class
Tabloid: sleazier, more gossip, sometimes include nude pictures or scandals
Broadsheet: more news- and politics-oriented, less focused on stars and scandal
The Royal Family
Generally occupy a role in British culture similar to that occupied by Hollywood stars in America.
Not politically powerful anymore, although they are wealthy and often mentioned in the media.
While the UK is technically a monarchy, British persons are generally considered “citizens”, not “subjects” of the royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II
b.1926, took the crown 1952
technically head of British state, and head of the Church of England
delivers a speech annually at Christmas, participates in various public functions, etc.
Charles, Prince of Wales
son of Elizabeth, will be next King of England
married Diana, now Camilla Parker-Bowles
Father to Princes William and Harry
Changing AttitudesToward the Royals?
BBC Poll (2002): Is the monarchy out of date?
Yes: 32% (44%) No: 63% (45%)
Does the royal family cost too much money? Yes: 51% (62%) No: 43% (30%)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/06_june/12/monarchy_poll.shtml
Why is Soccer so Popular? Very little gear
required, so kids develop an interest by playing
Local community spirit expressed in “sides”
Easy and popular topic of discussion in pubs
Because it's promoted
So, Soccer
Divisions New local teams can, in theory, form, move up
the ladder, and become top-division teams if they perform well
Part of a wider network of European competition
World Cup is VERY important. And then there’s rugby...
Racial/Cultural Diversity in Britain
The UK is, overall, 7.9% nonwhite
London itself is 28.9% nonwhite.
Many immigrants from Commonwealth countries -- ex-colonies -- but also people from elsewhere.
Diversity and Pop Culture
This diversity has affected popular culture in many ways. food culture figures in
entertainment musical styles social tensions &
problems
Is The United Kingdom Really “United”?
Most of this session has in fact focused on English popular culture.
Some other people in the UK reject the label British, because of colonial history.
Local popular culture in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales also differs in some ways.
“RP” Trainspotting