Television in Spain: From Franco to Almodóvar (Monografías A)

Description

Any follower of Spanish cinema who turns to television finds that the locally produced programs most appreciated by both audiences and critics are as creative and original as any feature film. This book, the first of its kind, gives close readings of TV programmes broadcast from the 1970s to the present day. They embrace drama, comedy, and talk/reality shows and are currently available on DVD. It also treats the obsessive theme of television in Almodóvar, Spain's most celebrated film director, arguing for a re-reading of his work in the light of TV studies. In addition to analysing particular programmes, this book examines TV channels, production companies, governments, and the role of the press, academy, and audience. PAUL JULIAN SMITH is Professor of Spanish at the University of Cambridge. CONTENTS......Page 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8 Introduction: From Franco to Almodóvar......Page 10 1. The Approach to Spanish Television Drama of the New Golden Age: Remembering, Repeating, Working Through (Cuéntame cómo pasó [Tell Me How It Happened, 2001– ])......Page 20 2. The Classic Serial: Public Service, Literarity, and the Middle-brow (Fortunata y Jacinta [1980] and La Regenta [1995])......Page 36 3. Chronicles of a Village: Francoist Newsreel, Feature Film, and Television (Crónicas de un pueblo [Chronicles of a Village, 1971–4]; Cine de barrio [Neighbourhood Cinema, 1995– ])......Page 67 4. The Urban Sitcom: Community, Consumption, Comedy (Aquí no hay quien viva [No-one Can Live Here, 2003– ])......Page 91 5. Telebasura: Trash, Talk, and Reality (Crónicas marcianas [Martian Chronicles], 1997–2005)......Page 122 6. Almodóvar on Television: Industry, Thematics, Theory......Page 152 CONCLUSION: A Day in the Life of Spanish Television......Page 166 Glossary of names......Page 174 Glossary of institutions and Spanish terms......Page 177 INDEX......Page 180