Popular Culture Appreciation Society - Television

POPULAR CULTURE APPRECIATION SOCIETY

TELEVISION

There's something disturbing looking back at the TV shows I grew up on. Men with shoe fetishes, men in tights, women trussed up like turkeys, women in kinky boots and leather, men in drag. No wonder I'm so well-adjusted now. In the sage words of one of TV's own: "Yes Jim, there is life. But not as we know it". Oh, well ...

The Avengers

The epitome, the zenith, the veritable acme of style! Clever, witty, adventurous, classy, suave, kinky, humorous and ridiculous (and that's just the opening sequence!), this show had it all. And the highlight of my life? Many years ago, I was a taxi driver, and Patrick Macnee was a passenger of mine. So was Kylie, but, ho hum ...
	Just like Lois Lane, Emma was feisty. And you see what happens to feisty women, don't you? Thank God Steed was there when he was needed? And why couldn't she keep that leg flat?

Batman

It only lasted three seasons, but it was a hoot. A very different take on the serious and mysterious Batman of earlier times, this series had its tongue firmly in its cheek and romped through with the best in deadpan delivery.

Get Smart

I remember first seeing this on a Sunday night in about 1966. Would you believe I was gobsmacked? I laughed till I cried. I spent the next 6 years reciting every line with the other kids at school. I still catch the Saturday afternoon reruns when I can. Wedged in between wall-to-wall sports coverage, the fun is to spot the bits the network hacks out to fit into the 19 minute time slot it has left itself.

The Three Stooges

I can't remember a time as a child when they weren't on TV. We owe so much to these guys. Don't believe me? OK, just tell me what life situations are not covered by these gems:

Greetings!	Revenge will be mine!
I mock you!	Eureka, I have triumphed!
Sorry, my mistake!	I have to go now!
You have my absolute co-operation!	Here's something that will interest you!
Please, allow me my personal space!	Let me explain how this came about!

Superman

Now, look at that smile. This is a man who enjoyed his work! (Mind you, this was taken sometime before he shot himself - but that's a looong story!). The only true Superman was George Reeves. He brought the comics to life in the TV series which ran from 1951-1957. I saw 'em all. I'm still in love with both Noel Neill and Phyllis Coates, who played the feisty Lois Lane. Mind you, I find it hard to picture them untrussed and ungagged, but let's not go there, shall we?