There’s something rather wonderful about receiving a handwritten letter. The thought of someone sitting down with pen and paper, carefully crafting their thoughts, feels almost quaint in our age of instant communication. Yet that’s exactly what viewers did for decades when they wanted to share their opinions about BBC television through “Points of View.”
I was reminded of this when reflecting on the incredible response we’ve had from listeners since starting “My 70s TV Childhood” in 2020. The volume and variety of messages you’ve shared has been extraordinary, and it struck me that perhaps it was time to celebrate these wonderful communications in our very own “Points of View” episode.
The original BBC show had quite a journey. It began as an institution in television’s early days but was axed in 1971 for being “a bit dull.” Fortunately, the BBC relented, and the show returned in 1979 with Barry Took’s distinctive deadpan delivery providing the perfect counterpoint to viewers’ passionate complaints and compliments.
The contrast with today’s instant feedback culture couldn’t be more stark. Where once viewers had to compose thoughtful letters, we now fire off immediate reactions on social media. The democratization of feedback has made it easier for everyone to have their say, but perhaps it has also diluted the thoughtfulness that came with the old system.
What we didn’t anticipate when starting the podcast was how many of you would share deeply personal memories that television had helped preserve. Comments like “Thanks for bringing back so many happy and long forgotten memories” remind us there’s clearly an appetite for this nostalgic reflection.
But it’s the detailed messages that really bring the 70s television experience to life. Richard from Brisbane wrote about how influential TV was: “Things got more interesting and TV became huge at school. Everyone asked, ‘Did you see whatever the latest TV craze was?'” That phrase perfectly captures how shows became cultural phenomena that dominated playground conversations.
The most moving messages connect television viewing with precious family memories. Guy’s story about watching The Six Million Man with his father is particularly touching: “My dad worked excessively in the seventies. However, one thing he always managed was to have Saturday night with me. We would prepare a glass of milk and chop up a Mars bar into very thin slices, and I would consume these through an episode. We would pull the curtains closed and turn the lights off to simulate a cinema.”
This beautiful memory captures how television served as a bonding experience for families. The ritual elements show how much thought went into making these viewing sessions special.
Stefan’s memory from the US adds an international dimension: “I would watch TV as she worked with a Siamese cat called Winky, owned by Mr. Finley, the publican at the King’s Arms. I have very fond memories of watching TV with Winky at the time.” The inclusion of Winky shows how our television memories often include the entire context of where and with whom we watched our favourite shows.
The regional ITV variations have generated fascinating responses. Carolyn from Mansfield explained how she had to switch between dodgy signals: “We could just about get a dodgy rolling picture from ATV, which must have been worth it to watch Tiswas.” These stories remind us how much effort people put in to watch their favourite shows.
What strikes me most is how these messages demonstrate that 70s television was never just passive entertainment. It was an active part of our lives that inspired games, created family rituals, and provided the backdrop for precious memories. The communal aspect of gathering around a single television set at appointed times created shared experiences that many of us miss.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch. Your messages are what make this podcast worthwhile, and they’ve created a wonderful archive of how television shaped our childhoods and continues to influence our memories today.
Take care,
Oliver
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