TV in the 1970s

The 1970s were years filled with entertainment found in a variety of media throughout the UK. The advancement of television was in full force and its popularity was reaching a peak. This article will focus on a few of the more popular and entertaining TV shows of the 1970s.

Eurovision Song Contest
While this television show neither originated nor terminated in the 1970s, it was nonetheless one of the more popular television shows of the decade. The contest is held annually and includes all nations belonging to the European Broadcasting Union. Each nation provides a song and upon conclusion of the competition, votes are cast. Throughout the 1970s, the competition directed popular culture, lifestyle, clothing, and fashion.

Benny Hill
This comedic television show starred Alfred Hawthorne Hill, an English actor and comedian. Previously aired on the BBC, the show was moved to Thames Television throughout much of the 1970s. Benny Hill was a popular variety show which influenced many individuals in the 1970s.

Miss World
The Miss World beauty pageant is one of the longest running international beauty contests that has ever been held. The competition originated in 1951 by Eric Morley of the United Kingdom and grew tremendously in popularity throughout the 1970s. The pageant was important in influencing fashion and music in the 1970s.

Bless This House
A British sitcom which aired in the early 1970s on ITV starred Sid James and Diana Coupland. Bless This House centred around Sid Abbott, his wife Jean, and their teenage children Mike and Sally. The comedy also included neighbours and friends of the family. Many members of the show's audience found it easy to relate to the humorous dealings that the family encountered. Bless This House played an important role in the pop culture of the 1970s.

Love Thy Neighbour
Another popular UK sitcom which aired from 1972 to 1976 is Love Thy Neighbour. The comedy was produced by Thames Television and subsequently broadcast by ITV. The show focused on a white, suburban, middle-class family and their African-American neighbours. The sitcom followed the relationships between the two families and their attempts to live in harmony with one another. It was also during this decade that Britain was struggling to accept much of the recently immigrated black community. The comedic show was important in helping many individuals accept the new culture in the 1970s.