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