Diagnosing the alien: producing identities, American 'quality' drama and British television culture in the 1990s

Book synopsis: TV drama both reflects and contributes to the production of cultural identity. At a time of deep cultural uncertainty, how has this been represented within the programmes that contribute to our own sense of identity? This volume addresses the question, in relation to issues of social class, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality and national/diaspora identity. Particular attention is paid to the changing profile of British television drama over the last 35 years: • the increasing fragmentation of the home audience, • the transnationalisation of media culture, • the increasingly hybrid nature of programme formats, and • the popularity of US series within a British viewing context. Programme examples are drawn from a range of dramatic formats: comedy, crime/hospital dramas, literary adaptations, political dramas, TV films, 'sit coms' and soap operas including: • ER • The Buddha of Suburbia • The X-Files • Father Ted • Driving School • Diana: Her True Story • EastEnders • The Cops • Friends This is the first book to give a comprehensive coverage of all the major debates within the field of TV drama while considering current programming in terms of the move away from the public service model of broadcasting as a whole