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From: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: Re: Mountbatten series (Sinister Implications?)
Message-ID: <413@3comvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Feb-86 03:28:35 EST
Article-I.D.: 3comvax.413
Posted: Wed Feb 12 03:28:35 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Feb-86 02:45:18 EST
References: <929@houxa.UUCP>
Reply-To: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Organization: 3Com Corp; Mountain View, CA
Lines: 61

In article <929@houxa.UUCP> dyons@houxa.UUCP (N.MITRA) writes:
> Arising from this recent TV series on Mountbatten (of which I watched
> only the first episode), do you think that the recent trend of Masterpiece
> theatre and films like "Out of Africa" in showing reminisences of colonial
> India/Africa and the overwhelming viewer enthusiasm is symptomatic of the
> increasing conservatism in the USA these days? It seems to me that India
> (or Africa) is merely a backdrop for indulging in vicarious nostalgia for
> a time (of which ofcourse Americans have no experience except through books
> or TV) when class distinctions were alive, everybody knew their place and
> rulers were firm yet benign. Ofcourse, most of these productions are set
> at a time when these values were changing but there is something very
> subliminally suggestive I think in evoking Pax Brittanica (and everything
> that goes with it) in images of sitting down to afternoon tea while mobs
> rampage in the native quarters.
>
> I also found that series like "Brideshead Revisited", "Upstairs, Downstairs"
> and that Trollope thing (Barchester Towers, was it?) appeared to cater
> to the vicarious desire-impossible to achieve in this country and age-of a
> time when the world was at peace, the dividend checks were coming in
> regularly, nobody raised their voices and servants (what ARE they?) knew
> their place.  Granted that these productions are superior to anything
> available commercially, so one argument goes, but I must say I suspect
> something more sinister than the desire to see superior TV in the
> overwhelming audience(principally the liberal intelligentsia)
> response on Sunday nights.
>					Nilotpal Mitra
>					ihnp4!houxa!dyons

Please remember that "Mountbatten", *Masterpiece Theatre*, and all the
other series you mention except the *movie* (*not* TV) *Out of Africa*
are *British* in their origin.  I doubt if "Mountbatten" would have
turned out very much like it did if it had been produced by PBS in
the United States.  (As for *Out of Africa*, I haven't seen it.)  

Americans, after centuries of a republic, *are* fascinated by royalty
and class structure (for others, that is -- I doubt if many Americans
want it for themselves).  However, this is nothing new (see the Society
for Creative Anachronism, as an example).  Even so, I believe that much
of the popularity of the series "The Jewel in the Crown" stemmed not
from fascination with the British class system and manners, but because
that particular series successfully conveyed something of the mystery,
wonder, and -- admittedly -- anguish of India.  I know it did for me.  

I'm sorry you see something sinister in the popularity of these series.  
I believe you're mistaken in your suspicions -- about most of PBS's
viewing audience, anyway.  (What sinister motivation, movement, or
conspiracy do you think you see, anyway?)  Personally, I'm thrilled
to have superior TV programming available, from whatever source.  

-- 

Michael McNeil
3Com Corporation     "All disclaimers including this one apply"
(415) 960-9367
..!ucbvax!hplabs!oliveb!3comvax!michaelm

	Fool.	The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is
		a pretty reason.  
	Lear.	Because they are not eight?  
	Fool.	Yes, indeed.  Thou wouldst make a good fool.  
			William Shakespeare, *King Lear*, Act I, Scene 5