Action TV: Tough-Guys, Smooth Operators and Foxy Chicks by An... - 9780415226202

Taylor & Francis

From re-runs of 'TV classics' like The Avengers or Starsky and Hutch, to soundtracks, club nights and film remakes such as Mission Impossible II, the action series is enjoying a popular revival. Yet little attention has been paid to the history, nature and enduring appeal of the action series, and its place in popular culture, past and present.\nAction TV traces the development of the action series from its genesis in the 1950s. From The Saint to Knigh t Rider, contributors explore the key shows which defined the genre, addressing issues of audiences and consumption, gender and sexuality, fashion and popular culture. They examine the institutional and cultural factors influencing the action series, and relate shifts in the genre to other forms of popular culture including film, pop music, fashion and popular literature.\nChapters include:\n* Of leather suits and kinky boots: The Avengers, style and popular culture\n* 'Who loves ya, baby?': Kojak, action and the great society\n*'A lon.