Cult TV: ITC - Playboys, Spies and Muppets

About this course

The course traces ITC’s development from its formation in the 1950s through its American success and its cult television output of the 1960s and 1970s. It considers the company’s changing formats, including single-protagonist series such as Danger Man, The Saint and The Prisoner, and ensemble-led programmes including The Champions, Strange Report and Department S. Sessions also examine ITC’s collaborations with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Supermarionation, Jim Henson’s The Muppet Show and the company’s involvement in cinema. Learning combines presentations, screenings of extracts, textual analysis and group discussion.

What you'll learn

• Describe ITC’s development and its place in British television production.
• Analyse extracts from ITC television programmes using textual analysis.
• Discuss the company’s relationships with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and Jim Henson.
• Interpret ITC’s changing approaches to programme formats and genres.

Is this course right for you?

This introductory course is intended for learners with an enthusiasm for watching and discussing television. It does not assume previous study or reading, and participation involves presentations, screening-based analysis and general group discussion.

• No previous study or reading is assumed.
• The course includes group discussion as well as individual analysis of screened extracts.

Before you go

• Bring paper and a pen, or a tablet or laptop for note-taking.
• Support materials are provided.