Wednesday, 18 May 2022
The BBC itself is like a civilisation in decline
In The Critic, Michael Collins has an interesting piece on Kenneth Clark and his 1969 television series, Civilisation which some may remember.
‘‘It is lack of confidence, more than anything else, that kills a civilisation,” suggested Kenneth Clark at the conclusion of his 13-part television series, Civilisation, in 1969, “We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusion, just as effectively as by bombs.” Events at the time led him to suggest that, as unlikely as it seemed, European civilisation could fall to the barbarians as it had after the fall of Rome when “we got through by the skin of our teeth”. He quoted W.B. Yeats for back-up. It wasn’t that the centre could not hold, it was that there was no longer a centre...
The contemporary 20th-century world was one that baffled Kenneth Clark, as he was the first to admit. The “personal view” he presents in Civilisation concludes prior to the Great War. Before beginning work on the series, he supplied the BBC with several stipulations regarding his approach. At the top of the list was — “not Marxist”.
“My approach to history,” Clark explained, “was unconsciously different from that now in favour in universities which sees all historical change as the result of economic and communal processes. I believe in the importance of individuals, and am a natural hero-worshipper.”
The whole piece is worth reading as a reminder of many things, such as the television series itself which could not be made today. Certainly not by the BBC.
It’s unlikely that Kenneth Clark will have anything but a cameo in this year’s BBC centenary celebrations — featuring Harry Enfield fronting a documentary on the BBC’s output in the style of the comedian’s upper-class character Mr Cholmondley-Warner. A caricature of figures such as Kenneth Clark, this routine was hackneyed and redundant when we first endured it some years ago. Now it’s a sign that the ideas have dried up; the confidence has gone. The BBC itself is like a civilisation in decline.
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6 comments:
Apart from the football highlights and Six Nations games I don't watch the Beeb. Sometimes I'll watch a whodunnit but that often isn't on the Beeb anyway.
We have watched the recent All Creatures Great and Small - that's on Channel Five. Not great art but perfectly pleasant and better acted than the original series.
Thank you, a lovely article which I will re-read later this evening. I remember the "Civilisation" series well, and my mum got me the book out of the local mobile library. When I was 15 we studied Byron's "The Prisoner of Chillon" at school, and my understanding was heavily coloured by the Clarke's take on it.
I liked this bit in the article:
"Harry Enfield fronting a documentary on the BBC’s output in the style of the comedian’s upper-class character Mr Cholmondley-Warner. A caricature of figures such as Kenneth Clark, this routine was hackneyed and redundant when we first endured it some years ago. Now it’s a sign that the ideas have dried up; the confidence has gone. The BBC itself is like a civilisation in decline."
What is fascinating about the BBC is that it wastes no time defending its earlier output. When it can, it lampoons it enthusiastically. It sees its earlier self as part of the old white establishment that was sexist and classist. It can even take the Savile scandal in its stride. Critical theory is like a fire that burns up the culture that produced it. Let's hope that someone, somewhere, has saved the original fuel when the fire devours everything and just goes out.
I've argued before that contrary to peoples' expectations, the BBC is not political as such but it is pro Establishment. So it was against Thatcher when she denationalised parts of the Establishment. It was pro Labour when it was lead by smooth Establishment Tony. It wasn't pro Labour when it was lead by bothersome Corbyn. It was in favour of the managerial May, but not the boisterous Boris. It hated Brexit because the rest of the Establishment hated Brexit. It now supports the woke lunacy because (the younger part of) the Establishment supports the woke lunacy.
Follow the Establishment gravy train and see who hangs on the sides, struggling to get on board.
Civilisation, The Ascent Of Man, and others. Brilliant. Even Patrick Moore.
And no Ex-Blue Peter ok-what-am-I-reading-out-today, look-I-can-walk-and-talk suitably diverse front person. No intrusive noise (I cannot call it music.)
Just a knowledgeable person talking to us. Clearly.
Whoever thought of spending the money and bringing these to our screens were heros.
The BBC like many organisation has gradually accreted into homogeneity with the recurrent recruitment of more and more like minded people. In that respect, not at all diverse, you notice.
dearieme - we watch the sixties version of Maigret, but that isn't on Beeb. Nothing much apart from the occasional old film. We watch various films and programmes with the grandkids but none of it on the BBC.
Sam - it is fascinating that the BBC doesn't defend its earlier output. A commercial outfit would be concerned about the value of that output, but the BBC doesn't seem to care.
DJ - and it's no use voting for political parties wedded to the establishment. They need the establishment more than it needs them.
Doonhamer - all the good material is drifting away from them too. The BBC no longer has the unique voice the earlier material gave it and doesn't even seem to realise that voice has gone and isn't coming back.
Tammly - yes, not at all diverse politically, culturally or socially.
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