Contextual Studies - UFO TV Series

Wiki Synopsis

"UFO is a 1970 British television science fiction series about an alien invasion of Earth. It was created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson with Reg Hill, and produced by the Andersons and Lew Grade's Century 21 Productions for Grade's ITC Entertainment company.

UFO was first broadcast in the UK and Canada in 1970, and in US syndication over the next two years. In all, 26 episodes (including the pilot) were filmed over the course of more than a year; a five-month production break was caused by the closure of the MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood, where the show was initially made.

The Andersons had previously made several successful children's science fiction programmes using marionettes, including Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Joe 90. They had also made one live-action science fiction movie, Doppelgänger—also known as Journey to the Far Side of the Sun—and now felt ready to move into live-action television and aim at a more adult market.

UFO was the Andersons' first totally live-action TV series. Despite the assumption of many TV station executives, the series was not aimed at children but was intended for an older audience; many episodes featured adult themes such as adultery, divorce, and drug use. Most of the cast were newcomers to Century 21, although star Ed Bishop had previously worked with the Andersons as a voice actor on Captain Scarlet and The Mysterons."

- Genre: Sci Fi / Comedy / Drama
- Audience: Probably 15-35
- Scheduling: We expect family viewing 5/6pm
- Market: British Speaking countries, Japan because of the genre

It has hints of a western genre.

The representation in the show could be seen as stereotypical, most of the males are seen in the way we would expect them. The women are not as prominent in this show but are then seen as sexual objects when they are seen on screen especially in the opening sequences.

The mexicans in the show are also stereotyped and have a the mustache that might be seen as "normal" as well as the way that they are dressed

I think the show also has weird expectations of what the future will be, they maybe think everything will be completely different when in reality it wasn't. But in some ways it is realistic in the choice of race in the show as it has realistic diversity which I think is good to see. Because at the time of making it was normal that only white people would have main roles.