Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. The Approach to Spanish Television Drama of the New Golden Age: Remembering, Repeating, Working Through [Cuéntame câomo pasâo - Tell Me How it Happened, 2001-] -- 2. The Classic Serial: Public Service, Literarity, and the Middle-brow [Fortunata y Jacinta, 1980 and La Regenta, 1995] -- 3. Chronicles of a Village: Francoist Newsreel, Feature Film and Television [Crâonicas de un pueblo - Chronicles of a Village, 1971-4; Cine de barrio - Neighbourhood Cinema -- 4. The Urban Sitcom: Community, Consumption, Comedy [Aquâi no hay quien viva - No one Can Live Here, 2003-] -- 5. Telebasura: Trash, Talk, and Reality [Crâonicas marcianas, 1997-2005] -- 6. Almodâovar on Television: Industry, Thematics, Theory -- 7. Conclusion: A Day in the Life of Spanish Television. .

This book, the first of its kind, gives close readings of TV programmes broadcast from the 1970s to the present day. They embrace drama, comedy, and talk/reality shows and are currently available on DVD. It also treats the obsessive theme of television in Almodâovar, Spain's most celebrated film director, arguing for a re-reading of his work in the light of TV studies. In addition to analysing particular programmes, this book examines TV channels, production companies, governments, and the role of the press, academy, and audience.

Also issued online.