Electric Dreams (BBC TV show)

[stratovani]

Last night I watched this really cool show on PBS, from England, called Electric Dreams. It's about an experiment to see how a modern-day British family would cope with life in Britain in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, with last night's episode being about the 70s. Not only did I love it from a purely nostalgic viewpoint, but, living in Canada at the time, it was interesting to see what life was like in Britain in the 70s. For example, many households in Britain did not have central heating or even telephones until well into the decade. I never knew of a single family in Canada that didn't have a telephone, and having no central heating in Canada can be fatal in winter! The father drove a Ford Cortina, with no power steering or power brakes, and he was amazed at how hard it was to drive! The mother was astonished at how much work she had to do in the house, especially in the kitchen, where there was no microwave, dishwasher, or even a freezer! But it was the kids that I liked, how they actually had to do something almost completely alien to them - they had to play outside!

So chime in, blokes! Did any of you watch this series when it first aired?

[MJ5150]

I haven't seen it, but it does sound interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if they will make the family use the Motorola DynaTAC or MicroTAC cell phones in the 90's episode.

-Mike

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I haven't seen it, but it does sound interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if they will make the family use the Motorola DynaTAC or MicroTAC cell phones in the 90's episode.

-Mike

Mike, go to pbs.org and check out your local station for when it's airing. It's a really fascinating show!

[Skitch it!]

I haven't watched it but I spent my early days growing up on my grandfathers farm which was similar. He would be up at 5am everyday and start up the fire, stuff would be cooked in the oven next to it later, there was a large stone in the pantry, this would have been the original 'refrigerator' but they did have a small electric. Washing clothes etc was all done by hand then put through a mangle. Kept sheep, cow's, a few horses, chickens etc, there was lot's to do in a day for sure, I remember it well.