The Audience

Abstract

So, with a mixture of inspiration, hard graft, traumas and tender loving care, the television drama is made. In some way or other, perhaps two hundred or more people have made a contribution to its genesis and production. It now exists, whether it is a beautifully crafted film (every frame a Rembrandt), a single play (society will never be the same again), an episode of a series (plot the same as last week, different villains), a sumptuous classic serial (costumes on exhibition at Stately Towers, Sundays and Bank Holidays only) or an episode of a soap (will Daphne decide to keep the stray cat or will everyone simply offer advice?). A publicity machine is put into operation to ensure the largest possible audience. The play is trailed regularly on the network on which it is to be shown. Details are published in programme journals such as Radio Times and TV Times. Journalists are sometimes invited to see the production in advance of transmission, so that they may preview it in their paper, it is hoped favourably (more of which later).