Jack Rosenthal

This book offers an in-depth analysis of Jack Rosenthal's impactful career in British television, exploring his works and their cultural significance.

This critical work is the first of its kind to delve into the life and career of Jack Rosenthal, the acclaimed British television dramatist. Beginning his journey in the 1960s with the iconic series Coronation Street, Rosenthal quickly made a name for himself through beloved sitcoms such as The Lovers and The Dustbinmen. His contributions during the celebrated era of British television drama include notable plays like The Knowledge, Spend, Spend, Spend, and P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang, alongside the pilot for the series London's Burning. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of Rosenthal's most significant works, utilizing archival resources and interviews with collaborators and cast members to offer fresh insights.

The narrative explores the societal events that shaped Rosenthal's writing, from his humorous perspective on the 1960s permissive society to the economic challenges of the 1970s and the political climate of Thatcherism in the 1980s. Throughout the study, Rosenthal's unique brand of humor and its everyday surrealism are contrasted with the works of his contemporaries like Dennis Potter and Alan Bleasdale. Additionally, the book examines Rosenthal's influence on modern television and film, highlighting his contributions to the Anglo-Jewish literary canon through his acclaimed Plays for Today such as The Evacuees and Bar Mitzvah Boy.

Jack Rosenthal is an essential read for students and researchers in the fields of Television, Film, and Cultural Studies, as well as those with an interest in contemporary drama and Jewish Studies. It not only celebrates Rosenthal's legacy but also encourages a deeper understanding of his impact on British television.