Closing time at the shop
ICAN’T believe we’ve already reached the end of BACK IN TIME FOR THE CORNER SHOP (8pm), BBC Two’s latest living history series. And just when I was starting to enjoy it. Actually, no, that’s a bit unfair: I’ve been enjoying it from the start. That’s precisely why I’ve kept banging on about it. Sorry.
A key part of its appeal has been the shameless nostalgia, the way it has been able to trigger blissful childhood memories simply by flashing up the image of a once-familiar product or some old-style branding – a packet of Opal Fruits, say, or a Marathon bar, or – bliss – a Curly Wurly. (Actually, I’ve just double-checked and it turns out the CurlyWurly is still readily available. How on earth did I not know that?).
I’m sure I was meant to appreciate Back In Time For The Corner Shop at a deeper, more enriching, educational level, as tends to be the case with programmes presented by Sara Cox. I’m sure I was meant to come away with a greater understanding of how the evolution of the traditional corner shop since the late 19th century has mirrored the evolution of British society as a whole.
But I didn’t need to, because I knew all that stuff already.Who on earth doesn’t?
So I’ve been free just to gaze lovingly at all the images of old sweet packets and not feel bad about it.
Indeed, if some enterprising soul were to launch an entire TV channel that showed nothing but old confectionary commercials (“The Milky Bar Kid is strong and tough…”. “Old Jamaic-eee. Now, don’t ’eee knock it all back at once…”), I’d probably be glued to it most nights.
Anyway, in this final corner shop visit, make-believe Sheffield shopkeepers the Arderns are reflecting on the lessons they’ve learnt throughout this experience and speculating as to how the role these stores have played may evolve in the decades to come.
They also look at the growing impact of technology on the way we shop.
At the end they’re asked which decade they most enjoyed recreating. One of them says: “I really enjoyed the 70s. It was all fun. Everything we were doing was exciting and new.”
Wise words indeed.And the person saying them? That’s Olivia, the daughter. She was born in 2004.
Also coming to an end tonight, at least for the time being, is Channel 4’s royal spoof THE WINDSORS (10.15pm), which after three series I’ve finally decided I adore. (Well, you know how it is, best not to rush into these things).
In this final episode, Donald Trump appears to want Charles and Camilla to become King and Queen of America.