The Problematic Gaze

• Servalan and the sexual politics of 'Blake’s 7' from 1980. With special guest Toby Hadoke

  In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we’re joined by actor, writer, comedian, and classic TV chronicler Toby Hadoke for a deep dive into Series 3, Episode 10 of the enduring British cult sci-fi phenomenon Blake’s 7  from 1980.  Toby brings his insight, humour, and encyclopaedic genre knowledge to a conversation about what made the series daring, flawed, and unforgettable. We explore the show’s gender politics, performances, production challenges, and the fascinating contradictions that helped cement Blake’s 7 as one of British sci-fi’s most compelling—and complicated—television landmarks.To watch the episode of Blakes 7, Harvest of Kairos, discussed in this podcast  Click hereClick here to follow us on all our socialsPlease leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.  And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!GAZER HOMEWORK: Next Week we dissect we kickstart our Christmas curation with an episode of international hit drama Downton Abbey from Christmas Day 2011.  Click here to watch on itvX in the UK

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• FROM THE GAZER VAULT: 'Love Actually' from 2003. Romantic Loveliness or Misogynistic Mess?

  Dear Gazers, As Our Dave and Dr Lee are off on holiday there’s no Problematic Gazette this weekend. So instead please enjoy this episode from the Gazer Vault. To ease you into the festive season we focus on the Christmas favourite ‘Love Actually’. But beware, it’s not all cutesy lovehearts and romantic festive fayre, anything but! Enjoy!!Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV,  Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we break out the mince pies and sherry to watch the British Christmas movie 'Love Actually' from 2003. A word of warning! If this film fills you with festive cheer, prepare to have your nostalgia vibes well and truly violated! This film is what The Problematic Gaze was invented for. Buckle up! Our peace and goodwill runneth on empty!Also, Lee knows his onions when it comes to cold remedies. And Dave brushes up on his extremely rusty customer service skills.We watched Love Actually on Sky Movies.Click here to follow us on our socialsAnd if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!

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• 'Benefits Street'. Was 2014 the Year Reality TV Crossed the Line?

  In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we peel back the layers of the notorious 2014 documentary series Benefits Street, zeroing in on its explosive first episode. We explore how the show, the tabloids and even the government framed poverty, constructed narratives of the  “deserving” versus “undeserving” poor, and used editing to transform real lives into sensationalist entertainment. And just how did a mortgage crisis in the USA contribute to austerity in the UK?Join us as we unpack how a single episode became a national talking point—and a case study in the power (and danger) of televised storytelling.To watch the first episode of Benefits Street discussed in this podcast on YouTube Click hereClick here to follow us on all our socialsPlease leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.  And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!GAZER HOMEWORK: Next Week we dissect an episode of UK cult sci-fi drama Blakes 7 from 1980. Click here to watch

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• THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE Race Across The World, Ariana Grande and All Her Fault

  Welcome to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments  and  discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watch video versions of our full episodes check out The Problematic Gaze YouTube channel here!Click here to follow us on all our socialsPlease leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.  And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!

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• Racism in the Classroom: Revisiting 'Mind Your Language' from 1979

  In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we step back into 1979 with Series 3, Episode 1 of Mind Your Language — a British sitcom that turned cultural stereotypes into punchlines and classrooms into chaos. Once celebrated as lighthearted comedy, the show now raises serious questions about race, representation, and the politics of humor.We unpack the episode’s jokes, characters, and reception — asking: What did 1979 find funny? How did the show reflect Britain’s uneasy relationship with multiculturalism? And what can today’s audiences learn from revisiting a sitcom that both entertained and offended in equal measure?Join us as we explore how nostalgia meets discomfort in the world of Mind Your Language — and how comedy’s “classroom of errors” still echoes through pop culture today.To watch the episode of Mind Your Language discussed in this podcast on YouTube Click hereClick here to follow us on all our socialsPlease leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.  And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!GAZER HOMEWORK: Next Week we dissect an episode of UK documentary Benefits Street from 2014. Click here to watch our chosen episode on YouTube

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