The Problematic Gaze
Direct from PG Towers, join social historian Dr Lee Arnott and TV producer Dave Moor for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture of yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. Each week we focus on a different piece of pop culture, and put it into context by looking at the news events and cultural landscape of the year it was released. Out and proud, Dr Lee and Our Dave present a humorous take on life as LGBTQ+ men of a glorious age, and present a digestible mix of academic social commentary, unflinching life lessons, media analysis, and hot takes on feminism, race, politics and cancel culture.
The Problematic Gaze
'Only Fools and Horses': Del’s Big Lie and Rodney’s Little Life in 1989
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we revisit Only Fools and Horses' classic 1989 outing The Unlucky Winner Is—the one where Del enters Rodney’s teenage artwork into a kids’ competition and wins a family holiday to Spain… with a few strings attached.
We explore how this sun-soaked farce touches on the cultural landscape of late-80s Britain—from the rise of the yuppie dream to the era’s growing emphasis on safe sex messaging, and how these ideas filter through the show’s humour and character dynamics.
As Rodney is forced to play the role of a 14-year-old while grappling with his adult identity, we look at how Only Fools balances its sharp wit with emotional moments, and what the episode tells us about masculinity, aspiration, and brotherly loyalty in Thatcher’s Britain.
It’s a nostalgic package holiday of laughs, awkward moments, and cultural insight—bucket and spade not required.
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Gazer Homework: Watch excerpts from The War Game, from 1965 on YouTube By Clicking here.
