the cultural conditions of television
1960s America, arguably, holds a certain ore as a highly cultural period, full of diverse appearances, mindsets, and manner of existence. One of the reasons for this is the television, a visual showcase of radio broadcasts.
American consumerism shoved TVs into homes faster than any tech before it, and families were indulging in its exhilarating content - an average of 4 hours everyday. 1
Three stations (NBC, CBS, and ABC) held a monopoly on broadcasting, and sought content that appeals to the greatest audience.2 This meant no controversy and relatability to the whole family.
Escapism, like science fiction and gangster action, to detract from the woes of a suppressive culture.3