Playing Fields is a British television show that aired in 1969. It was a unique and innovative program that explored the intersection of sport, culture, and society in a way that had never been done before on TV. The show was structured around a series of interviews with prominent athletes, coaches, and other figures from the world of sports. These interviews were conducted by the show's host, David Frost, who was already a well-known TV personality at the time.
Each episode of Playing Fields focused on a different sport, ranging from football to rugby to cricket to boxing and beyond. Through these interviews, the show delved deep into the history, culture, and social significance of each sport, exploring the ways in which they reflected and influenced the broader society in which they were played.
What made Playing Fields especially groundbreaking was its commitment to diversity and inclusion. At a time when sports were still largely dominated by white men, the show made a concerted effort to highlight the experiences and perspectives of athletes from all backgrounds.
For example, one episode of the show featured an interview with Frank Bruno, a black professional boxer who was just beginning his career at the time. The interview touched on a wide range of topics, from Bruno's childhood in a working-class Afro-Caribbean family to his thoughts on racism and discrimination in the sport and society more broadly.
Another episode focused on women's athletics, with interviews with female athletes and coaches from a variety of different disciplines. This was a particularly groundbreaking episode, as there were few opportunities at the time for women's sports to be covered on TV in any meaningful way.
Throughout the series, Playing Fields also tackled a wide range of other social issues, from the role of sports in the education system to the changing attitudes towards amateurism and professionalism in various sports.
Despite its groundbreaking approach and the many interesting interviews it featured, Playing Fields ultimately only aired for a single season. However, its impact was substantial, paving the way for a new generation of sports programming that took a more nuanced and socially conscious approach to covering athletic events and athletes.
Overall, Playing Fields was an engaging and thought-provoking television show that remains a fascinating artifact of its time. Whether you're a sports fan or simply interested in the way that athletics intersect with broader social issues, this show is well worth seeking out.
Playing Fields is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between and on
