R2OK! Forum Index R2OK!
Contact R2OK! admin

Click here for R2OK! Website


 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

TOP of the POPS - Thursday evenings BBC4!
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> Television
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:33 pm    Post subject: TOP of the POPS - Thursday evenings BBC4! Reply with quote

I read that starting this Friday with some special shows that BBC4 will be showing an edition of TOTP every Thursday circa 76-81, starting with April 76 on Friday - hosted by our very own Tony Blackburn!

I've been making do with my shabby VHS copies of the UK Gold broadcasts from the early 90's, complete with edited ad breaks, it'll be good to replace them.

Does anyone have any further info as to what format the repeats will take?

Will they start in April'76 and run weekly, or will it be random shows?

One thing is for sure that the unmentionables, G Glitter/J King will be carefully edited out. I recall that Jonathan King appeared in many episodes in the early 80's presenting the US chart.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As far as I know, they're only showing 5 TOTPs from 1976, over the course of 5 days from this Friday.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good news. I hope they're showing them in their original 4:3 (non widescreen) aspect ratio rather than the letterboxed crops that invariably appear.
Back to top
Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19372
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian Robinson wrote:
As far as I know, they're only showing 5 TOTPs from 1976, over the course of 5 days from this Friday.


I think there are to be more than 5 Ian. Will try to find where I read it. Have already set the Sky box.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Helen May wrote:
Ian Robinson wrote:
As far as I know, they're only showing 5 TOTPs from 1976, over the course of 5 days from this Friday.


I think there are to be more than 5 Ian. Will try to find where I read it. Have already set the Sky box.

H

I'll be happy to be proved wrong but it was originally announced as a long season from all years then changed to be 5 from 1976.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19372
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've checked a couple of sources I read over the weekend and nothing in there one way or another. We'll just have to wait and see!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's a shame that most of the 60s TOTPs were wiped out to save tape.

1976 for me represents the worst era ever in pop music. It was a void between prog rock and punk. Nothing happened, unless you like Save Your Kisses For Me. If they show the 70s why not play the earlier 70s?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:
It's a shame that most of the 60s TOTPs were wiped out to save tape.


It was really to save money. If a production department didn't set aside the funds to commit the edit/transmission master to archive storage then it was submitted for re-use. With 2" Quad and 2" Helical videotapes costing £200 (or more) per hour, it would have been a hefty overhead for the VT department.

Schizoidman wrote:
1976 for me represents the worst era ever in pop music. It was a void between prog rock and punk. Nothing happened, unless you like Save Your Kisses For Me. If they show the 70s why not play the earlier 70s?


Yes, I absolutely agree. As a person who was into rock, pub-rock and even progressive rock, I thought the mid-70s chart music was positively disgusting. Come to think of it, it was decidedly uncool for anyone who listened to John Peel on radio One or watched The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2 to watch TOTPs!

That said, I look forward to watching the BBC4 re-runs - if only to be reminded just how unbelievably naff it all was. Johnnie Walker did the right thing by refusing to play the Bay City Rollers on his lunchtime show. Top man!
Back to top
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:
1976 for me represents the worst era ever in pop music. It was a void between prog rock and punk. Nothing happened, unless you like Save Your Kisses For Me. If they show the 70s why not play the earlier 70s?

Agreed. But it seems to be the favoured era of Radio 2!

Anyway, according to Radiotimes.com there are 2 separate editions showing at various times next week:

Quote:
Friday 01 April
10:50pm - 11:20pm
BBC4

Tony Blackburn introduces an edition of the pop music show from April 1, 1976, a week which saw the Brotherhood of Man top the charts with Save Your Kisses for Me - which would go on to win the Eurovision Song Contest two days later. The show also features hits by Abba, John Miles, Diana Ross, Sailor and the Beatles, as well as performances by Australian duo Tarney and Spencer and pop band Fox, whose song S-S-S-Single Bed would become a top five hit later that year.


Quote:
Thursday 07 April
7:30pm - 8:10pm
BBC4

Noel Edmonds introduces an edition of the pop music show from April 8, 1976, featuring performances by Abba, Hot Chocolate, Brotherhood of Man, Sheer Elegance, Paul Nicholas, Linda Lewis, Frankie Valli, 10CC, and Bay City Rollers.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian Robinson wrote:
Schizoidman wrote:
1976 for me represents the worst era ever in pop music. It was a void between prog rock and punk. Nothing happened, unless you like Save Your Kisses For Me. If they show the 70s why not play the earlier 70s?

Agreed. But it seems to be the favoured era of Radio 2!


That's because many of Radio 2's production staff aren't old enough to know what went on (in a musical sense) in the period. That's why they always make a dash for the book of musical cliches.

TOTP isn't a fair representation of what what going down at the time, but it's still a giggle watching the old 1970s shows - even if they were really naff!
Back to top
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It looks like its going to run week on week episode by episode beginning with the 1st April 76 edition, from which point the BBC have a full archive.

In the original time slot as well!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8415563/Top-of-the-Pops-returns-to-BBC-in-original-time-slot.html
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've just had a look at the relevant chart. There are three very good songs:
I'm Mandy Fly Me, 10CC; Fernando, Abba; and Music by John Miles. The rest is utter crap.
Still as Colin says, it might be worth watching for the dreadful fashions and naff music.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:
I've just had a look at the relevant chart. There are three very good songs:
I'm Mandy Fly Me, 10CC; Fernando, Abba; and Music by John Miles. The rest is utter crap.
Still as Colin says, it might be worth watching for the dreadful fashions and naff music.


I love watching the teenage kids in the audience being shepherded around the sets and pretending to like the songs being performed. Watching them trying to dance enthusiastically (and self-consciously) to "Grandma" is always fun!
Back to top
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6845

PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This was appointment TV in our house and I suspect in many households around the country...if I'm right in my remembrances it was it Andi Peters who sounded it's death knell by putting it up against Coronation Street.... Evil or Very Mad

There was only going to be one winner there... Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

becky sharp wrote:
This was appointment TV in our house and I suspect in many households around the country...if I'm right in my remembrances it was it Andi Peters who sounded it's death knell by putting it up against Coronation Street.... Evil or Very Mad

There was only going to be one winner there... Sad

Definitely Andi Peters who killed it - he chose rubbish presenters and filled the programme with poor bands, and pointless filler interviews and features. Which was never what TOTP was about! Pop stars are, generally, boring and stupid so why do I want to hear what they have to say?

But he blames Sting, saying that on his first show Sting appeared, the audience dropped by a million. This may be true, but the fact the audience never came back (as they had done after every other Sting appearance) doesn't seem to struck him as odd.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

becky sharp wrote:
This was appointment TV in our house and I suspect in many households around the country...if I'm right in my remembrances it was it Andi Peters who sounded it's death knell by putting it up against Coronation Street.... Evil or Very Mad

There was only going to be one winner there... Sad


As Producer of TOTP at the time, it wouldn't have been Andi Peters who scheduled the programme - that would have been the responsibility of Lorraine Heggessy, who was controller of BBC1 at the time.

After she finally kicked the programme into touch, Peters then went on to become the BBC’s executive editor of music and entertainment. What a joke that turned out to be.

The BBC certainly has a skill in picking its top management, doesn't it (thinks Lesley Douglas and Bob Shennan, to name but two....). Rolling Eyes
Back to top
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agree about Andi Peters, wasn't he responsible for commissioning some of the crap BBC comedies of recent years, a total no mark with no talent and no sense of humour (remember him on Noel Edmonds Gotcha), how the hell did he get the job?

As for saying it was Stings fault, that is typical of today's management and politician types who refuse to accept responsibility for their own failings. Don't forget that Sting and his mates filled the biggest venues around the world a couple of years back.

Chris Cowley, his predecessor had done a great job in the late 90's early 2000's in making TOTP watchable again, creating a world wide brand being sold around the world. He reinstated the earlier but updated Led Zep theme tune and used an intro and graphics that were memorable.

There is still a place for a modern TOTP, but it needs to be a hybrid between the original format and TOTP2, as today's artists are just not visual enough.

It would be good for a programme that kids and their parents could sit down and enjoy and discuss the merits of each generations music. I remember My Dad back in the 70's describing all the acts as long haired gits!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kengeo wrote:
There is still a place for a modern TOTP, but it needs to be a hybrid between the original format and TOTP2, as today's artists are just not visual enough.


I think it would also have to absorb some of feel of the Old Grey Whistle Test, or at least its modern-day incarnation - Later With Jools.

There's plenty of very good live performing acts around these days who deserve a good national or international showcase but they're over-shadowed by the dross that is churned out by the Simon Cowell (and co) sausage machine.

Killing off TOTP was a stupid decision by the BBC and made by people who either didn't care or didn't have a clue (or, knowing the way that the BBC does things, probably both). Rather than cancelling it they should have looked at how to reshape it for the 21st century. Alas they're too dim to do that and they're missing a big opportunity - not just in programming terms but also as a big commercial opportunity through overseas sales and franchising. That's where the real money is, as we've seen with many other successful formats.
Back to top
undiscovered



Joined: 15 Sep 2010
Posts: 650
Location: Peterborough

PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would rather watch the 80's editions with John Peel and Janice Long

I remember him saying about Relax, if you don't like this I going to come round your house and break wind in your kitchen, while in the background Long cracking up, golden age of totp with him on it
_________________
You will hear gospel and rhythm and blues and jazz, all those are just labels, we know that music is music.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got a couple of editions I recorded in 1983 (not UK Gold reruns), with John Peel and David 'Kid' Jensen presenting, I thought they were the best presenters at the time.

I skimmed through the tape the other day, notable for the appearance of Kissing The Pink, never heard them on the radio since.

By my estimation TOTP on BBC4 will hit the 80's in 2015, that's if BBC4 lasts until then, Pink Floyd will be at the top of the charts!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kengeo wrote:
By my estimation TOTP on BBC4 will hit the 80's in 2015, that's if BBC4 lasts until then, Pink Floyd will be at the top of the charts!

Yeah, if they're going to run them all in order they could at least do two or three (or more) a week. It'll take ages to get to the good stuff!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
aviddiva



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1135
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 9:17 am    Post subject: TOP of the POPS - Thursday evening Reply with quote

Was Noosha Fox the inspiration for the singer who dubbed Jodie Foster in 'Bugsy Malone'?
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!

- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I watched some of TOTP from this week in 1976 this evening. It was absolute garbage, with the exception of 10CC and The Four Seasons of course. As the following documentary on the year said, TOTP in those days was more like a variety show.

I do enjoy the fact that it's broadcast on Thurdays at 730, the original time.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ColinB
Guest





PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:45 pm    Post subject: Re: TOP of the POPS - Thursday evening Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:
I watched some of TOTP from this week in 1976 this evening. It was absolute garbage


It was indeed. What used to annoy me about TOTP at that time was that it seemed to completely ignore the real music that was being toured around the country by real bands. It's no wonder that Malcolm McLaren decided to detonate the nuclear bomb that was punk - come 1976 we needed it.

aviddiva wrote:
Was Noosha Fox the inspiration for the singer who dubbed Jodie Foster in 'Bugsy Malone'?


There's a name from the past - Noosha Fox. I was at Plymouth's ILR station as it was preparing to go on air when she came and recorded a promotional PA. Very sexy lady............ bit weird though.
Back to top
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Colin: to be fair to TOTP, though, it never was meant to be anything other than a singles chart show. It's just that the charts in 1976 were crap. I can't think, off the top of my head, of any good albums from that year either, except for the brilliant 'Presence' by Led Zeppelin.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nod



Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558

PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am sure you could find some here...

http://www.besteveralbums.com/yearstats.php?y=1976
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of those are OK but no better than any other year.

Even 1975 had better albums: Wish You Were Here, Ommadawn, Physical Graffiti, Night At The Opera, the Original Soundtrack etc.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It seems that the run of TOTP has already come to an end, as there is no show on this week.

Is it the fact that Mr Edmonds had a hair out of place and had vetoed the programme, or is there a rights issue?

I also note that apart from the May 1st 76 edition, all shows shown since have been edited down to 30mins (from 40).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kengeo wrote:
It seems that the run of TOTP has already come to an end, as there is no show on this week.

No, it's back next week. Maybe they just got fed up of playing Brotherhood of Man every week!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One play of the Motherhood of Bran is enough, but that's not the reason as Abba were No.1 this week........
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
graham b



Joined: 23 Sep 2010
Posts: 211
Location: Wakefield

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Watching Slik on tonight's show I surprised that Midge Ure has not applied for a super-injunction to stop the broadcast. Oh no- it's now the Wurzels.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ruddlescat



Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nothing wrong with The Wurzels Graham

They were all top blokes with a great sense of humour and I imagine the surviving ones still are

A certain Mr Cutler will be looking down and loving it Very Happy
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Wurzels are superb live, I've seen them many times, its a good night out, they are very popular round these ere parts!

I was more shocked at the fact that Andrea True was sporting a (dare I say it) 'camels hoof' Shocked not that I was looking!

And this on the BBC at 7.30, obviously Mary Whitehouse wasn't watching that night!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Lord Evan Elpuss



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kengeo wrote:
The Wurzels are superb live, I've seen them many times, its a good night out, they are very popular round these ere parts!

I'll bet they are! Weren't the survivors on The One Show not so long ago?
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kengeo



Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Gloucestershire

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 9:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They were, the chap who formed the Wurzels, Adge Culter died in a car crash in the early 70's before they hit big.

From the three that made it to number one, two remain, ironically the accordion player is from Scotland, hardly a yokel local!

Have a listen to Never Mind The Bullocks on Spotify!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aviddiva



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1135
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:24 pm    Post subject: Top Of The Pops - Thursday evenings BBC-4 Reply with quote

Bill Bailey and Kevin Eldon do a great Kraftwerk-style version of Combine Harvester on the 'Dandelion Mind' DVD!
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!

- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aviddiva



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1135
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:47 am    Post subject: Top Of The Pops - Thursday evenings BBC-4 Reply with quote

What was that dance to 'The Wanderer' (Dion) all about? Flexing one hand and opening and shutting your mouth - yeah, very artistic. Laughing
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!

- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aviddiva



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1135
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:51 am    Post subject: Top Of The Pops - Thursday evenings BBC-4 Reply with quote

'A Butterfly For Bucky' (Bobby Goldsboro) should have been in Kenny Everett's World's Worst Record shows!

The miraculous return of Bucky's eyesight makes 'Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman' look like a gritty BAFTA-award nominated turn!

Glamourpuss's 'Superman' was very poor. Thank goodness for Status Quo's 'Mystery Song'!
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!

- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:06 am    Post subject: Re: Top Of The Pops - Thursday evenings BBC-4 Reply with quote

aviddiva wrote:
Glamourpuss's 'Superman' was very poor.

Bad song, badly sung, by people dressed very badly. Loved it!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lord Evan Elpuss



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

8/7/76 wasn't a bad edition, one day left to watch as I type: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012s2bf
A good Sutherland Brothers opening track 'When The Train Comes', An interesting cover of Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells' by The Champs Boys.
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> Television All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. Hosted by phpBB.BizHat.com