It seems odd to denounce the '70's as 'a time best forgotten' then keep our memories alive by reviewing its television programmes. In the last episode of 'Life On Mars', Sam Tyler ( John Simm ) killed himself by jumping off a roof because he wanted to return there. I have a far easier option - I watch D.V.D.'s.
'Nationwide' went out after the regional evening news and before the light entertainment programmes on B.B.C.-1. Each edition started with the presenter ( either Michael Barrett or Frank Bough ) seated before a bank of screens, on which could be seen the face of a local newsreader. Topics ranged from issues of the day such as the Budget or the death of a world leader to showbiz interviews. 'Down Memory Lane' was a short-lived feature which exploited a fad for nostalgia triggered by shows such as 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. Later on Richard Stilgoe and Valerie Singleton fronted a weekly consumer guide which became the forerunner to 'Watchdog'. 'The British Rock & Pop Awards' blasted the show into the '80's. In common with 'Pebble Mill At One', 'Nationwide' tried to be something to everyone.
It was frequently naff, but light and easy to digest. Ideal for unwinding to after a tiring day. I can recall cringing with embarrassment though when they wheeled in thriller writer Francis Durbridge and invited him to speculate on who had shot J.R. Ewing. He had obviously not seen 'Dallas', and was plainly out of his depth here. Another 'dearie me, did they really say that?' moment occurred in 1973 when a cake shop in Bournemouth was apparently commissioned to bake Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips' wedding cake. We were shown in great detail the preparation and hard work that went into its making. Had 'Ceefax' been around then, the recipe would have been on page 447. The staff looked pleased as punch, like Mrs.Bridges in 'Upstairs, Downstairs' when King Edward The Seventh came to dinner. However, on the day itself, viewers were informed the British Army had made the cake instead. Did someone at the Beeb boob?
The cracking signature tune was by John Scott. Some decent presenters ( including luscious long-legged Sue Lawley ) got their start here and the show had the occasional memorable moment such as Margaret Thatcher being put on the spot by schoolteacher Diana Gould over the sinking of the Belgrano.
Giving air-time to talentless people? Well, reality television is now doing that on a far grander scale. Michael Barrett was not alone in sending himself up on 'The Goodies'. Tony Blackburn and Michael Aspel did as much. Stanley Baxter produced a funny send-up of 'Nationwide' in one of his legendary Christmas shows. The L.W.T. show 'End Of Part One' went for the jugular with 'Nationtrite', hosted by Sue Straightman ( Sue Holderness ).
When 'Nationwide' finally ended in 1983, its successor was the hugely unpopular 'Sixty Minutes', hosted by Sarah Kennedy. It was spoofed a year later by the I.T.V. comedy show 'The Steam Video Company' as 'Nationwide With The Furniture Rearranged'.
'Nationwide' went out after the regional evening news and before the light entertainment programmes on B.B.C.-1. Each edition started with the presenter ( either Michael Barrett or Frank Bough ) seated before a bank of screens, on which could be seen the face of a local newsreader. Topics ranged from issues of the day such as the Budget or the death of a world leader to showbiz interviews. 'Down Memory Lane' was a short-lived feature which exploited a fad for nostalgia triggered by shows such as 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. Later on Richard Stilgoe and Valerie Singleton fronted a weekly consumer guide which became the forerunner to 'Watchdog'. 'The British Rock & Pop Awards' blasted the show into the '80's. In common with 'Pebble Mill At One', 'Nationwide' tried to be something to everyone.
It was frequently naff, but light and easy to digest. Ideal for unwinding to after a tiring day. I can recall cringing with embarrassment though when they wheeled in thriller writer Francis Durbridge and invited him to speculate on who had shot J.R. Ewing. He had obviously not seen 'Dallas', and was plainly out of his depth here. Another 'dearie me, did they really say that?' moment occurred in 1973 when a cake shop in Bournemouth was apparently commissioned to bake Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips' wedding cake. We were shown in great detail the preparation and hard work that went into its making. Had 'Ceefax' been around then, the recipe would have been on page 447. The staff looked pleased as punch, like Mrs.Bridges in 'Upstairs, Downstairs' when King Edward The Seventh came to dinner. However, on the day itself, viewers were informed the British Army had made the cake instead. Did someone at the Beeb boob?
The cracking signature tune was by John Scott. Some decent presenters ( including luscious long-legged Sue Lawley ) got their start here and the show had the occasional memorable moment such as Margaret Thatcher being put on the spot by schoolteacher Diana Gould over the sinking of the Belgrano.
Giving air-time to talentless people? Well, reality television is now doing that on a far grander scale. Michael Barrett was not alone in sending himself up on 'The Goodies'. Tony Blackburn and Michael Aspel did as much. Stanley Baxter produced a funny send-up of 'Nationwide' in one of his legendary Christmas shows. The L.W.T. show 'End Of Part One' went for the jugular with 'Nationtrite', hosted by Sue Straightman ( Sue Holderness ).
When 'Nationwide' finally ended in 1983, its successor was the hugely unpopular 'Sixty Minutes', hosted by Sarah Kennedy. It was spoofed a year later by the I.T.V. comedy show 'The Steam Video Company' as 'Nationwide With The Furniture Rearranged'.