A hundred years since John Logie Baird gave the first demonstration of a moving image transmitted by television, we now watch it differently. The box in the corner (or above the fireplace) may look much the same but the way it delivers our programmes has changed beyond recognition. It is therefore surprising that some of our most popular programmes, which began many years ago, still delight viewers. Can you remember when they began? Do you remember watching them?
Gardeners’ World 5th January 1968
The first and much-loved presenter was Percy Thrower. It was in colour on BBC-Two and was able to showcase the glorious colours of a multitude of plants and gardens. It has had many presenters but the format has hardly changed.
Eastenders 19th February 1985
The title music hasn’t changed, neither has Albert Square. The Queen Vic and the Market remain the same. Characters have come and gone and come back again but the drama carries on and the soap remains as popular as ever.
The Apprentice 16th February 2005
This was when Lord Sugar was Sir Sugar and Margaret and Nick were his ‘helpers’. The format was modelled on the American version, starring Donald Trump, when he was a mere property tycoon. Lord Sugar’s ‘helpers’ may have changed and the contestants change every year but the Lord remains, as does the format which hasn’t fundamentally changed during all these years.
Strictly Come Dancing 15th May 2004
Who would have thought that the mixture of ballroom dancing, a veteran showbiz entertainer and a little-known model alongside a panel of judges would prove to be such a success. It has become a stalwart of the BBC One Autumn schedule.
It revolutionised the format of Come Dancing, bringing it up to date, helped by the success of the film Strictly Ballroom. Despite the sad loss of Sir Bruce Forsyth, the programme carried on with the addition of Claudia Winkelman and has proved a valuable export to many other countries who have bought the format from the BBC.
MasterChef 2nd July 1980
The name is the same but the format of the first series of Masterchef was very different. Three cooks had two and a half hours and £30 to prepare a three-course meal – with scallops and syllabub both popular menu choices. The results were judged by host Loyd Grossman and guests Richard Shepherd and Michael Caine. After 11 years the series ended but was re-invented in 2005 and the format changed. The contestants were still amateurs and several have become professional chefs. Its success since 2005 has produced spin-offs like Junior MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals (currently on BBC One) and has been sold to many countries.
They may be ‘oldies’ but they’re still ‘goodies’!
