I Want to be a Homo...a Homo Superior That is!

(1/3) The Tomorrow People - Series 1 Episode 1



The first of 3 full episodes appearing on Youtube. Sci-fi children's show "The Tomorrow People" received a great amount of cult status, and remains one of the most cherised shows of the 70s. It had some crossover appeal, compelling to both adults and children. Created by Roger Price, this was about older children who were harnessing strange capabilities that were denoting an evolution of humans were afoot, to become more advanced beings. This involved psionic powers like telepathy, - the ability to read other people's minds- telekinesis, -to power to levitate or produce light/electricity and transportation. Hence "The Tomorrow People". The show really became a benchmark for the the 70s lasting from 1973-1979.

What is a Homo Superior? It was another name used for the Tommorrow People. This was originally brought to Roger Price's attention in a coversation with David Bowie. Both like the word so much, Bowie would first use it for his 1971 song "Oh! You Pretty Things".

The Tomorrow People would not reveal their extra powers in public, and so had their headquarters in an underground lab. They would keep on the watch for new kids/teens "breaking out", as in evolving. They were intelligent enough, to realise that killing was wrong, so used less harmful weapons like stun-guns.

This episode is entitled "The Slaves Of Jedikiah". The main characters at this time were Nicholas Young as John, Sammie Winmill as Carol, Stephen Salmon as Kenny, Peter Vaughan-Clarke as Stephen, Philip Gilbert as TIM and Michael Standing as Ginge Harding. This first episodes centres on Stephen Jameson who is kidnapped by a bearded, enigmatical man known as Jedikiah.

There is actually some truth to humans evolving from what they are now. If you've ever seen any of those science+technology news reports or in newspapers (chances of it being bull, probably doubled now), there is talk that some younger people are being born with "super brains" over people with "normal brains". What does it mean for the future? Not exactly telepathy, but maybe more intellectuals, less yobs? Well there's always someone who's going to say about younger generations; "They get worse and worse dont they?".

Attack of the Giant Perm! It's T'PAU!

T'Pau - China in Your Hand (Live on The Roxy '87)



Another post from ITV's favourite short-lived flunky series "The Roxy" (1987-88). This time we get to see the presenters cockpit (grimy looking cocktail bar). Here we see former Top of thr Pops presenter David Jensen and Irish-born Kevin Sharkey. The setting for "The Roxy", what can I say, looks like an Victorian theatre raped by 80s idealism. Ouch.

The clip starts off with a cut-off chart rundown, all fairly good acts there, Shakin' Stevens and The Proclaimers, and then we T'Pau who were No.1 with their big hit "China In Your Hand". Lead singer Carole Decker, with the appropiately large 80s perm, ticking off all the major ingreadients for an 80s power ballad, big earrings, check, shoulder pads, check, big voice, check. It's a great song though.

Also, there's a reference on-screen, to the old "Oracle" which was taken over by "Teletext" a good 4/5 years later.

T'Pau were a British Pop/Rock band with Carole Decker as the face of the band, and only singer. "China In Your Hand" was taken from their debut album "Bridge of Spies", and it lasted 5 weeks as the No.1 Single in the UK. Jensen guarantees, at the end of this episode, that there will be a new No.1 next week. Was he right? Yes, the new No.1 hit the charts 2 days earlier, and it was another famous hit from the 80s. The Pet Shop Boys with a cover version of "Always on My Mind".

T'Pau quickly fizzled out after their first album with success on both sides of the Atlantic, with alternate singles doing well on one side, and unfancied on the other. For the Brits, "China In Your Hand" and for the Americans, it was "Heart and Soul". The band had a string of other hit singles in the UK, but became known as a one hit wonder in the US. After the album flops of 1988's "Rage" and 1991's "The Promise", the band split up in 1991. However the band was re-formed with a new line-up including Decker, for an 1998 album, which didn't release any singles. The band continues, mostly turning up on 80s nostalgia musical compilation concerts, and Decker has appeared in a couple of reality shows.

The Night "Guinevere" Broke Down on The National Lottery

The National Lottery Live - 30/11/1996



Remember when the live National Lottery Draw was a hour-long extravaganza with the bells and whistles, before the 10 minute economy branded 2000s version? Mini-games, challenges and music acts all took place under the bright lights of "National Lottery". Wll here's a memorable segment presented by our old friend Bob Monkhouse, after much musings with the audience, and a "random" member of the audience to press the "button" to initiate the start of the balls...er, the rolling of the balls...er..when viewers at home will soon know if their numbers come up. Alan Dedicated, the "voice from above" announcer, is almost close to climaxing as the balls are about to get drawn...nothing happens! The lottery ajudicator looks at the back of the machine, because that's how it really starts, not the button on the far away platform.

Monkhouse does well dealing with the situation, being the consumate professional that he is. He even steals a line from Reeve's and Mortimer's catchphrase from then, quite new gameshow "Shooting Stars", which was "We really want to see those fingers!". This clip shows the show having to end as "Casualty" was looming. The show came back later, after "Casualty". Oh, what joy it was.

"The National Lottery Live" show began in 1994 and finished or rather, evolved in 1998, to "The National Lottery Big Ticket". The show was first presented by Noel Edmonds and co-presnted sometimes by former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, and the other notable of course being Monkhouse. The show was built up quite brilliantly by the wondrous appearance of psychic/astrologer Mystic Meg. She appears at the end of the clip, with much jokes about Meg having predicted the breakdown. Yeah, the case is out on that one. Mystic Meg, with her ever so creepy, weirdly attractive voice would tell us, as she corresses her crystal ball, "I see a carpenter, of middle age" etc. She would also predict perhaps a workplace winning big, and what star signs could be lucky this week.

Forgotten but somehow Long-running Scottish sitcom from the 80's...

City Lights - S2E1 "The Longest Day" Part 1



"City Lights" was a Scottish sitcom set in Glasgow starring Gerard Kelly as Wullie Melvin, a banker with dreams of becoming a novelist. The show piloted in 1985, and after initial success, it was screened across the UK on BBC2.

At last on Youtube, we have rare full episodes of the TV series, which despite being a mainstay for the last half of the 80's, has not been released on DVD. This is the first episode of the 2nd series (might be the 3rd series though) and the episode is entitled "The Longest Day". The 3 first 3 episodes of this series are on Youtube. The theme tune is pretty good with an echoing guitar, that does it a dated feel for these days, but it's got a very Scottish feel, it has "Proclaimers" feel to it. The guitar also sounds in the same vein as the one in the iconic "Arena" documentary series theme. It features some of the soon-to-be main, cream of Scottish up-coming talent, featuring Elaine C. Smith as banking associates Irene, and Johnathan Watson as smug, slimy and always-gets-his-just-desserts Brian, a bank stooge to manager Mr McLelland (played by Dave Anderson).

In this episode, we see Wullie realise his dream of having his "My Childhood Up a Close"novel published andto be premiered in top Glasgow book shop, "John Smith & Son". As he arrives gracefully and fans are queueing up applauding his appearnce, awaiting their own copies to be autographed by the one and only, is this too good to be true?

Other characters featured were, Wullie's scheming, common mate, Chancer (Andy Gray), Chancer's mate dim-witted Tam (Ian McColl) and his awful mother (Jan Wilson).

B1 2J PEEEEEEEEEE! What?

Celebrity Squares: ATV: 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn6Mm38C1bc

This is the only clip of the 70's version of show I've found on Youtube. "Celebrity Squares" originated from the US version's "Hollywood Squares", and began on ATV (Associated TeleVision), a Midlands outlet of the ITV regions. A young looking Bob Monkhouse presents, in an even younger looking polo neck and lightish red buttoned jacket. The show ran from 1975-1979, however it came back in a short 90's revival(1993-1996) with a more demure-looking Monkhouse.

The shows seen to have harvested partly, the American schmaltz of the original, with an American-sounding voiceover, presenting the celebrities (How do the ones in the second and third rows get up there?), and the end credits are shown also, with the announcer giving a mail address if you would like to be a contestant, ending it with B1 2JPEEEE. That was actually Kenny Everett, then-radio star, taking the pee.

Cue "name-clanging" exercise. The celebrities involved were:

Magnus Pyke - Eccentric Scientist and media figure
Patsy Rowlands - British actress on the "Carry On" films. Not hard to see why...
Terry Wogan - Radio/Chat Show Host/Future Eurovision Song Contest Moaning Announcer
Pat Coombs - English actress. Appeared in "Eastenders", "Till Death Us Do Part", Carry On movies and much more...
Arthur Mullard - Singer/comedy actor, most famously appeared in sitcon "Romany Jones" and "The Arthur Askey Show"
John Conti - British boxer
Roy Hudd - Singer/Actor
John Inman - Sitcom actor, famous role as Mr. "I'm Free" Humphries from 70s sitcom "Are You Being Served?"
Willie Rushden - Actor, comedian and chat show host. Appeared early 60s satire show "That Was The Week That Was"

Other Youtube users in the comments sections discuss about the dead/alive ratio of the celebrities on show.

New non-Youtube Section Still to come, Plans for this blog + A New Genre!

First let's introduce the new genre. Rather like picking at holes, as there are a minority of programmes, that don't fit into any of the categorys. We're talking about programmes like TV-AM, GMTV, BBC Breakfast Time and The Big Breakfast! There is quite alot of material on Youtube from these programmes alone.

So a colour goes with this new genre:

Breakfast TV - Light Orange

Coming soon to this blog will be a new label called "Nostalgia Articles". Look out for that. These will be non-video posts, giving us a more in-depth experience of how some of us like to wallow in nostalgia, and think they were better days, what do we get out of watching it now, and what are similarities and differences to TV and culture today compared to previous decades over the course of the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's. It can involve any of the genres included.

As I have said before, I've been meaning to write one up, might be short, particulary about Youtube.

Possibly beginning next month (March), I will begin to accept either through a entry thingie here, or via email, to talk about certain Youtube videos, like what I'm doing, on TV nostalgia. All you would need to do is give a decent opinion and description about the video in question, doesn't have to be too long at all, and I will post it here, with you're name as the author of the post, at the bottom of the post. The main aim of this blog, is as well as being a good read for some, but to also provide a large personable and exclusive UK TV Nostalgia bank that helps the viewer find that programme they can't find a name of, or being a nostalgia lover yourself, be able to find the sort of clips/programmes you haven't managed to uncover. Also it's important to keep the blog going, as some will inevitably be removed from Youtube. This blog removes the filler to just pure nostalgia, some good, some bad. Sometimes searching through related videos just isn't enough.

Youtube has a quite good "recommended for you" section, but once again there is filler, or you don't know what it is, so you won't bother going to that video. However, that video may be gold for you, if you did click on it, that's why knowledge is key, and that's why the descriptions are of use too.

You will be able to do you're Nostalgia Articles as well, once the entry form/email is up. I'd just like to build up the blog right now for the next month or maybe more.

Rare Interview with "Carry On" Movie Star Great...

Charles Hawtrey - Rare Short Interview From The 1980s



From 1984, this was "Movie Memories" presented by the multi-talented actor/playwright/singer Roy Hudd,looking smart in a luminous light blue suit.. The series produced by Anglia, and as said by the Youtube user, this was an interview with a star who gradually went downhill on a private scale, with heavy drinking and died 4 years later in 1988.

Charles Hawtrey was great in the "Carry On" movies. He starred in 22 of the "Carry On" movies, and he was known for his skinny-as-a-rail appearance, and usually played wimp-ish characters. He had a campness too, but that was second fiddle to another comedy great Kenneth "ooooooh, yeeeeeess" Williams.

In this clip, the interview was cut short because of Hawtrey's drunken antics, we don't what, off-screen.

Toon-tastic Saturday Morning Show from the 90's Starring, Take That, Andy Crane, Pat Sharp, Yvette Fielding, Bro & Bro and erm....Gary Glitter

What's Up Doc? 1993



A long clip, including the titles to the show that was like a long-running advertisement about how wonderful Warner Bros. cartoons were. Lasting for a quite short 1992-1995 run, it wasn't just a "safe" product placement show. The titles of the show featured, a quite exciting all-new animation of the famous "Looney Tunes" characters, with Bugs Bunny being the lead star, pretty much the "Mickey Mouse" of the rival cartoon firm, but with more biting wit. Bugs Bunny rides on a witch's broom as he rushes about the famous Warner Bros. studios.

The show opens up with gruff-voiced puppets "Bro and Bro" 2 wolf brothers voiced by Don Austen and John Eccleston. In a surprise showing, it's not the regular presenters who appear, but pop boyband "Take That", who were practically everywhere in 1993. The soon-to-be rebel of the group Robbie Williams dominates proceedings, but he was clearly the most colourful and charismatic of the group. He interviews the regular presenters almost, taking a dig at Pat Sharp's mid-atlantic twang, radio DJ accent. Then a preview of what was to come, including the popular cartoons of "Tazmania" and "Batman: The Animated Series". The we see Bro and Bro in a studio, static Taxi with Gary Glitter. It's hard to take in now, he appeared on alot of entertainment programmes in his 90's "oh-look-how-pantomine-his-acts-is-mirth", before his 1997 arrest, being convicted of storing child pornography on his computer. In pretend style, the Taxi ends up through the newly built Channel Tunnel and end of in France, and 2 Frenchmen appear, and for no apparent reason, a Frenchie with a Hitler hair and moustache.

We then see the now vanished anarak-spoof character "Norm" or Simon Perry, played by Stephen Taylor Woodrow, looking grotesque with shaving cuts and balaclava. The presenters read off mail from child viewers, in the old days before emails and such came along.

Simmer Down on Your Bed with a Tea and Crumpet Watching this...

weirs way1



"Weir's Way" ran in the Scotland region of ITV, STV. This is a 3 part full episode on youtube, entitled "The Seven Men", and with some research, it was transmitted in 1981. Oooohh, fancy. It's a great, relaxing programme to watch. Presented by climber, traveller and author Tom Weir, who we follow on his travels to small but interesting corners of Scotland, usually in the rural countryside. Weir comes across as a very natural presenter, very much giving you time to take in the wonderful scenery and his educational narration. Very likeable and absolutely not, the type of in-your-face, centre of attention type of presenting you may see now and again, these days. And no great clutter of music every few minutes!

In this episode, Tom visits Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, which is situated in the North West corner of Scotland, not far from Fort William. He follows in Bonnie Prince Charlie's footsteps after the Battle of Culloden that took place in 1740's against the Jacobite Uprising, comprising of Highland Scots. Weir also talks about the story of Seven Men of Glen Morrison.

"Weir's Way" ran from 1976, and was broadcasted for the next 20 years. Surprisingly, although popular in Scotland, in interests of the internet goliath's like IMDB and Wikipedia, the show and Tom Weir does not appear at all on the radar on IMDB.com, while he has a page on Wiki, but not for the show itself. He received a 'Personality of the Year Award' in 1978 for Scottish Television. He was brother to actress Molly Weir, who appeared in "Rentaghost" as Hazel the McWitch the Scottish Ghost. Weir was passionate in the subject matter of natural history and carried on climbing and walking, after the show had finished. Weir died at the age of 91 in 2006. However, his legacy lives on, as his show has been repeated on late-night-early-morning STV, and still pulling in the viewers. It's actually a great time to watch it just before going to bed, as the programme flows gracefully, with Weir's gentle commentary and patter.

James Bond-esque Famed Dairy Milk Chocolate Adverts Compilation

Cadbury's Milk Tray UK TV Adverts, 1960s/1970s




"All Because The Lady Loves Milk Tray". The classic slogan from the unforgettable series of ads, that ran from 1968-2003. The Milk Tray Man will do anything to get that purple-branded Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates box to his lady in waiting. Leaping from car to helicopter to roof SAS-style, hopping into moving high-speed train carriages, swinging onto a ferry, it's OTT, but it works. The Milk Tray Man usually leaves his calling card or business card by the box, possibly for a later hook-up with the lady? In the very last ad in the compilation, the smooth and charming jingle is given a quite harsh 70's sound, funky for it's time. I would say the most well-known one is the first technicolour ad, where the Man from Milk Tray leaps off the high cliff, into the tropical oceanbed hosting sharks.

It was actor Gary Myers, who starred as the Milk Tray Man for the first 11 ads, from 1968-1984. The lady is never revealed, only the hands of thoe woman as she adorns her surprise gift. The famous instrumental music theme was called "The Night Rider" was written by Cliff Adams, and performed by Alan Hawkshaw.

The long-running series of ads ran until 2003. The demise of the ads are much lamented, but perhaps dated in the age of the "metrosexual man". Many ads that conveyed very masculine and macho imagery and dynamic music were pensioned off, unless they were tongue-in-cheek or funny. Guys are made to look soft compared to their earlier counterparts, and also, they're seems to be an equalising effect where, products want to appeal to men and women equally, even from the slightest logo re-design.