Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | 01 | Kittens or Bananas? | 20070303 | Rising Damp began as a single play called The Banana Box. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 03 | 01 | Kittens or Bananas? | 20070303 | 20080227 (R4) | Rising Damp began as a single play called The Banana Box. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 03 | 02 | Welcome Aboard | 20070217 | Introduced in 1957, The Six Five Special was Britain's first rock 'n' roll programme. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 03 | 02 | Welcome Aboard | 20070217 | 20080305 (R4) | Introduced in 1957, The Six Five Special was Britain's first rock 'n' roll programme. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 03 | 03 | A Still Tongue | 20080319 | Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner has grown from a 60s curiosity to a worldwide cult. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 03 | 04 | Shameless | 20070224 | Paul Jackson analyses the success of this off-beat comedy drama. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 03 | 04 | Shameless | 20070224 | 20080326 (R4) | Paul Jackson analyses the success of this off-beat comedy drama. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 03 | 05 | Art for Art's Sake | 20080402 | In 1957, the BBC launched the arts programme Monitor. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 04 | 01 | World In Action | 20110205 | 20120103 (R4) | Paul Jackson looks back to ITV's pioneering show, World in Action, which led the way for current affairs from 1963 to 1998. What was the impact and legacy of its tough journalism, which launched the TV career of John Pilger and helped to free the Birmingham Six? With John Pilger, Lord Douglas Hurd and Sir Jeremy Isaacs. Not only celebrating innovative TV programmes over the decades, 'Britain in a Box' uses them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Paul Jackson's series on classic TV programmes focuses on World in Action. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 04 | 02 | The Old Grey Whistle Test | 20110212 | 20120104 (R4) | Paul Jackson reveals how the BBC's influential music show devoted to rock albums, The Old Grey Whistle Test, survived on TV for 16 years from 1971 to 1988. It provided British TV debuts for the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Billy Joel, Judas Priest, Judee Sill and Lynyrd Skynyrd - and yet was accused of ignoring punk. Looking at how it divided the musical nation, Paul speaks to presenters 'Whispering' Bob Harris, Annie Nightingale and Mark Ellen, plus artists including PIL's Jah Wobble, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson and Wishbone Ash's Martin Turner. There's also a rare interview with Mike Appleton, the show's producer throughout its 18-year history. Producer: Paul Kobrak. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Paul Jackson's series on classic TV shows focuses on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 04 | 03 | Men Behaving Badly | 20110219 | Another chance to catch the programme in which Paul Jackson shines a light on TV classics that helped define their time. Tonight, the 1990s sitcom whose title spelled out exactly what the audience saw: Men Behaving Badly, featuring contributions from producer Beryl Vertue, writer Simon Nye and stars Martin Clunes and Leslie Ash. Producer: Ed Morrish. Paul Jackson on the classic TV comedy that became indelibly associated with 'lad culture'. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 04 | 03 | Men Behaving Badly | 20120105 | Another chance to catch the programme in which Paul Jackson shines a light on TV classics that helped define their time. Tonight, the 1990s sitcom whose title spelled out exactly what the audience saw: Men Behaving Badly, featuring contributions from producer Beryl Vertue, writer Simon Nye and stars Martin Clunes and Leslie Ash. Producer: Ed Morrish. Paul Jackson on the classic TV comedy that became indelibly associated with 'lad culture'. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 04 | 03 | Men Behaving Badly | 20150811 | Another chance to catch the programme in which Paul Jackson shines a light on TV classics that helped define their time. Tonight, the 1990s sitcom whose title spelled out exactly what the audience saw: Men Behaving Badly, featuring contributions from producer Beryl Vertue, writer Simon Nye and stars Martin Clunes and Leslie Ash.
Producer: Ed Morrish.
Paul Jackson on the classic TV comedy that became indelibly associated with 'lad culture'. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 04 | 04 | Driving School | 20110226 | 20120106 (R4) | Paul Jackson tells the story behind another TV classic, 'Driving School'. Broadcast in 1997, it only ran for six editions, but left an indelible mark on British documentary TV. Commanding audiences of up to 12 million, it made a star of Cardiff cleaner, Maureen Rees who failed her driving test six times, and arguably helped spawn Britain's first 'reality television' celebrity. With Alan Yentob, Grant Mansfield and Phil Hall. Producer: Sarah Taylor First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Paul Jackson on the docusoap that arguably spawned Britain's first reality TV celebrity. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 05 | 01 | Pop Idol | 20120630 | 20121003 (R4) | Paul Jackson returns with a new series of the show that not only celebrates classic television programmes, but also uses them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. Over the next three days he'll be exploring the innovation of 'Vision On' and assessing the legacy of 'Grandstand', but he kicks off with a programme that re-wrote the rules for talent shows, saved a network and conquered the world. 1. Pop Idol - began life as an idea captured on a scrap of paper... went on to make global superstars of some of its participants... and now generates over one and a half billion dollars a season in advertising income in the US alone. With the help of those who sold and who bought the original UK shows, those who fronted it and those who appeared on it, Paul Jackson traces its step-by-step development. Those appearing include producers Alan Boyd and Richard Holloway, commissioners Claudia Rosencrantz and David Liddiment, presenters Ant and Dec, winner Michelle McManus and commentators Mike Smith and Nina Myskow. Producer: Paul Kobrak. Paul Jackson assesses Pop Idol, the show that rewrote the talent show rule book. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history Paul Jackson returns with a new series of the show that not only celebrates classic television programmes, but also uses them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. Over the next three days he'll be exploring the innovation of 'Vision On' and assessing the legacy of 'Grandstand', but he kicks off with a programme that re-wrote the rules for talent shows, saved a network and conquered the world. 1. Pop Idol - began life as an idea captured on a scrap of paper... went on to make global superstars of some of its participants... and now generates over one and a half billion dollars a season in advertising income in the US alone. With the help of those who sold and who bought the original UK shows, those who fronted it and those who appeared on it, Paul Jackson traces its step-by-step development. Those appearing include producers Alan Boyd and Richard Holloway, commissioners Claudia Rosencrantz and David Liddiment, presenters Ant and Dec, winner Michelle McManus and commentators Mike Smith and Nina Myskow. Producer: Paul Kobrak. Paul Jackson assesses Pop Idol, the show that rewrote the talent show rule book. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 05 | 02 | Grandstand | 20120707 | 20121004 (R4) | Paul Jackson presents a further edition of the show that not only celebrates classic television programmes, but also uses them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. Programme 2. Grandstand - in a programme recorded before the London Olympics, Paul traces the origins of the show that for nearly 50 years changed our relationship to sport, brought constant innovation to live TV coverage, and gave us not only David Coleman and Frank Bough but also Des Lynam. And with the help of the said Lynam, as well as former BBC 1 controllers Sir Paul Fox and Alan Hart, former and current Heads of Sport Jonathan Martin and Barbara Slater, Paul Jackson not only traces the development of Grandstand but also assesses it's legacy and asks whether the BBC is in danger of taking its eye off the sporting ball. Producers: Oliver Julian & Paul Kobrak. Paul Jackson traces the development of the sports programme which ran for nearly 50 years. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history Paul Jackson presents a further edition of the show that not only celebrates classic television programmes, but also uses them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. Programme 2. Grandstand - in a programme recorded before the London Olympics, Paul traces the origins of the show that for nearly 50 years changed our relationship to sport, brought constant innovation to live TV coverage, and gave us not only David Coleman and Frank Bough but also Des Lynam. And with the help of the said Lynam, as well as former BBC 1 controllers Sir Paul Fox and Alan Hart, former and current Heads of Sport Jonathan Martin and Barbara Slater, Paul Jackson not only traces the development of Grandstand but also assesses it's legacy and asks whether the BBC is in danger of taking its eye off the sporting ball. Producers: Oliver Julian & Paul Kobrak. Paul Jackson traces the development of the sports programme which ran for nearly 50 years. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 05 | 03 | Vision On | 20120714 | 20121005 (R4) | As Children's TV wave goodbye to BBC1, heading off to their own dedicated channel, Paul Jackson takes a lingering look back at a cult show from the golden era of children's TV. Vision On was one of the most successful, funny and anarchic programmes ever to grace the little grey box in the corner; it's 'Gallery' theme music still a trip down memory lane for viewers of a certain age. Created in 1964 to replace the prosaic For Deaf Children, Pat Keysall and Tony Hart fronted a programme that aimed squarely at the funny bone. Art, animation, clowning and dangerous stunts - long before Health and Safety became a dirty word. Vision On was aimed at all children, but worked hard not to exclude the hard of hearing. Rather than creating a worthy line up, producer Patrick Dowling cultivated the silly, the extraordinary and the dramatic, using new technology to create effects and giving breaks to a wealth of creative talent, acting and technical. David Sproxton, creator of Aardman Animations, fondly recalls creating his very first short film for Vision On, while Sylvester McCoy who went on to became Dr Who, and is currently filming The Hobbit with Peter Jackson, recalls close encounters of an explosive kind with the fabulous creations of Wilf Lunn, another graduate of the Ken Campbell school of fearlessness. Britain In A Box explores the role of disability programming with past and present BBC children's controllers; Edward Barnes and Joe Godwin, and talks to Susan Daniels from the National Deaf Children's Society about how TV can be accessible to all - something Vision On pioneered with style. Remembered that Gallery theme music yet? Producer: Sara Jane Hall. Paul Jackson recalls the quirky children's TV show that mixed art, animation and stunts. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history As Children's TV wave goodbye to BBC1, heading off to their own dedicated channel, Paul Jackson takes a lingering look back at a cult show from the golden era of children's TV. Vision On was one of the most successful, funny and anarchic programmes ever to grace the little grey box in the corner; it's 'Gallery' theme music still a trip down memory lane for viewers of a certain age. Created in 1964 to replace the prosaic For Deaf Children, Pat Keysall and Tony Hart fronted a programme that aimed squarely at the funny bone. Art, animation, clowning and dangerous stunts - long before Health and Safety became a dirty word. Vision On was aimed at all children, but worked hard not to exclude the hard of hearing. Rather than creating a worthy line up, producer Patrick Dowling cultivated the silly, the extraordinary and the dramatic, using new technology to create effects and giving breaks to a wealth of creative talent, acting and technical. David Sproxton, creator of Aardman Animations, fondly recalls creating his very first short film for Vision On, while Sylvester McCoy who went on to became Dr Who, and is currently filming The Hobbit with Peter Jackson, recalls close encounters of an explosive kind with the fabulous creations of Wilf Lunn, another graduate of the Ken Campbell school of fearlessness. Britain In A Box explores the role of disability programming with past and present BBC children's controllers; Edward Barnes and Joe Godwin, and talks to Susan Daniels from the National Deaf Children's Society about how TV can be accessible to all - something Vision On pioneered with style. Remembered that Gallery theme music yet? Producer: Sara Jane Hall. Paul Jackson recalls the quirky children's TV show that mixed art, animation and stunts. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 06 | 01 | Nationwide | 20130504 | What was the impact and legacy of the BBC's popular current affairs programme that launched Sue Lawley's TV career, and spawned the birth of TV consumer journalism?
Series in which Paul Jackson celebrates innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.
Paul talks to Nationwide's first presenter, Michael Barratt and the first director, Keith Clement, who recall the early technical mishaps which threatened to take it off air. The BBC circuit system wasn't quite up to speed with the technical ambition of the programme. When linking to Glasgow, viewers would see wavy lines and hear technical clunks. But within six months, and ever increasing audience numbers, the programme found its feet.
Popular across the nation because of its inclusion of the regions, Sue Lawley explains its success. She also recalls THAT interview with Mrs Thatcher when housewife, Mrs Diana Gould persisted in questioning the prime minister on the decision to sink Argentinian war ship, Belgrano when it 'was sailing away' during the Falklands War.
Producer: Sarah Taylor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
Paul Jackson remembers popular current affairs show Nationwide. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 06 | 01 | Nationwide | 20130504 | 20150810 (R4) | What was the impact and legacy of the BBC's popular current affairs programme that launched Sue Lawley's TV career, and spawned the birth of TV consumer journalism?
Series in which Paul Jackson celebrates innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.
Paul talks to Nationwide's first presenter, Michael Barratt and the first director, Keith Clement, who recall the early technical mishaps which threatened to take it off air. The BBC circuit system wasn't quite up to speed with the technical ambition of the programme. When linking to Glasgow, viewers would see wavy lines and hear technical clunks. But within six months, and ever increasing audience numbers, the programme found its feet.
Popular across the nation because of its inclusion of the regions, Sue Lawley explains its success. She also recalls THAT interview with Mrs Thatcher when housewife, Mrs Diana Gould persisted in questioning the prime minister on the decision to sink Argentinian war ship, Belgrano when it 'was sailing away' during the Falklands War.
Producer: Sarah Taylor.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
Paul Jackson remembers popular current affairs show Nationwide. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |
| 06 | 02 | Desmond's | 20130511 | The story behind Channel 4's longest running sitcom, Desmond's - the OTHER Peckham based comedy which featured Norman Beaton as Desmond, the owner of a West Indian Barber shop and Carmen Munroe who played his wife, Shirley. Series in which Paul Jackson celebrates innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history. The 71 episode series ran from 1989 until 1994 upon the untimely early death of its star character, 'Desmond', played by Norman Beaton. Paul speaks to the show's creator, Trix Worrell, who got the idea for setting a comedy in a West Indian Barber's shop whilst he was on a bus travelling through Peckham on the way to meet comedy producer, Humprey Barclay. Both of them share their memories of the creation of Desmond's with Paul Jackson, along with the series' first producer, Charlie Hanson and script editor Paulette Randall. Ram John Holder, one of the show's stars, 'Porkpie' tells Paul how accurately the sit com portrayed the West Indian community and how it was a welcome change to be in a black sit com which was both funny and enjoyed by all sections of the audience. The then commissioner for Channel 4, Farrukh Dhondy, gives his thoughts on the success of Desmond's and contributors question how much futher forward British television is today in its commission of comedies featuring members from the UK's diverse communities. Producer: Sarah Taylor First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013. Paul Jackson explores the origins and legacies of Channel 4 sitcom Desmond's. From 2013. Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 06 | 03 | Casualty | 20130518 | Paul Jackson visits the purpose-built TV studios of the longest running medical drama in the world. Born out of necessity (as a weapon in the weekly battle for audience-share on Saturday nights) "Casualty" has become one of BBC 1's most consistent performers.
Series in celebrating innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.
Paul discusses the programme's origins with the show's creators (Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin) and the people who commissioned it and stood by it during its lean years (Lord Grade and Jonathan Powell). He assesses how much it has changed in its long life.
Featuring cast members Patrick Robinson (Ash) and the ever-present Derek Thompson who from the very first episode played Charlie Fairhead. Plus Pete Salt, the medical consultant on whom Charlie is based) and series producer Nikki Wilson.
Paul also gauges the future of the programme with the head of BBC 1's scheduling, Dan McGolpin.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
Paul Jackson explores the origins and legacies of TV Classics: BBC 1's Casualty Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history | |
| 06 | 03 | Casualty | 20130518 | 20150812 (R4) | Paul Jackson visits the purpose-built TV studios of the longest running medical drama in the world. Born out of necessity (as a weapon in the weekly battle for audience-share on Saturday nights) "Casualty" has become one of BBC 1's most consistent performers.
Series in celebrating innovative TV programmes, whilst using them as a window on a particular period in our cultural and social history.
Paul discusses the programme's origins with the show's creators (Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin) and the people who commissioned it and stood by it during its lean years (Lord Grade and Jonathan Powell). He assesses how much it has changed in its long life.
Featuring cast members Patrick Robinson (Ash) and the ever-present Derek Thompson who from the very first episode played Charlie Fairhead. Plus Pete Salt, the medical consultant on whom Charlie is based) and series producer Nikki Wilson.
Paul also gauges the future of the programme with the head of BBC 1's scheduling, Dan McGolpin.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2013.
Paul Jackson explores the origins and legacies of TV Classics: BBC 1's Casualty Series exploring the stories behind programmes which have become part of TV history |