Cult Icons: The Golden Shot (1967 - 1975)

My absolute second favourite game show ever. The GOLDEN SHOT, fronted by the suave and sophisticated Bob Monkhouse, was a program like no other around at the time. To describe it is nigh impossible so here's a copy and paste from its page on wikkipedia:

"The show involved a crossbow attached to a television camera guided by a member of the public shooting a bolt at an exploding target embedded in an apple positioned on a topical backdrop. In the first round, the crossbow was operated by a blindfolded cameraman receiving instructions from a contestant, by telephone ("Up, up, up, left a bit, down a bit, left a bit, FIRE!"). In later rounds, the contestants operated the crossbow themselves. Contestants who successfully negotiated seven (later four) rounds of targets won a reasonable prize; those who missed got a negligible prize.

Bernie, the bolt!

The show's catchphrase became "Bernie, the bolt!" (originally "Heinz, the bolt!" Heinz had been brought over from Germany when the show was imported) – The instruction from the host to the armourer that the crossbow bolt should be loaded. Three people acted as "Bernie the Bolt" on the show – Alan Bailey, Derek Young, and Johnny Baker (a film unit grip). There was an element of mystery associated with the crossbow loaders, as they were not introduced by name and said nothing."

What a fantastic show when you were just a kid. I loved it. The tension waiting for the crossbow to fire was palpable and when  the bolt cut the treasure chest wire in the grand final round and released all the gold coins to spill on the floor was brilliant.

THE DELECTABLE AND DITZY ANN ASTON FROM THE GOLDEN SHOT

The show also gave me a major crush on the assistant, Anne Aston, who's job it was to check out where the bolts had hit the targets and total up the scores. That she wasn't exactly the brain of Britain made all this much funnier than it sounds and always ended up with dear old, much missed, Bob looking at the camera and giving a sigh. Brilliant fun. Bloody hell, 1975 seems a lifetime ago..

Cult Icons: BBC Schools Countdown Clock (1981)

HOW WE USED TO WATCH AND LISTEN

Though this is an indent from 1981 and I had long escaped the torture that was my school days, one of the things that reminds me of those days of doing double Geography were the times when the teacher wheeled in a boxy wooden black and white Rediffusion television on a huge stand and we had to watch a program about the subject we were doing that lesson. We'd all gather around and watch the BBC Schools Countdown clock before the program started. Looking back, these indents were definitely one of those cult memories you think back on with a smile and recall programs such as "How We Used to Live.", "You and Me.", "Words and Pictures.", and the utterly brilliant "Magic Box". Kids today don't know wot they're missing..

Cult Icons: Michael Bentine's Potty Time (1973 - 1980)

LEARNING HISTORY WITH THE "POTTIES"

Geez, how to describe this one. Michael Bentine was the human host and narrator for a show all about teaching kids history. To assist him, he enlisted the help of the "Potties", a gaggle of table top puppets who would dress up according to the scenario being taught. It was a program filled with explosions, high drama, goofy charm and done with a huge sense of fun. Bentine was the perfect host because he always looked slightly baffled and bemused at the goings on. The great thing about the series for kids is that you really did learn about some of the most important events in history even when you were laughing your head off at the Potties. A classic series from the seventies.

Electric Snapshot:: IT'S A KNOCKOUT (1968 - 88)

THE UNFLAPPABLE STUART HALL and FRIEND from BBC TV's CLASSIC "IT'S A KNOCKOUT!"

I loved this show. I loved it so much I can hardly put into words how much I loved it. Thinking back, if ever there was a television show that defined the seventies it was IT'S A KNOCKOUT. Saturday nights were scheduled around this madcap game show where a bunch of people from different towns or cities dressed up in silly costumes and competed against each other to win an opportunity to represent the UK in the international version, Jeux San Frontieres. It was just a completely bonkers show. 

But what made the show for me was the presenter, the utterly insane Stuart Hall (pictured above) His passion and childish enthusiasm for the show was infectious enough but it was his regular lapses into corpsing giggle fits that made him a God among mere mortals. Once he started hyper ventilating with laughter watching a bunch of sopping wet penguins running around a rotating platform trying to collect water in a bucket - I was gone too. No show has ever made me laugh so hard before or since. Brilliant. A true classic.

Electric Snapshot:: Dr WHO "The Doctors Wife"

"HELLO DOCTOR."

I'm a fan of Doctor WHO but I'm not a Doctor WHO fan - if that makes sense. As far back as I can remember the Doctor has always been there in the background of my life. A constant flickering, sometimes noticed, sometimes not, during a Saturday tea time with fizzy pop, apple pies and cream buns. For all of my time on this planet, Doctor WHO has been there on a journey through time and space, written its tall inter-galactic and inter-dimensional tales, discovered its hybrid heritage and regenerated its own fan obsessed mythology. If ever there was something that defined classic longevity then it is the epic story of Doctor WHO.

Electric Snapshot is about frozen moments in time. Timeless moments that stand out amongst the normal static we endure. Doctor WHO has a fair few and I'm sure as time goes on I'll be devoting more posts about those classic moments I remember. For now, this is the first moment I've chosen. From NewWHO Season 6, this is from the episode "The Doctor's Wife" written by fantasy scribe Neil Gaiman and is a quiet moment when the eleventh Doctor comes face to face with his most faithful companion and devoted guardian - the soul of the TARDIS. It's moments like this which elevates this story of a time and space travelling alien above almost everything else on television. A story of someone who's best friend just happens to be the coolest thing ever invented/created in the known universe.

Electric Snapshot: FRASIER.

GOOD NIGHT, SEATTLE - WE REALLY DID LOVE YOU

This is the greatest tv comedy show ever. I can't put into words how much I loved this show during its eleven season run. This final episode had me near tears for every end to a journey is sad no matter how fantastic the ride. And this was the bestest ride ever. Everything about it was perfect; characters, cast, and the brilliant writing. Can't believe it's been nearly seven years since it finished. It's funny how you sometimes measure the passing of years by comparing it to events during it. I think I'll call my time "since the Frasier days." So many memories of a wonderful series, but my favourite line and moment was the "this dress is so tight I had to take my knickers off to get into it" from Daphne with a pop eyed Niles standing behind her having a silent cardiac arrest at the thought. Good night, Seattle and thanks for the memories..