Show Notes
Hello, Good Morning, and Welcome... Luke is pitching John breakfast shows, and he has a LOT to say, especially about TV-am, which might well be the greatest story in the history of British television. Treachery, irony, and plenty of rats - only one of whom is a Superstar.
Cracking TV is produced and presented by Luke Sluman and John Furlong. Our rather marvellous theme tune was written and performed by Simon McInerney. Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com. Follow us @crackingtv. Luke & John Cracking TV is an IHOG Factual Entertainment Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Cracking TV
Do you know your Willi Wacker from your Fanny Chmelar? It's almost time for John to pick a teatime gameshow. But not before we hear about two of the biggest shows to the century: Luke's final pitch The Chase, versus John's own pick, Pointless. It's a rivalry bigger than Richard Osman's shoes.
Luke's pitching more teatime game shows, and he's bringing out the big guns: perhaps the best quizzers in the world in Eggheads; and arguably the greatest TV format deviser, Richard Osman, with his House of Games. And, erm, 100% and Whittle. Well it can't all be gold.
Game shows are back - and this time it's personal. Luke is pretty desperate to get a game show commissioned. Having failed with morning and afternoon slots, he's now pitching for teatime - the home of Blockbusters, Eggheads, The Chase, Pointless, and The Weakest Link. But if you think Anne Robinson's mean, wait till you hear what Luke's about to do. John once made a fool of himself on TV in front of millions of people, and he's managed to keep it secret for 25 years... but if anyone can find the footage, it's Luke. Surely Luke wouldn't use it to embarrass John - would he?
Who killed Top of the Pops? We leap into the 21st century… as TOTP is heads towards its doom. John will pitch the Chris Cowey, Andi Peters and Mark Cooper eras. And Luke must choose the best era of all. John has nine chances to win — surely he can’t fail this time?
The 90s are dawning, and Top of the Pops is on a comedown after the excesses of the 80s. Paul Ciani tries to keep the party going, but before long Stanley Appel decides a Year Zero approach is needed. That doesn't last either, and Ric Blaxill is charged with saving the show. Can John convince Luke that any of these eras bear comparison with the glory days of old? There's no shortage of exciting music - from grunge to techno, Britpop to Girl Power - and there are even some genuinely funny hosts. But with viewing figures hitting an all-time low, it's going to be a tricky set of pitches.