REWIND TV

[jim244]

I may be wrong Sir but from what I have read it wasn't a case of ending the series as it was not popular.
It was extremely popular.
I believe what occurred is that George Markstein left after episode 13 and he had been a major force for the series.
Patrick on his own then is untempered, uncontrolled and eps 14-17 are a bit mad due to this.
The crazy stuff actually starts with episode 13 which makes me think Markstein lost control then.
Compare episodes 1-12 to eps 13-17.
It's like a different series.

[DavidKW]

I had to re-tune my telly to get Rewind but got it, well worth it.

First thing I saw, was forgotten series which I remember shown it first came out - "Mysterious Tales" . These were first shown in early 1982, the first show for the ITV network from newly established ITV franchise TSW (replaced Westward). At the same time the region in my house TVS was also first established (replaced Southern) whilst all the other people who lived in my area - to my massive frustration as their shows and scheduling was better than the Southern - had Central replace ATV.

I also watched the so bad it's funny game show "That's My Dog". Didn't know that was also TSW. Good to see the old ident sting at the start, was very rarely seen nationally outside of the Westcountry - even though I still think the TSW logo is a meaningless mess, nowhere as good as Westward's with the ship.

Show was hosted by Derek Hobson , who had been prolific for ATV Midlands, including hosting talent show "New Faces", forgotten daytime talk show "Hobson's Choice" and ATV regional news (I do remember seeing when my parents' TV got ATV, then we got a new TV and aerial...Southern appealed to their snobbish aspirations which I had none of).

On that show the late Liz Frazer was a guest with her dog. Years later I recall her with same/similar dog looking around Pinewood Studios in a documentary about the Carry On films. One of the last things Liz did before passing was a very interesting interview with TPTV.

[DavidKW]

I did check through my "Tv's Greatest Hits" book from 1993 (always a fascinating read) and The Prisoner only had one episode, its first, in the TV Top 20, propping up at no.20.

Perhaps it was popular but perhaps not enough for Lew Grade. But having said that most ITC shows had varied scheduling across the ITV regional network, and suffered erratic scheduling at that. None of which helps ratings at all.

Still even if the show was just outside the top 20, it would've got the viewing figures to die for in today's TV landscape, Had just 3 UK channels in 1967, but less was defo more back then.

[DavidKW]

Agree with what was said after Markstein left the show went downhill badly, became more a Pat McGoohan vanity project - eg he liked Westerns so a pointless and irrelevant Western themed episode happened (Living In Harmony). Markstein had some control over PMs urges perhaps.

When Grade pulled the plug demanding a one episode conclusion, McGoohan said even he no longer knew what the show was about anymore, so complex it had become. The final episode does look rushed.

A planned revival with Alexis Kanner in the lead (PM rated him highly) was planned, but never got off the ground.

[DavidKW]

Agree Department S has a wicked theme one of the best ever.

I saw said episode and also in it, two other familiar faces: Colin Gordon, a recurring character in The Baron, Number Two in The Prisoner twice (the latter due to illness of intended lead), in Doctor Who's the Faceless Ones, a regular in the Derek Nimmo sitcom "Oh Brother!", also his final role was a regular in forgotten TV drama series about an arms dealer played by Barrie Ingham "Hine", made by ATV, also starred Paul Eddington - I have the DVD of the series, a forgotten gem. Colin Gordon Also appeared in many British films, many been shown on TPTV, playing variety of characters, including Up In The World, In The Doghouse, and Mandy.

Frederick Jaegar was also in episode, later to play the head of "Special Branch" in its second version with George Sewell. Also had popped up in various films and TV, perhaps most memorably as the evil bespectacled Benson assistant to both main villains in both 1960s Cybernauts stories in "The Avengers".

[stevezodiac]

I remember Derek Hobson for the Mr. and Mrs. quiz show.

[DavidKW]

You may be thinking of Derek Batey for the Mr and Mrs host. Have no record of Hobson doing said quiz.

Derek Batey was the best known host, doing the editions made by tiny Carlisle based Border Tv (of which he was a major shareholder) from the 1960s to the 1980s. Batey also hosted a daytime talk show called "Look Who's Talking" also made by Border, plus "Your 100 Best Hymms" made by Yorkshire TV for the Sunday "God slot", replacing its infamous "Stars On Sunday".

Also was a version of Mr and Mrs made by HTV West, hosted by monocle wearing Alan Taylor in the 60s and 70s. It had a distinct animated set of opening titles with a cheesy upbeat theme music. Not found any example of this anywhere on You Tube, but have seen clip of it on C4 Tv Hell feature so one edition of this version must survive.

Also Anglia Tv had a go in the late sixties for one series, hosted by Norman Vaughan ("swinging and dodgy").

Would be fun if Rewind re showed all surviving editions of Mr and Mrs.

[DavidKW]

2 small irritations of rewind TV:

The way coming next signs jump out of closing titles just as I'm trying to see the guest star lists. At least TPTV let the closing titles of all things shown be visually and in sound be uninterrupted. That's respect to classic Tv and films.

Also I agree are too showing some forgettable dud UK sitcoms at 6pm: A Fine Romance has good actors but no funny lines and all is forgettable. Time After Time is dire and all episodes should be chucked to the bottom of the river. Are plenty of surviving sitcoms and forgotten ones of the 70s and 80s worth showing (ie The Squirrels, The Gaffer, Spring and Autumn). The Cuckoo Waltz deserves a later showing than being hidden in the schedules.

[jim244]

I agree with David and Steve,Rewind is not perfect and also not as great as Talking Pictures.
HOWEVER it is another channel showing some wonderful vintage stuff.
And for that fact alone I applaud it.
Department S,The Prisoner,The Zoo Gang,Return of the Saint,Chelmsford 123,Drop the Dead Donkey,Hammer House of Horror.
Worth it for that alone.

[stevezodiac]

Let's not forget the That's TV channels, they've now started repeating Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads. They're also repeating the Doctor in Charge series but in the early hours for some reason. I'm also enjoying Nearest and Dearest. Odd that Hylda Baker hated Jimmy Jewel and they never spoke outside their script dialogue for the whole 7 seasons.

[stevezodiac]

On the other hand they're showing Bread which I couldn't stand. Goodnight Sweethewrt was a good idea but Nicholas Lindhurst is totally miscast, he's not up to fronting a series. No charisma. Can't watch New Tricks after he joined the cast.

[jim244]

Let's not forget the That's TV channels, they've now started repeating Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads. They're also repeating the Doctor in Charge series but in the early hours for some reason. I'm also enjoying Nearest and Dearest. Odd that Hylda Baker hated Jimmy Jewel and they never spoke outside their script dialogue for the whole 7 seasons.

Love the HB and JJ story,didn't know this !!
And yes,That's TV is another great channel and I watched Likely Lads earlier tonight.

[jim244]

On the other hand they're showing Bread which I couldn't stand. Goodnight Sweethewrt was a good idea but Nicholas Lindhurst is totally miscast, he's not up to fronting a series. No charisma. Can't watch New Tricks after he joined the cast.

I respectfully disagree Steve,loved him in both although the original New Tricks cast was the best one.

[jim244]

Is anyone watching Jason King????
Rewind TV have been showing this recently on Mon,Weds and Fridays at 20:00 replacing Department S.
I had never seen it before and it's quite good fun.

[stevezodiac]

Yes, one episode last week featured Yutte Stensgard and Ayshea Brough. Wonderful.