View Full Version : Through the night ITV schedules - why so crap nowadays?
I remember years ago when through the night ITV was great. Jam-packed with great programmes and films.
Here's a rundown of the stuff I remember that was shown....
Prisoner: Cell Block H
Special Squad(Aussie crime show)
The Fugitive(with David Jansen)
The Avengers
The Highwayman
Pick Of The Week
Video View
Coach(US comedy)
Soap(US comedy)
Married With Children
Cinematractions
America's Top 10
Derrick(West German detective show)
Get Stuffed(cookery show aimed at "yoofs")
Beatclub 70's (studio based German music show, like Top Of The Pops)
The James Whale Radio Show
plus numerous other great shows which I can't recall now. Can anyone recall any others that were shown?
Mixed in with all that, films were shown too. Including some foreign language stuff from the continent.
There were great schedules back in those days(late 80s's to late 90's). I can't actually remember what the schedules were like in the early 00's. Nowadays though this is what we basically get every night:
The Jeremy Kyle Show(repeat showing of daytime screenings)
Loose Women(repeat showing of daytime screenings)
ITV Nightscreen - two hours or whatever of ceefax like pages about ITV shows.
Absolutely APPALLING scheduling!
It's been like this for a few years now. Why did ITV kill off the great night time scheduling?
££££
If they repeat tv shows they need to pay for the rights again, but with crap shows that they make themselves its no cost to them, or not a great deal anyway.
aceofwands
20-06-2009, 22:11
The Avengers was never shown on ITV after 1976.
But when it was regional we had UFO,Captain Scarlet ,Randall& Hopkirk , V and many other interesting shows.
Its been cack for years
aceofwands
20-06-2009, 22:12
££££
If they repeat tv shows they need to pay for the rights again, but with crap shows that they make themselves its no cost to them, or not a great deal anyway.
Using that logic , they could show The Saint , Space 1999 ,Man In A Suitcase and all the other ITC shows that ITV now own and show endlessly on ITV4
Central Weekend on a Friday night was top quality entertainment. Made me think there was possibly as many nutjobs in Britain as there are in the States. Still remember Edwina Currie dumping her drink over Peter Snape. :lol:
Another couple of shows I remember.
Return To Eden - great Aussie series.
Riviera - Euro soap. Though this was actually an attrocious programme!
Dial A Date - this was back in the late 90's/early 00's.
Aceofwands - I definitely do remember The Avengers being shown on my regional ITV station(HTV) back in 1990. Though slight correction - this was "The New Avengers" from 1976-1977 starring Gareth Hunt and Joanna Lumley.
aceofwands
20-06-2009, 22:19
Central Weekend on a Friday night was top quality entertainment. Made me think there was possibly as many nutjobs in Britain as there are in the States. Still remember Edwina Currie dumping her drink over Peter Snape. :lol:
Yes it was certainly far more interesting when much of ITV was regionalised.
But once the takeovers started it was downhill all the way.
But I wonder if ITV would have financially been able to survive had it remained as more than a dozen separate companies.
aceofwands
20-06-2009, 22:21
Another couple of shows I remember.
Return To Eden - great Aussie series.
Riviera - Euro soap. Though this was actually an attrocious programme!
Dial A Date - this was back in the late 90's/early 00's.
Aceofwands - I definitely do remember The Avengers being shown on my regional ITV station(HTV) back in 1990. Though slight correction - this was "The New Avengers" from 1976-1977 starring Gareth Hunt and Joanna Lumley.
The New Avengers was repeated a number of times by ITV.
By 1990 they were into the run with 4 episodes missing due to certain actors blocking repeats.
The original series started to vanish from ITV around 1972.
Some regions aired some during the day and late night up to 1974.
Out on its own was Yorkshire who gave the colour Rigg episodes another run that only ended a few weeks before The New Avengers started in September 1976
decloked
20-06-2009, 22:47
In bed with medinner!!!
scoobyood
20-06-2009, 23:09
Well it's not just through the night, ITV is cack 24/7. It's just more evident at the ragged edge of schedules. They don't make kids shows any more and they make zero cultural contribution to the country.. they need a good ITC (or whoever does these things) kicking. They definitely should not get any of the licence fee!
In bed with medinner!!!
That was probably the last decent thing on ITV :(
BlueDwarf
21-06-2009, 00:53
That was probably the last decent thing on ITV :(
Bob Mills - legend. Still the best "Win Lose Or Draw" host, too.
Last time I checked, there were still plenty of IBWM and SIBWM clips on youtube.
ITV don't need to put on good programs at any time (and nor do they), let alone in the early hours.
Why spend money and have no ads when you can put on some bingo **** and get the morons, drunks, and drunk morons to phone in and give away what remains of their post-pub wages/benefits?
zantarous
21-06-2009, 01:47
Beyond Reality was a good one that they used to show about two collage teachers that investigated paranormal activity.
And another one that I remeber being fond of was a show about a detective in some sort of tropical area, possibley Hawaii, (no not Magnum) and I remember there being quite a attractive female side kick. I am sure the title had the words night and heat in it but can not find anything on it IMDB, IIRC it might had had a different name in the US.
C4 also used to show some good US show in the middle of the night, Dweebs comes instantly to mind and another one about a female reporter which for the life of me I can't remember the name of.
kwangomango
21-06-2009, 02:00
That was probably the last decent thing on ITV :(
Loved Bob Mills; can't believe he wasn't a bigger star. Does Russel Brand acknowledege In bed with medinner at all?
Any one remember Get Stuffed (http://www.getstuffed.info/egginamess.html)!? I feel intoxicated just thinking about it!!
scooobydont
21-06-2009, 02:06
I used to record Raw Power, Sledgehammer and some american drama about the vietnam war that I cannot remember the name of, they were all back in the late 80's IIRC.
Fred2002
21-06-2009, 02:24
Vietnam War drama would have been Tour of Duty IIRC.
ITV used to have some long lost forgotten little gems tucked away in the wee small hours after Prisoner Cell Block H including another Aussie cop show called Phoenix, a great little mini series with Michael York called Secret of the Saraha plus of course the TV series version of War of the Worlds.
All of which seem to have been long forgotten sadly although I did find the CD soundtrack for Secret of the Saraha the other day, pity I cannot find a DVD or even a VHS of the series itself.
ITV has been utter trash since the regions were all but scrapped/merged/redefined and the regular refranchising abandoned. They should get back to that old system, come up with consistent decent quality output including local broadcasting or every seven years you will be out on your ear and we get someone else in.
On that basis we could get LWT and Thames back and lose Carlton and the appalling Meridian!!!
kwangomango
21-06-2009, 02:26
...and some american drama about the vietnam war that I cannot remember the name of, they were all back in the late 80's IIRC.
Tour of Duty (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4788737).
scooobydont
21-06-2009, 02:29
That's the one, cheers, :thumbs:
And another one that I remeber being fond of was a show about a detective in some sort of tropical area, possibley Hawaii, (no not Magnum) and I remember there being quite a attractive female side kick. I am sure the title had the words night and heat in it but can not find anything on it IMDB, IIRC it might had had a different name in the US.
Tropical Heat (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0101226/) though seems to have been called Sweating Bullets in the US.
There was also Renegade (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0103524/)
another one about a female reporter which for the life of me I can't remember the name of.
The Naked Truth? (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0112090/) I seem to remember that was on Ch4 late at night at some point and was made around the same time as Dweebs.
kwangomango
21-06-2009, 03:03
And another one that I remeber being fond of was a show about a detective in some sort of tropical area, possibley Hawaii, (no not Magnum) and I remember there being quite a attractive female side kick. I am sure the title had the words night and heat in it but can not find anything on it IMDB, IIRC it might had had a different name in the US.
Is it not Night Heat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Heat)?
zantarous
21-06-2009, 06:53
Tropical Heat (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0101226/) though seems to have been called Sweating Bullets in the US.
The Naked Truth? (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0112090/) I seem to remember that was on Ch4 late at night at some point and was made around the same time as Dweebs.
:clap:
Right on both accounts. Forgot it was Tea Leoni in the staring role
in the Naked Truth. Thoes really were the days you had to study the TV Guide in detail and make use of that manual record on the VCR.
And I see Tropical Heat had 75 episodes I am sure there was no way ITV showed all of them.
In bed with medinner!!!
*Best late night show ever*
Tour of Duty (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4788737).
Used to remember coming in from the pub and watching this, regardless of how knackered I was.
A few others I remember....
The Hitman and Her - Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan! Wouldn't mind seeing a full episode of this again just for old times sake.
Three's Comedy - US comedy with John Ritter and Suzanne Somers.
There was also a nostalgia news show narrated by Robert Powell. Memories of 1975, Memories of 1976, etc.
welshmatt
21-06-2009, 10:19
In Bed With Medinner was the first program I thought of, good to see the love its getting here. I got into it whilst at Uni, sadly near the end of its run.
Have a look for youtube channel medinner for loads of clips.
degeneration
21-06-2009, 10:26
Ah, late night Prisoner Cell Block H. Memories of college life.
In Bed With Medinner was the first program I thought of, good to see the love its getting here. I got into it whilst at Uni, sadly near the end of its run.
Have a look for youtube channel medinner for loads of clips.
It's slightly ruined my life, in that I can't see a packet of, say, Nice biscuits without thinking something like 'Cliff Richard came round for tea the other day..'
Mr Majestik
21-06-2009, 12:24
A few others I remember....
The Hitman and Her - Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan! Wouldn't mind seeing a full episode of this again just for old times sake.
.
This was my local night spot of the time.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EtXCPlkomLE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EtXCPlkomLE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
The Hitman and Her was such a weird show.
anephric
21-06-2009, 13:37
ITV also had Millennium on stupidly late, and Prey. Wasn't the Friday the 13th series stuck on in the early hours as well? And Poltergeist the Legacy?
Anyone remember 'Night Stand with Dick Dietrick' on ITV late nights ?
It starred Timothy Stack (one of the main cast characters from Son Of The Beach) and it was absolutely brilliant and very very funny. I always remember the 'lesbians' that they had on who kept giving Dick **** :lol:
Sadly it's nowhere to be found these days, can't even get it on dvd :(
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8T5I2-7JXaQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8T5I2-7JXaQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RaE6_lNKgY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RaE6_lNKgY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
No mention of the mighty Sledgehammer which was a staple of the late night schedules
joconnor
21-06-2009, 15:26
I used to record Raw Power, Sledgehammer and some american drama about the vietnam war that I cannot remember the name of, they were all back in the late 80's IIRC.
No mention of the mighty Sledgehammer which was a staple of the late night schedules
:p
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kygJbw-sZJw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kygJbw-sZJw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Mr Majestik
21-06-2009, 16:46
I remember when Yorkshire Tv first tried out all night TV and they broadcast some cable music channel all night.
I used to tape because back then music video's were some cool thing only rearly glimpsed on Saturday superstore.
downhillbiker
21-06-2009, 16:51
Scotland used to also get Weir's Way. Nothing better than watching a wee old man dodder about the Highlands when you're so hammered you can't speak.
pompeyfan
21-06-2009, 17:34
Tour of Duty gets a regular showing on FXUK now.
Another I remember on ITV was the Friday the 13th TV series and I'm pretty sure there were some Tales From The Crypt as well (both on zone horror atm)
I remember when Yorkshire Tv first tried out all night TV and they broadcast some cable music channel all night.
I used to tape because back then music video's were some cool thing only rearly glimpsed on Saturday superstore.
The good old Music Box. Luis Cardenas Runaway video with the dinosaurs seemingly on endless rotation....Then it used to be CNN news in the morning at around 5am.
I used to record Raw Power, Sledgehammer and some american drama about the vietnam war that I cannot remember the name of, they were all back in the late 80's IIRC.
Are you me?
Raw Power, rock music news before I had MTV, Sledge "Trust me I know what I'm doing" Hammer, and ToD - all top stuff. Throw in Hardball and Ch4 for Key West and that's my early 90's late night viewing.
You forgot the Master, with Lee Van Cleef.
The good old Music Box. Luis Cardenas Runaway video with the dinosaurs seemingly on endless rotation....Then it used to be CNN news in the morning at around 5am.
CNN News at 5am every mornings on ITV? Are you sure about that? I remember it was allways ITN World News at 5am in the early years of through the night ITV. An hour long show. Later cut to a half hour broadcast at 5:30am.
KennyVader
21-06-2009, 21:39
I am old enough to remember BBC1 playing the National Anthem and closing down completely, and a world before "breakfast television", but I don't ever remember ITV handing over to CNN.
War of the Worlds
wondefully craptastic US "sci fi adventure series" starring Dusty from Dallas and some Chakotay-a-like bloke who got shot early on in Predator
Hopelessly entertaining in a similar vein to V
CNN News at 5am every mornings on ITV? Are you sure about that? I remember it was allways ITN World News at 5am in the early years of through the night ITV. An hour long show. Later cut to a half hour broadcast at 5:30am.
Might have been a regional thing as I can remember it being CNN on Yorkshire at that time in the morning.
You forgot the Master, with Lee Van Cleef.
You're right!
pah. these programmes already mentioned pale into insignificance next to the mighty "james whale radio show". my mum hated him but i loved the show :)
kwangomango
06-07-2009, 23:54
What was the name of the show that was just a countdown of the US movie box office? The show was basically a series of trailers with a guy doing a voice over. It ran for a few years during my teens.
Cinema Cinema Cinema??
Edit: Just found it!! AKA Box Office America (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297511/) and the guy was Richard Blade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXFuAtXZDvw).
Meridian TV in the South had something called "Night Network". There was a presenter had several different segments in it. A naff Juke Box Jury where they played a video and the guest had to get our of their seat and go and hit the stop button. When this happened the music video feed cut and they pulled away to show the guest getting out of thier seat and pushing the button, then cut back to the video :D
Also tim westwood presented a video show as well. Lots of other bits that I can't remember.
Shingster
07-07-2009, 23:24
I fondly remember the likes of Sledgehammer (well that one I don't have to remember, got the DVD sets), Renegade (misspent youth meant I was already well versed in the skillz of Lorenzo Lamas), Night Stand, Poltergeist: The Legacy (a mainstream US horror show that had boobies!!!), Hardball, and the massively underrated gem: Now & Again.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.