Last ever Top of the Pops

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 29 Jul 2006, 18:03

On Sunday it will be the last ever Top of the Pops - the end of an era after 42 years

Sad a programme such as this has to fall victim to the ratings machine. The decline started IMO when new presenters were brought in that had nothing to do with music.

Starts as 7pm with a programme fronted by past presenters including Tony Blackburn and Sir Jimmy Saville, with loads of archive stuff, then at 10pm there is another restrospective programme with more old footage/interviews.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 31 Jul 2006, 09:30

Did anyone see this? I missed it (well kind of), I taped it off BBC 2 Digital on Freeview but for some reason I got no sound

And the picture broke up horribly midway through, so

Oh well.
I've heard the TOTP Xmas show will still be on every year (?) and TOTP2 (archive stuff) will come back.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 31 Jul 2006, 15:02

I haven't watched TOTP since I was 10. No point starting now.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 31 Jul 2006, 15:14

Maybe not.
There was a bit with Pete Waterman on the programme where he said it wasn't important whether you sang live or not - the tosser. If you're a singer its' part of the job!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Jul 2006, 17:55

And does anyone miss it? It was "excellent" in it's day but that was 5+ years ago.

The world has moved on, with multi-channel music TV who in their right mind would watch a 30 minute TV show once a week?

grim_tales wrote:Sad a programme such as this has to fall victim to the ratings machine.

I'd say it's more of a case the format not working in today's society.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 31 Jul 2006, 18:24

TOTP was indeed great in its day, its just a shame to see something like that go. I can't say I'd miss its most recent version with Andi Peters (!) working on it.
You may be right about the format Brad - in the 1970's up to 15m people watched it as there was no MTV, internet etc (obviously). How times change.

There was a documentary on Pan's People (the dance troupe) afterwards. They looked great in their day indeed

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Jul 2006, 19:23

Now I'd watch TOTPS if a new Pan's People were on it but can you image the PC backlash.

I guess it's a shame but then people don't like change so anything going is bound to disappoint some. It may come back, look at Doctor Who.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 31 Jul 2006, 20:52

To be fair to TOTP they had exclusive live performances every week which you couldn't see on any of the dedicated musical channels. If you care about chart music (which I don't) I can't imagine why you would miss TOTP. But that's just me and I wasn't it's target audience.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Aug 2006, 00:17

Fair enough but exclusive live performances are two a penny nowadays. You miss one and two more pop up.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Aug 2006, 10:07

bradavon wrote:Now I'd watch TOTPS if a new Pan's People were on it but can you image the PC backlash.

I guess it's a shame but then people don't like change so anything going is bound to disappoint some. It may come back, look at Doctor Who.

True.
I don't know if you've seen the famous Pan's People in Concert footage, during one clip the girls are wearing next to nothing (almost) and gyrating very slowly

, ironically said to be the most expensive costume they ever had.
AFAIK Legs and Co came after Pan's People in the mid 70's/80's.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 01 Aug 2006, 11:59

Bout time this rubbish was canned. Don't cry Grim, you still have CD-UK.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Aug 2006, 13:12

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Aug 2006, 14:17

Shakira wasn't even live on the last TOTP - just the video. Pfff.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 10 Aug 2006, 15:35

grim_tales wrote:Shakira wasn't even live on the last TOTP - just the video. Pfff.

The hip gyrating isn't available on tap.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Aug 2006, 15:35

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 10 Aug 2006, 15:47

grim_tales wrote:Huh?

Ya know, Shakira is reknown for gyrating her hips.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Aug 2006, 15:49

Yes I know that

I was referring to the "available on tap" part.

Shakira is nice IMO

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 10 Aug 2006, 16:02

grim_tales wrote:Yes I know that I was referring to the "available on tap" part.

Geez, you'd think a pom would instantly be one to pick up on Pub/beer references. You bring shame to your people.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Aug 2006, 16:06

I know what available on tap means thanks but what are you saying exactly? You don't see a video like Shakira's every day as its not widely available.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 10 Aug 2006, 16:09

grim_tales wrote:I know what available on tap means thanks but what are you saying exactly? You don't see a video like Shakira's every day as its not widely available.

It was just a joke dude, you don't need to write an English essay on it.