"Top of the Pops" (1964) TV series 1964-2006

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Directors:

Chris Cowey
Arch Dyson

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

12 January 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot:

A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.

Plot Keywords:

Lip Synching | Music Video | Live Music | Pop Music | Live Performance

Cast

Pan's People

...

(Love Unlimited) / ... (218 episodes, 1966-1976)

Also Known As:

All New Top of the Pops (UK) (alternative title)
TOTP

Runtime:

30 min | UK:60 min (1 episode) | 35 min (5 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1970-2006) | Black and White (1964-1970)

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Kew Bridge Steam Museum, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The very first episode was show at 6:36pm on New Years Day in 1964. The pilot episode was titled, "The Teen & Twenty Record Club". Top of the UK charts at the time of the series launch were: - 1. I Want to Hold Your Hand (The Beatles) - 2. Glad All Over (The Dave Clark Five) - 3. She Loves You (The Beatles) - 4. You Were Made For Me (Freddie & The Dreamers) - 5. I Only Want to Be With You (Dusty Springfield) - 6. 24 Hours From Tulsa (Gene Pitney) - 7. Dominique (The Singing Nun) - 8. Secret Love (Kathy Kirby) - 9. Swingin' On a Star (Big Dee Irwin) - 10. Hippy Hippy Shake (The Swinging Blue Jeans)

Movie Connections:

Featured in Queen: Greatest Video Hits 2 (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Wizard

The Good Old Days

I may be only 25, but I already feel like I'm way too old for TOTP. That is a real pity because up until the early 90s it felt like this was a national institution would be stay with me forever.

I guess most people think that, but the way in which TOTP has lost its importance is startling and sad. Of course, the current state of the music charts is mainly to blame, and the fact that there are dozens of music TV channels now.

I don't know what it was like in the 60s and 70s but you can't argue with audience figures of 15-16 million, while it now gets 2 million if it's lucky.

The shows I remember in the 80s were fun, colourful and lively; where the performers and the audience were out for fun. However, it now seems cynical, trashy and monotonous. I mean who can forget when The Brat performed "Chalk Dust" with a mock tennis court and umpire judge, and then of course there was the classic "Jocky Wilson" moment with Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Perhaps because I am a 80s child and remember when the charts were interesting, i.e. songs climbed up the charts to a position which (usually) justified the song. Now anything can go straight in at number one if they have appeared in a TV programme, or it's been played in a nightclub in Ayia Napa, or features some anodyne blonde blue-eyed rubbish boy band.

Anyway, I should stop moaning and remember the good old days.