tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post5316971871575586284..comments2024-02-23T08:40:24.961+00:00Comments on Yes It's Number One: Michael Hurll 1936-2012Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-7151842599045724852012-09-24T16:47:05.157+01:002012-09-24T16:47:05.157+01:00legend of a guy great atmosphere and he done some ...legend of a guy great atmosphere and he done some 1991 and 1992 episodes and you could tell to even then Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-11412330842023854712012-09-21T19:21:27.809+01:002012-09-21T19:21:27.809+01:00I got my Ronnies sketches mixed up there, that one...I got my Ronnies sketches mixed up there, that one linked to with The Two Jimmies an Celluloid Burp was on 23rd January 1982 (a date I know because a former colleague was born on that day and on her birthday a few years back I brought in the Radio Times from that day, because you don't have to be mad to woerk in my office but it helps), whereas in 1985 was Dave Lav Trellis. Although he isn't online, Status Who are - http://youtu.be/Yq2OHOyJHnY<br /><br />The best thing about these is that they're filmed on the actual set. It's not Friend or Foe at the end but clearly Mike Read is there in a dinner jacket. Judging by the sets, it's almost certainly filmed in late 1981, and cross-referencing the 1981 episode guide - http://z6.invisionfree.com/popscene/index.php?showtopic=1147 - I'm going to suggest it was filmed in the same session of the Pops of 26th november 1981.Steve Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-7497922169880335172012-09-21T19:07:29.568+01:002012-09-21T19:07:29.568+01:00Yeah, The Two Jimmies was in 1982, I've got th...Yeah, The Two Jimmies was in 1982, I've got the Radio Times from that week, and Celluloid Burp were in 1985. It's testament to Hurll's professionalism he was so happy to take the piss out of his own show.<br /><br />Pops under Michael Hurll is my absolute favourite era by a mile, and what I like about it is that for all its glamour and OTT presenjtation, it always seemed to have its tongue firmly in its cheek, hence the presence of John Peel. And Peel always said that Hurll never gave a toss when he did that Break Wind In Your Kitchen incident, and in fact encouraged Peel to go even further.<br /><br />He was an incredibly prolific producer as well, Paul Jackson used to say that the Rons was the ultimate programme to produce because there were so many elements to it - stand-up, monologues, studio sketches, long filmed sketches, musical items, quickies, virtually every style of TV entertainment in one show, so the fact he was able to produce that plus Pops and the Late Late (which certainly looks a pain in the arse to put together from YouTube) concurrently is remarkable. In fact surely his finest hour was Christmas Day 1985 when he was responsible for four and a half hours of BBC1 with the Rons, Pops, Noel Up The Post Office Tower and, er, Roland Rat's Yuletide Binge.<br /><br />Hurll's name was the first producer's name I ever looked out for on telly, such was his eye for the spectacular.Steve Williamshttp://www.tvcream.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-47479542302704979602012-09-21T15:52:50.801+01:002012-09-21T15:52:50.801+01:00I seem to recall The Two Ronnies spoofing TOTP on ...I seem to recall The Two Ronnies spoofing TOTP on more than one series, they did one as The Two Jimmies with both of them dressed as Sir Jim!Bamaboogiewoogienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-25376199699380129352012-09-21T10:28:43.453+01:002012-09-21T10:28:43.453+01:00regarding the two ronnies' totp skit, benny hi...regarding the two ronnies' totp skit, benny hill used to do send it up quite well from time to time too, but sadly i couldn't find any evidence on youtube... wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-37330636196807711672012-09-21T10:24:06.000+01:002012-09-21T10:24:06.000+01:00i'm really hoping this series lasts until the ...i'm really hoping this series lasts until the mid-80's at least, as although they got a bit OTT at times the early-to-mid 80's shows were highly entertaining... those that i saw that is! in 1983 i used to rehearse on thursday nights with a band that was so intense and focused on "making it" that the manager threatened to sack anyone who didn't turn up without good reason... so not only did the bassist not get to see his favourite band U2 that were playing locally the same night (having just broken into the big time), it being pre-video recorder i also missed virtually all the 1983 TOTP's! despite our dedication the band never got anywhere in the end so perhaps i'd have been better off staying at home...wilberforcehttp://www.gavinunderhill.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-70281035441613546732012-09-20T21:38:46.283+01:002012-09-20T21:38:46.283+01:00It's not Friend Or Foe, in fact I don't kn...It's not Friend Or Foe, in fact I don't know where it's from.<br /><br />Anyone who hasn't seen the sister blog <a href="http://totpday.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">On This TOTP Day</a> really should, there's a lot of trawling of YouTube for clips and a lot are from this period because I only choose clips that are in some way interesting - I know Let's Work, a performance everyone who saw it seems to remember, is coming up very soon.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834265575179460764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-70135869828447909052012-09-20T20:43:10.430+01:002012-09-20T20:43:10.430+01:00I know that I must have seen TOTP before 1980 as s...I know that I must have seen TOTP before 1980 as some of the shows we've seen this year and last bring up vague memories.<br /><br />However, I'm pretty sure that it was only from 1980 onwards that I started watching it religiously. For that unadulterated pleasure, Michael Hurll, I thank you. RIP.<br /><br />Incidentally, as well as seeing Wossy in the Two Ronnies / TOTP clip, is the clip at the very end underneath the logo the clip of all the Radio 1 DJs dancing to 'Friend or Foe' that we've seen before? It looks like it to me.<br />I'm sure there were other 2 Rons / Pops sketches too, weren't there? I can distinctly remember Ronnie B being 'Dave Lav Trellis' in one of them!Noaxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-15424800532337093192012-09-20T20:14:05.226+01:002012-09-20T20:14:05.226+01:00Thanks for letting us know about Michael Hurl, he ...Thanks for letting us know about Michael Hurl, he sounds an interesting man. The show did need an overhaul in the 1980s and he was the man to do it (ironically borrowing some ideas from Ready Steady Go from the '60s). <br /><br />I might be alone in liking the plodding late 70s shows and the 1980s ones although I always thought those over-cheerful cheerleader style dancers looked wrong dancing to The Smiths and Aztec Camera, etc, but it still gave the show a kitsch, almost camp edge and he was never afraid to experiment. I particularly recall the gay fan dancers getting down to The Pointer Sisters, Mick Jagger using the whole studio for his performance of Let's Work (and then the single stalled at number 31!) and FGTH's 9 week run at the top with Holly Johnson walking through the crowd. Mad days!Bamaboogiewoogienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-28952698036168529212012-09-20T19:09:23.580+01:002012-09-20T19:09:23.580+01:00The man who gave us John Peel's thoughts on F....The man who gave us John Peel's thoughts on F.R. David and Haysi Fantayzee, so an icon in my book. RIP and thanks, Michael.Arthur Nibblenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-68942139187672734122012-09-20T19:02:57.644+01:002012-09-20T19:02:57.644+01:00Guess who's the tall one standing at the back ...Guess who's the tall one standing at the back on the Celluloid Burp picture in the Two Ronnies/TOTP sketch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6190903519028956778.post-9259965639292625052012-09-20T17:42:18.347+01:002012-09-20T17:42:18.347+01:00A fantastic tribute. RIP Michael.A fantastic tribute. RIP Michael.eightiespopkidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14536522279758968719noreply@blogger.com