New Year, Fewer Stresses

2021 has been a coming of age year. 

Or more realistically a "wanting to make sense of past ages" year.

Which I have sort of achieved via two sets of online excursions, one on this very blog
revisiting exploits in student radio in London some 15 years back, continuing soon
with the infamous "Refreshers Week" of January 2007.

The other being a 30 year retrospective of "Noel's House Party" which has
gone further than I had expected.

Alongside Jon Bufton (who's probably more obsessed with the series than I am)
we've written a series-by-series set of articles of the antics at Crinkley Bottom
which will evolve in to what we hope will be an all-out first stop
for detailed information on the show.

Including something I initially pushed to one side, but having gradually
started viewing all the episodes (or ones still surviving off-air) of the House Party's
predecessor "The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow".


A series I seemingly have fonder memories of, though that may be down to
further halcyon memories of telly viewing in London first time round between
the years of 1988-91.

Which is rather fitting seeing as my Mum was a devout Radio 2 listener, and the
station was completely different to its current state.

Making it more than enjoyable to see many of their presenters on Edmonds'
Saturday night show, humiliated with either gungings or Gotchas, or in the cases
of Derek Jameson and Gloria Hunniford, both.

Four Gotchas in fact for Jameson.

I've just finished watching series 1 of the Roadshow, which I have no memory
of from first time round. though that may be because our household opted
for ITV's "New Faces Of '88" as hosted by the late Marti Caine.

A show I only really remember for having a "brassy presenter holding a microphone"
and the animated Central Production endcap which aged 3 I found terrifying.

(That, and from the other side of the pond, Lorimar Telepictures...)

A compromise of sorts following the axing of idents to precede ITV network
shows at the beginning of '88, possibly to allow more time for ads.

The grand final even had a live rendition performed by Harry Rabinowitz's 
orchestra to round it off. The irony that said bandleader penned LWT's river
ident some years earlier...

Though like university, telly viewing in late 80s London was filled with ups and downs
and the arrival of ITV's generic identity the following year
(put to full use by both Thames and LWT) was a more pleasant eyeful.


And being plastered onto the end of all regions' programmes meant
no more scary endcaps in motion.



If the late 80s in London were a fondly remembered time, you could
ask if the television that was on offer whilst at uni was also to that standard.

Having revisited the 2006 X Factor Final a few weeks ago, that's definitely not the case.

And possibly one of the main reasons why I opted to spend evenings in the
university radio studios rather than in front of the television.

(Though Buzzcocks under Simon Amstell, and series 3 of Doctor Who would provide
small doses of escapism in 2007)

With Youtube also in its infancy it lead me to rediscover previously lost television
memories, with clips from the House Party and Saturday Roadshow reminding me
why I loved those shows.

Though on discovering why most of them uploaded back in early 2007 consisted
mainly of gungings, erm, let's not go there...

Most of the above are viewed (in much better picture quality) on many outings away
to places such as Eastbourne, Southport, Devon, and hopefully more beach weekends
away to come this year.

And maybe I'll find something to provide more in the way of purpose
when on Thanet shores, though ideally they'll be a way of branching
away further...

University Radio Reminiscing - November-December 2006

Reaching the second half of Autumn '06, where after winning Bronze
in the Best Station category at the 2006 Student Radio Awards,
the new intake of Smoke Radio was starting to settle in.

Including at 11.54 Chris Chilvers and now-chocolate innovator Phil Landers
with their Friday lunchtime show made up of features such as "London Eye Spy"
which both of them would probably look back and laugh at.

Chris became very proactive within the station, and Phil was one of the nicest
and most supportive guys in the years to follow.


Photo by Edward Burke

Before them, Goodlass and Marshall in their Wednesday afternoon timeslot
filled with the usual idiocy and general knowledge for nans.

The oft-repeated retort "You listen to me!" came about on the nightbus back from the 
Student Radio Awards, where the pair were bemoaning not getting nominated
for the "Best Entertainment" category.

Of which I had the guts to tell them that achieving such goals required more
than just playing the theme tune to "Baywatch" every week, to which Goodlass
in his Grant Mitchell voice started yelling "You listen to me!"
much to the hilarity of Chris Chilvers sat next to him.

The nearest the boys got to SRA success was a bronze for "Best Interview"
two years later, and even that resulted in Goodlass burying his face in his hands.

4.15 Pippa returns with her "Evening Session" still without a presenting partner
but taking advantage of the circumstances.
I loved her delivery. Never afraid of any gaps of silence between speech
when others on the station tried too hard to sound slick.

Me being no one to talk. Or talk any sense, period.

I was gutted when the show suddenly vanished before Christmas, and the blunt truth
as hinted, was the mood around the station had changed.

We'd spent the first year building it into what felt like a big luxury house,
and the new owners were scared of making any further moves
in case one of the windows accidentally got smashed.

Leaving the 7-8pm slot on Mondays empty for a good few months,
again down to the reluctance to put new shows on air from non-radio students
because they "weren't technically capable".

The air of superiority, combined with the stresses of the News and Magazine module
lead to further tension, as I was all for being part of a team, but not an elite. 

At 13.18, one of the news bulletins from said module with Clara Koroma,
who was also one of the voices for the specialist imaging being implemented
onto Smoke's evening output (20.59).

While still lending a hand to the post-7pm shows, I was also excited about
the newer daytime shows, such as "The Dinner Party" airing Tuesdays
from 5-7pm with first year radio students Phil and Sam (2.52).

Sam already had a gig on the now deceased Mix 107 in South Bucks hosting Saturday breakfast
whilst Phil, along with Chris became central parts of Smoke Radio's Undercroft nights
as "Phil and Chris In The Mix".

Another member of the Dinner Party team also branched out as a newsreader,
future BBC entertainment reporter Steven McIntosh (6.50), where on hearing him first time
round, everyone in listening next door in RP1 was more than impressed.

All drawn to that Edinburgh voice in a way that I can't remember happening
with any other presenter on the station over those four years.

One of them giving the good word was Josie, still hosting the Punk Show as heard at 5.27,
though editor of programming finally took to task the elephant in the room
of Tilley's presence on said show, in that it got in the way of playing music
or even talking about the music.

Which wasn't helped by him not being the biggest fan of punk.

The following week onwards Josie hosted solo (21.30), self-opping, still bringing
her Brummie charm to the show, but playing more music.

Others I spoke to at the time thought the issue was being taken too seriously,
some refusing to acknowledge that if they were a fan of punk, and not biased
by being involved in Smoke Radio, it wouldn't be as enjoyable a listen.

It was the only instance on Smoke of a specialist show being intervened
by one of the station managers.

Smokin' Records return at 16.17 with Bristolian Seb and Leeds boy Jonboy up to more
antics including the duel of the "10 Minute Mix". 
Jon was definitely in a gloating mood after Seb's balls up, and I was trying hard
to stop laughing just minutes before following them.

In Seb's case, the joints really were jumping.

At 8.18 , a short but sweet offering from Katy, an American exchange student
whose show "Across The Pond" delivered many Stateside gems.

The presenter had previously taken part as one of the bedside bachelors
in Fresher's Blind Date, but being turned down didn't discourage her
from wanting to do more at the station.

Katy's was one of many shows to play from the recently released Tom Waits'
"Orphans" album, even mentioning the full title on air.
Then again, Shuffle once opened a show themed around "Spelling And Grammar"
with "Uncle Fucka" from the South Park movie.

If it was in the right context, we could get away with using such language.

Whilst I enjoyed spending time with Adam & Zo, chatting with them during the tunes
I trod carefully not to be studio-present on all shows after 7.

Josie already stripped of her presenting partner wouldn't want it rubbed in
further by my presence, and Tudor who followed would never have
been able to deliver such hilarious rants if it wasn't just him in the studio (25.07).

9.44 Providing not so much in strong language, but colourful asides a plenty,
Pete and Jason, the hosts of Smoke's Wednesday afternoon request show
warming up for Smoke International. 

The pair taking the advantage of their residential assistant roles in Harrow Halls
by instigating a "Best Kitchen" competition, of which the winners Kat and Charlotte
got to commandeer the Christmas special as heard at 27.16.

At 19.15, "The Crossway" a Sunday lunchtime Christian magazine show under the helm
of James Poulter, which had an impressive guestlist including Delirious?
who were a favourite of Simon Mayo in the days of his Radio 1 mid morning show.

Lasting an hour between 1 and 2, I would normally follow from 2 until 3
in an attempt to play it straight, getting to grips hosting a daytime show.

It didn't last long as after Christmas, The Crossway was extended to twice it's length,
a better-sounding lead in to Carl's "Upliftment" gospel show as heard at.
And I wasn't too fussed as the Sunday show was rubbish, opting to focus
more on the soul show and imaging jobs.

Which explains the lack of audio, though you may hear my more anarchic attempts
at daytime radio on revisiting the Refreshers Week audio in the new year.

At 24.25, one of the newer specialist shows "Dry Ice" hosted by two first year
CMP students airing late on Monday nights, when Emma and Phoebe
would most likely be present at the ever busy Undercroft.

It was good fun spending time with them to record the show beforehand
either on a Sunday afternoon or just before the drinking on the Monday itself.

And making their entrance at 22.17, the best new show to hit the station this semester;
"The R&B Lounge" hosted by Khalia "K-Lee", and Sarah "Lamby".

Kay Lee now a top grime spinner in London, and Sarah, without doubt,
the most talented student on the radio course.
Understanding the medium and its creative strengths like no one else,
partly down to growing up without a television.

Both her and Khalia had a great chemistry on air, and none more
genuine enthusiasm for the tunes played on the show.

25.37 With Christmas approaching, there was no time for any rest, decorating the Smoke
Radio airwaves with festive imaging and music beds which all the shows put to good use.

Making it feel more special despite RCS scheduling Mariah Carey's festive offering
every hour whilst in automation. The SU shop on the Harrow campus felt it the worst.

Only just topped on the irritation scale by Goodlass and Marshall's own rendition
of a Christmas classic by Wizard.

Smoke International really entering into the Christmas spirit at 30.00,
aiming to recreate the heights of their festive outing from the year before.

Followed at 31.36  by Shuffle bidding adieu for 2006 with a "Theme Show"
made up of tunes from all the themes covered over the Autumn semester.

One of them being "Ego", which included "I Start Counting" from Jonny Trunk's
delightful "Fuzzy Felt Folk" compilation, though the chat at on Trunk's more 
"adult" recordings being a timely reminder of when "The Lady's Bras" entered
the chart the following year, after being championed by the likes of Danny Baker 
and Scott Mills.

Reaching number 27 on Radio 1's 40th birthday nonetheless.

34.03 With Seb and Jon both in busy editorial positions for their respective magazine shows,
Smokin' Records took a breather up to Christmas, giving me the chance to step in
with a few extended soul shows.

Despite being bogged down in the same module, I saw it as much needed escapism
after a day of intense studio producing and getting stabbed in the front during the debriefings.

Nothing could get in the way. If an essay or report was due in on the same day as my show,
it would be a case of pushing myself harder to get it completed beforehand
so the show itself would be a treat for doing so.

The end of year show really was good fun, billed as "The Positive Picks Of 2006"
and a good warm up of sorts to the Xmas do in Area that Thursday evening.

And last up at 35.32, a trail as voiced by Ricky for the New Year Refreshers' Week 
which you'll hear the goings-on of after Xmas.

In the meantime, here are the tunes of Autumn '06!

University Radio Reminiscing - October-November 2006

Into early autumn '06, the start of my second year at Westminster and what was to be
the most eventful one, with a lot building deeper.



Starting with the third year advanced live practical module, transmitted over
three consecutive Tuesday lunchtimes, following the previous year's "iSmoke"
in Autumn '05.

This year the two hours were split over two shows, the first half hour being a student
magazine show "Lizzie And Lynsey At Lunch" and for the remaining 90 minutes,
Joe Haddow was at the helm playing to his music radio strengths with "Amplified".

Not only going out on Smoke Radio, but also being marked for it.

Including at 5.14, an interview with Alan Fletcher off of Neighbours, the soon-to-be 
Soapstar Superstar contestant nailing what made student life special.

Along with news and ads, it was a more than intense assignment, giving a sense
of what it would be like to undertake the module the following autumn, 
only 2006 would be the final time Smoke Radio was used as the broadcast platform.

With the station established on campus (well Harrow at least), the Advanced Radio module
from 2007 added the challenge of setting up a new radio station from scratch,
aiming at under-served London audiences, hence the following year's show
"Airtime" on "Breathe London"  for the city's mid 30s but still using
the Smoke Radio stream to broadcast.

One of those offering free hugs in the above video happens to be
Ahmed Hussain, now head of programmes at the BBC Asian Network.

But for reasons to be revealed in later blogs (though you'll probably know already),
I wasn't actually involved with Breathe and in no doubt been a hindrance if I had.

Back to '06 and every Tuesday I would be up in the radio rooms as a guaranteed participant of
the assignment's focus group where quite often, CMP student Pippa ST would also be present
still hosting her Evening Session on Mondays, but without co-presenter Chris (7.06).

Pip's observations on the absence of freshers at the Harrow "Shiny Disco Ball"
may have echoed their presence at Smoke Radio.
Compared to last year when the schedule was almost full to the brim with new arrivals,
hardly any had been trained which became a worry, let alone the lack of member meetings.

With the station now headed by three editors, the committee as set up the year before
was effectively flushed down the toilet. The frustration of not being in the loop,
combined with the inability to understand "informal gossip" may have added
extra tension my end that built up over the coming months.

I still retained my station sound and imaging role, but was rubbish
at motivating myself to go the extra mile when morale was low.

Not that I was helping. On listening back to some of the dry audio from trails,
there's so many instances that left me thinking; 'I was being a right jerk'.

But when other students got away with acting all eccentric and I couldn't,
it was hard not to be frustrated.
The post 7pm schedule on Smoke was a means of hiding from all that,
lending a hand to other shows that were being walked over.

It was a routine. I knew who was going to be in on what night,
and despite being a presence at the Undercroft every Monday, these were surrounds
I could have proper conversations, often chatting in immense detail about music.

8.42 Smoke International returns, with Atilla back on board after a semester in Oz
rejoining Fabian and Natasha. 

The show's structure had changed from the previous year as they'd covered
more than sufficient terrains for the "Country Of The Week",
and in its place came items such as "The Melody Mystery" and "The World Quiz".

The latter made up at least two thirds of a show, but there was the addition of Lucy,
an Australian MA Journalism student who brought a warmth and much needed reassurance
to the team, especially when the presenters would get flustered quite often.

Following them on Wednesdays would be Shuffle with Adam & Zo, still
showing up despite Zo graduating from the Contemporary Media Practise course
the year before.

Themes this semester included "Animals", a tribute to John Cage's '4.33',
the "Ego Show" with songs that had an "I" in the title, and heard at 14.51,
"Thieves and Robbers" prompted by the stolen stylus needles
from the turntables in the Westminster radio studios.

A common frustration, if not as ridiculous as that of the two studios
having just a single turntable in each one.
Though as Shuffle and many other shows would discover later in the year,
it was definitely preferable to a smaller studio with only one fully-working CD player...

Whilst it was good to have the specialist shows back on air, daytime was on the quieter side,
again partly down to the slow response in getting first years on air.

Some of them as heard at 17.59, going through an on-air initiation alongside
Editor of News Ross Tilley.

Followed at 19.58 by Tudor Gent Edward Burke defending his use of the much-rinsed
"Battle Without Honour Or Humanity".
By a weird twist of fate, the worlds of Tudor Rock and Soul Expression somewhat aligned
a decade later when Tomoyasu Hotei guested on Incognito's album with this gem.

A daytime stalwart in his first year, Steve Jones had placed his show on hold
to focus more on the Sports show, now on Thursday evenings alongside
a returning Ali O'Boyle (10.47).

The show began to develop a bigger focus on university sports teams with regular updates
from the netball, hockey, and Westminster Dragons rugby captains, all of them
a lot more stable than Stevie Mate's attempt on a snowboard.

12.43 Following Steve and Ali was the return of Smokin' Records.
Airing after a full day of practical lectures resulted in Seb and Jon making it up on the cuff,
yet the editor of programming seemed to enjoy their banter.

An on-air patter almost reminiscent of Lennon and McCartney's dry interview wit.

Aiming to set the mood for my soul show which followed from them,
but for whatever reason, I didn't enjoy being on Thursdays.

Not least as both the nominations for and the Student Radio Awards
themselves fell on a Thursday, and I would have much rather have hosted
my show live, than pre-record it before being subjected to everyone else's in-jokes
in noisy venues.

Which a few other students down the line seemed confused, near to offended
as to why it was the case, despite the fact they were also studying radio!

I soon realised such social traits (and alcohol) seemingly drew attention
to potential radio employees more than your ability to do the job, and the SRAs
were illustrative of just that.

Worried and frustrated that I wasn't in as close a circle with other radio students, 
where not even a win for Smoke in the Best Journalistic Programming category
was enough to quash uncertainties.

Even if the below photo suggests otherwise.

On the plus side it was there (and on the nightbus home) I first met the newer
intake at the station, and you'll hear the beginnings of their Smoke Radio adventures
in the next blog post.

Rounding off the audio for this outing, what became a more than indulgent
trait on Ross and Paul's "Live Variety Show" at 21.41.
Leaving a long gap of silence after the closing link before playing the He-Man theme
much to Paul's amusement.

Partly because it was long enough for me to hot foot it from Studio 6,
and switch back to automation in Studio 4.

The Spotify playlist of tunes airing over the Autumn will be featured in December
but in the meantime, here's one that will bring back memories of many a night out
at the Harrow Campus' hallowed Underpants bar.

University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke Radio Freshers Week (September 2006)

My arrival at university in 2005 wasn't much of a heady period.
Excited to be back in London, but no idea on how to go about living there.
Save for an outing to a gig at the Clapham Grand, I felt like a hermit
during the freshers week of my first year at uni.

Remaining that way until getting to do my first show on Smoke Radio in November,
and from then on, it was impossible not to be occupied.

Determined enough to embrace the following year's Freshers' Week fully as possible
and the audio below will hopefully give a sense of how intense but enjoyable
it really was.



By then I was responsible for looking after the station's on-air imaging
where we'd added a female voice, that of Phillipa Collins who presented
on the then "One Network" for Gcap before they got bought out by Global Radio.

It definitely gave me focus, a lot of work in the month up to Freshers itself,
and the presenters loved the end results, thinking it made the station sound more "sexy". 

That said, a new tagline had been forced upon Smoke Radio
"One Station, One Sound, One Westminster" which no messing about,
it was a load of bollocks.

Students felt it was too similar to a not so ancient Radio 1 strapline, whilst a PR lecturer
spotting the banner on campus, was more than keen to point out it's resemblance
to the Nazi propoganda slogan, "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer".

Founding members Joe Haddow and Mark Jackson had handed their managerial
reigns over to new editors Ross Tilley (News and Online), Ross Goodlass (Marketing and Events)
and Ricky Marshall (Programming and Music), but their presence was still felt,
not least with Joey brought back to host his ever brilliant "Joe Haddow Music Show" (11.28).

Without doubt, my favourite presenter on the station during my time there.

The daytime line-up remained roughly the same as the summer broadcast in May that year,
Smoke Signal returning with Jo Cave joining "Stevie Mate" on the lunchtime
magazine show. 



With the station's music policy more pop-leaning than indie as in the first year
(hopefully illustrated in the below Spotify playlist), the new team wanted
Smoke Signal to be more light-hearted, but that didn't mean an end
to the no-holds-barred interviews with SU officers.

Not least Rayhan Omar (16.33), the then VP comms which may have turned a few heads
over the financial support Smoke Radio was getting, as unlike the other sabaticals
he gave us all the good word when they wouldn't give us the time of day.
(Or pull out of guest hosting a show at the last minute)

Rayhan was even able to take criticism, re; the organisation (or lack of) of the Freshers Fayres
that year. Not to mention being such a nice guy on a personal level,
pushing away any self-doubt when things got tough.

There's also a welcome return for Westminster Radio alumni Danny Wallace at (31.53),
this time in person at the Regents Freshers Fayre, though I still feel gutted
at never getting the chance to meet him myself.

Ross Tilley returns at 4.00, joined by fellow radio student Cat Bonner in a role
that Tilley modelled on Carrie Davies, the then "sports monkey"
on The Chris Moyles Show.

The ideal end goal for returning member and Annabel Giles soundalike Ali O'Boyle,
home from Australia and throwing herself right back into the chaotic goings on.

Not least as the roving reporter at the many Freshers Fayres (2.41) with "chaotic"
being one word to describe the organisation of said events this year...

Following them was Andy B's "Supersize Lunchbox" (5.03) which may have been the weak link
in hindsight. A chance that the 06-07 team didn't get the show and it's random off-the-cuff antics, explaining why it didn't return post-Freshers.

Dan P returns at 6.25 with the 4-5 Sesh, and what a talent.

Upping the ante to broadcast a whole show from a fresher's bedroom just one day
after receiving an e-mail from a listener suggesting the idea, and alongside co-host
Chris Jones, hosted a Blind Date contest with more new arrivals (18.22).

It was also the first time I met another Chris. A first year radio student who shared the kitchen
of the fella who invited Dan and the team round. He probably thought I was an overenthusiastic
idiot, but ended up becoming one of my best mates over those four years at uni.

Dan's commitment couldn't be faulted, the planning for the bedroom broadcast
was near to an all night job, almost to military precision and it was great to see everyone helping out.

And back in the prestigious 5-7 slot, Goodlass and Marshall (7.29),
getting an amazing guest in the form of Dave Benson Phillips (22.01) offering advice to students,
and charting the development of "Get Your Own Back" which was still
repeated on the CBBC Channel at the time .



I was bricking it at the thought of following on from arguably the most entertaining
interview on Smoke Radio, but the first Soul Expression show of the year went fairly well,
this time just with two people in the studio rather than four as in the summer broadcast,
with Pippa from the Evening Session guesting (25.57).

And wishing in hindsight that I would actually let her get a word in edgeways.

There was no real logic to having an additional presenter on the shows
for Freshers and end of year broadcasts but it made it feel extra special.

Possibly too special for the one in May 2007 but we'll get onto that when 
the time comes.

The intended selling point was the first play of the new Incognito album
but with the first track played being the stunning cover of EWF's "That's The Way Of The World",
the last on the album, it made all the others seem less important in hindsight.

Not to dismiss the album as a whole, which when listened to in order is stunning.

Following my manic shambles are a return for the 80s Team with Cat and Ina (28.17),
followed by Paul Calvert and Ross Powell joining forces for "The Live Variety Show"
devoted entirely to live performances (29.42).

Having hosted solo in the first year, it was right to give Paul someone to bounce off,
and having hosted a daytime show in the first year, Ross was the perfect
foil to Paul's enthusiasm and music knowledge.

Those two when paired together made me laugh so much over that year.

Other specialist shows in the above audio include Pip and Chris's "Evening Session" (13.57)
and "The Punk Show" (15.04) relishing the enjoyment of the annual "Talk Like A Pirate Day".

And also a much-awaited welcome back to Smoke International (39.48),
the hardest-working show on the station with Hungarian Atilla rejoining the team
after a semester down under.

Apologies if I've left anyone out. You were all great, and I'm just completely
knackered after listening back to it all.

The week was definitely one of the highs of the four years at university
all down to a number of shows working that extra bit harder, making the effort for
it to feel and sound special, as opposed to "show-and-go" and leaving
things until the last minute. 

In short everyone involved really cared.

Rounded off by a raucous night at the converted scout hut known as "Area 51",
there was the underlying thought with the comedown of lectures starting the week after,
and attempting to get a regular schedule sorted for the rest of the Autumn,
had the 06-07 academic year peaked too soon?

Or more realistically, had we set too high a standard of on-air output?

Here's the tunes as played throughout Freshers, which in the tradition
includes a few hangers-on, not just from the preceding summer months
but a few dancier tunes from the spring that may have sounded out of place
on the Smoke Radio of old.

Not to mention a few tunes near the end that got a spinning at our Area night.



And only right to finish at 44.35 with a self-penned poem from
the muti-talented Daniel Peay.

University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke Radio's Big Broadcast Bonanza (May 2006)

Another selection of audio, this time from the end of my first year
at Westminster, and the first full year for Smoke Radio,
setting aside the 8th to the 12th of May 2006 for "The Big Broadcast Bonanza".



Even though term time proper finished in early June, most BA Media
students had finished their lectures before Easter. Besides it was the only available
week when the radio rooms weren't in the hands of PostGrad Journalism students.

Despite a rainy start on the Monday, the enthusiasm didn't wane,
having been in preparation for at least two months beforehand,
following the success of "Smoke Aid" a full day of live shows raising awareness
of National No Smoking Day.

The aim of the week was to stretch the excitement of that day over five days,
and I don't think we did too bad a job of it.

0.44 Smoke Signal, The return of the daily magazine show hosted by Steve Jones (on the first
of three stints presenting), and third year radio student Sophie Pringle.


Photos by Edward Burke

Bearing in mind the two only met 20 minutes before the first show,
they hit it off, riffing off each other, and giving good interviews
including Westminster radio alumni Danny Wallace at 27.48.

The show also a got a scoop with Embrace's Danny McNamara at the Wembley
recording of the video for England's World Cup single for 2006, only Swansea-bred Steve
refused to venture up there.
Handing the reigns (and white and red face paint) to Head of News Ross Tilley
who with the help of Dan P reported back to us via the Scoop Reporter. (3.05)

This week being the first we put the soon-to-be infamous O/B equipment to use.

Even though the song was rubbish, everyone in M-Block found it hard
to stop singing, possibly because the chorus resembled The Libertines
"Likely Lads".  

3.50 The Supasize Lunchbox with Andy B. A show that aired on Wednesday lunchtimes
during term time, it was promoted to follow Smoke Signal giving a more light hearted
feel after the busy chaos of the show preceding it.

Not that things weren't even more chaotic, such as getting a blind radio
presenter to play Jenga live on air.

First year radio student Jo Cave was brought in to lend a hand, impressing
a few fellow members to have her promoted as co-host of Signal for Freshers
the following autumn.



Jo also heard at 18.30, co-presenting on my soul show which putting it mildly was a mess,
but enjoyable it at the time. 

5.52 One of the longest running shows, in fact they got an award for it at the end of the week,
Tom & Maz, who station bosses Joe and Mark weren't never too sure about,
but this week may have shown them at their best.



The addition of Tudor, who spent the week videoing the shows for the "video podcasts"
may have added extra depth, made moreso with Maz driving the desk for the whole week
and the Doctor Who "chav" gags.

A reminder of how superb series 2 was.

8.40 the 4-5 Sesh as hosted by dearly missed Dan P (pictured centre).



Such a talented, versatile, and witty guy as proven in the above audio, who rightly
got a special prize at the end of the week for making the extra effort.

Big things were lined up his way over the summer, including working
with Jamie Oliver to produce a series of cooking podcasts.

Goodlass and Marshall show up at 12.10, who at the beginning of the year started off
as two of a six-headed show on Friday evenings.



It proved too much having a lot of voices in one show, so after Christmas it moved from
Friday evenings to Friday lunchtimes, reducing the team of 5 to just Ricky and Ross
and from then onwards, they were amazing.

A fantastic chemistry and entertaining features, not least the "Nanogram" quiz (13.26)
with Ross's real life nan Jaqui Glover, who this week was put up against 4 other nans.

The other members of the team Seb, Jon and Matt spun off into their own specialist
show "Smokin Records' on Thursday evenings, heard at 21.32, where they were rather
miffed about my revelation of attending an Earth Wind and Fire gig down the road
at Wembley Arena that evening without inviting them.

The senior radio lecturer wasn't too happy about their jibes made on air,
but on hearing it later on I thought it was hilarious. And no where near as mean 
spirited as what would be encountered in later radio exploits post university.

Other specialist shows included an Australian music special (15.20) from one of the most
popular members at the station that year, Ashlee, a study abroad journalism student from Oz
who cut her teeth as part of the Smoke International show and blended in
brilliantly with everyone from all years on the radio course.

And the ever raucous Punk Show at 20.45, hosted by Josie with the questionable
addition of Ross Tilley which although entertaining, got a few heads turning
over the show containing more of them than any music.

Rubbing it in further on that Tilley wasn't a fan of punk.

22.38 the debut outing for what may well be my favourite specialist
show, "Tudor Rock", of which the title came up as a joke in a committee meeting
but was soon pushed for to become real.

We weren't disappointed, Edward Burke's unique offering of "Rock, Metal and Ranting",
of which Embrace's single for the 2006 World Cup was a target, with the unfortunate
timing of being transmitted the day after the band were interviewed on the same station.

But then again, all shows that aired after 9pm were recorded a week in advance.

At 24.10, hands down my favourite show that aired throughout my time at Smoke Radio
Shuffle, hosted by Film Studies lecturer Adam Hodgkins, and Contemporary Media student
Zo Beig presenting a show centred around a different theme each week, which they described 
as "so left field, we're not actually in the field".

Joey treated the boys to a two hour special to round off the year, based around 
"The Z-A Of Record Labels" of which I got a bit excited when they played SL2
to represent XL.

26.22,"Incoming" a show added at the last minute due to schedule drop-outs, hosted by
outgoing SU Comms officer Rob Watson. A nice guy who would offer his support
to Smoke over the coming years, yet common ground was found via his
candid opinions on acts such as Jack Johnson.

31.48 Tom's back to help finish off the week with his Drum And Bass show of
which there was a big following for said genre on the Harrow Campus.
Not least the noisy occupant of the flat next door to me in halls that year.

Reaching a point where a commercial music student even got as far as getting
Pendulum to play at the converted scout hut that was Area 51 in March '06.

By the end of the week I was near to tears, the thought of how so much had progressed
over the past 6 months, and it was all coming to an end until September.

Listening back to it, that sense doesn't crop up in the same way it did then, though
that's hindsight raising it's head, knowing that things would be taken even further
that Autumn.

You'll hear what we did for Fresher's Week 2006 in the next blog post
even if it hasn't aged as well...

Here's a rundown of the tunes that played interstitially throughout the week.

University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke's Out For Summer 2 (May 2008)

Things are looking towards some sort of optimism, despite little uncertainties.

I have been managing them with a lot of binge-viewing, in this case
every episode of Noel's House Party on a nightly basis, of which I'm about to start
Series 6 (1996-1997) where many felt it started to fall apart.

It's all positive however, as it's part of a 30th anniversary series-by-series
set of blogs dissecting the show, with the help of television enthusiast 
and pres bod Jonathan Bufton who has analysed the bollocks I have written and
turned it into something readable.

They won't be posted until November, but I also stumbled across a series
of posts from Jon's own blog reminiscing over his time at the award-winning
University Radio York back the early 00s.

Graduating just months before I started my own student radio exploits
at the then new and fledgling Smoke Radio.

It's incredible as to how a lot happened over the four years I was there
many of mixed emotions, but definitely my most enjoyable time in radio
that's never quite been bettered since (even though my presenting was rubbish!)

It's inspired me to write my own blogs, if not in a chronological order,
starting off in May 2008.


Photo by Dan Roberts

"Smoke's Out For Summer - 2" at the end of what was meant to be my final year
but a little wobble extended my stay a little further, which could have been triggered
by the heady goings on of the first SO4S the year before.

More on that at a later date, but here's a selection of the highlights, if you can call them that
from the 12th to 18th of May 2008.




The aim for this week was to bring the station out of the studio, and onto the many
sites of the university in both Central London and on the Harrow campus where Smoke
was based at the time.

Due to unreliable O/B equipment, the infamous "Scoopy" that wouldn't stay linked for more
than two minutes, we were reduced to presenting from just the Harrow campus
on the courtyard one day, the SU shop the next, and there's a good chance
we did more than one from the Undercroft bar where I sipped many a VK Tropical
over those four years.

The following year's summer broadcast with improved equipment allowing the station
to venture further than just Harrow ended up winning Best Outside Broadcast at the 2009
Student Radio Awards. Much to the anger of Canterbury's CSR where I had just joined
and were rooting for their Lounge On The Farm festival coverage.

Audio from a future Radio Academy Award winner can be heard at 7.05, the final lap 
of honour for Steve Jones, a guy whose love for radio and university sport shone through
during his three years at Smoke Radio.

Later going on to a sterling career producing at 5 Live and now helping to run
the Crowd Network podcasting indie.

A guy who I'll always remember as "Stevie Mate". Doubt he would, mind.

Definitely a sense from many of the sports teams that they'd come a long
way over the three years from everyone being in their own silo to all working
together as one by the end.

Which could be the opposite of my predicament at uni,
certainly after the manic episode.

If there's one takeaway from this week, it was incredibly self-indulgent.

None moreso than "Fix Up Dave Sharp" a campaign to get a lecturer, barely known
outside the radio course at Westminster, to grow his hair back to how it was 15 years ago,
inspired by the late Kurt Cobain.



It was also a period of goodbyes to a few long-serving members who had been there
since the station's infancy,
Namely Edward "Tudor" Burke, heard at 14.02 giving a foul-mouthed farewell to his rock show,
and the station's stalwarts of the 5-7pm slot, Goodlass and Marshall. Later to find success producing innovative television documentaries, and Radio 2's breakfast show respectively.


    Photo by Edward Burke

Such achievements post uni would probably come second to the dream of winning
the Best Entertainment Award at the Student Radio Awards, which they never got nominated for,
not helped by their Leona Lewis parody tearing in to the SRA judges after it happened
two years in a row.

The duo were joined by the Stephen Mulhern to their Ant & Dec, Ross Tilley
former head of news, and forever frustrated singer, performing a ditty to the duo
at 19:18.

This week was also the last to pay host to "Smoke Signal" the first ever show
on Smoke Radio, wheeled out every Freshers Week
and end of year with a different duo each time.

The final two incumbents being "Housewives' Favourite" James Poulter
and study abroad student Jane SY Lee, one of many venturing from Oz
over the years.

Not forgetting what may be one of the funniest moments at the station
involving the then Head of Web Stewart Paske (pictured above in the top photo),
whose presenting abilities were easily open to ridicule.

Worth noting the doctored Radio 1 presenter jingle from the early 90s introducing him at 10.35.

On observing breakfast presenters Chris and Pete, and Tudor trying to sabotage his show from the neighbouring studio, I came up with the idea of sticking a Hanna Barbera "Boing!" sound effect
in place of a song.

Not telling them beforehand what the SFX was, on hearing it we burst out laughing
for at least two whole minutes.

Still one of, if not the funniest Smoke Radio moment.

Listening back to this audio after 13 years has been an experience,
probably even more enjoyable than it was at the time, even with the odd
mouth-wide-open moment over little asides that you just couldn't get away with now.

Amazed that it was even considered acceptable then.

However in hindsight, the sheer self-indulgence, relentless in-jokes, 
entitlement from long-serving members (guilty) and ultimately a struggling relationship
with the SU meant there would be big changes to the station come September.

A Barely Cultured Lockdown Binge

There's signs of hope over the coming months.

Provided no one in power, or any stupid people (in some cases, both)
mess things up, many will be able to spend the summer at festivals,
or in my case walking from Sutton to Skegness listening to
compilations of radio recordings from the early 90s.

Whatever happens, the months up to at least September should be covered
via one-episode-per-night binges of entertainment series that may not be
"culturally significant" enough to be uploaded onto legit streaming services.

Currently three series into Noel's House Party, with all the episodes (just
about) posted on Youtube, and by this stage Mr Blobby was on course
to topping the charts and the then controller of BBC1 hailed the show as
"the most important on BBC Television".



I'll post a series-by-series review of the whole lot around November time
to coincide with the show's 30th birthday.

Though two of the actors with regular bit parts in the Gotchas may have inspired
future binges, with the occurrences of Geoff McGivern and Rebecca Front
prompting viewings of "Back" and "The Thick Of It" respectively.

But it's not just Saturday evenings being revisited, having just finished
the first series of ITV's early 90s Saturday morning puppet fest "What's Up Doc?".



A series that upset my Dad, not so much for the risque content,
but the cheese-obsessed Simon Perry, a character who dad thought was
taking the mickey out of people with special interests and learning disabilities.



A good chance then, that he would have lost his rag on seeing
Chris Jarvis's "Anorak" on CBBC around the same time.

I've never took offence to it, as while the character may have 
the visual stereotype traits, they're not made fun of directly and it's them
providing the laughs intentionally with the many double entendres.

On the other hand if I see any "Zzzzip!" comments or related GIFs
on social media then they're deserving of an unfollow.

Digressing, it's a show that may be even funnier now than seeing it first time aged 7,
all too aware that the complaints about the innuendos and not-so-subtle swearing
lead to a mass revamp halfway through series 2.

All down to the resignation of producers Ged Allen and Vanessa Hill,
not wanting to be involved in the watering down of their show,
and eventually forming their own indie, returning to ITV's Saturday mornings
a decade later when the "Ministry Of Mayhem" filled the space left by SMTV.

The 2005 episodes of MOM currently being uploaded weekly so they'll most likely
become the next Saturday (and Sunday) morning binge after finishing "What's Up Doc?".

Having already skimmed through the 2004 episodes, it's a tough slog
and no surprise that Dick and Dom were hammering them. 

As for What's Up Doc, I'll spare any blogs as there's already
a very comprehensive insight Into the Warner Brothers inspired
Saturday morning show, telling the whole rather depressing story.

Had it not been for Ant, Dec and Cat, it could have ended up
as ITV's last great Saturday morning show.

Escaping To Emptiness

Right at the beginning of the year, I jetted, well, railwayed off to Devon
for a weekend, with nowt but a few Joni Mitchell LPs and old
radio recordings of 30 years, attempting to get round my head
that 1990 was now 30.

An outing so enjoyable, not even the "Orphan 55" episode of Doctor Who
could ruin it.



I'd no idea the visit would end up being the one highlight
of an otherwise rotten year.

Though had I seen it coming?

I'd already sensed there was very little out of seeing in the decade
by staying on the radio, with the final helping of my "Random" show
airing on CSR just before 2019 was out.

Whilst melancholy tunewise, it was a show worth treasuring,
though that was my problem.
  
Radio shows aren't really meant to be treasured.



I wasn't out of the loop completely, having been more or less forced
in to running for a position on the CSR committee (again),
this time as scheduling assistant.

A role that maybe five years ago I would have relished in, 
this time round I just couldn't be arsed.

Encouraged to be involved in such a capacity because of my
lengthy radio experience, but there's a difference between experience,
and overall enthusiasm.

Everything enjoyable about the Canterbury station (if not quite
matching the one at university) had disappeared gradually
over the past five years, a once lively building on the UKC campus
now pretty much empty on every visit, bearing in mind this was pre-lockdown.

The ongoing decline of members rendering very little to schedule full stop,
which may have also lead to the station bidding adieu
to it's FM platform a few months down the line.

If I was starting to feel this way towards a once worthy pastime,
maybe it was time to move away from it.
Which I had done once, but second chances and so on.

Though not before standing in just over a month later
on the Sunday lunchtime show, which used to be fun
but as you'll hear in this, I didn't want to be there.

My opening words said more times later on in the year
whenever asked to participate in a Zoom quiz.

Not helped with it being the same weekend as Storm Ciara
(feeling like years ago now), and finishing the show half an hour
early to avoid the possibility of my train home being delayed.

Is it really possible just to fall out of love with something you enjoyed?

Or more a case of being fed up pursuing implausible outcomes from it?

Despite the frustrations, there were fewer issues with home life,
all down to daily visits from a support worker who didn't just
help with cleaning jobs, but also shared my interest
and enthusiasm for television and music from when we were
growing up, quite often being better-read than I was.

All more the case that I was enjoying this far more than being
in a radio studio, anticipating her visits every day.

Until it all came to a sudden halt on the first lockdown,
and the rot of Cliftonville became more prevalent.

If it wasn't noisy neighbours (including the oaf in the flat below me),
it was angry residents chucking cans of beer at me for not following
through with their threats, late night street parties,
and just the unpleasant area as a whole.

If anything, it showed what a bloody good job said support worker
must have done over the past two years, and we're still friends on Facebook.

Luckily I was able to move to a new flat in an old haunt,
returning to Ramsgate in August and no better timing,
what with the area I left in Margate getting even worse with house fires,
radiators chucked on the road and so on.

But I miss, well, not doing radio, but having something creative and enjoyable

to base my life around.
It's just not possible to achieve that on my own, without anyone else
sharing the same enthusiasm which naturally evolves into ideas.

Or maybe I just don't like being around other people full stop,
fed up of falling into the trap that you're on the same level as them
until they tell you to go away when you least expect it.

That, or them responding with just an awkward silence.

I'm very close to naming names who have done just that at radio conferences
and social events, (a lot of them respected in the wider industry),
but doing so publicly would make me worse than them, if I'm not already.

On the other hand there are individuals that try to force you
into their own world no matter how unrealistic or just plain irritating
it really is, where every sentence has to end on an unfunny joke
or forced laugh.

Definitely the case with my voluntary radio past.

If what was enjoyable has become frustrating, I have to go elsewhere,
hence the beach weekends away on my own.

The energy once used for planning radio shows, now used
to plan months, even years in advance, what compilation albums
I want to listen to on a solo outing to Skeggy.

No one else can get in your way, but the thoughts and recollections
of such cold interactions are still there, refusing to fuck off.

But ultimately it comes down to having Asperger's Syndrome,
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, whatever it's called this decade,
and not wanting to embrace it.

I'm embarrassed by it. Really.

To the point of actually wishing the condition on neurotypicals,
as a networking do at any social function is no different
to the school playground.

The year just passed has been challenging for all, yet others are
able to smile in spite of the shite.

There's no way I can force myself in to being uncontrollably happy
in an unconvincing manner in the same way as many irritating
users on social media who are easily pleased by GIFs, emojis,
or asking questions for so-called-friends.

If that spark for enjoying radio returns, it will make a massive difference
as right now, it's a lot more satisfying travelling to beaches
or North London woodlands, listening to those who are/were better
at making audio, than attempting poorly to do so myself.

Run! (While The Sun's Still Shining)

 A number of songs can be triggering either for good or bad.

One of them was played earlier this morning on Radcliffe Without Maconie
on 6 Music as part of the "Sampled Underfoot" item, "Run (I'm A Natural Disaster)"
by Gnarls Barkley, the lead single from their lesser remembered second album in 2008.



A period that was rather uncertain on my part, having returned to university
after what happened in 2007.

The sample itself hails from "Junior Jet Set", a library track composed
some 40 years earlier by Keith Mansfield, which sort of relates to uni
as I spent many an hour in the radio rooms transferring library CDs.

Though not the brassy sports themes of the 1970s, but the very synthy compositions
from the mid to late 80s, which one student described as "80s music gone wrong".

Bringing it back to Gnarls Barkley, it lead to ongoing thoughts about how
awful that period was in early '08, attempting to recover from it in completely
the wrong way, acting all brash when it wasn't necessary in hope of getting noticed 
amongst indifferent students.

It would have been better to have spoken to either the senior radio lecturer,
or ask for help from other staff about my uncertainties,
rather than spraying less-than willing Smoke Radio presenters
with silly string, or tagging along on an expensive radio outing to Bath to no avail.

Although the final university year faired better, that period from
early to mid '08 still leaves me feeling muddled.

Though for reasons that may be explored in a later blog post, it's always
going to be uncertain, but a coping mechanism is by going on lengthy
walks with more old radio recordings.

Two of them, coincidentally featured two different songs by Bob Seger,
one being the 1995 re-release of "We Got Tonight" as played on
the recently departed Minster FM in York, whilst the other was
the livelier "Hollywood Nights" from "West Coast Johnnie Walker".

A series aiming to recreate the broadcaster's San Francisco radio heyday
that aired on Saturday nights in 2014.

One of many filling the hole left by Paul Gambaccini after his sudden suspension
of which he was reinstated by the end of the year.
Only to be demoted 18 months later to hosting "Pick Of The Pops"
to replace the equally scapegoated Tony Blackburn.

I'm amazed I didn't listen to the series first time round, as it wasn't long
after the equally sublime "Yacht Rock" with Katie Puckrik that lead
to a two part BBC Four documentary last year.

Though with more restrictions ahead, will it be a case of "Yacht Lock"
overlooking Cliffsend?

Last Minute Holidaying In Herts

A lot's happened, I've bid adieu to Margate, returning south to Ramsgate,
albeit not the same house, but a much nicer flat in a less noisy area
en route to Pegwell.

Yet a month into settling in, itchy feet have made their mark and I have
headed home to Harrow, on my first London visit since March of this year.

Normally I spend the August Bank Holiday on coastal shores, with a visit
to North West London normally towards the end, though this time I'm spending
two nights in a country hotel in Old Redding, a halfway house between Harrow and
Watford, pretending it's 2007.




Though in 2007 I felt as if it was 1989 and that sort of perspective lead
me to being locked up in August that year.

No coincidence that the hotel itself is within a serene woodland, not too dissimilar
to the hospital I stayed in, only without the nurses, the mood softening drugs 
(though "softening" and "completely messing up" are actually two different things)
and with responsibly drunken alcohol.

Yet it wasn't just me in such a nostalgic mood, as half of Twitter appeared to
be pretending it was October 1988 last night, with a live tweetalong to
"Remembrance Of The Daleks".

Just as well that I brought along a Facemask to match.



The other one, as seen below was a result of watching Gemma Hunt
in her virtual CBBC studio on BBC One whilst in hospital.



Though by the time I was let out, Gem had been ditched
in favour of a pretend office and a puppet cactus that in no doubt
was a coincidence, with the fact I kept waking up in the night
and screaming to be let out.

(And Mum, Dad, and Kate if your reading, for the 50th time, 
no I don't want any plants in my new flat!)

The visit has just been an excuse to venture further on walking outings
and today I made a long awaited visit to Aldbury, a rather delightful village near Tring.

Though it's cultural connection as such, was being renamed Shillingbury
some 40 years ago in the ATV drama series "The Shillingbury Tales"
starring Bernard Cribbins as a clumsy tinker.



I also spotted the artefact below, what ought to be renamed "The Shillingbury Stocks"



A massive comedown may be inevitable what with the uncertainty
on future outings in the coming months.

Though on the plus side, anywhere's better than Ethelbert Terrace.

Trunk Of Telly - Green Bugs and Blue Bears on The Box

Ask any one in their 20s what Saturday morning shows
they remember, and it's doubtful "The Saturday Show" would be one of them.



Launched in 2001 with Dani Behr and Joe Mace to lukewarm results,
and revamped a year later with Simon Grant and Fearne Cotton
who were more stable if not memorable.

And in an attempt to take on CD:UK, the final 45 minutes
was devoted to "Top Of The Pops Saturday".

With many viewers in the belief that CD:UK made TOTP look staid,
putting them up against each other on Saturday mornings just reinforced it further.

Though by then both shows were indistinguishable from each other,
the memory of switching between them on a Saturday in early 2003
and both were doing a video review panel.

Simon and Fearne were on a hiding to nothing, all down to a show on the CBBC
Channel also airing on Saturday (and Sunday) mornings resurrecting all out anarchy,
and messiness, presided by one Dick & Dom.



With ITV attempting to poach them for SM:TV, CBBC went one further, promoting
them to BBC 1 on Saturday mornings whilst retaining the Sunday slot on CBBC.

Of which the show that had previously aired on CBBC Sundays was already
promoted to BBC 2, the rather underrated but fondly remembered "Smile"
airing there since August 2002.



Produced and hosted respectively by the team behind "Diggit" it was described
as a "Saturday morning show on a Sunday", with more a laid back atmosphere
minus the studio audience but plenty of cheeky wit from presenters Fearne,

Reggie and DJ Devstar.

And the rather cute puppet bear (though resembling a monkey) Nev.



It was enough to draw me away from T4, which by then had been
outsourced to an indie and wasn't even presented live.

There's more Smile in the below montage of various bits from CBBC
and CBeebies from 2003-2004.




Ending on the afternoon following the announcement of Caron Keating's
death, handled well by Blue Peter in spite of the then CBBC commissioning
editor Dot Prior questioning its relevance.

Note that Andrew's minus Angellica, having headed to Glasgow
for the summer as one third of the slimmed down "Saturday Show"
with only Simon Grant and the titles (reduced to just a sting)
surviving from the last series.

In for Bell is a fledgling Gemma Hunt who back then bore
a resemblance to Alesha Dixon.

Though by this time, the rule that "nobody is bigger than the Broom Cupboard"
was supposedly implemented with Angellica back on afternoons by the autumn.

You'll see her and many others in future uploads to come.

Self Isolation and Self Indulgence

The present situation doesn't feel any different my end.

That's not really the right thing to say, but save for a daily visit from support
for an hour, every Monday to Friday, it's just me here in my Margate flat.

Many are suggesting that radio is vital for these challenging times especially
local radio.

Familiar voices, information and entertainment, which to my ears immediately
translate into condescension, tedium, and many presenters who badly
want to be either Steve Wright or Alex Lester.

The latter I've never got, and the former, well, he used to be good in 1989.

My radio is barely switched on all day as it is, and there's very little elsewhere
on the dial that will make me want to switch from either Greg James first
thing in the morning, or Charles Carroll, Susan Rae et al last thing at night.

They may not be within a distance of easy reach from my flat,
but that's my source of reassurance and familiarity.

And not to say that inane items are fully out of bounds, as if they're
done confidently with presenters willing to send them up, then that's fair game.

None finer than Radcliffe and Maconie's "Crisps On The Radio" a staple
of their 6 Music weekend breakfast show, recently performed live to observant
crowds in Camden.

Podcasts are also worthy a listen. Many changing perspectives on presenters I've
not warmed to on the radio alone, such as Edith Bowman's amazing "Soundtracking" series and Fearne Cotton's "Happy Place".

Cotton not quite letting the radio bug escape, having recently started
a "Sounds Of The 90s" show on BBC Sounds, also airing on Radio 2,
though I'm rather frustrated by the on air trailer for the show,
as there's a snippet of the Thames Television ident in it.

An ident that was dropped in July 1989, and hadn't been seen
for even longer outside of the London region.

But without the tiny bugbears, radio wouldn't be as interesting.

And with everything as it is, it's more vital than ever, wherever
your preferred spot is on the dial.

The Blamires Trunk Of Telly - Adult TV (Not In That Way)

Though there may be a few smidgeons of strong language in

the offerings below.




Branching outside children's presentation, and the wider offerings
of the four big terrestrial channels from the 90s into the 00s.

Starting with the BBC, featuring amongst other randomness,
two Newsnight openings.



Oddly enough there was another in between both of them which only
lasted around 18 months, featuring a poor synth rendition of
George Fenton's long running theme tune.

Having dropped it's long standing ident in 1996, Channel 4
underwent another rebrand three years later, replacing the circles
with a square.

The first day of it's use can be seen here, as well as the below
montage.



Including Josie and Dermot with the school holiday schedule filler
"The Bigger Breakfast", and more T4 with their coverage (if you can call it that)
of the 2000 "Party In The Park".

Where an unscheduled appearance from a foul-mouthed technician
earned them a slap on the wrist from then regulator the ITC,
not to mention many negative e-mails to Heat magazine's
letters page over there being more padding, than actual performances.

And last of all ITV, both regional and national, spanning 10 years
of trails, idents and the odd show snippet.



Including towards the end, the desperate daytime shambles
that was "Loose At 5.30!".

A dissection of said rush-job can be read here, via the old "Off The Telly" website.

The Blamires Trunk Of Telly - (Not Entirely) Wasted Youth

To say it's currently a tough time would be understating it a bit.

But in such instances, it's impossible to resist the urge to go back,
and through televisual means definitely.


For too long I've resisted the urge to transfer my mountain of VHS tapes,
but they're all stored in my little orange box, waiting to be uploaded,
starting with a venture into children's presentation from the then all four
terrestrial channels.

First up mid 90s CBBC shenanigans, featuring a very young Dick
from Dick and Dom, or "Richard" as he was known in 1996.




The editing may be shoddy in places, but that's the result of
12 year old me either being impatient, or trying to save space on a
180 video cassette.

A montage below of stuff from "the other side", the ever changing
face of CITV from the late 90s to mid 00s.



GMTV was always a bit cartoon-heavy for my liking growing up, yet still
felt the urge to tape the odd smidgeon of stuff in between.



You'll meet a very young Fearne Cotton on "Diggit" and a very
hyperactive Jamie Rickers "Up On The Roof".

And the piece de resistance, nay a late 90s obsession T4.



An assemblage on the ever changing Sunday strand from the
relaxed wit of Dermot and Margherita, to the scripted sarcasm of
Steve Jones and Miquita Oliver.

Towards the end, there's a personal highlight from the early years
when the New Radicals made a run from 124 Horseferry Road in March '99.

They'll be plenty more to come from "adult television" in the coming days,
though not in that way.

Loads more continuity and pres bits guaranteed.