Tonight’s Thames and LWT… in 1985 

19 July 2017 tbs.pm/12909

The TVTimes tells us what was on Thames and LWT on Friday 19 July 1985. Things worth noting include:

  • TV-am’s programmes for the day are outlined with remarkable precision – not only who is presenting which segment, but also when they’re on screen are mentioned. As many schools in England and Wales were yet to go on summer break, there’s no Wide Awake Club among this particular line-up.
  • Film matinees take centre stage in the morning and afternoon on Thames, with Norman Wisdom’s 1966 comic caper for the Rank Organisation getting the earlier slot.
  • Grampian Television provides the About Britain documentary at 11.00am (for Thames viewers only), while TSW make their mark on the network with That’s My Dog later in the afternoon.
  • Paul Daniels’ most famous son links the Children’s ITV afternoon strand, featuring the recently-departed Carol Lee Scott in her much-remembered role as Grotbags in Emu’s World. Meanwhile, Border Television grab a network slot with a series hosted here by the Krankies – Basil Brush, Jimmy Cricket (qv 7.00pm) and Andrew O’Connor would also helm the same series in later years.
  • 5.15 sees the start of LWT’s broadcast hours, but that’s not the last we’ve heard from Thames for the day. At a time when LWT were unable to facilitate more comprehensive news bulletins, their weekday rivals present a 15-minute bulletin at 6.00pm, and, albeit uncredited, Thames also provide Night Thoughts before closedown.
  • Indeed, LWT may seem conspicuous in their absence among the producers of the evening’s schedule, but they would be major contributors to a staple of many a summer Friday evening: live coverage of an athletics meeting. ITV’s hour from the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace is complemented by further coverage on Channel 4.
  • Two Anglia productions in prime time? One is a panel quiz which looks to the stars, while the other is a stab at sitcom with two warmly-regarded comic actresses named Patricia in the leading roles. Also, Rory Bremner, fresh from chart success as “The Commentators” in a cricket-themed parody of Paul Hardcastle’s “19”, finds himself far down the bill to Jimmy Cricket at 7.00pm.
  • Regional variations prevail in the morning, afternoon and post-News at Ten slot. Both Anglia and Central place The Count of Monte Cristo in the afternoon matinee slot, while LWT seems to back off the Friday edition of Granada’s student quiz series Connections.

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