Top of the Pops - RIP.
Today I spoke on air about the demise of Top of the Pops which is to be axed after 42 years. I was disappointed that it didn't spark much interest amongst listeners. I guess that despondency is the reason it has failed as a programme.
The BBC has blamed its decline on the proliferation of 24-hour digital music channels and the accessibility of music via internet downloads. Hell, people are even watching music videos on their mobile phones now so it's not too surprising that the show, with its simple chart count-down formula, has failed to remain relevant.
A BBC spokesperson said: "In a rapidly changing musical landscape Top of the Pops no longer occupies the central role it once did". I grew up in two-channel land and certainly have fond memories of it. Yes, it was central to my TV viewing week. Those were the days... when finding out if my favourite song had crept up to number one, was of utmost importance in my life. Those were the days... when an appearance on Top of the Pops would guarantee a band ultimate exposure and a chart climb the following week. How things have changed. Now I get to worry about my mortgage and all the other bills. As for the bands, they are doing things a different way. Arctic Monkeys didn't need Top of the Pops to succeed, neither did Sandi Thom or Gnarls Barkley. And good luck to them!
The show had it's kitch factor and could sometimes be awful. The bands mimed... and there were those ridiculous dancers Legs and co. and Pan's People for a time. All part of the fun though. One of the iconic moments I remember was Madonna perorming 'Like a Virgin' in studio in her pink wig. Another big memory, albeit for all the wrong reasons, was All About Eve sitting in confused silence because their backing track to 'Martha's Harbour' failed to start. They were invited back the following week to make up for the embarrassment.
I was sad to hear of the show's passing - although I hadn't watched it for years - but it is the end of an era - just as the death of Smash Hits magazine was last February. That was another insitution from my youth which had outstayed its welcome in the wider world.
So the last Top of the Pops will be broadcast on July 30th - I might tune in to pay my last respects.
Today I spoke on air about the demise of Top of the Pops which is to be axed after 42 years. I was disappointed that it didn't spark much interest amongst listeners. I guess that despondency is the reason it has failed as a programme.
The BBC has blamed its decline on the proliferation of 24-hour digital music channels and the accessibility of music via internet downloads. Hell, people are even watching music videos on their mobile phones now so it's not too surprising that the show, with its simple chart count-down formula, has failed to remain relevant.
A BBC spokesperson said: "In a rapidly changing musical landscape Top of the Pops no longer occupies the central role it once did". I grew up in two-channel land and certainly have fond memories of it. Yes, it was central to my TV viewing week. Those were the days... when finding out if my favourite song had crept up to number one, was of utmost importance in my life. Those were the days... when an appearance on Top of the Pops would guarantee a band ultimate exposure and a chart climb the following week. How things have changed. Now I get to worry about my mortgage and all the other bills. As for the bands, they are doing things a different way. Arctic Monkeys didn't need Top of the Pops to succeed, neither did Sandi Thom or Gnarls Barkley. And good luck to them!
The show had it's kitch factor and could sometimes be awful. The bands mimed... and there were those ridiculous dancers Legs and co. and Pan's People for a time. All part of the fun though. One of the iconic moments I remember was Madonna perorming 'Like a Virgin' in studio in her pink wig. Another big memory, albeit for all the wrong reasons, was All About Eve sitting in confused silence because their backing track to 'Martha's Harbour' failed to start. They were invited back the following week to make up for the embarrassment.
I was sad to hear of the show's passing - although I hadn't watched it for years - but it is the end of an era - just as the death of Smash Hits magazine was last February. That was another insitution from my youth which had outstayed its welcome in the wider world.
So the last Top of the Pops will be broadcast on July 30th - I might tune in to pay my last respects.
posted by martina at 5:31 p.m.
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