Top of the Pops on BBC Four - Thread Three

[monkfromhavana]

The ironic thing about that is it was commissioned by Cher's label WEA, the same label that sued their arses off over Raving I'm Raving. It was just after they made their comeback with the Duran Duran-sampling Save It 'Til The Mourning After.
It was released in Germany too. The big difference with the M.R.M. ripoff is that they didn't directly sample the piano off the Marc Cohn track as Smiley & PJ had - they replayed it, so legally it becomes a cover version, and as long as you credit it to the original writer you can (usually) do what you like without needing any permission.

Incidentally, around 1996 their was a happy hardcore version by Vinylgroover doing the rounds. He attempted to get the sample cleared and was refused, so just released his version as a bootleg called "Up Yours Vol. 1". Did quite well, but was crap.

[Norton Canes]

Do you think it dawned on the _{B B C} FOUR schedulers that if they'd stuck with the TOTP reruns tonight they'd have had an actual Hallowe'en episode? Ah well.

This week's Earworm Watch: mostly Wind Of Change, a little bit of Get Ready For This and The Fly's guitar solo.

[bigfatheart]

I watched the Halloween TOTP2 special - this won't be a particularly original observation, but what it really brought home is that one of the big features of TOTP2 would be Steve Wright going "Eh, look at these old clips, how dated are they?!", but easily the most dated aspect of the special was Steve Wright's cuntiness, especially his intro to the Rattles. Just relentless and usually groundless arsiness about other people's appearances: it was a proper reminder of how things were 10-15 years ago, or whenever it was from. Say what you will about ver cancel culture[nb]or don't say what you will cus you can't say anything nowadays, can you lads?![/nb] but thank fuck that shit's, if not in the past, at least properly weird-seeming on TV.

[non capisco]

I swear 95% of TOTP2 was old clips of Elvis Costello with Steve Wright saying "Hang on..is that Ben Elton?!"

[kalowski]

I watched the Halloween TOTP2 special - this won't be a particularly original observation, but what it really brought home is that one of the big features of TOTP2 would be Steve Wright going "Eh, look at these old clips, how dated are they?!", but easily the most dated aspect of the special was Steve Wright's cuntiness, especially his intro to the Rattles. Just relentless and usually groundless arsiness about other people's appearances: it was a proper reminder of how things were 10-15 years ago, or whenever it was from. Say what you will about ver cancel culture[nb]or don't say what you will cus you can't say anything nowadays, can you lads?![/nb] but thank fuck that shit's, if not in the past, at least properly weird-seeming on TV.

The other month there was a rerun of some pop compilation made in the mid 2000s and when Mark Radcliffe introduced Rheanna he said, "Sorry, dads, she's keeping her coat on." In other words, "You won't get to see her tits."

[Pauline Walnuts]

I swear 95% of TOTP2 was old clips of Elvis Costello with Steve Wright saying "Hang on..is that Ben Elton?!"

Or Mark Radcliffe reading the same jokes.

[Satchmo Distel]

Presumably a gig that Radcliffe did for the money hoping none of his core audience would see it?

I wonder if the eagerness to show this shite in preference to 1991 TOTP is a bad sign that BBC 4 are worried about whether these reruns can last the distance as the charts decline?

[Norton Canes]

Why they didn't get Harry Hill

[Wacky Homemade Badges]

Or Mark Radcliffe reading the same jokes.

Was it Stuart Maconie on "Programme Associate" (I.e. writing the whole thing) duties? I may be misremembering.

[bigfatheart]

I wonder if the eagerness to show this shite in preference to 1991 TOTP is a bad sign that BBC 4 are worried about whether these reruns can last the distance as the charts decline?

It's possible, I suppose, but I don't see them binning it off until they at least get past Britpop, if only because there's a definite audience for Steve Lamacq introducing Oasis into a human face forever.

[A Hat Like That]

Yes, I would have thought the Britpop years, when they come in, will keep it going. late 1993 through to 1997-98, maybe.

Just from an internal calendar POV, was mildly surprised to see The Automatic on TOTP, must have been really close to the end?

[A Hat Like That]

Was thinking you could also re-run most of the Christmas ones after 2006.

Until "On 4 December 2017, Yates stepped down from hosting Top of the Pops due to comments he made regarding Jewish people and rappers."

[A Hat Like That]

The absolute highlight of the Halloween TOTP2 though was:



The impish grin on Ruth Pearson's face throughout was joyous.

[matjam13]

While Digiguide is listing 28/11/91 (Adrian Rose and Nirvana's debut) and 5/12/91 as airing on Friday 19th November, BBC Four is showing on its schedule 5/12 and 12/12 as airing on that date.

[daf]

What'd be the problem with the 28th Nov edition - has Jacko been re-cancelled again?

[matjam13]

What'd be the problem with the 28th Nov edition - has Jacko been re-cancelled again?

As 14/11 with the full video of Black and White and 21/11/91 is already scheduled for next Friday than no.

[matjam13]

These episodes are now at risk:
28-11-91:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Tony Dortie

EAST SIDE BEAT - Ride Like The Wind
NIRVANA - Smells Like Teen Spirit
JAMES - Sound
GEORGE MICHAEL & ELTON JOHN - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me  (video)
ALTERN-8 - Activ-8 (Come With Me)
SIMPLY RED - Stars  (video)   (Breakers)
SHADES OF RHYTHM - Extacy  (video)   (Breakers)
DIANA ROSS - When You Tell Me That You Love Me  (video)   (Breakers)
MICHAEL JACKSON - Black Or White  (video)
QUEEN - The Show Must Go On  (video)
>> Adrian Rose makes his TOTP debut.

19-12-91:   Presenters:  Steve Anderson & Adrian Rose

(14) U.K. MIXMASTERS – Bare Necessities Megamix
(6) BRIAN MAY – Driven By You  (video)
(13) SHAFT – Roobarb And Custard
(5) GUNS N' ROSES – Live And Let Die  (video)
(35) LISA STANSFIELD – All Woman
(32) SIMON & GARFUNKEL – Hazy Shade Of Winter  (video)   (Breakers)
(24) PET SHOP BOYS – Was It Worth It?  (video)   (Breakers)
(16) HAMMER – Addams Groove  (video)   (Breakers)
(26) HUMAN RESOURCE – The Complete Dominator
(1) QUEEN – Bohemian Rhapsody  (video)

2-1-92:   Presenters:  Steve Anderson & Adrian Rose

(5) RIGHT SAID FRED feat. JOCELYN BROWN – Don't Talk Just Kiss
(36) THE POGUES & KIRSTY MacCOLL – A Fairytale Of New York
(9) SHAFT – Roobard And Custard
(8) HAMMER – Addams Groove  (video)
(NEW) CLIFF RICHARD – This New Year
(40) DANNII MINOGUE – I Don't Wanna Take This Pain  (video)   (Breakers)
(20) WET WET WET – Goodnight Girl
(1) QUEEN – Bohemian Rhapsody  (video)

16-1-92:   Presenters:  Tony Dortie & Adrian Rose

(NEW) THE WONDERSTUFF – Welcome To The Cheap Seats
(3) WET WET WET – Goodnight Girl
(7) CE CE PENISTON – We Got A Love Thang
(9) KISS – God Gave Rock And Roll To You II  (video)
(16) DES'REE – Feel So High
(26) THE WEDDING PRESENT – Blue Eyes
(29) PAULA ABDUL – Vibeology  (video)   (Breakers)
(20) CLIVILLES & COLE – Pride (In The Name Of Love)  (video)   (Breakers)
(10) GENESIS – I Can't Dance  (video)   (Breakers)
(22) THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH – Old Red Eyes Is Back
(1) QUEEN – Bohemian Rhapsody/The Days Of Our Lives  (video)

6-2-92:   Presenters:  Mark Franklin & Adrian Rose

(12) PRIMAL SCREAM – Movin' On Up
(2) 2 UNLIMITED – Twilight Zone
(Brits 1992) SEAL – Killer  (video)
(Brits 1992) KENNY THOMAS – Thinking About Your Love  (video)
(Brits 1992) CATHY DENNIS – Everybody Move  (video)
(Brits 1992) EXTREME – Get The Funk Out  (video)
(Brits 1992) THE KLF – Last Train To Trancentral  (video)
(Brits 1992) BEVERLEY CRAVEN – Promise Me  (video)
(Brits 1992) SIMPLY RED – Stars  (video)
(5) CURTIS STIGERS – I Wonder Why
(6) SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER – Stay
(NEW) MICHAEL JACKSON – Remember The Time  (video)
(1) WET WET WET – Goodnight Girl  (video)

27-2-92:   Presenters:  Claudia Simon & Adrian Rose

(15) INSPIRAL CARPETS – Dragging Me Down
(19) ALISON LIMERICK – Make It On My Own
(10) MADNESS – It Must Be Love  (video)
(20) EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Love Is Strange
(26) D.J. SEDUCTION – Hardcore Heaven/You And Me  (video)   (Breakers)
(24) GARY MOORE – Cold Day In Hell  (video)   (Breakers)
(23) CROWDED HOUSE – Weather With You  (video)   (Breakers)
(17) TEARS FOR FEARS – Laid So Low  (Tears Roll Down)  (video)   (Breakers)
(18) NEW ATLANTIC – I Know
(NEW) U2 – One  (via satellite)
(1) SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER – Stay  (video)

19-3-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Femi Oke

(18) LIQUID – Sweet Harmony
(7) CROWDED HOUSE – Weather With You  (via satellite)
(11) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Human Touch  (video)
(21) LISA STANSFIELD – Time To Make You Mine
(8) MR. BIG – To Be With You  (video)
(6) CE CE PENISTON – Finally
(NEW) DEF LEPPARD – Let's Get Rocked
(1) SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER – Stay  (video)

16-4-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Claudia Simon

(21) SWING OUT SISTER – Am I The Same Girl
(7) SL2 feat. JAH SCREECHY – On A Ragga Tip
(NEW) MICHAEL BALL – One Step Out Of Time
(12) TEN SHARP – You
(10) ZZ TOP – Viva Las Vegas  (video)
(22) BRAND NEW HEAVIES – Never Stop
(14) THE WEDDING PRESENT – Silver Shorts  (video)   (Breakers)
(20) MARIAH CAREY – Make It Happen  (video)   (Breakers)
(24) GENESIS – Hold On My Heart  (video)   (Breakers)
(26) L7 – Pretend We're Dead  (video)   (Breakers)
(NEW) KYLIE MINOGUE – Finer Feelings
(1) RIGHT SAID FRED – Deeply Dippy

7-5-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Femi Oke

(7) CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT – Hang On In There Baby
(ALBUM TRACK) ZZ TOP – Gimme All Your Lovin'  (via satellite)
(12) 2 UNLIMITED – Workaholic
(13) EXTREME – Song For Love  (video)
(16) KIM WILDE – Love Is Holy
(17) MORRISSEY – We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful
(6) METALLICA – Nothing Else Matters  (video)
(1) KWS – Please Don't Go
21-5-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Tony Dortie

(10) CE CE PENISTON – Keep On Walkin'
(11) THE LEVELLERS – 15 Years  (via satellite)
(5) UGLY KID JOE – Everything About You  (video)
(12) RICHARD MARX – Hazard
(2) GUNS N' ROSES – Knockin' On Heaven's Door  (video)
(NEW) ELTON JOHN – The One
(15) KINGMAKER – Eat Yourself Whole  (video)   (Breakers)
(17) MARILLION – Sympathy  (video)   (Breakers)
(18) WILSON PHILLIPS – You Won't See Me Cry  (video)   (Breakers)
(19) DON-E – Love Makes The World Go Round  (video)   (Breakers)
(1) KWS – Please Don't Go

13-6-92:   Presenters:  Femi Oke & Adrian Rose

(19) INCOGNITO – Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
(7) NICK BERRY – Heartbeat  (video)
(16) THE WEDDING PRESENT – California 
(4) GEORGE MICHAEL – Too Funky  (video)
(17) MANIC STREET PREACHERS – Motorcycle Emptiness
(NEW) U2 – Even Better Than The Real Thing  (video)
(20) OCEANIC – Controlling Me  (video)   (Breakers)
(22) TINA TURNER – I Want You Near Me  (video)   (Breakers)
(18) CYNDI LAUPER – The World Is Stone
(1) ERASURE – Voulez-Vous  (video)

25-6-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Claudia Simon

(13) TLC – Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg
(11) MARIAH CAREY – I'll Be There
(12) U2 – Even Better Than The Real Thing  (video)
(19) TORI AMOS – Crucify
(15) MEGADETH – Symphony Of Destruction
(14) DIANA ROSS – One Shining Moment
(17) DEF LEPPARD – Make Love Like A Man  (video)   (Breakers)
(21) MESSIAH – Temple Of Dreams  (video)   (Breakers)
(NEW) WET WET WET – Lip Service
(1) ERASURE – Lay All Your Love On Me  (video)

9-7-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Femi Oke

(3) SMART E'S – Sesame's Treat
(15) ROY ORBISON – I Drove All Night  (video)
(24) DINA CARROLL – Ain't No Man
(22) JOE COCKER – Unchain My Heart
(10) DIANA ROSS – One Shining Moment  (video)
(11) URBAN HYPE – A Trip To Trumpton
(5) JIMMY NAIL – Ain't No Doubt  (video)   (Breakers)
(17) SOPHIE B. HAWKINS – Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover  (video)   (Breakers)
(27) WET WET WET – Lip Service  (video)   (Breakers)
(28) SINITTA – Shame Shame Shame  (video)   (Breakers)
(NEW) BRYAN ADAMS – All I Want Is You
(1) ERASURE – Take A Chance On Me  (video)

27-8-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Claudia Simon

(3) BILLY RAY CYRUS – Achy Breaky Heart
(US  1) BOYZ II MEN – End Of The Road  (video)
(5) JON SECADA – Just Another Day
(4) UNDERCOVER – Baker Street
(2) LUTHER VANDROSS & JANET JACKSON – The Best Things In Life Are Free  (video)
(9) ANNIE LENNOX – Walking On Broken Glass
(NEW) GEORGE BENSON & PATTI AUSTIN – I'll Keep Your Dreams Alive
(1) SNAP – Rhythm Is A Dancer  (video)

17-9-92:   Presenters:  Adrian Rose & Femi Oke

(29) EMF – They're Here
(9) MANIC STREET PREACHERS – Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
(28) INSPIRAL CARPETS – Generations
(5) BRIAN MAY – Too Much Love Will Kill You  (video)
(35) HAPPY MONDAYS – Stinkin' Thinkin'
(27) BOY GEORGE – The Crying Game  (video)   (Breakers)
(22) BOYZ II MEN – End Of The Road  (video)   (Breakers)
(17) THE WEDDING PRESENT – Loveslave  (video)   (Breakers)
(11) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Iron Lion Zion  (video)   (Breakers)
(30) DANIEL O'DONNELL – I Just Want To Dance With You
(NEW) SOUL II SOUL – Just Right
(1) THE SHAMEN – Ebeneezer Goode

[canadagoose]

Oh, ffs! Just show the bloody things, BBC, ya bunch of sods. Not exactly chuffed with them as of late anyway, but hopefully we can outdo them with some torrents or something?

[bigfatheart]

So presumably Adrian Rose has done a Mike Smith and refused to sign off on his episodes? That's a shitter if that's the case.

[Norton Canes]

I think, after some perfunctory Googling, that Adrian Rose is now Adrian Woolfe, a media executive type who was at Celador Productions and instrumental in the success of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. If so, exactly the sort of person whose ego might preclude allowing the broadcast of a few programmes from thirty years ago showing their dodgy presenting skills.

Fingers crossed this is just a false alarm - a glitch with the scheduling system or whatever.

[A Hat Like That]

Across that list

(13) SHAFT – Roobarb And Custard
(11) URBAN HYPE – A Trip To Trumpton
(7) SL2 feat. JAH SCREECHY – On A Ragga Tip

Does the absence of video mean ... live?

Actually, I also see (3) SMART E'S – Sesame's Treat and that one's an absolute gem of a performance.

[matjam13]

While Digiguide is listing 28/11/91 (Adrian Rose and Nirvana's debut) and 5/12/91 as airing on Friday 19th November, BBC Four is showing on its schedule 5/12 and 12/12 as airing on that date.

Digiguide also listing 5/12 and 12/12/91 for Friday 19th November.

[Norton Canes]

Maybe Courtney Love is doing a Sarah Greene and refusing to sign off a dead partner's appearance : )

[Better Midlands]

Across that list

(13) SHAFT – Roobarb And Custard
(11) URBAN HYPE – A Trip To Trumpton
(7) SL2 feat. JAH SCREECHY – On A Ragga Tip

Does the absence of video mean ... live?

Actually, I also see (3) SMART E'S – Sesame's Treat and that one's an absolute gem of a performance.

Shaft - Roobarb and Custard was live, the Richard Briers vocal was redone by Richard Easter (Steve Wright Posse/Arnee and the Terminaters).

[DrGreggles]

Across that list

(13) SHAFT – Roobarb And Custard
(11) URBAN HYPE – A Trip To Trumpton
(7) SL2 feat. JAH SCREECHY – On A Ragga Tip

Bit unfair to lump SL2 in with the other two.
A bit.

A few years ago we had a new temp start with us called Honour and, when someone asked if anyone knew her surname, I said "I think it's Raggatip" and laughed for about an hour at how funny I was.

[A Hat Like That]

lol.

Judging not by quality but by how the live performance might/might not work. TBF, 2 Unlimited have set the bar high, I think.

[gilbertharding]

Tony DOrtie & Mark Fr@nklin are both on twitter, and both seemingly delighted by being exposed to the nation once more, and both are affected if this Adrian Rose excrescence has his way.

Could someone tweet at them?

[Pauline Walnuts]

I think, after some perfunctory Googling, that Adrian Rose is now Adrian Woolfe, a media executive type who was at Celador Productions and instrumental in the success of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. If so, exactly the sort of person whose ego might preclude allowing the broadcast of a few programmes from thirty years ago showing their dodgy presenting skills.

Fingers crossed this is just a false alarm - a glitch with the scheduling system or whatever.

He does know everyone will think episodes not being shown will be for another BBC J*mmy S*vile type?

[Norton Canes]

Tony DOrtie & Mark Fr@nklin are both on twitter, and both seemingly delighted by being exposed to the nation once more, and both are affected if this Adrian Rose excrescence has his way.

Could someone tweet at them?

I've got a feeling Adrian Rose Woolfe might be getting a few tweets himself over the next few days. I hope they're all positive and encouraging. This absolutely seems like one of those instances where the sun, rather than the wind (to evoke Aesop's fable) would prevail. 

[gilbertharding]

...and if that fails, then a turd in a box through the post might do the trick.

"I don't want my shady past as a TotP presenter being dragged up - it's so embarrassing." Honestly, it's as if these people have never heard of the Streisand Effect.

And yeah - most people who clock that his episodes have been cancelled will presume it's because he's been #cancelled.