Idents and continuity, or when you know for sure that you're a geek

[swordznsorcery]

You know, whilst looking at old TV shows is fun, one of the really good things about hunting through all these video tapes is the other bits - the between programme bits. I suppose old adverts have some appeal, but what I really enjoy is the programme continuity. Old, animated menus, that they used to have on the BBC, to advertise the evening's schedule. Terribly serious men telling us during the end credits that so-and-so is currently appearing in pantomime in Dorset. Unexpected flashes of Andy Crane trying to make things work in the Broom Cupboard. I appear to be Phillip Schofieldless, which is peculiar, but Andy's good too. Best of all, though, are the idents. I have a bit of a thing for idents.

And on video I have Central idents! Back in the dim mists of time, before Maggie Thatcher stuck her oar in, every region in the UK had its own independent television channel, and the regions all competed to make the best TV. Now they've all been bought out by Granada, so there's just one company, no competition, and consequently they haven't made a decent show since goodness knows when. But! Back in the old days, when there were regions, there was Central, and Central was best.



Watch the little globe go! And look look! --



TV isn't that shape anymore, I guess. They'd have to squish it to make it widescreen if they were still around. But they're not. *grumble*

And look what else I found! Back in the nineties, Channel 4 used to start up in the mornings with I Love Lucy, which I used to tape. They had these awesome little breakfast themed idents leading into the show. Channel 4 breakfast idents. I has them.


This is fun!

Comments

[moonbathe_skin]

Never seen C4 at breakfast time!! Cute!

[swordznsorcery]

They used to air at about six in the morning. I shouldn't think many people saw them! I think there was a toast one as well.

[moonbathe_skin]

I know the toast one I think, it leaves white bread in the shape of a 4?

[swordznsorcery]

I think it was a toaster, and the bread would pop out of the top with a 4 burnt into it. I'm remembering back twenty years, though, so maybe not.

Twenty. Years.

Ouch!

[moonbathe_skin]

it can't be 20 years.........................can it?

No wonder we can't agree if the 4 was bread or toast!!

[swordznsorcery]

Well, I used to see the breakfast idents before "I Love Lucy", and I know that was in around 1992-3. They might have carried on using them for longer than that though of course.

Either way it is a scary long time. :D