The Word (TV series)

The Word was a 1990s Channel 4 television programme in the United Kingdom.[5] which took its name from the regular column covering up and coming Manchester bands in the Manchester Evening News written by Terry Christian.

The Word
Directed byLuke Campbell
Julia Knowles
Presented byTerry Christian
Mark Lamarr
Dani Behr
Alan Connor
Amanda de Cadenet
Huffty
Katie Puckrik
Jasmine Dotiwala
Michelle Collins
Ryan McBride
Theme music composer808 State[1]
Opening themeOlympic (Euro Bass Mix)[2]
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
No. of series5
No. of episodes104
Production
Executive producer(s)Jane Buchanan
Producer(s)Sean Borg
Paul Ross
Tamsin Summers
Asif Zubairy
Production location(s)Limehouse Studios (1990–92)[3]
Teddington Studios (1993–95)
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release24 August 1990 (1990-08-24)[4] –
24 March 1995 (1995-03-24)
Chronology
Related showsThe Girlie Show

Format

Its presenters included Mancunian award winning specialist music radio presenter and journalist Terry Christian, comedian Mark Lamarr, Dani Behr, Katie Puckrik, Jasmine Dotiwala, Alan Connor, Amanda de Cadenet and Huffty.[6] Originally broadcast in the old Tube time slot of 6 pm Friday evenings, The Word's main live show was shifted to a late-night timeslot from 9 November 1990. The magazine format allowed for interviews, live music, features and even game shows. The flexible late-night format meant that guests could do just about anything to be controversial.

There was also an 'I'll do anything to be on television' section called "The Hopefuls" which ran for half of series 4 and half of series 5 in which people did generally repulsive things in order to get featured on the programme.[6]

Production

The show was the brainchild of Charlie Parsons and Terry Christian and was originally produced for series 1 and 2 by the production company 24 Hour Productions, which later became Planet 24.

Paul Ross was the series editor on series 3 and 4, and became executive producer for series 5. Jo Whiley worked as a researcher–band booker on series 2 and half of series 3 and is credited as having given Nirvana their historic and notorious first TV appearance.[7]

The programme ran for five series from 1990 to 1995. From the start, there was considerable tabloid backlash against the show. In mid 2000, Channel 4 screened a short-running compilation series titled "Best of The Word", which mostly featured music performances and was presented by award winning Mancunian specialist music radio presenter Terry Christian.

Tango sponsored the show in 1994.

Notable moments

References
  1. Simon Donohue (31 December 2002). "Madchester revival may be on the cards - News - Music - Greater Manchester's CityLife". Citylife.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  2. "Nottingham Music - 808 State". BBC. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  3. http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm#fountain
  4. Date: Friday, Aug. 24, 1990 Publication: The Times (London, England)Issue: 63793
  5. Parsons, Charlie (10 August 2010). "How The Word changed television for ever". Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  6. Mark Lawson (9 March 1995). "The Last Word In Trash Tv - Life & Style". The Independent. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  7. "BBC - Press Office - Jo Whiley". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  8. "Best of The Word". Channel 4. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  9. Tim Lusher (10 August 2010). "Best moments of The Word: from grunge to gross-out | Television & radio". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  10. "Elephant Man Buju Banton Shabba Ranks boom bye bye". YouTube. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
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