Top of the Pops (UK)

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Top of the Pops (UK) ranks 5,042 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 25 users who count themselves as Top of the Pops (UK) fans have written a total of 3 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Genre

Theme

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"It's still number one, it's Top of the Pops!"

On Wednesday 1st January 1964 at 6.35pm, the BBC Television service (now BBC One) broadcast the first episode of Top of the Pops live from a disused church in Manchester. The show was only supposed to last a few episodes. Instead it exceeded... more »

"It's still number one, it's Top of the Pops!"

On Wednesday 1st January 1964 at 6.35pm, the BBC Television service (now BBC One) broadcast the first episode of Top of the Pops live from a disused church in Manchester. The show was only supposed to last a few episodes. Instead it exceeded all expectations, revolutionised music fans lives and become the longest running music show in the world.

The original format of the show was of live preformances from the music artists headlining the charts of that week. The show always ended with a performance of the number one song. When artists were unavailable, dancing troupes were seen performing routines to the songs.

40+ years on, after several image changes the show still follows a similar format, with the exception of the dancing troupes which have long since been made obsolete by the ability to pre-record artist performances and also the invention of promotional videos. In its final year the show also began to focus more on performances of upcoming releases rather than what was currently in the charts, reducing the amount of 'repeat performances'. Regardless, the show always ended with the 'number one' song.

The show is currently being rested following low ratings with the Christmas specials remaining intact. Speculation was rife at the time of its weekly show axing that the show may, at some stage, return.

Spinoffs

As well as rival shows appearing over time, there have been many spin-offs from the show itself..

Top of the Pops 2 Top of the Pops 2, had the voice talents of Radio DJ, Steve Wright, classic archive performances would be shown. Sometimes artists would film special clips to be shown throughout the 45 minute programme. Now that Top of the Pops has moved to Sundays on BBC 2, Top of the Pops 2's idea of archive performances has been mixed in with live new performances.

Top of the Pops Plus Commencing October 2000 and running for two years, Top of the Pops Plus aimed to be interactive, letting viewers of the show on BBC TWO and UKPlay, to choose the playlist and vote for their favourite artists.

Top of the Pops Saturday (click here for the guide) Originally airing as part of CBBC's The Saturday Show, Simon Grant & Fearne Cotton presented the 45 minute competition to ITV's CD:UK.

Top of the Pops Reloaded Commencing Saturday 10th September 2005, a new look Saturday morning version of Top of the Pops featuring artist interviews, live perfomances and a behind the scenes look at the filming of the previous weeks Top of the Pops. In March 2006, Reloaded ended after a run of 28 weeks.

The BBC has also licenced the name and branding of Top of the Pops to many different countries including USA, Germany, France and The Netherlands and offers the show as a package deal to any other countries interested in having their own slice of Top of the Pops.less «

• I need help...

  I only joined with this site at the weekend and Im probably posting this message in the wrong part of the site but I really ...more »

  I only joined with this site at the weekend and Im probably posting this message in the wrong part of the site but I really need help with the following; Please! could someone tell me how do I view a show etc? Obviously I cannot write a review for anything as I cannot view anything! and the most frustrating thing is I do not know why. Please, please will someone reply to this message as I have sent messages before but did not get any replies. Please help a 'newbie member' before I tear out my hair in frustration!! Thankyou in advance. mrsradishless «

  mrsradish Last online Dec 31, 1969
  2 comments, last one Mar 11, 2007 + Add Comment

• Poll - Should the BBC bring Top of the Pops back?

  Thought I'd inject some topicality into the forum with its first poll! So what do you think, if Jim could fix Top of the Pops, would you have it back???

  Thought I'd inject some topicality into the forum with its first poll! So what do you think, if Jim could fix Top of the Pops, would you have it back??? less «

  GuidesAndThat Last online 14 hrs, 24 mins ago
  5 comments, last one Feb 1, 2007 + Add Comment

• ...with a very blunt axe.

  No sooner had the 'last ever' episode of Top of the Pops been broadcast, a re-edited documentary was also broadcast which f...more »

  No sooner had the 'last ever' episode of Top of the Pops been broadcast, a re-edited documentary was also broadcast which featured the BBCs Director of Telly stating that "Yes, there's going to be a Christmas special this year, The Top of the Pops Christmas special is here, it's not gone away" confirming what I believed all along, the show has not ended. A more accurate term if this was an American show would be that it's been put 'on Hiatus'. Crew and band members were also heard, within the documentary, stating they believed the show would be back. Others claimed that the closure had been handled poorly with very few people involved with the shows production, including the music industry itself, being warned of the decision before it was made. It was admitted that the show could've been saved if they had. It seems poor communication is definitely to blame all around, as the show producers have dutifully ended the show in a very final way, just as they were asked, which will now look quite silly when Sir Jimmy's Saville's off switch will mysteriously un-switch itself come Christmas Day. Silly Beeb! less «

  GuidesAndThat Last online 14 hrs, 24 mins ago
  2 comments, last one Aug 8, 2006 + Add Comment

•  

  9 Superb

  TOTP has been given a bad deal lately. If the BBC could just sort out the air times and promotion then i'm sure it could be successful again! hide « show »

  TOTP has been around like, forever and I would personally like to see it around when my children are growing up too...and since I don't actually have any children yet that means it's got to stay for a long time!
  I don't actually watch TOTP as much as i'd like to. This isn't because I don't want to, it's because I never know when it's going to be on and the music isn't so good atm so I don't see the point sometimes.
  I think the change in music and how it's been aquired over the years hasn't helped. Back when 'pop' was king everyone used to watch it...now we've got more grunge/rock etc and that really isn't my cup of tea. I love music, i'd rather listen to music that watch television - but I like decent music and not crap like McFly/brian mcfadden. These people don't appeal to me at all. I prefer artists like Delta Goodrem/Nelly/Kelly Rowland (bit of a contrast there lol) and I also like decent dance music - especially remixes of older tracks! lol.
  I guess music channels don't help but neither does this whole downloading generation. Don't get me wrong, it's convenient and cheaper, but it's just not the same. I do sometimes download music but even though i've paid for it I can't put it on my mp3 player - where's the sense in that?!? I prefer to actually have the cds, that way they're solid and they're just...there - you don't get that with downloads :p
  Besides, dont'cha think downloads are just [i]too[/i] convenient? There isn't the same amount of effort like there used to be. Clicking the mouse a few times isn't the same as being in a shop and buying that music off the shelf. It doesn't seem like fun anymore. People should get their asses away from the computer and get back to the real world!!!
  There's no surprise anymore either...no 'real' competition. We need that element back asap!
  I don't get why TOTP has been moved to BBC2 - it should have stayed on BBC1 - that's it's home. We all know soaps are popular in the UK and they're continuous dramas so people will choose to watch something like Emmerdale at 7pm so they don't miss anything...TOTP is a fast moving show and people's tastes in music differ greatly so sometimes that's another reason why they don't watch it.
  I think for TOTP to be successful again it should go back to BBC1, air at 6.30pm so a majority of people can watch it instead of having to choose between TOTP and Corrie....but it should stay on a Sunday. I say this because people tend to go out on Fridays' and since TOTP airs that week's #1 it's aleady 5 days after it's been announced. By airing on Sundays more people are likely to be home for one, nothing else is generally on and you get to find out what is #1 as soon as it's official - you can't fault that!
  Of course...bringing decent artists like Delta Goodrem back to the UK would be a good thing too...and getting rid of Westlife...and anyone asssociated with them!
  All in all I think the show is decent enough, we just need more decent artists, more promotion for the show and a shake up of when and wher it is aired. TOTP has still got the magic...just get rid of this damn downloading crap and get back to the real music and the SHOPS!

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  Sellyina Added Apr 14, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  I LOVE IT!!!!!! hide « show »

  ive seen 1 and a half episodes and I'm obsessed! Will's on next week!! yayyyyyyyyyyyy!! lmao
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  Chodogirl Added Jan 31, 2006 All my reviews
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  6.7 Fair

  Once was the best music programme on tv now its dated and still the same as it was back in the 60's or whenever is started. Times have changed and top of the pops need too. hide « show »

  Other than the exclusive live performances and cool bands top of the pops has ran its course in my eyes and should be taken off tv. The presenting is good and they are young but the set never seems to really change much. It needs to keep up with now and not juust the 1960's.

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  binstig Added Nov 17, 2005 All my reviews