TV.com

show: Doctor Who

episode: The Cave of Skulls

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

This is the story that established "Doctor Who" as a major success on British television in 1963/4 and therefore led to the amazing saga that has unfolded over the years. Made under difficult conditions (small studio with below par equipment, executive dislike of the script and concepts, some of the cast unenthusiastic), the work of designer Ray Cusick in designing the Daleks led to a craze among the young viewers and guaranteed the programme's success and longevity. The production is superb in places (Tristram Cary's incidental music gets a special mention) and patchy in others but the overall impression is one of a seven episodes of well made and thought provoking television.

show: Doctor Who

episode: An Unearthly Child

The Bottom Line: "Perfect"

Possibly the best opening instalment of a long running television serial ever. The action and events are perhaps a bit short on the ground but the establishment of the characters and basic plot line are second to none. The production is confident and secure and all of the basics of the series are well presented. The style of production is on par with 1960's videotape techniques but that doesn't mean that it is below standard. As Alfred Shaugnessy (script editor of "Upstairs, Downstairs") once said "Television is Electronic Theatre, not small scale cinema". The title credits and theme music are alone well worth high praise

show: Coronation Street

episode: Wed 14 Dec, 1960

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

Tony Warren's excellent build up continues as he presents more characters in the street (Jack Walker, Minnie Caldwell, Martha Longhurst) and shows the programme's ability for "laugh out loud" comedy for the first time in the scene between Ena, Minnie and Martha in the Rovers when Ena speaks about her mother's "beautiful" death - "She just sat up, broke wind and died"! Brilliant (!) and perhaps what one wouldn't expect from television in 1960. The actors seem less nervous in this episode - understandable as they were taping this episode on Friday 9th December for transmission the following Wednesday 14th and therefore wouldn't be going through the terrible fear of a live transmission as they did with episode 1.