Welcome back to My 70s TV Childhood and to Quiz #76.
This week Round One is all about Blue Peter. Five questions covering the presenters, the pets, the appeals and the stunts that made the show one of the most beloved programmes in the history of British children’s television. After that, we have our regular Marathon/Fil Rouge round, the Wheel of Fate landing on 1971 for Name That Tune, and the TV Times general trivia round to finish. Have a go, keep score, and let us know how you get on.
Before we start, a quick reminder that the My 70s TV Childhood Theme Tune Game is almost at the point where manufacturing begins. We are planning some very special events to mark the launch that you may be able to take part in. It is a nostalgic family game based on the classic British TV theme tunes we all remember, designed to be played around the table with family and friends. The perfect gift for anyone who grew up with 1970s British television.
If you would like to hear more, pop your name and email address below and we will keep you updated.
Let’s Go!
Round 1: Blue Peter
Five questions about the show that shaped a generation of British children. Here, there and everywhere, as the theme tune goes.
Question 1: What breed of dog was Shep?
Question 2: Valerie Singleton presented Blue Peter from 1962 to 1972, but which programme did she later host from September 1980 to March 1988? Here is a clue: it was not a children’s show.
Question 3: In 1973, the Blue Peter Appeal tackled the drought and famine in Ethiopia. What did viewers have to collect and send in to the appeal?
Question 4: In 1977, the resident daredevil John Noakes cleaned up one of Britain’s best-known monuments. Which one was it? Here is a clue: it involved a very great height.
Question 5: Lesley Judd joined Blue Peter as a presenter in 1972 and, as usually happened, was introduced during a seemingly normal feature. What was the feature about?
Round 2: Marathon/Fil Rouge
Named in honour of the recurring rounds in It’s a Knockout and Jeux Sans Frontieres, these questions all refer to things covered in previous episodes of the podcast. If you are a regular listener, you may have a slight advantage, though I would not count on it.
Question 1: In November 2023, we looked back at the Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club. Who was the chairman of the committee who used to interrupt the acts with announcements?
Question 2: Catweazle was featured in one of our episodes in February 2022. Which century was Catweazle transported from to end up in the 1970s?
Question 3: In our recent episode on Rainbow, we spent time talking about Geoffrey Hayes, the presenter most of us remember. But who was the very first presenter of Rainbow?
Question 4: In May 2023, we looked back at The Waltons. Who was the eldest of the seven Walton children?
Question 5: In the same episode we also looked back at Happy Days, which produced no fewer than seven spinoffs. Can you name the Happy Days spinoff that featured an alien?
Round 3: Name That Tune, 1971
The Wheel of Fate has landed on 1971 this week. Five theme tunes from shows first broadcast on UK TV in 1971. You will need to tune into the podcast to play this round.
Round 4: TV Times
Our general 70s TV trivia round. No particular theme this week, just five questions covering the full breadth of what British television had to offer in the 1970s.
Question 1: How many episodes of The Sweeney were made, not including the original pilot Regan? Five either way will be accepted.
Question 2: In what year did TV magician David Nixon tragically die at the age of 58?
Question 3: TV stars Arthur Mullard and Hilda Baker had a surprise hit record in 1978. What was the song?
Question 4: Who did Bruce Forsyth regularly ask to give us a twirl?
Question 5: When was The Sound of Music first shown on UK television? A precise answer is required: the day, month and year.
Bonus Question
Last week I asked you: like many families, Oliver’s rented their television from Radio Rentals for many years. What was the brand name of the television sets the company provided?
The answer will be revealed with this week’s full answers. Well done if you got it.
This Week’s Bonus Question
In 2012, the BBC’s Ceefax teletext service was decommissioned. In what month and year did it first go live on BBC Television? Drop me a line at quiz@my70stvchildhood.com if you know the answer.
Want the answers now?
If you want to check your answers against this week’s full set of answers straight away, simply pop your name and email address into the box below and we will send you directly to the answers.
If you would rather wait, the answers will be revealed here on Friday.
Either way, I would love to know how you got on. Drop your score to quiz@my70stvchildhood.com or leave a comment on any of our social media pages. I read every single one.
We are back next week with a regular episode and in a fortnight with Quiz 77. Until then, thank you for playing.
Take care,
Oliver
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