Join me, as I take you back to the rebellious world of Magpie, ITV's groundbreaking children's show that first hit the screens in 1968 as a bold rival to the BBC's Blue Peter.

With presenters like Mick Robertson and Jenny Hanley, Magpie wasn't afraid to be different. It brought live music from bands such as T-Rex into the mix and tackled serious topics like bullying and whale conservation. All quite daring for its time.

One of my favourite memories has to be when Mick Robertson dangled off a tower block between commercial breaks. A moment of genuine chaos that perfectly captured the show's unpredictable spirit. Unlike its polished rivals, Magpie had a cool, unscripted vibe that spoke directly to us 70s kids looking for something fresh and authentic.

In this episode, I'll share the story of the original Magpie format and those unforgettable presenters, recount some of their most memorable stunts, and show you my cherished Magpie Pocket Book of Trains and other nostalgic memorabilia.

Even after all these years, Magpie still holds a special place in my heart and, I'm sure, in many of yours too.

Take care,
Oliver

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Welcome back to My 70's TV Childhood Quiz, where we test your memories of what was on the box during that memorable decade!

As always, we have 20 questions over 4 rounds. It's just for fun, and the quizmaster's answer is the final one! So settle down with a pen and paper and your favourite beverage!

Here's what we've got lined up for you:

📺Round One: Trumptonshire! All about the three shows in the so-called Trumpton trilogy. Yes, we know they were made in the 1960s, but they were very much an important part of our seventies childhood TV experience. Can you remember the details from Trumpton, Camberwick Green, and Chigley?

📺Round Two: Marathon/Fil Rouge! Questions related to topics and personalities we've featured in previous episodes of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast. Let's see how good your memory is about our past discussions!

📺Round Three: Name That Tune & Spin the Wheel! Our specially constructed wheel of fate has landed on... 1977! Our AI-powered theme tune generator has selected five theme tunes from TV shows first shown in the UK that year. Get your ears ready!

📺Round Four: TV Times! Anything goes in this round – questions about various 70s television shows, personalities, and notable programming from the era.

And of course, we have our Bonus Question for this week: In the TV show, Alias Smith and Jones, what were the real names of Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones?

Are you bouncing off the ceiling with joy or flat on your face with misery? Whichever, I hope you've enjoyed it. Share your results on social media, comment on our blog, or send me an email to let me know.

Send your answers and score to: [email protected]

Take care,

Oliver

Contact Us:

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📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

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This week, I'm exploring one of the 1970s most beloved television programmes - "All Creatures Great and Small." Inspired by my recent experience with expensive veterinary bills for one of our cats, this episode reflects on how dramatically our attitudes towards pets and animal care have changed since the 1970s.

I begin with my childhood memories of pets at our Victorian vicarage in Padgate, from Flopsy the escape-artist rabbit who repeatedly ran off to join wild rabbits on the old RAF base, to Henrietta the bad-tempered hen who surprised everyone by laying eggs, and the succession of goldfish I won at the annual fair during Padgate Walking Day.

"All Creatures Great and Small" first broadcast in January 1978, based on James Herriot's bestselling books about his life as a country vet in 1930s Yorkshire. The television adaptation starred Christopher Timothy as James Herriot, Robert Hardy as the eccentric Siegfried Farnon, and Peter Davison as the loveable rogue Tristan, with the stunning Yorkshire Dales providing a breathtaking backdrop.

What made the programme special was its gentle, uplifting storytelling in an era when television drama was becoming increasingly complex. The biggest cliffhanger might be whether James would get his wellies off before his tea went cold! The show featured memorable characters like the formidable Mrs Pumphrey and her pampered Pekingese Tricki Woo, alongside a wonderful cast of eccentric Yorkshire farmers.

I explore how the programme's success reflected Britain's growing love affair with animals and the countryside, transforming James Herriot's books into a television phenomenon that captured hearts across the nation.

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Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps me grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

Get in touch!

Support the show

Welcome back to My 70's TV Childhood Quiz, where we test your memories of what was on the box during that memorable decade!

This quiz is an offshoot of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast, which looks back fondly on what it was like to grow up as a child in 1970's Britain and the important role that television played in our lives back then. If you haven't listened, I really recommend you do.

As always, we have 20 questions over 4 rounds. It's just for fun, and the quizmaster's answer is the final one! So settle down with a pen and paper and your favourite beverage!

Here's what we've got lined up for you:

📺 Round One: Back to School! This quiz is scheduled to be released in early September when thoughts inevitably go to thinking about the return to school, even 40 or so years after Oliver left. From Grange Hill's head teacher to Top of the Form, can you remember these school-themed shows?

📺 Round Two: Marathon/Fil Rouge! Questions related to topics and personalities we've featured in previous episodes of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast. From The Tomorrow People to scary Anglia TV shows with famous film stars!

📺 Round Three: Name That Tune & Spin the Wheel! Our specially constructed wheel of fate has landed on... 1978! Our AI-powered theme tune generator has selected five theme tunes from TV shows first shown in the UK that year. Get your ears ready!

📺 Round Four: TV Times! Anything goes in this round – questions about various 70s television shows, personalities, and notable programming from the era. From Mork and Mindy to The Beverly Hillbillies!

And of course, we have our Bonus Question for this week: We all remember the days of Teletext with Oracle and Ceefax, but do you remember the name of the Post Office's version of a text information service that was launched in 1979?

Are you jumping for joy or are you hiding your head in shame?

Whichever, we do hope you've enjoyed playing, and if you have, why not involve your friends and get a bit more competitive!

Send your answers and score to: [email protected]

Take care,

Oliver

Contact Us:

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📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

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This week, we have a very special guest joining us - the accomplished actress and author Nina Saville! Nina is perhaps best known to our listeners as Mr. Rumbold's secretary in the beloved BBC sitcom "Are You Being Served?" - a role that made her part of one of Britain's most enduring comedy classics.

Nina shares fascinating insights into the golden age of British television when comedy shows were performed live without canned laughter, creating that organic chemistry we all remember so fondly. She recalls working with legends like Molly Sugden and John Inman, describing them as generous professionals who created a collaborative rather than competitive atmosphere that made "Are You Being Served?" such a special experience.

Her journey began the traditional way - through Arts Educational school and repertory theatre, building the skills that would serve her so well in her memorable television role.

From those early days in theatrical digs with nylon sheets and unfriendly landladies, Nina worked her way through repertory theatre, appearing alongside stars like Leonard Rossiter in "A Christmas Carol" and Paul Jones in "Ring Round the Moon." She emphasises how this traditional training ground gave actors the discipline and technical skills that seem harder to find today.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Nina discusses meeting her late husband, the renowned director Philip Saville, during an audition for his production of "Dracula." Their professional and personal partnership led to collaborations on productions like "The Lives and Loves of a She-Devil," where Nina not only acted but contributed to the writing.

Most excitingly, Nina has just published her debut novel, "A Night with Damien Spur," a compelling story inspired by her rich experiences in British entertainment. The book explores themes of love, obsession, and redemption through the story of a complex protagonist guided by an inner voice of reason - showcasing Nina's evolution from beloved television actress to accomplished author.

This episode offers a wonderful glimpse into the world of 1970s television production, the magic of "Are You Being Served?" and how life experiences can inspire creative work decades later. Nina's insights into working with the legendary cast of Grace Brothers department store reveal why this show remains such a treasured part of British comedy history.

Grab a Copy of A Night with Damien Spur NOW!

Contact Us:

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📖 Blog: [Link]
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Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps me grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

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Welcome back to My 70's TV Childhood Quiz, where we test your memories of what was on the box during that memorable decade!

🎉 SPECIAL MILESTONE EPISODE! 🎉
Today we're celebrating our 50th quiz episode! It's been fifty episodes since we responded to your calls for more content by introducing our fortnightly quiz, and we're delighted that many of you have been playing along for quite some time. Well done with your stamina!

This quiz is an offshoot of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast, which looks back fondly on what it was like to grow up as a child in 1970's Britain and the important role that television played in our lives back then. If you haven't listened, I really recommend you do.

As always, we have 20 questions over 4 rounds. It's always just been a bit of fun, but we've been very impressed by how competitive some of you are, particularly those who play with their other halves or close friends where the ultimate prize is a fortnight of bragging rights!

Here's what we've got lined up for you:

📺 Round One: 50 Shades of Grey Hair! It's not a thrilling trip into the dark world of sadomasochism but a look back at what was on TV fifty years ago! All our questions relate to programmes on UK TV on 12th August 1975. Can you remember The Galloping Gourmet and Elephant Boy?

📺 Round Two: Marathon/Fil Rouge! Questions related to topics and personalities we've featured in previous episodes of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast. From Bryan Murphy's spinoffs to Basil Brush and David Soul's chart success!

📺 Round Three: Name That Tune & Spin the Wheel! Our specially constructed wheel of fate has landed on... 1972! Our AI-powered theme tune generator has selected five theme tunes from TV shows first shown in the UK that year. Get your ears ready!

📺 Round Four: TV Times! Anything goes in this round – questions about various 70s television shows, personalities, and notable programming from the era. From Wacky Races to Coronation Street!

And of course, we have our Bonus Question for this week: On what date was our first ever quiz episode released to a waiting world? And no googling please!

Are you hitting the heights and can't wait for the next fifty editions of our quiz or is your score so shameful that you are considering never playing again? Or are you somewhere in between?

Whichever, thank you for joining in with our quiz. And a special thanks for all of you who have joined all fifty of our quizzes; we're so glad you have and hope you continue to listen in every fortnight.

Here's to the next 50 editions of the quiz!

Send your answers and score to: [email protected]

Take care,

Oliver

Contact Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

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This week, we're diving into one of the most beloved and gloriously chaotic pieces of 70s children's television - The Flashing Blade! Originally a serious French historical drama called "Le Chevalier Tempête," this tale of dashing French spy Chevalier de Recci became a British TV legend thanks to some wonderfully eccentric dubbing.

Recording from Melbourne during the Australian winter, Oliver explores how this big-budget French production about the War of Spanish Succession became a summer holiday staple for British children. The show followed François de Recci and his loyal servant Guillot as they attempted to break through Spanish lines during the siege of a French castle.

What made The Flashing Blade so memorable wasn't just the swashbuckling action and gorgeous Loire Valley cinematography - it was the hilariously limited dubbing. With apparently just three or four British voice actors voicing every single character, from heroic colonels to crying peasants, the result was glorious chaos. Our dashing hero sounded like a suave graduate while his sidekick Guillot emerged as a comedy cockney chimney sweep spouting lines like "Shall I bash him with me baguette?"

The show's enduring appeal lies in this unintentional comedy gold - a serious historical drama transformed by budget constraints and questionable voice acting into something uniquely British and utterly unforgettable. Add to this the mystery of the missing final episode (thanks to technical faults that plagued Episode 12's broadcasts) and you have a perfect storm of nostalgic television.

From the iconic theme tune to the endless sword fights and galloping horses, The Flashing Blade epitomized those long summer holiday mornings when the BBC filled time with cheap foreign imports that somehow became more memorable than expensive homegrown productions.

Do you remember The Flashing Blade? Can you solve the mystery of who provided those unforgettable voices? Share your swashbuckling memories with us!

Contact Us:

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📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps me grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

Get in touch!

Support the show

Welcome back to My 70's TV Childhood Quiz, where we test your memories of what was on the box during that memorable decade!

This quiz is an offshoot of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast, which looks back fondly on what it was like to grow up as a child in 1970's Britain and the important role that television played in our lives back then. If you haven't listened, I really recommend you do.

As always, we have 20 questions over 4 rounds. It's just for fun, and the quizmaster's answer is the final one! So settle down with a pen and paper and your favourite beverage!

Here's what we've got lined up for you:

📺 Round One: Name That Game Show! This round is all about identifying 1970s game shows from clues. From travel-themed shows hosted by Hughie Green to murder mystery games with Edward Woodward and Jon Pertwee, can you name these classic game shows?

📺 Round Two: Marathon/Fil Rouge! Questions related to topics and personalities we've featured in previous episodes of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast. Let's see how good your memory is about our past discussions, from The Bay City Rollers to The Six Million Dollar Man!

📺 Round Three: Name That Tune & Spin the Wheel! Our specially constructed wheel of fate has landed on... 1974! Our AI-powered theme tune generator has selected five theme tunes from TV shows first shown in the UK that year. Get your ears ready!

📺 Round Four: TV Times! Anything goes in this round – questions about various 70s television shows, personalities, and notable programming from the era. From Bod to Carry On Camping!

And of course, we have our Bonus Question for this week: In the controversial sitcom "Love thy Neighbour" what were the names of the two couples who lived next door to each other?

Are you as excited as a school child who has just realised that the Summer holidays have got another three or four weeks to run or are you that child who has exam results coming in August and you already know you've failed and are worrying about what to tell your parents?

Whichever, thank you for listening and if you have enjoyed the quiz, then please tell your friends and also let us know!

Send your answers and score to: [email protected]

Take care,

Oliver

Contact Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

Get in touch!

Support the show

This week, we're diving into the wonderful world of 1970s summer holidays - from the surprising success of sitcom film spinoffs to family holiday traditions and those magical school holiday TV schedules that kept us glued to our screens.

Remember when "On the Buses" topped the UK box office in 1971, beating The Godfather? The 70s were obsessed with turning popular sitcoms into films - Dad's Army, Are You Being Served, Porridge, and even the forgotten Spanish spinoff "Don't Drink the Water" starring Stephen Lewis as Blakey retired to the Costa del Sol.

While some families jetted off to Spain for package holidays in the blazing sunshine, many of us experienced the great British holiday tradition - packing the Singer Gazelle or Morris 1800 to bursting point with deck chairs, folding tables, swing ball sets, and enough provisions as if the rest of the country didn't have shops! From Northumberland to the Forest of Dean, these cottage holidays created lasting memories, even when the accommodation came with unwanted extras like dog hair or mice.

But the real tragedy? Staying in a cottage without television during school holidays meant missing those special BBC morning programmes. From Belle and Sebastian's gorgeous Alpine sequences to the endless repeats of The Flashing Blade, Casey Jones, and Tintin adventures, these cheap foreign imports became the soundtrack to our summer mornings.

I've delved into the BBC archives to check what was actually on during those magical summer weeks - from Noggin the Nog and Whirlybirds to the educational delights of David Attenborough's animal programmes. The reality matches our memories surprisingly well, proving that sometimes nostalgia gets it right.

Did your family pack everything including the kitchen sink for holidays? Do you remember swing ball battles in cottage gardens? Share your summer holiday memories with us!

Contact Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps me grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

Get in touch!

Support the show

Welcome back to My 70's TV Childhood Quiz, where we test your memories of what was on the box during that memorable decade!

This quiz is an offshoot of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast, which looks back fondly on what it was like to grow up as a child in 1970's Britain and the important role that television played in our lives back then. If you haven't listened, I really recommend you do.

As always, we have 20 questions over 4 rounds. It's just for fun, and the quizmaster's answer is the final one! So settle down with a pen and paper and your favourite beverage!

Here's what we've got lined up for you:

📺 Round One: A Land Down Under! In honour of the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to Australia, this round is all about Australian TV shows that were shown in the UK during the 1970s. From The Young Doctors to The Sullivans, can you remember these Aussie imports?

📺 Round Two: Marathon/Fil Rouge! Questions related to topics and personalities we've featured in previous episodes of the My 70's TV Childhood podcast. Let's see how good your memory is about our past discussions, from Tomorrow's World to Hector's House!

📺 Round Three: Name That Tune & Spin the Wheel! Our specially constructed wheel of fate has landed on... 1971! Our AI-powered theme tune generator has selected five theme tunes from TV shows first shown in the UK that year. Get your ears ready!

📺 Round Four: TV Times! Anything goes in this round – questions about various 70s television shows, personalities, and notable programming from the era. From Trumpton's Fire Brigade to The Muppet Show!

And of course, we have our Bonus Question for this week: It's about the popular US super-soap Dallas. J.R. and Bobby Ewing's brother Gary left Dallas to live in California with his wife Val, which led to a spin-off series. What was the name of that spin-off series?

Are you celebrating like J.R. Ewing – or has your well run dry?

Either way, I hope you enjoyed playing along. We’ll be back next week with a new episode of the regular podcast – and again in a fortnight with another quiz.

Send your answers and score to: [email protected]

Take care,

Oliver

Contact Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📖 Blog: [Link]
📘 Facebook:[Link]
🐦 X: [Link]
📺 YouTube: [Link]

Don't forget to like, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and keeps the spirit of 70s TV alive! Tell your friends about the quiz and invite them to join the fun.

Get in touch!

Support the show