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Points of View (TV programme)

January 10, 2024

Points of View is a long-running British television series broadcast on BBC One. It started in 1961 and features the letters of viewers offering praise, criticism and observations on BBC television programmes of recent weeks.

Points of View
Title card c. 1980s
Also known asPOV
GenreFactual
Presented byRobert Robinson (1961–1964, 1969–1971)
Kenneth Robinson (1965–1969)
Barry Took (1979–1986)
Guest presenters (1986–1987, 1997–1998)
Anne Robinson (1987–1997)
Carol Vorderman (1998)
Des Lynam (1999)
Terry Wogan (1999–2007)
Jeremy Vine (2008–2018)
Narrated byTina Daheley (2018–)
Nicki Chapman (2021, stand-in)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series49
Production
Production locationsBBC TV Centre, BBC White City (1961–2012)
Broadcasting House, London (2013–present)
Running time14–15 mins
Production companiesBBC Studios (2015 - present)
BBC Features Northern Ireland (2013–2014)
BBC Productions Birmingham (1999–2013)
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release2 October 1961 (1961-10-02) –
present
Related
Junior Points of View (1963–1970)

History edit

Points of View began in 1961 with Robert Robinson presenting viewers' letters to the BBC. It was originally designed as an occasional five-minute "filler" to plug gaps between shows. Kenneth Robinson (1925–1994) took over in 1965, though Robert Robinson returned in 1969 before the show was dropped in 1971. During the 1960s there was also a spin-off, Junior Points of View.

The show returned in 1979 after a hiatus of eight years, with the dry humour of Barry Took at the helm. Originally only being broadcast in the London area as a five-minute filler whilst other parts of England were broadcasting regional programming, by 1980 it was broadcast across the whole of the UK. Took left in 1986 and was replaced by guest presenters including Tony Robinson, Alan Titchmarsh and Chris Serle, until Anne Robinson took over as presenter in 1987. For many years during this period, the programme held a slot of 20:50 on Wednesday evenings. In 1997 Anne Robinson left the series to concentrate on Watchdog. Following another period with guest presenters, Carol Vorderman became the next regular presenter in April 1998 but was later replaced by Des Lynam in February 1999.

By October 1999, Points of View had moved to a Sunday early evening slot, being presented by Terry Wogan[1] and now included emails in addition to letters and telephone calls. In the 2007 series, Points of View featured diverse films, such as students from Sussex University making a passionate plea for the BBC to keep the soap opera Neighbours, John Leivers interviewing Roly Keating (the controller of BBC Two) on the channel's direction, and Jill Parkinson asking why there aren't more people with disabilities featured in BBC programmes.

In April 2008, Jeremy Vine became the regular presenter of the series.[2] From April 2013, production switched to BBC Northern Ireland. On the last show of the present series on 1 July 2018, Vine announced his retirement from the show. In order to refresh the series, which returned in the autumn, and allow more time for audience feedback the show no longer was presenter-led, instead being narrated by Tina Daheley; however the show returned to the presenter format, whilst retaining Daheley, in 2022.[3] The 2021 series was narrated by Nicki Chapman, a stand-in for Daheley who was absent due to pregnancy.

Public perception edit

The show has been seen as representing a certain passive-aggressive aspect of British culture; Victoria Wood once said "When the Russians feel strongly about an issue they form a bloody revolution – the British write a strongly worded letter to Points of View". Although, much less common now, the show has over the decades featured many a letter beginning "Why, oh why, oh why..." and signed "Upset of Uxbridge" or "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells", or something similar (these days, most, if not all, simply use their real names). Along the way the show has catered for those who wish to see particular parts of programmes again, featuring letters asking "Please, please, please could you show the clip where Vera Lynn sang to the troops on the 50th anniversary of D-Day last week", and the like.

The series has been criticised for featuring too much praise of the BBC and its programmes, and playing down criticism. This tendency has been sent up by many comedians over the years, including memorable skits in Monty Python's Flying Circus and Not the Nine O'Clock News. In the latter, positive letters said such things as "I think the (television licence) fee is far too low. I would willingly sell my house and all its contents to help the BBC."

Further criticism came from comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in their sketch comedy show A Bit of Fry and Laurie. In a sketch where Fry had supposedly removed Laurie's brain, Laurie said that he was "off to write a letter to Points of View". In a later episode, a woman claims she has had two letters read out on Points of View, and that "they say if you get three, you're automatically sectioned under the Mental Health Act." The programme became (around 1994) the first BBC TV show to invite contributions by email, and at one point, its producer Bernard Newnham[4] - who produced more than five years worth of shows, four of which were with Anne Robinson - had the only Internet connection in BBC Television Centre.[5]

Presenters edit

Timeline edit

Junior Points of View edit

Between 1963 and 1970, Robert Robinson (later replaced by Sarah Ward, and Gaynor Morgan Rees) presented a version designed for children's letters entitled Junior Points of View.

Theme edit

The original theme tune to the programme was the first 13 seconds of Kid Ory's trad jazz piece "Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula", played by the Dutch Swing College Band. When the series returned in 1979 a new piece called "Northern soul" was used before switching in 1982 to adopting the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four" as its theme tune (because of the lyric "Send me a postcard, drop me a line, stating point of view"). This was dropped at the end of 1990.

In the early 2000's, a bespoke acapella theme tune, entitled "Blah Blah" or "Blah Boopity Baya" was introduced, alongside a new title sequence featuring members of the public talking to a screen showing BBC programmes, set against a black background with streaks of light flying past. The composers and performers involved in the creation of this theme tune are unknown. In 2009, the theme gained notoriety when it was featured on BBC Radio 6 Music's Adam and Joe radio show, with the presenters mocking the theme tune's upbeat sound compared to the overall serious tone of Points of View at the time (then presented by Jeremy Vine; though the show became more light-hearted across Vine's overall run as presenter), adding that "the BBC's been in some quite serious trouble of late, so this is just a suggestion to our colleagues at the castle [BBC Television Centre]... you might want to change that music".

In 2011, an alternative mix of the previous theme came into use, with the acapella vocals being swapped for a synthesizer and background strings.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Wogan, Terry (1938)". Screenonline. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ "JEREMY VINE TO TAKE OVER POINTS OF VIEW". Speakers Corner. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Jeremy Vine to leave Points of View". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  4. ^ url=http://tech-ops.co.uk/next/2010/11/bernard-newnham-my-working-life/3/
  5. ^ "What Use is This Internet Anyway?". Off The Telly. September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2009.

External links edit

January 10, 2024
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Points of View TV programme news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message Points of View is a long running British television series broadcast on BBC One It started in 1961 and features the letters of viewers offering praise criticism and observations on BBC television programmes of recent weeks Points of ViewTitle card c 1980sAlso known asPOVGenreFactualPresented byRobert Robinson 1961 1964 1969 1971 Kenneth Robinson 1965 1969 Barry Took 1979 1986 Guest presenters 1986 1987 1997 1998 Anne Robinson 1987 1997 Carol Vorderman 1998 Des Lynam 1999 Terry Wogan 1999 2007 Jeremy Vine 2008 2018 Narrated byTina Daheley 2018 Nicki Chapman 2021 stand in Country of originUnited KingdomOriginal languageEnglishNo of series49ProductionProduction locationsBBC TV Centre BBC White City 1961 2012 Broadcasting House London 2013 present Running time14 15 minsProduction companiesBBC Studios 2015 present BBC Features Northern Ireland 2013 2014 BBC Productions Birmingham 1999 2013 Original releaseNetworkBBC OneRelease2 October 1961 1961 10 02 presentRelatedJunior Points of View 1963 1970 Contents 1 History 2 Public perception 3 Presenters 3 1 Timeline 4 Junior Points of View 5 Theme 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory editPoints of View began in 1961 with Robert Robinson presenting viewers letters to the BBC It was originally designed as an occasional five minute filler to plug gaps between shows Kenneth Robinson 1925 1994 took over in 1965 though Robert Robinson returned in 1969 before the show was dropped in 1971 During the 1960s there was also a spin off Junior Points of View The show returned in 1979 after a hiatus of eight years with the dry humour of Barry Took at the helm Originally only being broadcast in the London area as a five minute filler whilst other parts of England were broadcasting regional programming by 1980 it was broadcast across the whole of the UK Took left in 1986 and was replaced by guest presenters including Tony Robinson Alan Titchmarsh and Chris Serle until Anne Robinson took over as presenter in 1987 For many years during this period the programme held a slot of 20 50 on Wednesday evenings In 1997 Anne Robinson left the series to concentrate on Watchdog Following another period with guest presenters Carol Vorderman became the next regular presenter in April 1998 but was later replaced by Des Lynam in February 1999 By October 1999 Points of View had moved to a Sunday early evening slot being presented by Terry Wogan 1 and now included emails in addition to letters and telephone calls In the 2007 series Points of View featured diverse films such as students from Sussex University making a passionate plea for the BBC to keep the soap opera Neighbours John Leivers interviewing Roly Keating the controller of BBC Two on the channel s direction and Jill Parkinson asking why there aren t more people with disabilities featured in BBC programmes In April 2008 Jeremy Vine became the regular presenter of the series 2 From April 2013 production switched to BBC Northern Ireland On the last show of the present series on 1 July 2018 Vine announced his retirement from the show In order to refresh the series which returned in the autumn and allow more time for audience feedback the show no longer was presenter led instead being narrated by Tina Daheley however the show returned to the presenter format whilst retaining Daheley in 2022 3 The 2021 series was narrated by Nicki Chapman a stand in for Daheley who was absent due to pregnancy Public perception editThe show has been seen as representing a certain passive aggressive aspect of British culture Victoria Wood once said When the Russians feel strongly about an issue they form a bloody revolution the British write a strongly worded letter to Points of View Although much less common now the show has over the decades featured many a letter beginning Why oh why oh why and signed Upset of Uxbridge or Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells or something similar these days most if not all simply use their real names Along the way the show has catered for those who wish to see particular parts of programmes again featuring letters asking Please please please could you show the clip where Vera Lynn sang to the troops on the 50th anniversary of D Day last week and the like The series has been criticised for featuring too much praise of the BBC and its programmes and playing down criticism This tendency has been sent up by many comedians over the years including memorable skits in Monty Python s Flying Circus and Not the Nine O Clock News In the latter positive letters said such things as I think the television licence fee is far too low I would willingly sell my house and all its contents to help the BBC Further criticism came from comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in their sketch comedy show A Bit of Fry and Laurie In a sketch where Fry had supposedly removed Laurie s brain Laurie said that he was off to write a letter to Points of View In a later episode a woman claims she has had two letters read out on Points of View and that they say if you get three you re automatically sectioned under the Mental Health Act The programme became around 1994 the first BBC TV show to invite contributions by email and at one point its producer Bernard Newnham 4 who produced more than five years worth of shows four of which were with Anne Robinson had the only Internet connection in BBC Television Centre 5 Presenters editRobert Robinson 1961 1965 1969 1971 Kenneth Robinson 1965 1969 Barry Took 1979 1986 Anne Robinson January 1987 September 1997 Guest presenters September 1997 March 1998 Carol Vorderman April August 1998 Des Lynam February May 1999 Terry Wogan October 1999 September 2007 Jeremy Vine April 2008 July 2018 Tina Daheley September 2018 present Nicki Chapman April October 2021 stand in Timeline editJunior Points of View editBetween 1963 and 1970 Robert Robinson later replaced by Sarah Ward and Gaynor Morgan Rees presented a version designed for children s letters entitled Junior Points of View Theme editThe original theme tune to the programme was the first 13 seconds of Kid Ory s trad jazz piece Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula played by the Dutch Swing College Band When the series returned in 1979 a new piece called Northern soul was used before switching in 1982 to adopting the Beatles When I m Sixty Four as its theme tune because of the lyric Send me a postcard drop me a line stating point of view This was dropped at the end of 1990 In the early 2000 s a bespoke acapella theme tune entitled Blah Blah or Blah Boopity Baya was introduced alongside a new title sequence featuring members of the public talking to a screen showing BBC programmes set against a black background with streaks of light flying past The composers and performers involved in the creation of this theme tune are unknown In 2009 the theme gained notoriety when it was featured on BBC Radio 6 Music s Adam and Joe radio show with the presenters mocking the theme tune s upbeat sound compared to the overall serious tone of Points of View at the time then presented by Jeremy Vine though the show became more light hearted across Vine s overall run as presenter adding that the BBC s been in some quite serious trouble of late so this is just a suggestion to our colleagues at the castle BBC Television Centre you might want to change that music In 2011 an alternative mix of the previous theme came into use with the acapella vocals being swapped for a synthesizer and background strings See also editFeedback the listener response programme for BBC radio networks Newswatch a viewer response programme focused on BBC News Right to Reply a viewer response programme previously broadcast by Channel 4 Open Air another viewer response programme broadcast live on BBC One Mailbag a viewer response programme broadcast on RTE One in IrelandReferences edit Wogan Terry 1938 Screenonline Retrieved 4 December 2015 JEREMY VINE TO TAKE OVER POINTS OF VIEW Speakers Corner 9 April 2008 Retrieved 4 December 2015 Jeremy Vine to leave Points of View BBC Media Centre Retrieved 1 July 2018 url http tech ops co uk next 2010 11 bernard newnham my working life 3 What Use is This Internet Anyway Off The Telly September 2007 Retrieved 30 August 2009 External links editPoints of View at IMDb nbsp Points of View at BBC Online Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Points of View TV programme amp oldid 1188770877, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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