Tune into the BBC in November 1959 and you would have been greeted by David Jacobs hosting “Juke Box Jury”. A weekly panel show with celebrity guests giving their verdict on new single releases. The program had its final airing in 1990 with Jools Holland at the helm. ITV got into the act 2 years later in April 1961 with “Thank Your Lucky Stars” fronted by Brian Matthew and which boasted the first full-network appearance on TV of the Beatles. “Ready Steady Go” was soon to follow, but the show that outlived them all was “Top of the Pops”, first aired by the BBC in 1965 until the plug was finally pulled 42 staggering years later in 2007, when the management declared it could not compete with music TV channels offered by the satellite companies. ITV aired “The Chart Show” which was a completely animated offering with no DJs or presenters to be seen anywhere.
TV talent shows like Hughie Green’s “Opportunity Knocks” and more recently “Pop Idol” and “X-Factor” have also had a great influence on the music industry by making stars out of ordinary people who think they have what it takes.
TV has also made stars out of mainstream actors and actresses from Soaps. Down under, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan both grew up as “Neighbours”, closer to home “Eastenders” was home to Nick Berry; and Malandra Burrows grew up on the farm in “Emmerdale”.
TV talent shows like Hughie Green’s “Opportunity Knocks” and more recently “Pop Idol” and “X-Factor” have also had a great influence on the music industry by making stars out of ordinary people who think they have what it takes.
TV has also made stars out of mainstream actors and actresses from Soaps. Down under, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan both grew up as “Neighbours”, closer to home “Eastenders” was home to Nick Berry; and Malandra Burrows grew up on the farm in “Emmerdale”.