This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2021) |
Seaside Special | |
---|---|
Genre | Entertainment |
Presented by | Various |
Theme music composer | Mike Batt |
Opening theme | "Summertime City" |
Country of origin | United Kingdom France Switzerland Belgium |
Original languages | English French |
Production | |
Executive producer | Michael Hurll |
Producer | Michael Hurll |
Original release | |
Network |
BBC1 TF1 TSR RTB |
Release | 5 July 1975 8 September 1979 | –
Related | |
|
Seaside Special is a European light entertainment show broadcast from 1975. It was an outside broadcast based at a big top around numerous British seaside resorts. Originally the big top belonged to various circuses (mainly Gerry Cottle's Circus), but in later seasons, the BBC bought its own to be the venue. The programme was developed by producer Michael Hurll. The series was developed after a short-lived, 6 part 'trial' aired on BBC2 in 1973, under the title Show of the Week: The Young Generation Big Top, starring the dance troupe The Young Generation and hosted by various personalities. The series was broadcast from various Pontin's Holiday Camps around the UK under the Gerry Cottle Big Top. The first show, airing on 6 August 1973, was hosted by Clodagh Rodgers. While this show was originally made in the United Kingdom, it was also co-produced in France, Switzerland and Belgium.
The format was revived by the BBC as Summertime Special with all eight episodes broadcast on BBC1 from Brighton, starting on 25 July 1981. The following year a further six episodes of Summertime Special were commissioned, this time broadcast from Eastbourne starting on 17 July 1982.
A final series was shown on BBC1 on 25 July 1987, this time called Seaside Special '87, all six episodes were broadcast from Jersey and hosted by Mike Smith.
Between 1986 and 1988, ITV broadcast their own incarnation of the format under the Summertime Special banner, hosted by Bobby Davro & others and produced by TVS. [1]
It was essentially a variety show, hosted by Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJs, consisting of a music act, a comedy act, and dancers New Edition. The 1977 series featured a beauty competition.
Typical acts were Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville, Lena Zavaroni, The Jimmy Brown Dancers, Bernie Clifton, Showaddywaddy, The Wurzels, Sacha Distel, Peters and Lee, Val Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, The Goodies and Nana Mouskouri. Some segments of the show were shot outside the big top, including one occasion when the Brotherhood of Man sang "My Sweet Rosalie" sitting in a particularly unstable-looking lifeboat.
The show's theme, "Summertime City", written and sung by Mike Batt, was a UK Top 10 hit in 1975.
Very successful in its day, the show was briefly revived in the 1980s as Summertime Special, but by then the tastes of the viewing public had moved on (see Variety shows history).
5 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool
The first of a new series of variety shows featuring artists appearing at Britain's seaside resorts starring
Ken Dodd with The Diddymen. Special guests
Dana and Wild Honey. This show concluded with a record-breaking beef burger being handed out to the audience. Introduced by
David Hamilton and featuring New Edition.
12 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth
Starring Peters and Lee with special guests
Billy Dainty,
Alan Randall impersonating George Formby,
Frank Carson,
Stu Francis, Cool Breeze and introduced by
Noel Edmonds featuring New Edition. Stunts included a woman being fired out of a cannon and a tightrope walk. Edmonds even appeared on the shoulders of a trapeze artist but that was enough and he didn't make it across the tightrope.
19 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool
Guests –
Mike & Bernie Winters,
The Three Degrees, Peter Gordeno & New Edition who this week have a 'Let's Keep Fit' routine in the big top and the local beach. Hosta are
David Hamilton and impressionist Paul Melba (Mike and Bernie Winters were in the 'Mike and Bernie Winters Show' at the ABC Theatre. Blackpool and perform comedy routines plus Mike playing the clarinet. Paul Melba was in ' Showtime 75 ' at the North Pier, Blackpool). Also featured was a clown act with their crazy car that'd never past an MOT. This featured two members of the audience who both got custard pies in the face.
26 July 1975
Location – Big Top of Gerry Cottle 's Circus which this week visited
Poole, Dorset.
Guests – starring
Cilla Black and her guests
Paul Jones,
Don MacLean (who comes on stage inside a dustbin), impressionists the Brother Lees, The Talbot School Band (playing 'Consider Yourself') and from clubland,
Ronnie Dukes and Ricki Lee. Introduced for the first time by
Tony Blackburn. New Edition performed 'Tiger Feet' and appear with
Mike Batt who sings the show's theme song 'Summertime City' both in the big top and a local funfair. There was also a Royal Marines display, the Poole Pirates and Tony Blackburn water-skiing.
2 August 1975
Location – The BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth
for the second time in the series.
Guests –
Dick Emery was the host of the show with an all-star line-up eaturing
Sacha Distel who performed his new single and 'Beach Baby' on Great Yarmouth beach with New Edition, singing in both English and French,
Clodagh Rodgers,
Little and Large, Norman Caley (keep an eye on his arms) and introduced by
Noel Edmonds. There was also a knife-throwing act featuring a member of the audience and a fire dive by Don Lindberg plus New Edition performing 'Me and My Shadow.'
9 August 1975
Location – Gerry Cottle's Circus,
Torbay
Hosts –
Noel Edmonds and
Val Doonican
Guests –
Windsor Davies and
Don Estelle with a comedy routine and two songs including their number one hit 'Whispering Grass',
Lynn Rogers,
Peter Hudson telling the longest joke in the world about a kangaroo and an elephant,
Ian Lavender,
Bill Pertwee (both from
Dad's Army),
John Inman, Mike Reid and
Radio 1 DJs
David Hamilton,
Tony Blackburn (and his then wife
Tessa Wyatt) featuring New Edition. There's also a daredevil stunt with Noel Edmonds in a car that drives through a lorry. Just who will win the Celebrity Go-Kart Race that's hosted by
Ronnie Corbett, prepare yourself for a dramatic last lap. This is the first show in which both Hamilton and Blackburn appear and starts their playful' feud.'
16 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Torbay
It's the second successive week in Torbay with a very special line-up.
ABBA actually sing a couple of songs, namely "Waterloo" & "S.O.S.". Also appearing were New Edition who opened the show with 'Be a Clown' with help from the Gerry Cottle Circus team of clowns. Look out for the escaping monkeys though. Keeping the animal theme they then performed
Funky Gibbon Also appearing were the hosts comedy double act Dailey & Wayne,
Roy Hudd with strongman Khalil, 15-year-old Kimberly Clark, Des Lane and his penny whistle,
Lulu making it two
Eurovision Song Contest winners on the show, impressionist
Janet Brown,
Kenneth McKellar and Tony Blackburn as the presenter. When introducing Abba, he says they won Eurovision two years ago but it was in fact the year before. He gets the chance to sing this week but is in a lion's den! Mike Batt again sings the theme song with New Edition accompanying a video of a water-skiing display.
23 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Poole, Dorset
Rolf Harris is the host and also appearing are
The Bachelors with the debut of new double act Stuart Gillies and with a cat and a shark but not his ostrich
Bernie Clifton impressionist
Johnny More, singer Rita Morris, New Edition and
Tony Blackburn. This programme includes the Poole carnival and handgliding.
30 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week in
Torbay
The host in this last show of the series is
Roy Hudd and there's a great army sketch with some 'local seaside landladies', asking some young children for some new jokes and 'Swimmin' with the Wimmin' with New Edition. Also appearing are
Keith Harris and Orville with Cuddles,
Tessie O'Shea,
Lena Zavaroni, Derek Dene with a golfing sketch, Jon Britain and presenter
Tony Blackburn and featuring New Edition. The daredevil sketch features Tony Blackburn out at sea in a dinghy being winched to safety, though he joked David Hamilton had offered them money not to do so. New Edition also join local children for a twirling display.
19 June 1976
Just as with series 1, the first episode comes from Gerry Cottle's Circus in
Blackpool
This time it's marking the centenary of the town as a holiday resort. Radio 1 DJs
Tony Blackburn and
Dave Lee Travis help present the show. Travis was live on Radio 1 while introducing the series. Hosting the show was
Ken Dodd who makes a right mess of a joke about Blackpool's piers. The audience was treated to the sight of [Wendy Richard]],
Mollie Sugden,
Frank Thornton,
John Inman, (all from
Are You Being Served?) performing a German folk dance routine,= though 'Mrs Slocombe' has been in the bar a bit too long, [[Showaddywaddy], clown
Charlie Cairoli in a messy custard pie sketch with Tony Blackburn and
The Goodies singng 'Bounce.
Tom Baker is interviewed as
Doctor, he'd earlier appeared at the Blackpool carnival. 'New Edition were back for the second series. They sing the new theme 'Sunshine Saturday' again written by Mike Batt. They also sing 'Keep Young and Beautiful' which includes Orinoco from
The Wombles and also film of young children on the beach plus 'The Gypsy in my Soul.' The daredevil spot is an escapologist in a straitjacket on a burning rope.
26 June 1976
Scarborough
hosts the show for the first time. It was held at the same time as the Scarborough carnival. Host of the show was
Val Doonican with
David Hamilton also presenting with his usual jokes about Tony Blackburn. Guests included
Dana, ventriloquist Dawson Chance,
Jim Davidson, Des Lane with his penny whistle, Don Robinson and his chimpanzees and resident song and dance group New Edition also performing.
3 July 1976
We're still in
Scarborough and it's an (American Bicentennial edition)
The show is hosted by
The Three Degrees and also appearing are
Kenneth McKellar, impressionists Brother Lees (one of the three has a bit of a problem with his chair which rather mucks up their synchronicity), from Italy 'The Flag wavers' and Dailey and Wayne. New Edition perform a tribute to the USA. David Hamilton also presents the sho and of course tells some Tony Blackburn jokes. He becomes the trainer of Salty, a Californian Sea Lion. We also get to see Californian dolphins. There's also some water-skiing and model battleships.
10 July 1976
For the first time the show comes from
Southsea
Paul Burnett is the radio DJ on duty this week
Paul Burnett. The main hosts are
Basil Brush Show with
Roy North Also are
Lulu,
Mike & Bernie Winters,
Janet Brown, Dream Express, Ron Martin and the ever-present New Edition. Tony Blackburn is also on this show and he introduces stuntman Dick Shepherd as he attempts to drive his car through a burning van. It didn't go quite as planned with Dick taking a while to get out of his burning car but was thankfully safe eventually. We also get to see a local motorbike stunt team and plenty of twirling from children. They're seen as New Editon perform the theme tune yet again.
17 July 1976
It's back to
Blackpool
for this week as their centenary celebrations continue. It's also carnival time in the seaside town. Tony Blackburn is again presenting and telling jokes about David Hamilton. The hosts are
Rod Hull and Emu and
Rolf Harris. Rolf again sings 'Up a Tree' as he did in the first series. Also appearing were Al Dean, local singer Kate T. Fields and
Little and Large New Edition performed some more routines including a 1950s rock 'n' roll tribute. In the daredevil section of the show we see an attempt by Tony Martin to jump over 10 barrels while on skates. That's followed by three amateur skaters trying to jump over four and then three barrels with mixed results. There's also some ice-skating too on another action-packed show. Dave Lee Travis returns with the Radio 1 Roadshow and again we see New Edition performing the theme tune.
24 July 1976
Location –
Southsea
It's back to Southsea this week and we get to see a lot more of Gerry Cottles Circus.
That's because it's circus week on Seaside Special. Both Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton present the show and of course make out they hate each other. Dave Lee Travis is also on the show and introduces the Cimmaro Brothers who cross a tightrope 25 feet above a cage full of lions and without a safety net and at one stage blindfolded. The host is
Mike Reid who opens up with an extremely racist routine so get ready to be offended. Also appearing are
Tony Monopoly,
Paul Daniels and
Cannon and Ball both before they became big stars, Surprise Sisters,
Mary Chipperfield with her chimpanzee act and we also get to see some tigers too and clowns Jacko Fossett and Little Billy in a barbershop routine with David Hamilton and 'a member of the audience' most likely a stooge. Resident song and dance troupe New Edition are on the show as usual with one routine having them dressed as clowns.
31 July 1976
Weymouth
is the seaside resort for this week's show. Again, we have both Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton presenting the show with lots of jokes at each others expense.
Jimmy Tarbuck is the host of the show and New Edition again perform some song and dance routines. We also get to see The Bachelors,
Sacha Distel,
The Grumbleweeds who start with a tasteless impression of Peters and Lee,
Keith Harris and Orville with Cuddles appearing and
Kenny Lynch joins Jimmy Tarbuck for the closing section of the show with a few more racist jokes by both. The Weymouth Carnival Queens also make a brief appearance. The show also goes to Southsea where we see the Royal Navy display team in action.
7 August 1976
This was an important edition of the show. It was staged in [Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] and
Cherbourg. This was an Anglo-French edition with part of the show being fimed on a ferry. As the years progressed, the European content of the show steadily increased. The host is
Sacha Distel who performs in both Weymouth and Cherbourg. Guests include [Brotherhood of Man]] who perform in a life boat,
Frank Carson, Alan Randall (singing a song about football and also doing his George Formby impression on the ferry), Child (Dave Cooper,
Graham Bilbrough, Tim Atack & Keith Atack), Santus Julian troupe (a circus cycling group) and of course New Edition. They also appear on both sides of the channel including in front of a train in Cherbourg and on the ferry.
14 August 1976
No trips to France this week. This is the first of three shows from Torbay with Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton doing their usual routine of taking the mickey out of each other. The hosts are
Peters and Lee and guests include singer
Vince Hill,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, The Patton Brothers,
Fivepenny Piece, Jodie Grey and Alan Stewart and of course New Edition.
21 August 1976
Torbay
is again the venue and
Tony Blackburn,
Dave Lee Travis,
David Hamilton,
Paul Burnett are all present. They all take part in a camel race hosted by
Roy Hudd. Also appearing were singer Moira Anderson,
Stu Francis,
Don Maclean,
Black Abbots, Sidney Devine and pianist Wayne King. New Edition again appear and their performances included one featuring a local tap dancing club.
28 August 1976
Location –
Torbay
guests Nicky Benton,
Peters and Lee,
Larry Grayson,
Frankie Vaughan,
Roy Hudd, Diane Solomon,
Wurzels, Fiddlygig, Terry Turner,
New Edition
7 September 1976
Location – Southsea
David Hamilton,
Boney M and
New Edition – a highlights show.
11 June 1977
Location
Eastbourne
First heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Ronnie Corbett, Anne Hart,
Nolans,
Janet Brown, Patton Brothers, Dick Sheppard, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
18 June 1977
Location
Eastbourne
Second heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Roy Hudd, Diane Traske,
Don Maclean,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Jeff Phillips, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
25 June 1977
Location
Great Yarmouth
Third heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
John Inman, Ronnie Dukes, Ricki Lee,
Berni Flint, Miquel Brown, Mike Hope, Albie Keen, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
2 July 1977
Location
Lowestoft
Fourth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Les Dawson,
Dana,
Bernie Clifton, Brother Lees, Stuart Gillies, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
9 July 1977
Location – Great Yarmouth
Fifth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Cilla Black (performed "I Wanted To Call It Off"),
Vince Hill,
Frank Carson, Dream Express, Jeff Phillips,
Lennie Bennett, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
16 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Sixth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Little and Large, Bachelors,
Showaddywaddy, Dave Ismay, James Boys, Shades of Love, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
23 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Seventh heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Peters and Lee, Stu Francis,
Michael Barrymore, Bobby Crush, Jodie Grey, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
30 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Eighth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Val Doonican, Fiddlygig,
Stan Boardman, Les Wilson,
Van Buren & Greta, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
6 August 1977
Location
Honfleur
First of two programmes from France
guests
Cliff Richard, Claude Francois, Half Wits, Norman Caley, host
Tony Blackburn
13 August 1977
Location
Honfleur
Second of two programmes from France
guests
Mireille Mathieu,
Boney M, Marie Myriam, host
Tony Blackburn
20 August 1977 8 pm to 9 pm BBC1
Location
Torbay
The Final of the Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests Jeff Phillips,
Tony Blackburn,
Vera Lynn,
Jim Davidson,
Wurzels,
Tony Selby, Patton Brothers, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
27 August 1977
Location
Jersey
Features the first colour TV transmission of the 'Battle of the Flowers'.
guests Johnnie and Roy, Mission Hall Jazz Band,
Des O’Connor,
Jack Douglas, George Truzzi, Roger Kitter, Brian Taylor, Shades of Love, Californians, Page Three, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
30 September 1977 6:55 pm to 7:40 pm BBC1
Special end of Summer edition.
24 March 1978
Snowtime Special
[2]
Location
Leysin,
Switzerland
The first of two holiday programmes recorded on location in the Swiss winter sports resort of Leysin and inside the Seaside Special Big Top 4,000 ft up in the Alps. Presented by
Andy Williams with his guests
Sacha Distel and
Demis Roussos with
Rod Hull and Emu,
Boney M, Sheila with Black Devotion, Katja Ebstein, Jan Madd Magic Show. Jacqueline Harbord, and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
This may have been the infamous outside broadcast where the snow melted the night before and was replaced by Leysin Fire Brigade fire suppressing foam in the town streets.
27 March 1978
Snowtime Special
[3]
Location: Leysin, Switzerland
The second of two holiday programmes recorded in Switzerland featuring music, song and dance combined with winter sports. Presented by Petula Clark with her guests Charles Aznavour, Manhattan Transfer, The Three Degrees, Claude Francois, Udo Jurgens, Wolfgang Danne and Jillian featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
8 July 1978
Location
Torbay
guests
Little and Large, Caterina Valente,
Sheila B. Devotion,
Brotherhood of Man,
Showaddywaddy, Hoppe's Unrideable Mules
15 July 1978
Location
Torbay
guests Clive Webb,
Boney M, Joe Dassin,
Plastic Bertrand,
Matia Bazar,
Ian Dury,
Roy Walker, Peter Hudson
22 July 1978 7:35 pm to 8:25 pm BBC1
Location
Torbay
guests
Marti Caine,
Roy Castle, Jean Vallee, Brother Lees, Black Gold, Colin 'Fingers' Henry, Inarros Sisters
29 July 1978 8:20 pm to 9:10 pm
Location
Torbay
guests
Rolf Harris, Nicole Croisille,
Smokie,
Bernie Clifton,
Stu Francis,
Paul Nicholas, Charivari.
Rolf sang a variation of '
Flogging Molly' with the chorus
'Come day go day, Wish in my hearty it was Sunday, Drinking buttermilk all the week, And whiskey on a Sunday.'
5 August 1978 8:30 pm to 9:20 pm
Location
Torbay
guests
Jim Davidson,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Berni Flint, Larry Parker, Samson and Delilah,
Udo Jürgens, Annie Cordy
12 August 1978 8:30 pm to 9:20 pm
Location
St Malo
guests Joe Dassin, Chantal Goya, Laurent Voulzey, Était Une Fois, Café Crème, Arlene, Tony Crosse, Grace Jones
19 August 1978 8:15 pm to 9:05 pm
Location
St Malo
guests Band a Basile, Chris Woodward, Arthur Scott and his Sealions,
Dionne Warwick,
Baccara, Alain Souchon, Annie Cordon, Patrick Juvet, Jeane Manson, Martin Circus
26 August 1978 8:10 pm to 9:00 pm
Location
Jersey and features the 'Battle of the Flowers' (again)
guests Jackie Hall,
Terry Wogan,
Wurzels, Stuart Gillies,
Black Abbots,
Tony Hatch,
Jackie Trent, Bobby Bennett
2 September 1978 8.10pm to 9.00pm
Location
Jersey
guests Charlie Daze, Memory Lane,
Peters and Lee, Mike Burton,
Dooleys, Brian Marshall, Californians, Good Vibrations, Ron Martin. City Boy.
9 September 1978 8.20pm to 9.10pm
Location
Weymouth
guests Mike Carter,
Lenny Henry, Mike Hope, Albie Keen,
John Inman, Dana Gillespie, Salena Jones,
Norman Collier,
Bobby Crush
22 September 1978
Location
Weymouth
guests
Lennie Bennett, Jerry Stevens, Allan Stewart,
Valerie Masters, Diane Cousins,
Bobby Knutt, Turnstyle
18 December 1978
Christmas Snowtime Special
[4]
A Yuletide Spectacular! Including ski-ing, ice-skating and Alpine sports, recorded on location in the BBC Big Top, 4,000 feet up in the Swiss Alps with international stars Andy Williams, Petula Clark, Boney M, Manhattan Transfer, Sacha Distel, Charles Aznavour, The Three Degrees, Sheila B Devotion, Jacqueline Harbord. Introduced by Demis Roussos and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
This series was more of a Eurovision production with French, Dutch and Swiss TV companies involved as well as the BBC.
Disco in the Snow
[5]
Monday 9 April 1979,
BBC1 at 6:55pm to 8:10pm
A non-stop musical show featuring the world's top disco artists, recorded inside the BBC1 Big Top and on the ski slopes at Leysin in the Swiss Alps. Starring and introduced by Boney M and Leo Sayer. Featuring from the USA: The Jacksons, Curtis Mayfield, Leif Garrett, Amii Stewart. From the UK: Bonnie Tyler. From Canada: The Raes, Rozalind Keene. From Switzerland: Patrick Juvet. From Germany: Eruption. Also featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
ABBA in Switzerland
[6]
Monday 16 April 1979,
BBC1 at 7.45pm to 8.40pm
Abba star in their first-ever European television special, recorded on location in the Swiss Alps, in which they mime to many of their million-selling hits together with some brand-new songs: "Take A Chance on Me" (with First Edition), "The King Has Lost His Crown" (with First Edition), "Hole in Your Soul", "The Name of the Game", "Eagle", "Mamma Mia", "Kisses of Fire", "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)", "Chiquittita", "Does Your Mother Know?" and "Thank You for the Music" . Also featuring their guests Kate Bush performing "Wow" and Roxy Music performing "Dance Away". With Geoff Richer's First Edition singing and dancing to "Jump Shout Boogie".
Location Leysin, Switzerland (The skiing scenes were filmed 25 minutes away at Les Diablerets. The ice-skating scenes were filmed at 9pm one evening at the Leysin village ice-rink.) (Music tracks sourced from ABBA on TV website source)
14 July 1979 at 8:15 to 9:05 pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Little and Large with guests Mick Miller,
Peters and Lee and
Showaddywaddy,
Chas and Dave and First Edition
21 July 1979 at 8:25 pm to 9:15 pm
Location
Bruges
Introduced by Jeane Manson with guests
Boney M,
Amii Stewart, Clive Webb, Chantal Goya, Patrick Hernandez, and Gerard Lenorman
28 July 1979 at 8:25 to 9:15 pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests Tony Brutus, Angels,
Ken Dodd and his Diddymen, Brother Lees
4 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top in
Poole
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Cilla Black who sang
Bright Eyes with some kids holding rabbits.
Cliff Richard and
Don MacLean, Jerry Stevens,
Keith Harris,
Lenny Henry and Antonia Rodriguez
11 August 1979
Location
Honfleur
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Rod Hull and Emu,
Plastic Bertrand, Eruption,
Gibson Brothers, Santos 'Loonies',
Amanda Lear
18 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Les Dawson,
The Krankies,
Stu Francis,
Les Dennis,
Roy Barraclough and from the world of pop music
The Dooleys, Berni Flint,
Dollar
25 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top,
Isle of Man
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Petula Clark,
The Grumbleweeds,
The Wurzels,
Frank Carson,
Bobby Knutt, Diane Cousins, Tony Kent, Greg Bonham,
Iris Williams
1 September 1979
Location BBC Big Top from
Poole
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Rolf Harris,
Roy Castle, Amii Stewart, Bernie Clifton, Candlewick Green, Neil Martin and First Edition
8 September 1979
Location Big Top from the
Isle of Man
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Lennie Bennett, Ruby Winters and
Boney M
Snowtime Christmas Special
Saturday 22 December 1979 BBC1 6.35pm to 7.25pm
Location
Leysin,
Switzerland
This show used a mixture of previously recorded and broadcast segments from the Snowtime Easter Special plus additional guests hosted by Dame Edna Everage.
[7]
Songs performed in this show:
- ABBA – Chiquitita* **(1)
- Boney M – Mary's Boy Child* **(2)
-
Leo Sayer – When I Need You (3)
-
The Jacksons – Destiny (4)
-
Bonnie Tyler – It's a Heartache (5)
-
Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (6)
- Wolfgang Danne and Jillian Denise Biellmann skate to "I Wonder (Departure)" (7)
from ABBA on TV website source
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2021) |
Seaside Special | |
---|---|
Genre | Entertainment |
Presented by | Various |
Theme music composer | Mike Batt |
Opening theme | "Summertime City" |
Country of origin | United Kingdom France Switzerland Belgium |
Original languages | English French |
Production | |
Executive producer | Michael Hurll |
Producer | Michael Hurll |
Original release | |
Network |
BBC1 TF1 TSR RTB |
Release | 5 July 1975 8 September 1979 | –
Related | |
|
Seaside Special is a European light entertainment show broadcast from 1975. It was an outside broadcast based at a big top around numerous British seaside resorts. Originally the big top belonged to various circuses (mainly Gerry Cottle's Circus), but in later seasons, the BBC bought its own to be the venue. The programme was developed by producer Michael Hurll. The series was developed after a short-lived, 6 part 'trial' aired on BBC2 in 1973, under the title Show of the Week: The Young Generation Big Top, starring the dance troupe The Young Generation and hosted by various personalities. The series was broadcast from various Pontin's Holiday Camps around the UK under the Gerry Cottle Big Top. The first show, airing on 6 August 1973, was hosted by Clodagh Rodgers. While this show was originally made in the United Kingdom, it was also co-produced in France, Switzerland and Belgium.
The format was revived by the BBC as Summertime Special with all eight episodes broadcast on BBC1 from Brighton, starting on 25 July 1981. The following year a further six episodes of Summertime Special were commissioned, this time broadcast from Eastbourne starting on 17 July 1982.
A final series was shown on BBC1 on 25 July 1987, this time called Seaside Special '87, all six episodes were broadcast from Jersey and hosted by Mike Smith.
Between 1986 and 1988, ITV broadcast their own incarnation of the format under the Summertime Special banner, hosted by Bobby Davro & others and produced by TVS. [1]
It was essentially a variety show, hosted by Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJs, consisting of a music act, a comedy act, and dancers New Edition. The 1977 series featured a beauty competition.
Typical acts were Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville, Lena Zavaroni, The Jimmy Brown Dancers, Bernie Clifton, Showaddywaddy, The Wurzels, Sacha Distel, Peters and Lee, Val Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, The Goodies and Nana Mouskouri. Some segments of the show were shot outside the big top, including one occasion when the Brotherhood of Man sang "My Sweet Rosalie" sitting in a particularly unstable-looking lifeboat.
The show's theme, "Summertime City", written and sung by Mike Batt, was a UK Top 10 hit in 1975.
Very successful in its day, the show was briefly revived in the 1980s as Summertime Special, but by then the tastes of the viewing public had moved on (see Variety shows history).
5 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool
The first of a new series of variety shows featuring artists appearing at Britain's seaside resorts starring
Ken Dodd with The Diddymen. Special guests
Dana and Wild Honey. This show concluded with a record-breaking beef burger being handed out to the audience. Introduced by
David Hamilton and featuring New Edition.
12 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth
Starring Peters and Lee with special guests
Billy Dainty,
Alan Randall impersonating George Formby,
Frank Carson,
Stu Francis, Cool Breeze and introduced by
Noel Edmonds featuring New Edition. Stunts included a woman being fired out of a cannon and a tightrope walk. Edmonds even appeared on the shoulders of a trapeze artist but that was enough and he didn't make it across the tightrope.
19 July 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Blackpool
Guests –
Mike & Bernie Winters,
The Three Degrees, Peter Gordeno & New Edition who this week have a 'Let's Keep Fit' routine in the big top and the local beach. Hosta are
David Hamilton and impressionist Paul Melba (Mike and Bernie Winters were in the 'Mike and Bernie Winters Show' at the ABC Theatre. Blackpool and perform comedy routines plus Mike playing the clarinet. Paul Melba was in ' Showtime 75 ' at the North Pier, Blackpool). Also featured was a clown act with their crazy car that'd never past an MOT. This featured two members of the audience who both got custard pies in the face.
26 July 1975
Location – Big Top of Gerry Cottle 's Circus which this week visited
Poole, Dorset.
Guests – starring
Cilla Black and her guests
Paul Jones,
Don MacLean (who comes on stage inside a dustbin), impressionists the Brother Lees, The Talbot School Band (playing 'Consider Yourself') and from clubland,
Ronnie Dukes and Ricki Lee. Introduced for the first time by
Tony Blackburn. New Edition performed 'Tiger Feet' and appear with
Mike Batt who sings the show's theme song 'Summertime City' both in the big top and a local funfair. There was also a Royal Marines display, the Poole Pirates and Tony Blackburn water-skiing.
2 August 1975
Location – The BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Great Yarmouth
for the second time in the series.
Guests –
Dick Emery was the host of the show with an all-star line-up eaturing
Sacha Distel who performed his new single and 'Beach Baby' on Great Yarmouth beach with New Edition, singing in both English and French,
Clodagh Rodgers,
Little and Large, Norman Caley (keep an eye on his arms) and introduced by
Noel Edmonds. There was also a knife-throwing act featuring a member of the audience and a fire dive by Don Lindberg plus New Edition performing 'Me and My Shadow.'
9 August 1975
Location – Gerry Cottle's Circus,
Torbay
Hosts –
Noel Edmonds and
Val Doonican
Guests –
Windsor Davies and
Don Estelle with a comedy routine and two songs including their number one hit 'Whispering Grass',
Lynn Rogers,
Peter Hudson telling the longest joke in the world about a kangaroo and an elephant,
Ian Lavender,
Bill Pertwee (both from
Dad's Army),
John Inman, Mike Reid and
Radio 1 DJs
David Hamilton,
Tony Blackburn (and his then wife
Tessa Wyatt) featuring New Edition. There's also a daredevil stunt with Noel Edmonds in a car that drives through a lorry. Just who will win the Celebrity Go-Kart Race that's hosted by
Ronnie Corbett, prepare yourself for a dramatic last lap. This is the first show in which both Hamilton and Blackburn appear and starts their playful' feud.'
16 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week visited
Torbay
It's the second successive week in Torbay with a very special line-up.
ABBA actually sing a couple of songs, namely "Waterloo" & "S.O.S.". Also appearing were New Edition who opened the show with 'Be a Clown' with help from the Gerry Cottle Circus team of clowns. Look out for the escaping monkeys though. Keeping the animal theme they then performed
Funky Gibbon Also appearing were the hosts comedy double act Dailey & Wayne,
Roy Hudd with strongman Khalil, 15-year-old Kimberly Clark, Des Lane and his penny whistle,
Lulu making it two
Eurovision Song Contest winners on the show, impressionist
Janet Brown,
Kenneth McKellar and Tony Blackburn as the presenter. When introducing Abba, he says they won Eurovision two years ago but it was in fact the year before. He gets the chance to sing this week but is in a lion's den! Mike Batt again sings the theme song with New Edition accompanying a video of a water-skiing display.
23 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top at
Poole, Dorset
Rolf Harris is the host and also appearing are
The Bachelors with the debut of new double act Stuart Gillies and with a cat and a shark but not his ostrich
Bernie Clifton impressionist
Johnny More, singer Rita Morris, New Edition and
Tony Blackburn. This programme includes the Poole carnival and handgliding.
30 August 1975
Location – BBC1 Big Top which this week in
Torbay
The host in this last show of the series is
Roy Hudd and there's a great army sketch with some 'local seaside landladies', asking some young children for some new jokes and 'Swimmin' with the Wimmin' with New Edition. Also appearing are
Keith Harris and Orville with Cuddles,
Tessie O'Shea,
Lena Zavaroni, Derek Dene with a golfing sketch, Jon Britain and presenter
Tony Blackburn and featuring New Edition. The daredevil sketch features Tony Blackburn out at sea in a dinghy being winched to safety, though he joked David Hamilton had offered them money not to do so. New Edition also join local children for a twirling display.
19 June 1976
Just as with series 1, the first episode comes from Gerry Cottle's Circus in
Blackpool
This time it's marking the centenary of the town as a holiday resort. Radio 1 DJs
Tony Blackburn and
Dave Lee Travis help present the show. Travis was live on Radio 1 while introducing the series. Hosting the show was
Ken Dodd who makes a right mess of a joke about Blackpool's piers. The audience was treated to the sight of [Wendy Richard]],
Mollie Sugden,
Frank Thornton,
John Inman, (all from
Are You Being Served?) performing a German folk dance routine,= though 'Mrs Slocombe' has been in the bar a bit too long, [[Showaddywaddy], clown
Charlie Cairoli in a messy custard pie sketch with Tony Blackburn and
The Goodies singng 'Bounce.
Tom Baker is interviewed as
Doctor, he'd earlier appeared at the Blackpool carnival. 'New Edition were back for the second series. They sing the new theme 'Sunshine Saturday' again written by Mike Batt. They also sing 'Keep Young and Beautiful' which includes Orinoco from
The Wombles and also film of young children on the beach plus 'The Gypsy in my Soul.' The daredevil spot is an escapologist in a straitjacket on a burning rope.
26 June 1976
Scarborough
hosts the show for the first time. It was held at the same time as the Scarborough carnival. Host of the show was
Val Doonican with
David Hamilton also presenting with his usual jokes about Tony Blackburn. Guests included
Dana, ventriloquist Dawson Chance,
Jim Davidson, Des Lane with his penny whistle, Don Robinson and his chimpanzees and resident song and dance group New Edition also performing.
3 July 1976
We're still in
Scarborough and it's an (American Bicentennial edition)
The show is hosted by
The Three Degrees and also appearing are
Kenneth McKellar, impressionists Brother Lees (one of the three has a bit of a problem with his chair which rather mucks up their synchronicity), from Italy 'The Flag wavers' and Dailey and Wayne. New Edition perform a tribute to the USA. David Hamilton also presents the sho and of course tells some Tony Blackburn jokes. He becomes the trainer of Salty, a Californian Sea Lion. We also get to see Californian dolphins. There's also some water-skiing and model battleships.
10 July 1976
For the first time the show comes from
Southsea
Paul Burnett is the radio DJ on duty this week
Paul Burnett. The main hosts are
Basil Brush Show with
Roy North Also are
Lulu,
Mike & Bernie Winters,
Janet Brown, Dream Express, Ron Martin and the ever-present New Edition. Tony Blackburn is also on this show and he introduces stuntman Dick Shepherd as he attempts to drive his car through a burning van. It didn't go quite as planned with Dick taking a while to get out of his burning car but was thankfully safe eventually. We also get to see a local motorbike stunt team and plenty of twirling from children. They're seen as New Editon perform the theme tune yet again.
17 July 1976
It's back to
Blackpool
for this week as their centenary celebrations continue. It's also carnival time in the seaside town. Tony Blackburn is again presenting and telling jokes about David Hamilton. The hosts are
Rod Hull and Emu and
Rolf Harris. Rolf again sings 'Up a Tree' as he did in the first series. Also appearing were Al Dean, local singer Kate T. Fields and
Little and Large New Edition performed some more routines including a 1950s rock 'n' roll tribute. In the daredevil section of the show we see an attempt by Tony Martin to jump over 10 barrels while on skates. That's followed by three amateur skaters trying to jump over four and then three barrels with mixed results. There's also some ice-skating too on another action-packed show. Dave Lee Travis returns with the Radio 1 Roadshow and again we see New Edition performing the theme tune.
24 July 1976
Location –
Southsea
It's back to Southsea this week and we get to see a lot more of Gerry Cottles Circus.
That's because it's circus week on Seaside Special. Both Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton present the show and of course make out they hate each other. Dave Lee Travis is also on the show and introduces the Cimmaro Brothers who cross a tightrope 25 feet above a cage full of lions and without a safety net and at one stage blindfolded. The host is
Mike Reid who opens up with an extremely racist routine so get ready to be offended. Also appearing are
Tony Monopoly,
Paul Daniels and
Cannon and Ball both before they became big stars, Surprise Sisters,
Mary Chipperfield with her chimpanzee act and we also get to see some tigers too and clowns Jacko Fossett and Little Billy in a barbershop routine with David Hamilton and 'a member of the audience' most likely a stooge. Resident song and dance troupe New Edition are on the show as usual with one routine having them dressed as clowns.
31 July 1976
Weymouth
is the seaside resort for this week's show. Again, we have both Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton presenting the show with lots of jokes at each others expense.
Jimmy Tarbuck is the host of the show and New Edition again perform some song and dance routines. We also get to see The Bachelors,
Sacha Distel,
The Grumbleweeds who start with a tasteless impression of Peters and Lee,
Keith Harris and Orville with Cuddles appearing and
Kenny Lynch joins Jimmy Tarbuck for the closing section of the show with a few more racist jokes by both. The Weymouth Carnival Queens also make a brief appearance. The show also goes to Southsea where we see the Royal Navy display team in action.
7 August 1976
This was an important edition of the show. It was staged in [Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] and
Cherbourg. This was an Anglo-French edition with part of the show being fimed on a ferry. As the years progressed, the European content of the show steadily increased. The host is
Sacha Distel who performs in both Weymouth and Cherbourg. Guests include [Brotherhood of Man]] who perform in a life boat,
Frank Carson, Alan Randall (singing a song about football and also doing his George Formby impression on the ferry), Child (Dave Cooper,
Graham Bilbrough, Tim Atack & Keith Atack), Santus Julian troupe (a circus cycling group) and of course New Edition. They also appear on both sides of the channel including in front of a train in Cherbourg and on the ferry.
14 August 1976
No trips to France this week. This is the first of three shows from Torbay with Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton doing their usual routine of taking the mickey out of each other. The hosts are
Peters and Lee and guests include singer
Vince Hill,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, The Patton Brothers,
Fivepenny Piece, Jodie Grey and Alan Stewart and of course New Edition.
21 August 1976
Torbay
is again the venue and
Tony Blackburn,
Dave Lee Travis,
David Hamilton,
Paul Burnett are all present. They all take part in a camel race hosted by
Roy Hudd. Also appearing were singer Moira Anderson,
Stu Francis,
Don Maclean,
Black Abbots, Sidney Devine and pianist Wayne King. New Edition again appear and their performances included one featuring a local tap dancing club.
28 August 1976
Location –
Torbay
guests Nicky Benton,
Peters and Lee,
Larry Grayson,
Frankie Vaughan,
Roy Hudd, Diane Solomon,
Wurzels, Fiddlygig, Terry Turner,
New Edition
7 September 1976
Location – Southsea
David Hamilton,
Boney M and
New Edition – a highlights show.
11 June 1977
Location
Eastbourne
First heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Ronnie Corbett, Anne Hart,
Nolans,
Janet Brown, Patton Brothers, Dick Sheppard, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
18 June 1977
Location
Eastbourne
Second heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Roy Hudd, Diane Traske,
Don Maclean,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Jeff Phillips, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
25 June 1977
Location
Great Yarmouth
Third heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
John Inman, Ronnie Dukes, Ricki Lee,
Berni Flint, Miquel Brown, Mike Hope, Albie Keen, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
2 July 1977
Location
Lowestoft
Fourth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests
Les Dawson,
Dana,
Bernie Clifton, Brother Lees, Stuart Gillies, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
9 July 1977
Location – Great Yarmouth
Fifth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Cilla Black (performed "I Wanted To Call It Off"),
Vince Hill,
Frank Carson, Dream Express, Jeff Phillips,
Lennie Bennett, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
16 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Sixth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Little and Large, Bachelors,
Showaddywaddy, Dave Ismay, James Boys, Shades of Love, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
23 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Seventh heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Peters and Lee, Stu Francis,
Michael Barrymore, Bobby Crush, Jodie Grey, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
30 July 1977
Location
Bournemouth
Eighth heat of Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest.
guests
Val Doonican, Fiddlygig,
Stan Boardman, Les Wilson,
Van Buren & Greta, host
Tony Blackburn, New Edition
6 August 1977
Location
Honfleur
First of two programmes from France
guests
Cliff Richard, Claude Francois, Half Wits, Norman Caley, host
Tony Blackburn
13 August 1977
Location
Honfleur
Second of two programmes from France
guests
Mireille Mathieu,
Boney M, Marie Myriam, host
Tony Blackburn
20 August 1977 8 pm to 9 pm BBC1
Location
Torbay
The Final of the Miss Seaside Special 1977 Natural Beauty Contest
guests Jeff Phillips,
Tony Blackburn,
Vera Lynn,
Jim Davidson,
Wurzels,
Tony Selby, Patton Brothers, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
27 August 1977
Location
Jersey
Features the first colour TV transmission of the 'Battle of the Flowers'.
guests Johnnie and Roy, Mission Hall Jazz Band,
Des O’Connor,
Jack Douglas, George Truzzi, Roger Kitter, Brian Taylor, Shades of Love, Californians, Page Three, host
David Hamilton, New Edition
30 September 1977 6:55 pm to 7:40 pm BBC1
Special end of Summer edition.
24 March 1978
Snowtime Special
[2]
Location
Leysin,
Switzerland
The first of two holiday programmes recorded on location in the Swiss winter sports resort of Leysin and inside the Seaside Special Big Top 4,000 ft up in the Alps. Presented by
Andy Williams with his guests
Sacha Distel and
Demis Roussos with
Rod Hull and Emu,
Boney M, Sheila with Black Devotion, Katja Ebstein, Jan Madd Magic Show. Jacqueline Harbord, and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
This may have been the infamous outside broadcast where the snow melted the night before and was replaced by Leysin Fire Brigade fire suppressing foam in the town streets.
27 March 1978
Snowtime Special
[3]
Location: Leysin, Switzerland
The second of two holiday programmes recorded in Switzerland featuring music, song and dance combined with winter sports. Presented by Petula Clark with her guests Charles Aznavour, Manhattan Transfer, The Three Degrees, Claude Francois, Udo Jurgens, Wolfgang Danne and Jillian featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
8 July 1978
Location
Torbay
guests
Little and Large, Caterina Valente,
Sheila B. Devotion,
Brotherhood of Man,
Showaddywaddy, Hoppe's Unrideable Mules
15 July 1978
Location
Torbay
guests Clive Webb,
Boney M, Joe Dassin,
Plastic Bertrand,
Matia Bazar,
Ian Dury,
Roy Walker, Peter Hudson
22 July 1978 7:35 pm to 8:25 pm BBC1
Location
Torbay
guests
Marti Caine,
Roy Castle, Jean Vallee, Brother Lees, Black Gold, Colin 'Fingers' Henry, Inarros Sisters
29 July 1978 8:20 pm to 9:10 pm
Location
Torbay
guests
Rolf Harris, Nicole Croisille,
Smokie,
Bernie Clifton,
Stu Francis,
Paul Nicholas, Charivari.
Rolf sang a variation of '
Flogging Molly' with the chorus
'Come day go day, Wish in my hearty it was Sunday, Drinking buttermilk all the week, And whiskey on a Sunday.'
5 August 1978 8:30 pm to 9:20 pm
Location
Torbay
guests
Jim Davidson,
Roger De Courcey and Nookie the Bear, Berni Flint, Larry Parker, Samson and Delilah,
Udo Jürgens, Annie Cordy
12 August 1978 8:30 pm to 9:20 pm
Location
St Malo
guests Joe Dassin, Chantal Goya, Laurent Voulzey, Était Une Fois, Café Crème, Arlene, Tony Crosse, Grace Jones
19 August 1978 8:15 pm to 9:05 pm
Location
St Malo
guests Band a Basile, Chris Woodward, Arthur Scott and his Sealions,
Dionne Warwick,
Baccara, Alain Souchon, Annie Cordon, Patrick Juvet, Jeane Manson, Martin Circus
26 August 1978 8:10 pm to 9:00 pm
Location
Jersey and features the 'Battle of the Flowers' (again)
guests Jackie Hall,
Terry Wogan,
Wurzels, Stuart Gillies,
Black Abbots,
Tony Hatch,
Jackie Trent, Bobby Bennett
2 September 1978 8.10pm to 9.00pm
Location
Jersey
guests Charlie Daze, Memory Lane,
Peters and Lee, Mike Burton,
Dooleys, Brian Marshall, Californians, Good Vibrations, Ron Martin. City Boy.
9 September 1978 8.20pm to 9.10pm
Location
Weymouth
guests Mike Carter,
Lenny Henry, Mike Hope, Albie Keen,
John Inman, Dana Gillespie, Salena Jones,
Norman Collier,
Bobby Crush
22 September 1978
Location
Weymouth
guests
Lennie Bennett, Jerry Stevens, Allan Stewart,
Valerie Masters, Diane Cousins,
Bobby Knutt, Turnstyle
18 December 1978
Christmas Snowtime Special
[4]
A Yuletide Spectacular! Including ski-ing, ice-skating and Alpine sports, recorded on location in the BBC Big Top, 4,000 feet up in the Swiss Alps with international stars Andy Williams, Petula Clark, Boney M, Manhattan Transfer, Sacha Distel, Charles Aznavour, The Three Degrees, Sheila B Devotion, Jacqueline Harbord. Introduced by Demis Roussos and featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
This series was more of a Eurovision production with French, Dutch and Swiss TV companies involved as well as the BBC.
Disco in the Snow
[5]
Monday 9 April 1979,
BBC1 at 6:55pm to 8:10pm
A non-stop musical show featuring the world's top disco artists, recorded inside the BBC1 Big Top and on the ski slopes at Leysin in the Swiss Alps. Starring and introduced by Boney M and Leo Sayer. Featuring from the USA: The Jacksons, Curtis Mayfield, Leif Garrett, Amii Stewart. From the UK: Bonnie Tyler. From Canada: The Raes, Rozalind Keene. From Switzerland: Patrick Juvet. From Germany: Eruption. Also featuring Geoff Richer's First Edition.
ABBA in Switzerland
[6]
Monday 16 April 1979,
BBC1 at 7.45pm to 8.40pm
Abba star in their first-ever European television special, recorded on location in the Swiss Alps, in which they mime to many of their million-selling hits together with some brand-new songs: "Take A Chance on Me" (with First Edition), "The King Has Lost His Crown" (with First Edition), "Hole in Your Soul", "The Name of the Game", "Eagle", "Mamma Mia", "Kisses of Fire", "Lovers (Live A Little Longer)", "Chiquittita", "Does Your Mother Know?" and "Thank You for the Music" . Also featuring their guests Kate Bush performing "Wow" and Roxy Music performing "Dance Away". With Geoff Richer's First Edition singing and dancing to "Jump Shout Boogie".
Location Leysin, Switzerland (The skiing scenes were filmed 25 minutes away at Les Diablerets. The ice-skating scenes were filmed at 9pm one evening at the Leysin village ice-rink.) (Music tracks sourced from ABBA on TV website source)
14 July 1979 at 8:15 to 9:05 pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Little and Large with guests Mick Miller,
Peters and Lee and
Showaddywaddy,
Chas and Dave and First Edition
21 July 1979 at 8:25 pm to 9:15 pm
Location
Bruges
Introduced by Jeane Manson with guests
Boney M,
Amii Stewart, Clive Webb, Chantal Goya, Patrick Hernandez, and Gerard Lenorman
28 July 1979 at 8:25 to 9:15 pm
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests Tony Brutus, Angels,
Ken Dodd and his Diddymen, Brother Lees
4 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top in
Poole
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Cilla Black who sang
Bright Eyes with some kids holding rabbits.
Cliff Richard and
Don MacLean, Jerry Stevens,
Keith Harris,
Lenny Henry and Antonia Rodriguez
11 August 1979
Location
Honfleur
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Rod Hull and Emu,
Plastic Bertrand, Eruption,
Gibson Brothers, Santos 'Loonies',
Amanda Lear
18 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top at Pleasure Beach,
Blackpool
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Les Dawson,
The Krankies,
Stu Francis,
Les Dennis,
Roy Barraclough and from the world of pop music
The Dooleys, Berni Flint,
Dollar
25 August 1979
Location BBC Big Top,
Isle of Man
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Petula Clark,
The Grumbleweeds,
The Wurzels,
Frank Carson,
Bobby Knutt, Diane Cousins, Tony Kent, Greg Bonham,
Iris Williams
1 September 1979
Location BBC Big Top from
Poole
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Rolf Harris,
Roy Castle, Amii Stewart, Bernie Clifton, Candlewick Green, Neil Martin and First Edition
8 September 1979
Location Big Top from the
Isle of Man
Introduced by
Peter Powell with guests
Lennie Bennett, Ruby Winters and
Boney M
Snowtime Christmas Special
Saturday 22 December 1979 BBC1 6.35pm to 7.25pm
Location
Leysin,
Switzerland
This show used a mixture of previously recorded and broadcast segments from the Snowtime Easter Special plus additional guests hosted by Dame Edna Everage.
[7]
Songs performed in this show:
- ABBA – Chiquitita* **(1)
- Boney M – Mary's Boy Child* **(2)
-
Leo Sayer – When I Need You (3)
-
The Jacksons – Destiny (4)
-
Bonnie Tyler – It's a Heartache (5)
-
Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (6)
- Wolfgang Danne and Jillian Denise Biellmann skate to "I Wonder (Departure)" (7)
from ABBA on TV website source