Magpie
Hipper than the average TV programme…
When it hit the TV screens on 30th July 1968, it was the first programme made for newly formed Thames TV for ITV.
Lewis Rudd, had been was charged by Thames with coming up with a ‘new’ concept for a children’s show, he then delivered ‘Magpie’. Many have hinted that the name is a tongue in cheek explanation of how Rudd got his inspiration.
- The comparisons with Blue Peter were inevitable – Both had
- Minimum of three presenters
- ‘Special’ badges, BP had the shield, Magpie had a variety for different awards
- Charity appeals, BP had ‘Bring and Buy’ or ‘Send in Old Socks for Sardinia Appeal’ Magpie just said it as it was and asked for ‘Send in your Sixpences’…now!
- Magazine format with regular features and one off specials
- Annuals
Magpie couldn’t compete with Blue Peter in terms of glossy, expensive adventures, daredevil stunts or in studio layouts, so an image of being hip, trendy, risqué even, was created to make its counterpart look tame. This ploy seems to have worked as most watchers are quick to point out they either didn’t watch unfashionable Blue Peter or did but preferred Magpie. It was very effective with parents as I know of at least one person who was banned from watching it, because it was too controversial. In reality, most children watched both, enjoyed them without writing a thesis on the underlining currents or meanings. Careful scheduling also ensured that Magpie and BP went out on different nights, resulting in entertainment each evening of the week if you wanted it.
The seemingly hip and fashionable presenters still wore shirt, ties and had nice accents, at least in the early days. The original line up of three was —
Pete Brady — Former disc jockey, who was hiding particularly well toned abs under his polo neck
Tony Bastable — One time current affairs commentator and TV producer
Susan Stranks — Maybe seen as the ‘eye candy’, but had worked from an early age appearing on the panel of ‘Juke Box Jury’ as the ‘Typical Teenager’ (of course,most teenager had starred in films and on TV at this point !). Her piece de resistance has to be moving on to creating a show around furry spiders and copydex (come back Itsy and Bitsy all is forgiven).
The original line up was replaced over the years by —
Mick Robertson — The dark broody one
Douglas Rae — Actor turned producer who has recently produced the new Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Jenny Hanley — Almost a Bond Girl, the actress appeared in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ as one of Blofeld’s Angels of Death.
Tommy Boyd — Presenter, mainly radio in recent times
One thing Magpie was head and shoulders above the competition was with music, a regular weekly roundup featured interviews from top musicians of the day such as Paul McCartney, the Sex Pistols and Gary Newman.
The 25 minute programmes ran until 1980, when the wobbly sets and plastic garden furniture finally had to be skipped.
Best Bits —
Mick Robertson (those curls)
Murgatroyd, Mascot of the show
Themes tune by the Spencer Davis Group under the name ‘The Murgatroyd Band’
Worst Bits —
Cheap studio
If BP had ‘African Adventure’ Magpie would have ‘Trip to the Zoo’
So here’s to 40 years of marvellous Magpie!
