I winced a little when a tabloid front page this morning (sorry didn't see what tabloid it was, but it was a red top) had a front page headline with Bob Holness' face on. But instead of actually reporting the news he had died, they reported that Ed Milliband has made a typo on his Twitter tribute to him. I mean, is that really necessary? Some respect would be nice!
I winced a little when a tabloid front page this morning (sorry didn't see what tabloid it was, but it was a red top) had a front page headline with Bob Holness' face on. But instead of actually reporting the news he had died, they reported that Ed Milliband has made a typo on his Twitter tribute to him. I mean, is that really necessary? Some respect would be nice!
That would be the glorious Murdoch press. Yes - a whole page on him calling it "Blackbusters" linked to the non-scandal from yesterday - with the news of Bob's death relegated to the corner with the line "Can I have an R.I.P. please Bob".
No way to treat someone who is pretty much a legend - as good as Pointless and The Chase are now and as long as The Weakest Link ran in a similar slot none of those presenters will be remembered as fondly. As to why it ended in the early 1990s - I guess Home and Away take alot of the blame, taking it's 5.10pm slot in regions where they had the full hour for news or news/regional programmes at 6pm.
:-(
A former member
For what is worth it only ever needed to go out 3 times a week to let it continue with a 120ep per series.
You could run Sept - June with a summer break, if there got back the Saturday slot, but that was taken away from it aswell I never understand why, Catchphrase was happy on a Sunday slot.
There could have found a 2 NETWORK slots at either 5.10pm or 6.30 on the ITV network somewhere.
I winced a little when a tabloid front page this morning (sorry didn't see what tabloid it was, but it was a red top) had a front page headline with Bob Holness' face on. But instead of actually reporting the news he had died, they reported that Ed Milliband has made a typo on his Twitter tribute to him. I mean, is that really necessary? Some respect would be nice!
I thought that was absolutely disgraceful and disrepectful. It was The Sun.
I winced a little when a tabloid front page this morning (sorry didn't see what tabloid it was, but it was a red top) had a front page headline with Bob Holness' face on. But instead of actually reporting the news he had died, they reported that Ed Milliband has made a typo on his Twitter tribute to him. I mean, is that really necessary? Some respect would be nice!
I thought that was absolutely disgraceful and disrepectful. It was The Sun.
Bloody Murdoch rag.
They're in enough trouble over the hacking saga as it is!
As much as I liked Blockbusters, I loved his stint on CMB, with Sandi Toksvig and Alan Coren (another departed great). This from 1997...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JabsAVfaYc
Weird to think half of the people featured in that episode are now dead.
It is a sad thought... I do miss Alan Coren from the airwaves and his print dispatches from Cricklewood.
A less morbid one for you, least Tim BT and Graeme Garden are still with us, plus that delightfully catchy theme tune in full...
To me the show wasn't the same with Fiona Bruce and Rod Liddle.
I'm pleased to say that the papers have been warm in their tributes to Bob Holness, even the Daily Mail. Apparently he was always happy to sign autographs when out in the supermarket; to such an extent, reportedly groups of students would make 'pilgrimages' to Pinner, to meet him (when Blockbusters was at its height)! His wife said he always raised a smile whenever the "can I have a P please Bob" line was used.
He seemed like a thoroughly decent guy, as he came across on the telly.
Last edited by Roger Mellie on 7 January 2012 7:04pm
I winced a little when a tabloid front page this morning (sorry didn't see what tabloid it was, but it was a red top) had a front page headline with Bob Holness' face on. But instead of actually reporting the news he had died, they reported that Ed Milliband has made a typo on his Twitter tribute to him. I mean, is that really necessary? Some respect would be nice!
Saw that. It should've been a footnote at the most, not the main focus of the article.
How brilliant it is to see that! I absolutely loved the show and thought it was a real shame that it never made it any further - I think it was another one of those shows that Bob carried as the format was a bit ropey. With a bit of tweaking it could well have been a hit. I think I was amazed as it was the first big giveaway game show on TV with an impressively big set.
But watching it only makes you realise what a legend Bob was and how sad it is that he has died. As some of you have already said, he had such a varied career and was truly multi-talented. And who'd thought that he would invent the iPad on Raise the Roof years before Steve Jobs did.
But in all seriousness, although the show was a bit of a turkey it certainly gave ITV the idea of a big win game show with a little bit of tension... so no coincidence that Raise the Roof was directed by Jonathan Bullen who later would direct a certain millionaire making show.
I too have a episode if anyone would like it. Pm me.
:-(
A former member
Another Ep from 1983,.... full one.
8 days later
MA
Maaixuew
One thing I've always wondered, who was it that said "And now here's the host of Blockbusters..." at the start of each show?
One thing I've always wondered, who was it that said "And now here's the host of Blockbusters..." at the start of each show?
Using only the available clips of closing credits, it appears to have been actor Andrew Lodge in the early years, and later the former HTV and ATV announcer Peter Tomlinson.
