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When I first saw that video uploaded, I thought Michael’s intro was let down by the big gap between his supposedly cut off announcement and the show actually starting.

In a world with perfect timing, or if the intro was just pre-recorded as part of L&K itself, then maybe it would look like this:




They did a very good job of taking the existing graphics and music, and updating them to be more modern and also have that coolness/edginess that they wanted to add to the programme. If only the rest of the show was like that…

Surely his own fault as there would have been a countdown in his ear.

At least he paid attention to the countdowns, unlike some other presenters over the years. its known David Frost used to sometimes completely ignore them. There are examples on YouTube mostly from TV-am but I get the impression even by 1983 it had become an occasional habit of his.

Of course going the other way, it's documented Bruce Forsyth when he was on Strictly didn't use an earpiece; so all the VT cues had to be communicated to him old-school by the floor manager above/below the camera.

I’m pretty sure that similar to the breakfast show (which often had gaps) continuity links for the morning were recorded (unless it was a school holiday, Saturday Aardvark/Planet Saturday/Sunday full morning equivalent)

The energy of that start of L&K could have been improved going straight into the titles, having a quick sketch about snakes and into the performance. I liked the branding in 2000 as it refreshed the show, but I feel that they were let down by the writing a little. Plus I feel in hindsight that Katy & Trey could have worked better in a Zoe & Jamie style duo.

Yes, the CBBC links were recorded. It's not such a great way to end a recorded link as it needs timing perfectly. It might have been that they ended the clip without a hold on it so he wasn't stood there looking silly.... and then the cut happened too slow

This conversation has led to a charming comment from a YouTube user on one of my videos, arguing that we’re idiots and that it was actually SMTV that was crap and Ant, Dec and Cat have “no talent whatsoever”.

Alright Ortis, pipe down.

It was hardly a high octane start to the programme, talking in a quiet tone for 2 mins, thats not to mention the fact that the feature seems a bit odd. How is appearing with a snake 'low'?

Jessica Ennis, goodnight.

The comment has now been deleted, so I will preserve it here for posterity. (Also, apparently Otis the Aardvark presented L&K? I don't remember that).

Are you not sure that is the infamous BBC Television account, who was banned on here in January?

I am pretty sure, yes, unless you can find me another user who thinks SMTV was crap and L&K 2000-1 was better.