There was a certain familiarity about the 1999-2004 theme music and studio/graphics package that linked nicely with the consistent 4 presenters of the period. I really liked the 2004-2006 theme too - very Mike Oldfield-esque.
I hope that they have now satisfied the "Music Makers" kids who appear to have kicked up a bit of a fuss that their version wasn't used on screen by using it for a series, but now is the time to revamp the titles, theme and even the word mark, because the Blue
Peter
type has been around since the 1999 revamp too.
The present titles really are odious. I don't care what the presenters' favourite foods or animals are. I always thought it was a bit odd, having the presenters' names in the titles.
I quite like the idea of a semi-live-action sequence, with the presenters darting around a ship in choppy waters, wearing orange Macks and hauling sails up the mast. I also liked the 'coming up' beds over the titles,
Top Gear
-stylee.
I disagree Jonathan - I think for a show where the presenters are so important to the show, where the line-up is so fixed, it seems natural to have their names within the title sequence. However I do agree that to start extending this idea to produce a mini Wikipedia-style entry is silly. I think a great title sequence was from 2004, and its predecessor, as they felt smart, yet fun and set a good tone.
I still feel that the 1999 look was amazing. It took the show forwards by years in terms of theme tune (even though it was stepping back in a way to the orchestra as opposed to the previous stomp version), the set design which was great, and I don't think it would look odd if it came back today, and the reinvention of the ship. I thought that it was a great way to lead into the new millennium with a new take on an old logo. I know that many weren't fans of it, but I loved it.
I still remember on the first episode of this look (or was it on the first friday show?) where Konnie went behind the scenes looking at the orchestra and the design team.
I wonder if the background on the Andy and sillouettes in the final show is anything like the background. If you didn't see it, it was essentially the sail shapes of the logo in 3D and animating around him, each turning through 360 degree circles, and beyond.
Even though the studio is smaller, I hope that they go back to a simpler curtained background and a modular set to use for what bit they need. It will most probably make the studio seem a whole lot bigger, and of course it could also be used for other programmes, though the only other studio based live show I can think of is TMi.
I agree - the bubbles look really worked well for the programme and it was an excellent revamp, and the first time too the presenters featured in special shots in the programme.
Slightly off topic... but these quotes were all lifted word for word from an interview Biddy Baxter did with the magazine section of The Times last Saturday.
Rather surprised that the news section of The Times missed its own story... and rather sad that a rival paper printed them a week later.
She's absolutely right though. It's as if they're deliberately letting the show go "pear-shaped". That and despite the fact times have changed rapidly within the last few years.
1. They (i.e. CBBC Management) don't want to have to cope with a regular almost year-round, in-house, multiple-episode a week studio show when they move to Salford. If BP is no longer in production they can fill the air time with shorter runs (in-house staffed by freelance or independents) that require far fewer core staff, and don't require a permanent studio commitment. Of course it would also make a bit of a mockery of moving CBBC to Salford if one of their main shows was canned rather than moving (and replaced by something commissioned - possibly by an indy in London...)
2. The new-broom team are from the bit of CBBC that doesn't really "get" Blue Peter, and is trying to "fix it". Whereas in reality Blue Peter has only ever attracted a portion of the audience - and if you don't cater to them and aim for a different audience, which probably won't watch anyway, you end up losing the loyal audience you had...
Whether the 1 and 2 are linked or 1 is being implemented by following 2 who knows.
What is clear is that the current Blue Peter is a sad, pale imitation of what it once was. It isn't just the loss of the "big" studio - though the current set is very Saturday Morning and unambitious (by filling the studio with visual clutter you close off imagination - rather than stimulating it - and are able to do far fewer and far less varied items) - it is also the change in style, content and... DNA - for want of a better word - of the show.
Wouldn't bet on it hitting it's 55th birthday...
Interesting that Newsround have already announced an early move of part of their team to Salford. It will be interesting to see how they make Newsround in Salford (if they move everything) - as they are currently very integrated into the BBC News operation (for graphics, editing, agency feeds etc.) A lot of this stuff will be accessible in Salford via networking - but not all of it - and they certainly wouldn't be able to justify a studio of the current size and quality. (Office/office-studio based presentation likely I would imagine...)
Couldn't Newsround just share with North West Tonight. Only issue would be bulletins between 6-7pm on CBBC, but I'm sure they could find a cupboard somewhere.
Hasn't the "early move" that has been announced just one reporter moving to be based in Salford? I don't remember any suggestion the programme itself would be coming from there, although I could be wrong...