Andrew O'Connor's Joke Machine (1987)
Vložit
- čas přidán 14. 02. 2012
- I may not be looking hard enough, but I can't find a single trace of this show anywhere else on the whole of CZcams (or most of the rest of the internet, for that matter). I used to love this programme, with its quick-fire gags, Charles the oh-so-futuristic talking supercomputer, and the odd bit of magic thrown in. I wonder how kids today would react to a show like this. Either way, it's all good fun, and a pleasant surprise at the end of a VHS tape that I thought was my Dad's. I'm reliably informed in the comments that the broadcast date was Tuesday, 6th October, 1987.
I'd forgotten the theme music, but as soon as I heard it it was instantly familiar. How come no-one does jolly sing-along intros any more? Don't miss the silly credits at the end, too.
For good measure, I've left in what I have on my tape of the CITV in-vision continuity from Network Control, featuring Gary (of Gary and Debbie fame - though where Debbie's gone is a mystery lost in the mists of time). Before the show he holds up something a viewer has sent in (I wonder if kids still do that sort of thing...), and afterwards he tells us to stay tuned for Bellamy's Bugle. Sadly, I didn't. I don't actually remember much about that one, apart from David Bellamy and his computer. I wonder who won the Hue and Cry record draw...
Incidentally, although Andrew O'Connor is probably best known (if he's recognised at all) for being a 90s gameshow presenter, from these comedy beginnings he went on to form the production company responsible for the masterpiece that is Peep Show. Believe it or not.
(Please remember that this is an off-air VHS recording, so don't go expecting 1080p HD quality. I'm fairly certain that this video isn't commercially available, and I've uploaded it for its historic interest only. That said, if you are a copyright holder and object, please don't hesitate to contact me.) - Zábava
I adored Andrew when I was younger
I worked with Andrew in the 80’s on Les & Mertal Osmon tours with Bradley Walsh. X
I'm on this one with my junior school friends 😂😂😂
Really? What a claim to fame! It looks like it would have been a fun day out - I hope it was.
Sounds like the sort of thing kids dream about! Being on the telly - or even having a letter read out or picture shown on air - was a much bigger deal in those days. I can't believe so many of these 80s kids' classics are missing from CZcams.
ITV will definitely run you off a copy if they have it in their archive, but they'll probably try to charge you over £100 for the privilege. Do try out your video in the loft - if my Joke Machine tape has survived, your Bellamy's Bugle one may have.
Oooh, that description of an "animated pair of lips on a monitor" definitely rings a bell. For some reason I was thinking along the lines of Bellamy's Bugle being an On Safari (the Christopher Biggins show) rip-off, but you've stirred a long-dormant memory, there - thanks! :-)
Great clip, I hope that there is more to come from you like this, this is from 6 October 1987. Gary Terzza is now an announcer on Channel 4. As well as being the co-creator of Peep Show, Andrew O'Connor also directed the Mitchell & Webb comedy film "Magicians" and he is an accomplished magician himself, as he proved here.
He won Young Magician of the year when he was 18.
@TVajb Thanks for that - but how in the world can you be so accurate with the date? Impressive. Oh, and there will definitely be some more CITV stuff uploaded by me as I unearth it. :-)
We're not in this episode, but I remember my class taking part in one of those at the Border studios...
Fun day out? Sounds better than any of the school trips I ever went on!
Oh my days I’m on here 🙈
Really?! Did you get to tell a joke or anything? I'd have loved to have been on something like this. I hope you had fun!
VideotapeFTW yeah I’m the one with the girl doing the long joke about will you remember me in one days time ... 😂 from what I remember it was fun!
@TVajb Good work, Holmes! ;-) There doesn't seem to be any Stop That Laughing at the Back on CZcams, which is a pity, because I remember really liking it (apart from Hue and Cry). On the plus side, I've just uncovered some Rod Hull and Emu from around this period, so I'll try to get that uploaded in the next week or so.
The theme tune was the only bit of this that I do remember lol
@VideotapeFTW Well there were enough clues in the clip. Gary says that episode 2 of "Stop That Laughing At The Back" was tomorrow, so I looked up when episode 1 was shown, which was 30 September 1987. Episode 2 was a week later which was 7 October, so that being "tomorrow" in this clip must make it 6 October. I'll definitely look forward to more CITV clips from you, as many others will I hope, it's great seeing videos like this on CZcams.
...And then out of the ethos, just while I was casually going about my day to day business, the name Charlotte suddenly popped into my mind. The computer's name was Charlotte.
Wow - how on Earth did you come to be in an episode of Bellamy's Bugle? What was it like? We need to document this sort of stuff for future generations. :-) (And do you happen to have a recording of it?)
I can remember Bellamy's Bugle fairly well, although in a foggy sort of jumbled up way. It was a nature show (what else?) and David Bellamy would go on little quests with his computer friend, who was an animated pair of lips on a monitor called either Susan or Barbara, I think.
Sometimes, with the help of a little magic from his computer, he'd shrink down and explore little things, like ants and stuff, on their level.
And he once row'd a boat.
I challenge anyone to give more detail than that! XD
@TheGameshowfanatic Looking at this, I'm surprised he didn't do more kids' TV...
I was on series 1 with the Krankies and have had no luck being able to find a copy my brother was also on Andrew O'connors series. Did you have any luck on obtaining a copy if so any details you could give would be appreciated.
I remember him on family catchphrase
wesley cracknell Yeah, he did a few gameshows - Talk About being the other that springs to mind. He's now a comedy producer, but this is how he got started all those years ago. :-)
I remeber
It isn't actually! He was a child actor in The Canal Children, & won Young magician of the year at 18. He was spotted for the tv show Copycats, went on to joke machine & morning children's shows like No 73, and, On The Waterfront. Briefly stood in for Chris Evans on The Big Breakfast. Wrote and hosted several game shows including Family Catchphrase, One to Win, Talkabout, The Alphabet Game, etc. Starred in musicals....Billy, Me and my Girl, & Barnum. He gave up performing in 1997, and is a successful USA based producer & director.
Don't make them like that any more, do they? ;-)
@Bloop, I remember the theme tune and opening titles as well as the Border ITV ident logo funnily enough, and Andrew O'Connor himself who is connected to Channel 4's comedy, Peep Show. Haha. 😄
Yes, he's been a producer or executive producer on loads of excellent stuff - in a way, it's a pity that if Andrew's remembered for anything, it's as a gameshow host. (Not that he was bad at that, but he's done so much more.)
He was fantastic in musicals too!!
@TVajb Thanks for that - but how in the world can you be so accurate with the date? Impressive. Oh, and there will definitely be some more CITV stuff uploaded by me as I unearth it. :-)