Give Us A Clue

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Give Us A Clue is a televised version of charades hosted at different times by Michael Aspel 1978-1983 and Michael Parkinson 1984-1992, with two teams: one captained by Lionel Blair and the other by Una Stubbs. Later versions of the show had Liza Goddard as captain of the girls' team. Directed and Produced by David Clark after the end of series two for nine series.

Give Us A Clue was one of Thames Television's most famous and treasured programmes which ran from 1978 to 1992. Give Us A Clue in the early days was famous for occupying an early evening slot, usually around 5.15 pm, each weekday, when ITV didn't have so many shows and relied on repeats as well, it was also a common feature to remain during the Christmas/New Year schedules. The show moved in 1987, to an early morning slot, left vacant by ITV Schools until it's demise.

[edit] Gameplay

The game was based on charades, a party game where players used mime rather than speaking to demonstrate a name, phrase, book, play, film or TV programme. Each player was given roughly two minutes to act out their given subject in front of his/her team, and if the others were unsuccessful in guessing correctly, the opposing team would have a chance to answer for a bonus point.

The original theme tune was called Chicken Man which was also the theme tune of Grange Hill. However, while Grange Hill used the original recording of Chicken Man, Give Us A Clue used a less dynamic custom arrangement more in keeping with the style of light entertainment programming. In 1982 David Clark took over as producer/director and commissioned an entirely new theme tune, then in 1987 a new vocalised theme tune was used up until the show ended in 1992.

The programme has been repeated on satellite TV. It is also often parodied in British comedy, even to this day. It is frequently referred to by Humphrey Lyttelton, chairman of BBC radio's long-running 'antidote to panel games', I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, during a round of Sound Charades — usually with a gay innuendo-laden gag at the expense of Lionel Blair.

A licensed version of it aired in New Zealand in the 1990s. SVT in Sweden broadcast their own version with the title Gaster med gester.