Give Us a Clue
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| Give Us a Clue | |
|---|---|
| Format | Game Show |
| Starring | Michael Aspel (1979 - 1983) Michael Parkinson (1984 - 1992) Tim Clark (BBC One) |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 Minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV (1979 - 1992) BBC One (10 November - 19 December 1997) |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original run | 2 January 1979 – 19 December 1997 |
Give Us a Clue is a televised game show version of charades that first aired on ITV from 1979 to 1992. It was first hosted by Michael Aspel from 1979 to 1983 then Michael Parkinson from 1984 to 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. A revived version was attempted by BBC One, which ran from 10 November to 19 December 1997 and commissioned 30 episodes, it was hosted by Tim Clark. Teams were captained by Christopher Blake and Julie Peasgood and the show tried to introduce a lateral thinking puzzle (which the host could "give clues to").
Contents |
[edit] Format
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.
[edit] Broadcasting
In its early days it 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 after its demise.
[edit] Theme music
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, 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.
[edit] Trivia
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.
[edit] Other versions
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.
[edit] External links
- Give Us a Clue at UKGameshows.com
