| The Girlie Show | |
|---|---|
| Format | Magazine |
| Presented by | Sarah Cawood Claire Gorham Rachel Williams Sara Cox |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 mins |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Channel 4 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Word |
The Girlie Show was a 1990s Channel 4 television programme in the United Kingdom. Its presenters were Sarah Cawood, Claire Gorham, American Model Rachel Williams, and in her first presenting job, Sara Cox.[1][2] The programme ran for two series in 1996 and 1997.
Its magazine format allowed for interviews, live music, features, and stunts involving studio guests and the live audience.
Originally broadcast in the old The Word time slot of 10pm on a Friday night, The Girlie Show later occupied Channel 4's traditional "post-pub" time slot. As with The Word, the late night air-time meant that guests and presenters encouraged each other to be controversial.In the tradition of The Word, the show's content and its presenters were heavily hyped as being more edgy, dangerous, and 'ballsy' than other programmes on British Television.
The series was notable for being the first to feature the girl group Spice Girls.[1]
There was considerable tabloid backlash against the show due to its often amateurish production standards[3] - the presenters had little experience of live television. It was similarly castigated in the broadsheets as 'witless'. Although the intention of the producers was to cash in on the Girl Power and ladette phenomena, feminist commentators complained the show's style and content appealed to male chauvinistic stereotypes. Several so-called practical jokes on members of the audience were also clearly staged. Channel 4 subsequently placed the show at number 80 in its 100 Greatest TV Moments from Hell list.