Opportunity Knocks
(→Trivia: Spike appeared as a trumpet impressionist.) |
(→Trivia: End of BBC series, tidy Didsbury studio.) |
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<div class="image">[[Image:Opportunity Knocks Tom O'Connor.jpg|400px]]''Tom O'Connor, one of the show's most successful discoveries''</div> | <div class="image">[[Image:Opportunity Knocks Tom O'Connor.jpg|400px]]''Tom O'Connor, one of the show's most successful discoveries''</div> | ||
| - | Among the more memorable acts to have appeared were Mr and Mrs Hubert Bell, a "hand balancing" act from Leeds; and Bruce Thompson, a one-man-band from Newbiggin-on-Sea, who went on to do the studio warm-up for [[Every Second Counts]]. | + | Among the more memorable acts to have appeared were Mr and Mrs Hubert Bell, a "hand balancing" act from Leeds; and Bruce Thompson, a one-man-band from Newbiggin-on-Sea, who went on to do the studio warm-up for [[Every Second Counts]]. |
| - | ''Opportunity Knocks'' was the last programme to be produced from ABC Television's studios in Didsbury, Manchester | + | The BBC radio version came off air after just one series, and Green sued alleging corruption at the corporation. The case took five years to come to court, Green lost, and he was declared bankrupt. |
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| + | ''Opportunity Knocks'' was the last programme to be produced from ABC Television's studios in Didsbury, Manchester - the studio had been a cinema in the ABC chain. The company was forced into a merger with Associated Rediffusion to form Thames Television, and relocated its business to London. | ||
Although he was discovered on the programme that he later went onto present, Les Dawson did not win Opportunity Knocks. He won the audience vote but, according to Les's friend John Carey, the result was given to a singer who was the current girlfriend of a well known West End club owner. Les was offered a re-run on the (untrue) premise that there had been a mistake in the counting but he declined this offer and was given a ''Blackpool Night Out'' instead. He went down so well on this he was given a spot in the last show of the series and his fame started from that. | Although he was discovered on the programme that he later went onto present, Les Dawson did not win Opportunity Knocks. He won the audience vote but, according to Les's friend John Carey, the result was given to a singer who was the current girlfriend of a well known West End club owner. Les was offered a re-run on the (untrue) premise that there had been a mistake in the counting but he declined this offer and was given a ''Blackpool Night Out'' instead. He went down so well on this he was given a spot in the last show of the series and his fame started from that. | ||
Revision as of 17:16, 18 August 2009
Contents |
Host
Hughie Green (original host)
Broadcast
BBC Light Programme (radio), 18th February-30th September 1949
Radio Luxembourg, 1950s
Associated-Rediffusion for ITV, 20th June-29th August 1956
ABC for ITV, 11th July 1964-27th July 1968
Thames for ITV, 7th August 1968-20th March 1978
BBC1, 1987-90 (1987-89 as Bob Says Opportunity Knocks)
Synopsis
Infamous talent show featuring the infamous "clap-o-meter", which apparently was just a man moving a pointer around on a whim.
The studio audience clap. We rattle our jewellery.Nevertheless, it was the home audience that decided who the winner of each week was by writing in on postcards. The winning act got to come back as a returning champion of sorts.
It's looking good for Duggie ClarkThe BBC revival saw a return of the clap-o-meter (which we'd assume was a bit more scientifically measured) with the act receiving the biggest applause of the evening coming back for the live final, decided by telephone vote. Although the starometer did seem to leap forward far more for cheers than for applause.
Key moments
The TV muscle man who performed to the tune of Wheels Cha Cha was Tony Holland - see http://www.maxalding.co.uk/holland/holland.htm
Catchphrases
"Tonight, Opportunity Knocks for..."
"And I mean that most sincerely, folks."
"Remember, the clapometer is just for fun."
Monkouse era: "When opportunity comes your way, don't knock it!"
Inventor
Hughie Green devised the original format. When the BBC came back with Bob Says...', there was a legal wrangle in 1987 when Green tried to prove he held the copyright. The matter was resolved by putting his name on the credits as "programme advisor".
In 1989, Green sued the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand who had broadcast a talent show called Opportunity Knocks in 1975 and 1978. This had several similarities to Green's format including the identical title, a clapometer, and catchphrases including "For (contestant’s name)... opportunity knocks". The case was dismissed, on the grounds that Green couldn't conclusively prove that he invented these elements (the clapometer was used on other formats, for instance), particularly as there were no formal scripts and no "format bible" to express the unique elements that made up the show. The incident is still quoted as a key point of case law in format disputes.
Theme music
1960s version: Music performed by Bob Sharples and the Oppor-tunes with the ABC Television Showband.
Bob Monkhouse version: Star by Kiki Dee.
Trivia
Acts discovered through the programme include Spike Milligan, Mary Hopkin, Bonnie Langford, Les Dawson, Pam Ayres, Little and Large, Bobby Crush, Peters and Lee, Kelly Brown (later to find fame as "Feels Like I'm In Love" hitmaker Kelly Marie), Lena Zavaroni, Tom O'Connor, Frank Carson, Stan Boardman, Carol Lee Scott (of Grotbags "fame") and Freddie Starr. Many of them appeared on the very final show.
Tom O'Connor, one of the show's most successful discoveriesAmong the more memorable acts to have appeared were Mr and Mrs Hubert Bell, a "hand balancing" act from Leeds; and Bruce Thompson, a one-man-band from Newbiggin-on-Sea, who went on to do the studio warm-up for Every Second Counts.
The BBC radio version came off air after just one series, and Green sued alleging corruption at the corporation. The case took five years to come to court, Green lost, and he was declared bankrupt.
Opportunity Knocks was the last programme to be produced from ABC Television's studios in Didsbury, Manchester - the studio had been a cinema in the ABC chain. The company was forced into a merger with Associated Rediffusion to form Thames Television, and relocated its business to London.
Although he was discovered on the programme that he later went onto present, Les Dawson did not win Opportunity Knocks. He won the audience vote but, according to Les's friend John Carey, the result was given to a singer who was the current girlfriend of a well known West End club owner. Les was offered a re-run on the (untrue) premise that there had been a mistake in the counting but he declined this offer and was given a Blackpool Night Out instead. He went down so well on this he was given a spot in the last show of the series and his fame started from that.
According to Hughie Green's 1965 autobiography, acts who were auditioned but turned down for the radio version included Alma Cogan and Tony Hancock.
The Jam also failed the audition in the dying days of the 1970s version.
Collectively, by 1978 Opportunity Knocks winners had appeared on 400 network primetime shows and won 46 Gold and Silver discs for record sales.
Su Pollard (see Take the Plunge) once appeared on the show, only to be beaten by a singing dog. Her big break came somewhat later.
The pop group New World were tried at the Old Bailey for trying to fix the outcome of the show on which they appeared. They had asked friends to send in bogus votes.
Merchandise
An Opportunity Knocks - Winners! LP was released.
Advertisement for the Opportunity Knocks LPWeb links
Pictures
The obligatory light entertainment staircase
Little and Large, an Op Knocks "discovery"
Host Hughie Green stands up to be counted
No idea what's going on here
And if Bob says it, you'd better believe it.