Opportunity Knocks

Revision as of 07:43, 2 September 2007

Synopsis

Infamous talent show featuring the infamous "clap-o-meter", which apparently was just a man moving a pointer around on a whim.

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.

The 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 Mary Hopkin, Bonnie Langford, Les Dawson, Pam Ayres, Little and Large, Bobby Crush, Peters and Lee, Lena Zavaroni, Tom O'Connor, Frank Carson, Stan Boardman and Freddie Starr. Many of them appeared on the very final show.

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.

According to Hughie Green's 1965 autobiography, acts who were auditioned but turned down for the radio version included Alma Cogan and Tony Hancock.

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 LP

Web links

TV Cream

Pictures

The obligatory light entertainment staircase

Little and Large, an Op Knocks "discovery"

Host Hughie Green stands up to be counted

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