Indoor League
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Revision as of 14:47, 11 June 2006
Synopsis
For reasons time has since forgot, ITV was exceptionally proud of its much more regional existence compared to the primarily London-based BBC.
Many of its 1970s shows were abashedly working class (Coronation Street being an excellent example), and they don't get more redneck than this. Which other programme would have with an overweight bloke with his shirt hanging out as its logo?
Remember: no spinning, nowThe Indoor League must have been the most non-PC shows ever aired on children's television. Even at the age of about 13, back in the mid 70's this was hardly suitable entertainment for impressionable kiddies who had just switched over from Blue Peter at 5:15 on a Thursday evening.
The intriguing aspect is that it was never clear whether it was intended as children's programme in the first place, or whether it bombed so spectacularly that it was relegated to the early evening. Remember all you under 25's, there were no daytime TV graveyard slots back then.
Cricketing hero, Fred TruemanSo, in brief what was it all about? It started with the camera panning around Fred Truman swigging a pint of bitter (always a promising start on kids TV!). A typical evening's entertainment revolved around a knock out contest in various pub games, some of which do not seem to exist anymore.
Shove ha'penny, a traditional English game somewhat made more difficult by there not being ha'pennies any moreBar billiards was always a favourite - played on a sloping table with a timer running. The idea was pot the ball without knocking over a number of "mushrooms" placed on the table which resulted in severe penalties. If the ball was not potted it ran back to be re-struck. If it went into a pocket, it rolled back down a chute. When the timer ran out, the ball didn't come back.
The bar billiards was followed by arm-wrestling. Two gentleman with arms the size of small airships would inevitably end in stalemate with one guy having his wrist forced onto the table, but the other guy being unable to push the hand flat. Several minutes of air-time could be spent with no noticeable movement, except the odd grunt to show the players were still alive.
Now place the ring on the bride's fingerNine ball pool came next. This was an odd Brit version of the game which mankind has never seem before or since. It was played with yellow and red balls (presumably a black must have figured in the picture) but there were no dots and stripes as we all are familiar with now. Rest assured, for the original 15-ball game was also played.
This advanced version used an invisible cue ballHere's where things get a bit hazy, but there was also nine-pin bowling and weird skittles-type games. Darts was also featured heavily, bringing to light for the first time several World Champions to be. We're sure there were other games - dominoes might be one - but too many brain cells have bitten the dust to recall clearly. Maybe it's the beer.
Catchphrases
Signoff: "I'll see thee"
Trivia
The original producer was Mr Darts himself, Sid Waddell.
Web links
Pictures
Picture 1 - Ha, who needs Playstation 2?
Picture 2 - "101 in 6 darts or more..."
Picture 3 - That's one way to hold it...
Picture 4 - Women playing darts? Whatever next?
Picture 5 - Nope, not a clue what this is.***
Picture 6 - A frenzied crowd looks on***Footnote: Ian Dolby adds: "I thought you might like to know that Picture 5 is actually a Northamptonshire Skittle alley with some of the skittles knocked over. The idea of the game is to throw a two inch thick, 5 inch diameter disk called a cheese at the skittles in order to knock them over. This is a very dangerous game when played by novices as they are usually crap and this results it the cheese hitting the padded sides or front of the table and flying off in random directions around the pub. I have lost many a good pint in this way."
