Hello and a warm welcome back to My 70’s TV Childhood, where we celebrate growing up in 1970s Britain and reminisce about the pivotal role television played in our lives and our families' lives back then. It was an era when TV programs were a communal social experience—before streaming and catch-up services—where being in front of the box at the right time was crucial, or you'd miss out.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their memories with us. Hearing from you means a lot, though I’m a bit behind on replies due to the demands of real life. If you want to reach out, visit our blog at www.my70stvchildhood.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn. You can also email me at oliver@my70stvchildhood.com. I'd love to hear your stories.
Work has been hectic lately, and I’m sure many of you can relate to how it sometimes overtakes our personal time. I always try to switch off on weekends, now opting for a quiet Friday evening at home with my wife, enjoying a gin and tonic and a bowl of crisps—a far cry from my teenage years spent pub-hopping with friends. It's funny how perspectives change with age, isn't it?
Thinking about Fridays in the 1970s as a child, it was always a special time—a break from school and a chance for more playtime with friends, visits to relatives, and, of course, TV. After school, it was home to catch some children’s TV, where one show in particular always reminded us that the weekend had begun:
Crackerjack!
Crackerjack was a whirlwind of comedy, music, and quizzes, all performed live in front of an audience buzzing with energy—thanks in part to the fizzy drinks likely consumed pre-show. The audience's enthusiastic shouts of "Crackerjack!" were a trademark. Michael Aspel, Don Maclean, and Bernie Clifton reflected on its magic in a Radio 4 documentary.
A BBC institution since 1955, Crackerjack had a lineup of legendary hosts: Eammon Andrews, Leslie Crowther, and later, Michael Aspel and Ed "Stewpot" Stewart. Each brought their unique style to the show, which became a Friday afternoon staple.
The heart of Crackerjack was its lively cast: Jan Hunt, Don Maclean (not the singer!), and the unforgettable Peter Glaze. Glaze’s comedic timing and music hall roots made him a standout, whether he was doing a quick double take or enduring Maclean’s drumbeat on his stomach.
The show wasn’t just laughs; it featured big-name musical guests and a beloved quiz segment, Double or Drop, where children from the audience faced off in increasingly difficult questions—balancing prizes with the risk of accumulating cabbages.
As the show closed with its signature pencil giveaway, the weekend truly began. Crackerjack was a Friday institution, spanning generations until its 1984 finale, evolving with new hosts like Stu Francis and introducing quirky acts like The Krankies.
Share your Crackerjack memories with us on our blog, social media, or via email. Join us next week for our 70’s TV quiz and in two weeks for another podcast episode.
Take care,
Oliver
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