It'll Never Work
Encyclopedia
It'll Never Work was a television programme for children showcasing new inventions and developments in scientific technology. Produced by Roy Milani for BBC Children's, the show ran for seven series between 9 November 1993 and 23 August 1999 on weekdays within the Children's BBC, later CBBC
, strand on BBC One
. It'll Never Work was presented throughout its run by children's television presenter Sally Gray
, who would go on to present children's quiz 50/50
, Jez Nelson
, who would go on to front the related primetime BBC technology series Tomorrow's World
, and science presenter Angela Lamont. This team was augmented during later series by presenters Adrian Johnson (series 5, 1997) and Rick Adams
(series 6, 1998).
For each episode the presenters travelled worldwide to discover new gadgets and to test out whether new inventions worked or not, hence the show's title. Depeche Mode
's 1984 hit single "People Are People
" was used as the theme music.
The show was critically and commercially lauded, winning the 1994 BAFTA TV Award
in the category of 'Best Children's Programme (Factual)' for Roy Milani, and nominated again in the same category the following year. The series moreover achieved ratings of up to four million viewers.
. The first six series each consisted of six episodes of 25 minutes length and were screened as part of Children's BBC's autumn season, running on Tuesday afternoons in the six weeks before school Christmas holidays. The final series in 1999 comprised only five episodes and was screened on Mondays as part of CBBC
's line-up for school summer holidays. All episodes premiered in the 4:35pm slot preceding Newsround
.
in London on 17 March 1996, with the judging panel including astronomer Patrick Moore
. This segment returned in the same form a year later on 16 March 1997, featuring Kevin Warwick
.
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
, strand on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. It'll Never Work was presented throughout its run by children's television presenter Sally Gray
Sally Gray (television presenter)
Sally Gray MBE is a British television presenter.- Education and early career :Gray earned a BA Degree in Communication and Media Studies from Queen Margaret College University in Edinburgh. After graduation Gray began to work behind the scenes at the BBC, and soon after, entered a BBC Journalism...
, who would go on to present children's quiz 50/50
50/50
50/50 is a British children's game show that is broadcasted on BBC1. It was broadcast from 7 April 1997 to 12 July 2005. It has two schools in the UK put forward 50 students...
, Jez Nelson
Jez Nelson
-Education:Nelson was educated at Dulwich College , followed by the University of London, during which time he first became a DJ.-Career:...
, who would go on to front the related primetime BBC technology series Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
, and science presenter Angela Lamont. This team was augmented during later series by presenters Adrian Johnson (series 5, 1997) and Rick Adams
Rick Adams (television presenter)
Rick Mark Adams is an English television presenter and online radio DJ.- Early career :...
(series 6, 1998).
For each episode the presenters travelled worldwide to discover new gadgets and to test out whether new inventions worked or not, hence the show's title. Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
's 1984 hit single "People Are People
People Are People
"People Are People" is Depeche Mode's tenth UK single it was their first hit single in the US and the first single for the Some Great Reward album....
" was used as the theme music.
The show was critically and commercially lauded, winning the 1994 BAFTA TV Award
British Academy Television Awards
The British Academy Television Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts . They have been awarded annually since 1954, and are analogous to the Emmy Awards in the United States.-Background:...
in the category of 'Best Children's Programme (Factual)' for Roy Milani, and nominated again in the same category the following year. The series moreover achieved ratings of up to four million viewers.
Series
There were seven series of It'll Never Work produced in total, all appearing on BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. The first six series each consisted of six episodes of 25 minutes length and were screened as part of Children's BBC's autumn season, running on Tuesday afternoons in the six weeks before school Christmas holidays. The final series in 1999 comprised only five episodes and was screened on Mondays as part of CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
's line-up for school summer holidays. All episodes premiered in the 4:35pm slot preceding Newsround
Newsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
.
- First series: 9 November – 14 December 1993
- Second series: 8 November – 13 December 1994
- Third series: 7 November – 12 December 1995
- Fourth series: 12 November – 17 December 1996
- Fifth series: 11 November – 16 December 1997
- Sixth series: 17 November – 22 December 1998
- Seventh series: 26 July – 23 August 1999
Design Awards
The third series introduced a competition for young inventors to submit ideas to the It'll Never Work Design Awards. The first awards ceremony was televised from the Science MuseumScience Museum (London)
The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
in London on 17 March 1996, with the judging panel including astronomer Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore, CBE, FRS, FRAS is a British amateur astronomer who has attained prominent status in astronomy as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter of the subject, and who is credited as having done more than any other person to raise the profile of...
. This segment returned in the same form a year later on 16 March 1997, featuring Kevin Warwick
Kevin Warwick
Kevin Warwick is a British scientist and professor of cybernetics at the University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom...
.
External links
- It'll Never Work at the BFIBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...