Name That Tune (UK Gameshow)
Encyclopedia
Name That Tune is a television game show
that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs. Originating from the United States
on NBC Radio in 1952, the show was created and produced by Harry Salter and his wife Roberta
.
was the singer in the popular musical quiz Spot The Tune on Granada Television
for seven years, with a total of 209 half-hour programmes. Several star hosts including disc-jockey Pete Murray, Canadian pop singer Jackie Rae
, and comedians Ken Platt
and Ted Ray
. The big band in support was that of Peter Knight
and his Orchestra.
, UK pilot was recorded in 1976 and become a 15mins slot on the popular entertainment series London Night Out but because the game was so popular, producers Thames Television
decided to turn Name That Tune into a half-hour weekly series in 1978.
From 1976 until 1983 it was hosted by Tom O'Connor. Lionel Blair
took over for O'Connor in 1983 on until the series was dropped from the ITV schedules in 1988. Maggie Moone
sang the songs that contestants had to guess, while the pianist (whose hands were a regular feature) was Ronnie Price. Nick Jackson served as the announcer.
The rules were an exact copy of the format from 1976–1979; Melody Roulette (with amounts of £25-£100, no "CAR/PRIZE" space), followed by Sing-a-Tune (renamed Sing-a-Note), then Bid-a-Note, and finally Golden Medley Showdown; the winner then played the Mystery Tune (renamed "Prize Tune") for a bonus prize, usually a car.
as the host for 2 series in 1997 and 1998.
on ITV, with Peter Dickson as announcer.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs. Originating from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on NBC Radio in 1952, the show was created and produced by Harry Salter and his wife Roberta
Roberta Semple Salter
Roberta Semple Salter was the daughter of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson and half-sister to Aimee's other child, Rolf McPherson. Roberta was the original heir to her mother's ministry, which was later taken over by son Rolf. -Early life:Salter was born in Hong Kong, where her mother and father,...
.
History
The British version began in 1956. Marion RyanMarion Ryan
Marion Ryan was a popular British singer in the 1950s.-Career:Born Marian Ryan in Middlesbrough, England, and once called "the Marilyn Monroe of popular song", Marion Ryan was a pop singer of the 1950s in the early years of British Independent Television...
was the singer in the popular musical quiz Spot The Tune on Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
for seven years, with a total of 209 half-hour programmes. Several star hosts including disc-jockey Pete Murray, Canadian pop singer Jackie Rae
Jackie Rae
Jackie Rae, CM DFC was a Canadian singer, songwriter and television performer.He was born John Arthur Rae in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1922. Rae began performing at the age of three with his brother and sister on the vaudeville circuit in Canada...
, and comedians Ken Platt
Ken Platt
Ken Platt was a British north-country comedian.-Style:...
and Ted Ray
Ted Ray (comedian)
Ted Ray was a popular English comedian of the 1940s, 50s and 60s....
. The big band in support was that of Peter Knight
Peter Knight (composer)
Peter Knight was an English musical arranger, conductor and composer.-Career:Knight was born in Exmouth, Devon, England. He worked with Independent Television light entertainment stars from 'Spot The Tune' with Jackie Rae and Marion Ryan to the comedy series 'Home to Roost' ...
and his Orchestra.
Thames Television
It was revived later as Name That Tune on ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, UK pilot was recorded in 1976 and become a 15mins slot on the popular entertainment series London Night Out but because the game was so popular, producers Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
decided to turn Name That Tune into a half-hour weekly series in 1978.
From 1976 until 1983 it was hosted by Tom O'Connor. Lionel Blair
Lionel Blair
Lionel Blair is a British actor, choreographer, tap dancer and television presenter. He is the son of Myer Ogus and Deborah Greenbaum...
took over for O'Connor in 1983 on until the series was dropped from the ITV schedules in 1988. Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone is a singer best remembered for her role on the UK version of Name That Tune.In 1980 she participated in A Song For Europe, aiming to become the United Kingdom's entry to that year's Eurovision Song Contest to be staged in The Hague, The Netherlands...
sang the songs that contestants had to guess, while the pianist (whose hands were a regular feature) was Ronnie Price. Nick Jackson served as the announcer.
The rules were an exact copy of the format from 1976–1979; Melody Roulette (with amounts of £25-£100, no "CAR/PRIZE" space), followed by Sing-a-Tune (renamed Sing-a-Note), then Bid-a-Note, and finally Golden Medley Showdown; the winner then played the Mystery Tune (renamed "Prize Tune") for a bonus prize, usually a car.
Channel 5
In 1997, the series was revived on Five with Jools HollandJools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
as the host for 2 series in 1997 and 1998.
Other points
On May 5, 2007 the show was revived briefly for Vernon Kay's Gameshow MarathonGameshow Marathon (UK game show)
Gameshow Marathon is a British game show, broadcast from 17 September 2005 to 26 May 2007 on ITV .After a quick retrospective look at the history of the particular show, the show itself is recreated. This involved recreating the original set and using original opening programme titles, including...
on ITV, with Peter Dickson as announcer.