Flying Fish Fingers Day

Come on, someone. Light us up!

My most favourite ever era of the BBC Nine O’clock News. Stunning in every aspect (year considered): graphics. Music. Set. Presenters.

Just stunning.

Even better when Moira would do a Monday and a Friday........

Personally, I think the Nazi swastika titles - um, you know what I mean, the 1989 titles - should get the label "stunning". I was really stunned by them as a kid.

As an ITN fan, the fish fingers titles were nice enough for me at the time, but I far preferred ITN's looks.

Then, after not seeing those fish fingers titles for about 25 years, I got a bit emotional seeing and hearing that opener again a few years ago.

"The 9 O'Clock News from the BBC, with Julia Somerville and John Humphrys...."

I preferred the 88 titles (screamed 'authoritative'), but in time I've grown to like/appreciate the flying fish fingers. George Fenton did a great job with the theme.

I love this theme. It was before my time, but the whole of the 1980s was awesome for television news themes, not just the BBC but across the whole spectrum. Today is just so bland in comparison.

This is still the very best clip: https://youtu.be/tf0bSU4nW1I?t=25

Haha. This is brilliant! I’ve never seen that before. I’m sure some current day people would love that to happen to John Humphrys........

(As an aside: Elaine C. Smith is Cilla?)

They may get their chance on Thursday morning since (in news that will delight the BBC Accounts) he's retiring from Today!