:-(
A former member
Davina did turn up in a David Calendar.
CY
One of the strangest stories I’ve heard about Studio D is that for a long time the BBC didn’t realise they owned it! So it was sitting idle!
Studio D was also The Muppet Show studio which is pretty iconic in itself. (Incidentally, Statler & Waldorf's balcony is still visible in the studio, minus the decor)
One of the strangest stories I’ve heard about Studio D is that for a long time the BBC didn’t realise they owned it! So it was sitting idle!
JA
I don't think that can be true, can it? They were certainly using it in the 80s, an entire series of Allo Allo was made there.
CY
That is a good set. Was it last Comic Relief or Sport Relief that came from that dreadful location?
Comic Relief 2017 came from Building Six at The O2. It had a bar which meant annoying background chatter leading to Lenny Henry telling people to shut up.
It was less slick than recent years which is what a lot of people actually wanted, a return to the rough live broadcasting of the early years, but unfortunately a lot of the acts and sketches weren’t very funny at all, with very little reaction from the audience. All leading to a very dead atmosphere. (The choice of acts didn’t help - I like Toast of London but putting it on BBC One primetime was a bold move).
That’s the one Phil. It was awful because it wasn’t in a studio. Looked a shoddy production from The O2. After the 2017 debacle they brought in somebody specifically to make the fundraiser show better.
The set is incredible! It reminds me of the old days at Television Centre.
That is a good set. Was it last Comic Relief or Sport Relief that came from that dreadful location?
Comic Relief 2017 came from Building Six at The O2. It had a bar which meant annoying background chatter leading to Lenny Henry telling people to shut up.
It was less slick than recent years which is what a lot of people actually wanted, a return to the rough live broadcasting of the early years, but unfortunately a lot of the acts and sketches weren’t very funny at all, with very little reaction from the audience. All leading to a very dead atmosphere. (The choice of acts didn’t help - I like Toast of London but putting it on BBC One primetime was a bold move).
That’s the one Phil. It was awful because it wasn’t in a studio. Looked a shoddy production from The O2. After the 2017 debacle they brought in somebody specifically to make the fundraiser show better.
:-(
A former member
I don't think that can be true, can it? They were certainly using it in the 80s, an entire series of Allo Allo was made there.
Series 5? That was what 1987? so 4 years after?
CY
Yeah, it came from a theatre in Central London.
Tonight, it's from a proper studio, Elstree Studios!
And what a difference it makes coming from a studio. I really like Studio D at Elstree. Has a TVC1 feel but is bigger. Saying that, I always felt that Studio 1 at Thd London Studios was the gold standard for entertainment shows. There is something about the big audience and the way the audience was heard through the mics that created an electric atmosphere.
That is a good set. Was it last Comic Relief or Sport Relief that came from that dreadful location?
Yeah, it came from a theatre in Central London.
Tonight, it's from a proper studio, Elstree Studios!
And what a difference it makes coming from a studio. I really like Studio D at Elstree. Has a TVC1 feel but is bigger. Saying that, I always felt that Studio 1 at Thd London Studios was the gold standard for entertainment shows. There is something about the big audience and the way the audience was heard through the mics that created an electric atmosphere.
AN
Comic Relief 2017 came from Building Six at The O2. It had a bar which meant annoying background chatter leading to Lenny Henry telling people to shut up.
It was less slick than recent years which is what a lot of people actually wanted, a return to the rough live broadcasting of the early years, but unfortunately a lot of the acts and sketches weren’t very funny at all, with very little reaction from the audience. All leading to a very dead atmosphere. (The choice of acts didn’t help - I like Toast of London but putting it on BBC One primetime was a bold move).
That’s the one Phil. It was awful because it wasn’t in a studio. Looked a shoddy production from The O2. After the 2017 debacle they brought in somebody specifically to make the fundraiser show better.
I also recall what seemed like half the show was taken up by Richard Osman’s World Cup of biscuits, which might be mildly amusing as a bit of ironic fun on twitter but didn’t translate well as part of a big live show.
Most of the hosts who did the 2017 show haven’t been asked back this year.
Andrew
Founding member
That is a good set. Was it last Comic Relief or Sport Relief that came from that dreadful location?
Comic Relief 2017 came from Building Six at The O2. It had a bar which meant annoying background chatter leading to Lenny Henry telling people to shut up.
It was less slick than recent years which is what a lot of people actually wanted, a return to the rough live broadcasting of the early years, but unfortunately a lot of the acts and sketches weren’t very funny at all, with very little reaction from the audience. All leading to a very dead atmosphere. (The choice of acts didn’t help - I like Toast of London but putting it on BBC One primetime was a bold move).
That’s the one Phil. It was awful because it wasn’t in a studio. Looked a shoddy production from The O2. After the 2017 debacle they brought in somebody specifically to make the fundraiser show better.
I also recall what seemed like half the show was taken up by Richard Osman’s World Cup of biscuits, which might be mildly amusing as a bit of ironic fun on twitter but didn’t translate well as part of a big live show.
Most of the hosts who did the 2017 show haven’t been asked back this year.
JK
Yeah, it came from a theatre in Central London.
Tonight, it's from a proper studio, Elstree Studios!
And what a difference it makes coming from a studio. I really like Studio D at Elstree. Has a TVC1 feel but is bigger. Saying that, I always felt that Studio 1 at Thd London Studios was the gold standard for entertainment shows. There is something about the big audience and the way the audience was heard through the mics that created an electric atmosphere.
Funny though that TLS Studio 1 was around 3,000 Sq Ft smaller than BBC Elstree Studio D.
Studio D was also used from 1988-1993 for You Rang M'lord. The sitcom used Studio D out of necessity was their was a strike at BBC Television Centre and production of the pilot moved it to Elstree, and they liked the size of the studio and remained there for the whole run.
Yeah, it came from a theatre in Central London.
Tonight, it's from a proper studio, Elstree Studios!
And what a difference it makes coming from a studio. I really like Studio D at Elstree. Has a TVC1 feel but is bigger. Saying that, I always felt that Studio 1 at Thd London Studios was the gold standard for entertainment shows. There is something about the big audience and the way the audience was heard through the mics that created an electric atmosphere.
Funny though that TLS Studio 1 was around 3,000 Sq Ft smaller than BBC Elstree Studio D.
Studio D was also used from 1988-1993 for You Rang M'lord. The sitcom used Studio D out of necessity was their was a strike at BBC Television Centre and production of the pilot moved it to Elstree, and they liked the size of the studio and remained there for the whole run.
CY
Series 5? That was what 1987? so 4 years after?
I think this was in the late nineties or early noughties when the BBC forgot they had Studio D. It was mentioned in an article about studio refurbishment that BBC Studioworks publsihed. They talked about reupholstering the seating. I’m sure it was mentioned on this forum and think I’ve found the thread. This was from 2013.
I don't think that can be true, can it? They were certainly using it in the 80s, an entire series of Allo Allo was made there.
Series 5? That was what 1987? so 4 years after?
I think this was in the late nineties or early noughties when the BBC forgot they had Studio D. It was mentioned in an article about studio refurbishment that BBC Studioworks publsihed. They talked about reupholstering the seating. I’m sure it was mentioned on this forum and think I’ve found the thread. This was from 2013.
BBC Studios have converted some sound stages at Elstree Film Studios for the time TVC is under redevelopment and I assume will use BBC Elstree Studios for some audience stuff (the plush audience seating in Studio D was refurbished recently after almost 20 years of disuse).
Before:
http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/images/elstree%20d%20seating%20450p.gif
After:
http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/images/elstree%20d%20new%20seating%20oli%20lifely%20450p.jpg
Pictures from the excellent TV Studio History site www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm
Before:
http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/images/elstree%20d%20seating%20450p.gif
After:
http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/images/elstree%20d%20new%20seating%20oli%20lifely%20450p.jpg
Pictures from the excellent TV Studio History site www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm