The Tales of Television Centre (BBC Four, this Thursday)

I think hearing the stories of those working there over the years, both on-air and off-air staff - would be more interesting than some "glitzy official history" of the programme. But I think there is room for both kinds of looks back at TVC.

Which reminds me... I really should do one of those TVC tours before its too late!

The last 10 minutes of this are very interesting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01hz6n0/?t=18m13s

I'm not quite sure, why it has the CBBC branding though.

That was very interesting indeed. That technology must have been groundbreaking in 1974. I even spotted what looked like Chroma Key on the vision mixers. I suppose shows like Doctor Who were doing that at the time. I like how even though it's a childrens programme, they aren't patronising their viewers by simplifying the language. Not something you see much today.

On a different note. Lesley Judd was so cute !

Even more interesting when compared to this- in my opinion when Blue Peter was at it's prime in about 1997.

Personally, I really enjoyed this - absolutely worth the watch.

I've just booked a tour.

Really great programme. Made me desperately want to work there!

I will be doing a tour in the next few months I think. I doubt we will get the chance to get lost in the corridors, or visit the canteen etc.

I went there not so long ago to do some training, and what struck me was how big parts of the building were just abandoned. Even some parts where people were working looked unloved, I.e. tiles missing in the ceiling, rot on the walls, cable hanging from the ceiling that kind of thing. It's a shame, because its such a special building to me. It's where some of my favourite programmes from childhood to adulthood were made like Doctor Who. Visiting it was actually quite a big deal to me. I'm glad I got to visit it before it started being mothballed properly.

Who knows, maybe when the BBC go to leasing the studios, whoever owns the building may do more renovations to the backstage and production areas.

Did the tour thirty years ago - the prize in a local schools' road safety competition. Highlights were the Blue Peter garden (so small), some of the group getting lost and ending up in John Craven's Newsround studio, and me trying to tune the tvs in reception to ITV.

Edit... Oh, as well as the wonderful tour guide Roz who was so great (and patient) with us kids - as well as giving us the behind the scenes low-down on a then much-younger Moira Stuart...

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What a utter waste of money, repainting that studio every single day!

What a utter waste of money, repainting that studio every single day![/quote]

Blame the set designers. Actually the tear down of studios is common. You could commission a special carpet to be made, laid down and fixed for each edition. Or special platforms to be constructed for each show. My guess is that all of these are more expensive than just throwing down some paint.