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Post by AdminSTB on May 5, 2019 10:31:24 GMT
What a contrast between the political situation 40 years ago and now.
Despite the historical significance of that election, I actually think the coverage on that show was somewhat dull - few declarations broadcast, slow counting due to the council elections held on that day. But crucially, more detailed in its analysis than we would expect in a general election show these days.
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on May 5, 2019 11:51:14 GMT
I just hope (but don't expect) they've done a new transfer of the original tapes. The version they normally show is squashed vertically.
A few years ago BBC Four showed the overnight coverage in full resolution. I recorded it but accidentally deleted it a few days later.
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Post by afleitch on May 5, 2019 11:53:27 GMT
I wish ITV/ITN would give rights to BBC Parliament to show their coverage of past elections. It would probably only take a few phonecalls somewhere.
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Post by Andrew_S on May 5, 2019 12:45:08 GMT
What a contrast between the political situation 40 years ago and now. Despite the historical significance of that election, I actually think the coverage on that show was somewhat dull - few declarations broadcast, slow counting due to the council elections held on that day. But crucially, more detailed in its analysis than we would expect in a general election show these days. I agree about it being dull. It wasn't David Dimbleby's fault, he did a fairly good job with his first time as main presenter. It's just that the studio had a very closed-in, claustrophobic feel to it; there seemed to be fewer outside broadcasts than even the 1960s shows, let alone 1970 and 1974; there were less guests in the studio, less fellow analysts with David Butler, and David Butler himself seemed very subdued compared to previous shows. The whole thing seemed to have been organised on a much smaller budget than usual. There wasn't much of an air of excitement as there has been at almost ever other BBC election show, although 1983 was also a little boring in some ways. I'd like to see ITN's 1979 programme because I suspect it was far better on that occasion, but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere, not even any short clips. |
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Post by pragmaticidealist on May 5, 2019 13:22:37 GMT
The 1979 programme was arguably both the end of an era and the start of a new one. It was the first general election programme presented by David Dimbleby and the first, I think, to have detailed computer graphics. On the other hand it marked the final appearances of both David Butler and Robert McKenzie (although the former would still later appear on other channels on election night). It was also the last time that a individual constituency poll (in this case in Derby North) was conducted for the programme for the purposes of indicating the overall result.
But yes, it was a pretty dull programme, even though it had an 'interesting' result. One might point to the inevitable nature of the result, but even 1983 felt more interesting as a broadcast.
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Post by finsobruce on May 5, 2019 16:42:19 GMT
I'm glad no one has given any spoilers yet I can wait to see how it turns out. You'll enjoy it much more than the 1978 General Election which never happened. |
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Post by hedgehog on May 5, 2019 18:11:18 GMT
I'm glad no one has given any spoilers yet I can wait to see how it turns out. I wasn't allowed to watch it first time around, as I had school the next morning. |
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Post by hedgehog on May 6, 2019 10:29:22 GMT
The striking thing is the deference of everyone to the politicians, wonderful to see.
Along with the results of the SNP of course.
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Post by AdminSTB on May 6, 2019 10:42:23 GMT
Presumably the 1959 election will be broadcast later this year as well.
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Post by Pete Whitehead on May 6, 2019 10:46:33 GMT
David Dimblemby just referred to Norman Tebbit as one of Mrs Thatcher's 'gang of four' - who were the others?
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Post by AdminSTB on May 6, 2019 10:48:19 GMT
David Dimblemby just referred to Norman Tebbit as one of Mrs Thatcher's 'gang of four' - who were the others? Willie Whitelaw and Keith Joseph? |
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Post by finsobruce on May 6, 2019 10:50:35 GMT
David Dimblemby just referred to Norman Tebbit as one of Mrs Thatcher's 'gang of four' - who were the others? Nicholas Ridley? |
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Post by hedgehog on May 6, 2019 10:54:47 GMT
Interesting discussion on voting fraud.
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Post by Pete Whitehead on May 6, 2019 10:54:54 GMT
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Post by finsobruce on May 6, 2019 10:56:31 GMT
"It's not tonight. It's tomorrow bloody morning".  |
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The Bishop
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Post by The Bishop on May 6, 2019 11:03:35 GMT
Interesting discussion on voting fraud What was the context there? |
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Post by hedgehog on May 6, 2019 12:04:31 GMT
Interesting discussion on voting fraud What was the context there? The were talking about Northern Ireland, apparently it was usual for the dead to still turn up and vote. Voter impersonation. |
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Post by johnloony on May 6, 2019 12:29:27 GMT
I'm watching it as I would live,i.e. with my book of 1974 results to refer to (not the 1979 results)
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Post by AdminSTB on May 6, 2019 12:33:34 GMT
They displayed some by-election reversals as Lab Gain Ashfield, Workington, Walsall North, and so on. I suppose that's the way it was done until the 1980s. They ought to have said "Lab Regain" in such cases.
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Post by Merseymike on May 6, 2019 12:37:56 GMT
They displayed some by-election reversals as Lab Gain Ashfield, Workington, Walsall North, and so on. I suppose that's the way it was done until the 1980s. They ought to have said "Lab Regain" in such cases. Hmmmm. Its interesting that all three of those seats were lost in the 70's, seen as rock solid then, but all areas where Labour have lost out in the recent elections. To Independents in Workington and Ashfield and to an extent to the Tories in Walsall, although probably more to refusal to vote. |
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