Alright Now (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The show's opening theme was "Another Girl, Another Planet" by The Only Ones.
• Lindisfarne were given an entire show to themselves.

Overview

The first series was hosted by former Darts singer Den Hegarty, who was later dismissed for "outrageous" behaviour and subsequently became a host on the ATV children's show Tiswas. The second series used a different guest host each episode, including Bob Geldof, Billy Connolly, Bill Oddie, Suzi Quatro, Pauline Black, Mickie Most, and Phil Lynott. The programme is probably best known for an interview in which Billy Connolly spoke with Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who jokingly answered all questions in monosyllables.

Series 1

The first series comprised eight editions broadcast from 6 April to 1 June 1979, plus a special edition featuring the Who on 2 November 1979. It primarily featured local bands or those with a connection to north-east England. The opening episode, recorded 6 February 1979 and broadcast 6 April 1979, was presented by Den Hegarty and directed by Gavin Taylor, with Malcolm Gerrie as producer and Andrea Wonfor as executive producer. It opened with Dire Straits performing "Sultans of Swing", followed by Hegarty introducing the 'Kaff Kids' (including Chris Cowey, Martina and Martin), a homemade film over Devo's "Jocko Homo", and the Police live with "Roxanne". Part two featured Dire Straits' "Down to the Waterline", a punk feature with an assembled 'Rentamob' and an interview with Andy Worrall of Virgin Records (Newcastle), and ended with the Police performing "Can't Stand Losing You". The second episode, recorded 7 February 1979 and broadcast 13 April 1979, opened with a promo clip of Free's "All Right Now" (Hegarty incorrectly announcing it as the theme), followed by The Showbiz Kids performing "Maybe", an interview with David Oxtoby and Davis Sandison about the book Oxtoby's Rockers, and The Showbiz Kids' "Naked Lady". After the break, Penetration performed "Future Daze", a Blondie feature showed clips of several songs, and Penetration closed with "Lovers of Outrage". The third episode, recorded 28 February 1979 and broadcast 27 April 1979, featured Rod Stewart performing "Blondes Have More Fun" live, a teaser for a special on the Who, a look at Young Bucks (including excerpts from their performance at the Brecknock pub in London), and Chris Rea performing "Letter From Amsterdam" and "Diamonds" (with two members of Lindisfarne on backing vocals). A fourth episode, recorded 14 March 1979 and broadcast 4 May 1979, featured Ian Dury, Goldie, and Punishment of Luxury.

Series 2

The second series consisted of seven editions (exact broadcast dates to be confirmed) and was less locally focused than the first. The opening episode, recorded 3 June 1980 and presented by Bob Geldof, began with the Undertones finishing a song, followed by the Pretenders playing "The Wait". Part one ended with the Undertones' "My Perfect Cousin". Part two opened with a clip of the Boomtown Rats' video for "I Don't Like Mondays", leading to a feature on how a video of Phil Lewis's band Girl was made by Tony Vandermolen of the Moving Picture Company, and closed with the Pretenders performing "Talk of the Town" and "Tattooed Love Boys". The second episode, recorded 19 March 1980 and broadcast 17 July 1980, was presented by Billy Connolly. It opened with an unannounced Rory Gallagher number, then featured the Angelic Upstarts performing "Old King Coal" at the 29 Club in Sunderland. Dr Feelgood performed "Double Blue" and later "Pretty Face". A scene from Led Zeppelin's concert film The Song Remains The Same showed John Bonham and "Moby Dick", followed by the interview where Bonham responded in monosyllables. Rory Gallagher closed with "Wayward Child" and "Bad Penny". The third episode, recorded 1 April 1980 and broadcast 14 August 1980, was presented by Bill Oddie. It opened with a clip of Blondie ("The Hardest Part" from Eat to the Beat), followed by Secret Affair playing "Get Ready" in the studio. A feature on Mike Oldfield showed his version of Free's "All Right Now", featuring Pierre Moerlin (drums and percussion) and Wendy Richardson (vocals). Secret Affair opened part two with "When The Show Is Over", then a Blondie promo was shown. Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne) and Friends played "Little Town Flirt", and Lindisfarne closed with "Friday Girl" (unreleased until 1994 on Buried Treasures). A fourth episode, recorded 30 April 1980, was presented by Suzi Quatro.