The South Bank Show is a British television arts magazine show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, broadcast by ITV1 (London Weekends) and seen in over 60 countries — including Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA. Its stated aim is to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
History
It first aired on 14 January 1978, with a show about Germaine Greer, Gerald Scarfe and Paul McCartney. It is now the longest continuously running arts programme on UK television.
Awards
It has been awarded more than 110 awards (including 12 BAFTAs, 6 Emmys, 5 Prix Italia and 4 RTS awards). Even Pat Gavin's animated title sequences have won 2 BAFTAs.
Directors
Sir David Lean once said "The best directors in Britain are working on The South Bank Show." Directors who have made South Bank Show programmes include:
Theme music
The famous theme music is an Andrew Lloyd Webber arrangement on the theme from Paganini's 24th Caprice.
Other
The comedy series Dead Ringers often parodies The South Bank Show. It does this in a series of sketches called South Bank, a cross between The South Bank Show and the American cartoon South Park, set in the South Bank of London. In these sketches, Melvin Bragg is Stan Marsh, Alan Yentob is Kyle Broflovski, Mark Lawson is Eric Cartman and Kenneth Branagh is Kenny McCormick.
External links
- The Internet Movie Database biography of The South Bank Show.
- itv.com - The South Bank Show
- Complete list of subjects from epguides.com
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