Bob Harris
The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971)
1986/7
The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.
Released Sept. 21, 1971
Episode 60 min
10+
Genres: Music
Keywords: tmdb.live-music, imdb.rock-song, imdb.color-in-title, imdb.five-word-title, imdb.partially-lost-tv-series, imdb.non-fiction, imdb.live-performance + 6 more, imdb.british, imdb.rock-band, imdb.rock-music, imdb.live-music, tmdb.live-performance, tmdb.live-musical-performance
Production Companies: BBC
Network: BBC Two
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S16E1 - The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker
Sept. 20, 1986, midnight
S16E2 - Paul Simon special
Dec. 23, 1986, midnight
S16E3 - End of the Year
Dec. 31, 1986, midnight
S16E4 - Run DMC
Jan. 7, 1987, midnight
S16E5 - Episode 5
Jan. 13, 1987, midnight
S16E6 - Michelle Shocked
Jan. 14, 1987, midnight
S16E7 - The Comfy Area
Jan. 21, 1987, midnight
S16E8 - The Cult
Jan. 28, 1987, midnight
S16E9 - Run DMC
Feb. 4, 1987, midnight
S16E10 - World Party
Feb. 11, 1987, midnight
S16E11 - Episode 11
Feb. 18, 1987, midnight
S16E12 - Episode 12
Feb. 25, 1987, midnight
S16E13 - Deep Purple / The Mission
March 4, 1987, midnight
S16E14 - U2 / Sinéad O’Connor
March 11, 1987, midnight
S16E15 - Episode 15
March 18, 1987, midnight
S16E16 - Wet Wet Wet
March 25, 1987, midnight
S16E17 - Paul Simon
April 1, 1987, midnight
S16E18 - Level 42 in concert
April 20, 1987, midnight
S16E19 - Big in Japan special
April 21, 1987, midnight
S16E20 - That Was The Whistle Test That Was
5 hour finale
April 22, 1987, midnight
Network: BBC Two
Episode Runtime: 60 min.
Season Runtime: 60 min.
Released: Sept. 21, 1971
Last Air Date: April 22, 1987, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR / 10+
Rate this show
Add {Movie} to static lists