Feature: Events - Crackerjack, Swap Shop - Relive nostalgic children's TV - The Kids Are Alright at the Mediatheque, the BFI Southbank

Published: 21 October 2010
by DAN CARRIER

PEOPLE of a certain generation will recall that if it was Friday teatime, it was time for Crackerjack. And who didn’t want to write in to Jimmy Savile to request that they be an extra in The Professionals, dance with Pan’s People or save a penalty taken by Kevin Keegan? Now six decades of groundbreaking British children’s TV are being celebrated at the BFI’s Mediatheque – with the chance to watch some classic episodes from the past for free.

From factual programmes such as Blue Peter and Newsround to drama such as Grange Hill and Byker Grove, The Kids are Alright event has classic re-runs that will not only transport you to happy after-school hours but will introduce your kids to seminal telly whose demise is much-mourned.

Highlights include: 

Crackerjack (1958): This edition of the staple variety show features comic sketches from Ronnie Corbett, piggy puppets Pinky and Perky, and Winifred Atwell introducing British kids to rock’n’roll. 

Play School (1968): Innovative, educational BBC 2 series that was also used to try out colour broadcasting before it went mainstream.

John Craven’s Newsround (1975): A day’s world news, simply and brilliantly explained, from October 1975. 

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (1976): Noel Edmonds presents the earliest-surviving edition of the trailblazing live Saturday morning magazine show. 

Grange Hill (1981): A Christmas special with the school soap’s iconic rebel Tucker Jenkins up to his old tricks at the school disco. 

Educating Marmalade (1982): The late Charlotte Coleman, who was from Islington, stars as the world’s naughtiest schoolgirl in an episode of Andrew Davies’ anarchic post-punk comedy. 

Jim’ll Fix It (1986): Who didn’t want a Jim’ll Fix It Badge? The  Saturday teatime hit that made viewers’ dreams come true: this time, with the help of Terry Wogan, Midge Ure, and Peter Cushing. 

• The Kids Are Alright is at the Mediatheque, the BFI Southbank, open daily, Tuesday 1-8pm; Wednesday-Sunday 12-8pm. Book in advance for a viewing station which can seat between one to four people. 020 7928 3535 or simply turn up. Research what you’d like to view in advance at www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque