Ah, '70's daytime television! Let me see now. 'Rainbow' for the kids ( along with 'Hickory House', 'Pipkins', 'Mr.Trimble', and 'Sing To The Animals' ). 'News Report' with Robert Kee. 'Crown Court' for the adults, 'Lunch Time With Wogan' ( every one of which has been wiped apparently ), 'Quick On The Draw' hosted by Bob Monkhouse, Rolf Harris and Michael Bentine ( though not at the same time ), 'There Goes That Song Again', a musical quiz hosted by Steve Race, and 'Looks Familiar' in which Denis Norden reminisced about the past with invited guests. If that lot has not triggered any memories, nothing will.
There were also films ( the best ones always seemed to be on when I was at school ), and repeats of classic adventure shows such 'The Saint' and 'Danger Man', along with more recent ones like 'A Family At War' and 'Sam'. None of your 'Loose Women' rubbish around then.
There were also soaps - or 'afternoon serials' as they were then called ( the word 'soaps' was regarded as an insult in those days ). 'Castle Haven' was bragged up at the time as epitomising the '70's. How true this is we shall never know - like 'Lunch Time With Wogan' not a single edition survives. 'Emmerdale Farm' fared better; it is still running.
A.T.V.'s 'General Hospital' was kind of successor to the well-remembered 'Emergency Ward 10'. It too focused on the day-to-day routine in a city ( Midland General ) hospital. The doctors were handsome and the nurses ( among them Lynda Bellingham, Carmen Munroe and Barbara Kellermann ) pretty, and some of the patients were not bad looking either. The only ugly character as I recall was 'Capper' the porter ( later replaced by 'Ernie Penrose', played by future 'Coronation Street' killer Brian Capron ).
In terms of story lines, 'General Hospital' frequently resembled 'Doctor In Charge' starring Robin Nedwell. One week, Dr.Neville Bywaters ( Tony Adams, later to play 'Adam Chance' in 'Crossroads' ) fell in love with patient Janey Hart ( Jill Gascoigne ). Alas poor Janey died, and Dr.Bywater's heart was truly broken. But wait! A week later who should move into the hospital ( and ward ) but Janey's twin sister! In fairness, Liz Gebhardt ( 'Maureen Bullock' of 'Please Sir!' and 'The Fenn Street Gang' ) gave a moving performance in another episode as an anorexic.
In common with 'Emmerdale Farm'. the show was upgraded to hour-long episodes and shown on ( Friday ) evenings, where it concentrated more on the internal politics of the hospital. The late Eric Lander was brought in to play 'Richard Kirby', a 'man you love to hate' figure. Johnny 'Sleepy Shores' Pearson provided a new, strident theme tune, replacing Derek Scott's mellower version.
There were also films ( the best ones always seemed to be on when I was at school ), and repeats of classic adventure shows such 'The Saint' and 'Danger Man', along with more recent ones like 'A Family At War' and 'Sam'. None of your 'Loose Women' rubbish around then.
There were also soaps - or 'afternoon serials' as they were then called ( the word 'soaps' was regarded as an insult in those days ). 'Castle Haven' was bragged up at the time as epitomising the '70's. How true this is we shall never know - like 'Lunch Time With Wogan' not a single edition survives. 'Emmerdale Farm' fared better; it is still running.
A.T.V.'s 'General Hospital' was kind of successor to the well-remembered 'Emergency Ward 10'. It too focused on the day-to-day routine in a city ( Midland General ) hospital. The doctors were handsome and the nurses ( among them Lynda Bellingham, Carmen Munroe and Barbara Kellermann ) pretty, and some of the patients were not bad looking either. The only ugly character as I recall was 'Capper' the porter ( later replaced by 'Ernie Penrose', played by future 'Coronation Street' killer Brian Capron ).
In terms of story lines, 'General Hospital' frequently resembled 'Doctor In Charge' starring Robin Nedwell. One week, Dr.Neville Bywaters ( Tony Adams, later to play 'Adam Chance' in 'Crossroads' ) fell in love with patient Janey Hart ( Jill Gascoigne ). Alas poor Janey died, and Dr.Bywater's heart was truly broken. But wait! A week later who should move into the hospital ( and ward ) but Janey's twin sister! In fairness, Liz Gebhardt ( 'Maureen Bullock' of 'Please Sir!' and 'The Fenn Street Gang' ) gave a moving performance in another episode as an anorexic.
In common with 'Emmerdale Farm'. the show was upgraded to hour-long episodes and shown on ( Friday ) evenings, where it concentrated more on the internal politics of the hospital. The late Eric Lander was brought in to play 'Richard Kirby', a 'man you love to hate' figure. Johnny 'Sleepy Shores' Pearson provided a new, strident theme tune, replacing Derek Scott's mellower version.