I remember this when it was shown and as far as I know, regretfully it has never been repeated since.
It was the first time I had seen Johnny Ball on TV and I do wish it would be repeated or at least released on DVD! It was the first children's programme that made learning history fun. From what I remember, it was about the history of the Kings and Queens of Britain and really caught my attention. It was an unusual programme for me to be interested in, as at that age, I had no interest in history at all - That says how good it must have been to get me interested in it! Not only is the show one of the greatest unsung gems of UK children's TV (Sadly Johnny Ball's programmes are so greatly under-valued by the TV companies it seems), but it also featured one of our greatest under-valued actors as well - Derek Griffiths.
Derek is probably best remembered as a presenter on "Play School", but he is both a serious and excellent actor when given the chance. Sadly he does not seem to be given serious roles very often and it seems a criminal waste of his talent.
So with the under-rated Johnny Ball AND Derek Griffiths both in the show, the quality was always bound to be outstanding. If it could get me interested in history as a young child, then it shows what a tour-de-force it actually was by the presenters.
It was the first time I had seen Johnny Ball on TV and I do wish it would be repeated or at least released on DVD! It was the first children's programme that made learning history fun. From what I remember, it was about the history of the Kings and Queens of Britain and really caught my attention. It was an unusual programme for me to be interested in, as at that age, I had no interest in history at all - That says how good it must have been to get me interested in it! Not only is the show one of the greatest unsung gems of UK children's TV (Sadly Johnny Ball's programmes are so greatly under-valued by the TV companies it seems), but it also featured one of our greatest under-valued actors as well - Derek Griffiths.
Derek is probably best remembered as a presenter on "Play School", but he is both a serious and excellent actor when given the chance. Sadly he does not seem to be given serious roles very often and it seems a criminal waste of his talent.
So with the under-rated Johnny Ball AND Derek Griffiths both in the show, the quality was always bound to be outstanding. If it could get me interested in history as a young child, then it shows what a tour-de-force it actually was by the presenters.
