Bob Harris
The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971)
1983/4
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
S13E1 - Fun Boy Three special
Sept. 18, 1983, midnight
S13E2 - Episode 2
Nov. 18, 1983, midnight
S13E3 - Level 42
Nov. 25, 1983, midnight
S13E4 - Tom Robinson & The Crew
Dec. 2, 1983, midnight
S13E5 - The Smiths
Dec. 9, 1983, midnight
S13E6 - Aztec Camera
Dec. 16, 1983, midnight
S13E7 - Pick of the Year
Dec. 23, 1983, midnight
S13E8 - Paul Young and the Royal Family
Dec. 24, 1983, midnight
S13E9 - Episode 9
Jan. 13, 1984, midnight
S13E10 - Red Guitars / Gary Moore
Jan. 20, 1984, midnight
S13E11 - Episode 11
Jan. 27, 1984, midnight
S13E12 - Episode 12
Feb. 3, 1984, midnight
S13E13 - Episode 13
Feb. 10, 1984, midnight
S13E14 - Icicle Works in concert
Feb. 17, 1984, midnight
S13E15 - Episode 15
Feb. 24, 1984, midnight
S13E16 - Episode 16
March 2, 1984, midnight
S13E17 - Episode 17
March 9, 1984, midnight
S13E18 - Episode 18
March 16, 1984, midnight
S13E19 - Episode 19
March 23, 1984, midnight
S13E20 - Episode 20
March 30, 1984, 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+
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