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Network: BBC Two
Episode Runtime: 60 min.
Season Runtime: 34560 min.
Status: Ended
Certification: NR

1986/7 (Sept. 20, 1986, midnight)

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.

poster

1986/7 (Sept. 20, 1986, midnight)

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.

67
?
8.1
/257/
45
/6/
75
/2/

Sept. 20, 1986, midnight 0.0

S16E1 - The Damned / Echo & the Bunnymen / Hang Wangford / Billy Bragg / Brendan Croker

Dec. 23, 1986, midnight 0.0

S16E2 - Paul Simon special

Dec. 31, 1986, midnight 0.0

S16E3 - End of the Year

Jan. 7, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E4 - Run DMC

Jan. 13, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E5 - Episode 5

Jan. 14, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E6 - Michelle Shocked

Jan. 21, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E7 - The Comfy Area

Jan. 28, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E8 - The Cult

Feb. 4, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E9 - Run DMC

Feb. 11, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E10 - World Party

Feb. 18, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E11 - Episode 11

Feb. 25, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E12 - Episode 12

March 4, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E13 - Deep Purple / The Mission

March 11, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E14 - U2 / Sinéad O’Connor

March 18, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E15 - Episode 15

March 25, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E16 - Wet Wet Wet

April 1, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E17 - Paul Simon

April 20, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E18 - Level 42 in concert

April 21, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E19 - Big in Japan special

April 22, 1987, midnight 0.0

S16E20 - That Was The Whistle Test That Was

5 hour finale
Network: BBC Two
Episode Runtime: 60 min.
Season Runtime: 34560 min.
Released: Sept. 21, 1971
Last Air Date: April 22, 1987, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR / 10+

Updated: 6 months ago
Next update: 5 months from now