Christmas Wrapping: Xmas at the BBC, 1976-1984

Based on an article published by TV Cream long enough ago that there are probably people now who are genuinely nostalgic about it. An overview in as many parts as it takes of the history of BBC Christmas Idents, and by overview I mean "gawp at with asinine comments apparently recorded in a snakepit on a rainy day".

Incidentally, you'll notice a couple of problems that I could do nothing about: a few of the years lost the last digit for NO REASON AT ALL and the "next episode" bit is busted altogether, also for NO REASON AT ALL. Sorry about that, I tried to fix it, but eventually it became clear that the only way I could do so is by starting all over again and what remains of my sanity is precious enough to me to preclude that so whatever, it doesn't make that much difference it's just bloody irritating.

Category:

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Tags:

• BBC
• Christmas
• Idents
• TV
• Cream
• Apparently
• Funny
• Sound
• Quality
• Baubles
• Surprising
• Amount
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[vania1013]

poor sad man what happended to 1975 easy to find on you tube

[Applemask]

@vania1013 It is now. It wasn't two and a half years ago.

[Ropponmatsu2]

Thanks for these. It's the 29/12/09, and aren't we all fed up with David Tennant molesting reindeer. Gone by Boxing Day should be the policy.

The pudding IS the Citizen Kane of yuletide idents for the simple strength of it's memory. I mentioned looking at some of these old idents to my mother.....And guess which one she remembered, without any prompting at all, 32 YEARS AFTER IT WAS LAST SHOWN.

I've never worked in advertising, suffice to say I know you can't buy corporate branding like that.

[Applemask]

No, no, no, losing them by Boxing Day is far too depressing. It's like the telly is yelling "CHRISTMAS IS OVER YOU BAAAASTAAAARDS" right in your face. Idents should go back to the grind on January 2nd like everyone else in the nation.

[palang25]

With regards to the 1984 BBC1 ident. What did the cracker look like before the three snow people pulled it.

[Applemask]

@palang25 Well, that's the question. It was a static sculpture, we never saw the cracker being pulled.

[TVCream]

Blimey. As the author of said TV Cream feature (six years ago, actually), can I just say this is rather excellently done?

[MsBkirk]

'Pointy trees, pointy pointy' - a Steve Martin fan at all?

[MsBkirk]

The 'head of Santa' ident looks like a prototype for a recent Doctor Who villain with a smiley/frown y face mask on either side of his head...or am I thinking of the Mayor in The Nightmare Before Christmas?

[thx1138ga]

Greeat!  Well done!!!! Thanks alot.

[glrswalker100]

cheers i remembered a few of those

[FLEMISHDOG]

how do i find myself watching this every year in December without fail? it's a bloody christmas tradition for this sad ident lover

[MrBb100000]

WATCHING ALL THESE AGAIN

[DoubleDS9]

Enormously enjoyable. I love idents. great work :)

[LANBritain1]

@Applemask

or when Christmas traditionally ended

on january 6th :)