Mark Bungle
@markbungle.bsky.social
Collector of archive programming and nostalgia within the TV and advert world. Not a fictional bear from Rainbow. Nor a real bear.
I'm guessing you're aware of this, but worth posting anyway. www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8OP...
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Frank Kelly, 1983
YouTube video by CR's Video Vaults
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I'm guessing you're aware of this, but worth posting anyway. www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8OP...
So close to finding that elusive BBC2 Christmas ident from 1975…
December 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
So close to finding that elusive BBC2 Christmas ident from 1975…
I’m not really a fan of programme-specific Christmas idents, but this is my one exception. Not my favourite though, that’s probably between 1977, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2000.
December 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I’m not really a fan of programme-specific Christmas idents, but this is my one exception. Not my favourite though, that’s probably between 1977, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2000.
It wouldn’t be Christmas if it didn’t…
Curious to see the Christmas Creamguide this year. I know you’re quite measured about comparing to previous years, but this year does seem a big comedown compared to last year to me.
Curious to see the Christmas Creamguide this year. I know you’re quite measured about comparing to previous years, but this year does seem a big comedown compared to last year to me.
December 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
It wouldn’t be Christmas if it didn’t…
Curious to see the Christmas Creamguide this year. I know you’re quite measured about comparing to previous years, but this year does seem a big comedown compared to last year to me.
Curious to see the Christmas Creamguide this year. I know you’re quite measured about comparing to previous years, but this year does seem a big comedown compared to last year to me.
Does it call itself “legendary” on the spine?
December 7, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Does it call itself “legendary” on the spine?
Apart from anything pre-1974, this is the only BBC Christmas ident still missing moving footage unfortunately.
December 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Apart from anything pre-1974, this is the only BBC Christmas ident still missing moving footage unfortunately.
Clearer picture here. youtu.be/6U3oX-_Q-i0?...
25 & 26/12/1976 - BBC1 - Top of the Pops Continuity
YouTube video by Telly Viewer
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Clearer picture here. youtu.be/6U3oX-_Q-i0?...
What day was it revealed exactly? I don’t think it was Christmas Eve but don’t know how much earlier it was (I wasn’t born until later so have no memories).
December 7, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What day was it revealed exactly? I don’t think it was Christmas Eve but don’t know how much earlier it was (I wasn’t born until later so have no memories).
I’m still searching for the original unveiling of this ident on Children’s BBC. Hoping someone has it!
December 7, 2025 at 1:01 AM
I’m still searching for the original unveiling of this ident on Children’s BBC. Hoping someone has it!
I do accept that the same complaints about repeats and nothing on has been there for a good few decades. Perhaps I just feel caught in the never-ending groove now that I'm more exposed to that feeling online all the time.
December 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I do accept that the same complaints about repeats and nothing on has been there for a good few decades. Perhaps I just feel caught in the never-ending groove now that I'm more exposed to that feeling online all the time.
I really like that idea actually. Bet they wouldn't take an interest though. Too "risky".
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I really like that idea actually. Bet they wouldn't take an interest though. Too "risky".
Also, I kind of wish there weren't so many options available. There's too much choice and hardly any of it stands out because everything has been so blanded out by corporations and brands.
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Also, I kind of wish there weren't so many options available. There's too much choice and hardly any of it stands out because everything has been so blanded out by corporations and brands.
I think that's the problem. I've suggested a big variety show similar to Christmas Night with the Stars like in 2003, but as everyone says, no money for it. I think it's just depressing that we're at this stage, especially as the big hitters have been going for well over a decade.
December 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I think that's the problem. I've suggested a big variety show similar to Christmas Night with the Stars like in 2003, but as everyone says, no money for it. I think it's just depressing that we're at this stage, especially as the big hitters have been going for well over a decade.
Ah but that’s been seen in the wild! youtu.be/6U3oX-_Q-i0?...
25 & 26/12/1976 - BBC1 - Top of the Pops Continuity
YouTube video by Telly Viewer
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Ah but that’s been seen in the wild! youtu.be/6U3oX-_Q-i0?...
Wish some news report had done that in 1975, we could’ve glimpsed that missing BBC2 Christmas ident!
December 5, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Wish some news report had done that in 1975, we could’ve glimpsed that missing BBC2 Christmas ident!
Not sure you’d get away with a modern circus these days. I don’t mind Would I Lie To You, but Lee Mack gets a bit much for me.
December 3, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Not sure you’d get away with a modern circus these days. I don’t mind Would I Lie To You, but Lee Mack gets a bit much for me.
I can tell you it’s not Robin Shaw or Kate Forrester this year, so you don’t know!
December 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I can tell you it’s not Robin Shaw or Kate Forrester this year, so you don’t know!
Yes, variety is very much seen as old hat, the same as sketch shows and studio sitcoms. It can work, it just needs the next big star to fall into it.
December 3, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Yes, variety is very much seen as old hat, the same as sketch shows and studio sitcoms. It can work, it just needs the next big star to fall into it.
Which begs the question, what would we do differentl? I’d actually like them to try Christmas Night with the Stars again like the 2003 attempt, and probably another sitcom special (not sure of what though).
December 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Which begs the question, what would we do differentl? I’d actually like them to try Christmas Night with the Stars again like the 2003 attempt, and probably another sitcom special (not sure of what though).
This is also reflected in the Christmas idents which are a repeat of a repeat of a repeat. It’s the predictability that gets me down a little. I know Creamguide treats this very carefully (there was some rubbish in years gone by too), but it’s probably the longest it’s ever felt like “this” line-up.
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This is also reflected in the Christmas idents which are a repeat of a repeat of a repeat. It’s the predictability that gets me down a little. I know Creamguide treats this very carefully (there was some rubbish in years gone by too), but it’s probably the longest it’s ever felt like “this” line-up.
For me, I think it’s the fact that a lot of the shows (Strictly, Call the Midwife, Mrs Brown) have been going for at least a decade, in Strictly’s case two decades. It may be “new” in the sense of non-repeats, but it’s still very stale. Gladiators and Amandaland are the highlights in that regard.
December 3, 2025 at 9:28 PM
For me, I think it’s the fact that a lot of the shows (Strictly, Call the Midwife, Mrs Brown) have been going for at least a decade, in Strictly’s case two decades. It may be “new” in the sense of non-repeats, but it’s still very stale. Gladiators and Amandaland are the highlights in that regard.
You’re very welcome! And all being well, there should be another one this year to account for everything on TV that was on the other side…
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
You’re very welcome! And all being well, there should be another one this year to account for everything on TV that was on the other side…