Tim Dickinson

No longer engaging on X, now in the Sky under thetimdickinson. Account exists as an archive only.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

If you like chairs, and you like sci-fi, you might like to take a seat and read this post about ALL THE CHAIRS IN BLAKE'S 7!!! https://t.co/EfFVevXyxt #blakes7

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@Blakes7Diary I’m very proud of you too. Very very proud.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

Part 5 reflects on the last gasps of a show that appears to have become unloved by a BBC that itself is evolving. Was it just the series that fell out of favour, or are there broader contexts behind a decision to axe a long-running brand?
https://t.co/6nMOyJrZiZ

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

Part 4 gets stuck into the nitty-gritty of live studio transmission, the composition of pre-recorded inserts, and the rigours of outside broadcasts. It’s about quick thinking, fast learning, and how experienced and inexperienced teams worked together.
https://t.co/Tt1p9NRngg

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

Part 3 reflects on the full scale, all-live, ‘revamp’ - recalling the impact of the competition from other TV channels, and the executive decisions involving scheduling and transmission.
https://t.co/QTpiCb65Uw

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

Part 2 focuses on authorship, and discovers what happens when a founding series producer steps aside, giving way to two new producers with contrasting visions. How did this result in a changing series?
https://t.co/oijhQx7euo

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@martinfoster154 part 3 of this series might be of interest to you.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

THREAD - These articles are for anyone interested in the BBC and the television landscape of the 1980s.
40 years ago, on 23rd Oct 1984, a revamped and reformatted BBC2 series was transmitted. No longer ‘Old’ no longer ‘Grey’ - this is the story of the final years of Whistle Test.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

I’m grateful to all who have generously given their time to share their recollections. For those who brave this somewhat exhaustive read, I hope you enjoy it.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@ScarredForLife2 A classic by Bernard Lodge.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@CFarman1 Thank you Chris. There were little moments that moved me too, occasional things that reminded me how hard people worked, and how tough the industry could be sometimes.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@HappinessPatrol Good question. I recall wiki mentioning a title sequence including a woman dancing and a theme by Santana, but I think that is a myth, the earliest existing VT has the Starkicker one. Certainly there isn’t any evidence to suggest a proto-title! Glad you’re enjoying it. 👍👍

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

OK, at well over 40,000 words in total, perhaps 'articles' wasn't the right word. 🤷‍♂️

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

THREAD - These articles are for anyone interested in the BBC and the television landscape of the 1980s.
40 years ago, on 23rd Oct 1984, a revamped and reformatted BBC2 series was transmitted. No longer ‘Old’ no longer ‘Grey’ - this is the story of the final years of Whistle Test.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@MenbijMandy Thank you. 👍 I hope you enjoy, although you might need a few cups of tea, or more than one sit down!

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@Mxyzptl40701782 If I recall correctly, the unused alternative was equally eccentric. I think it had the word 'Emporium' in the title somewhere.

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@MrsSimonTemplar 👍👍 It’s been a long time coming. I just wanted to give the contributors time to read through the epic beforehand! 😂

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@jefph Thank you, I would say that it is definitely a better experience on a larger screen. 💯👍

[Tim Dickinson @That_Chair_Guy]

@Blakes7Diary I'm not back. It's your imagination.
Renounce, renounce.