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Post by Dirty Epic on Apr 15, 2020 10:51:56 GMT
Not sure if I mentioned it earlier - but there is a funny tale concerning the rights over the "Bullseye" brand and look.
Back in 1981, the show was commissioned by ATV from an idea by Andy Wood & Norman Vaughan (the comic) - initially only for one series, so they could fill an awkward part of the early evening Schedule during the late Summer / Early Autumn. As we know, on 31/12/81, ATV - became "Central" - so the series would cover ATV; and then it was up to Central to sort their schedules.
ATV Graphic Designer - Chris Wroe (who was still working for Central when I was there) designed the Bull, the Lettering/Typeset, and Brand for the show's Graphics and Set.
Just before Christmas 1981, he brought the rights for His designs and style from "ATV" quite cheaply.
In 1982, "Central" discovered that ratings for the series were pretty good and better than ATV had expected, so commissioned another series. And on it went.
Fast Forward to when the various Reboots, Games Machines, T-Shirts, Board Games, DVDs and Merch appear on the market. The rights to the SHOW had reverted fully back to Andrew Wood, and Chris still owned the rights to the Brand/Graphics.
They both make a killing out of it all now. Fair play to them.
I think Chris Wroe had the foresight in 1981 - possibly helped along by the series ratings, that the series may become quite popular.
So, while ATV couldn't be really bothered (they were going out of business anyway), he brought his designs of them at a good rate.
I'd have done the same. Nice background on the 'Bully' Sparks, as you say air play to Chris seeing an opportunity for the show that initially ATV/Central didn't really see in the long term let alone it lasting over a decade and still being talked about nearly 40 years on.  |
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Post by Dirty Epic on Apr 15, 2020 10:54:58 GMT
I've not seen this reboot either. The format is a winner if you ask me. I reckon it could score a ratings hit if they showed it over xmas as a six parter or something when the world championship darts is on. My daughter kindly made me a blackboard and painted a Bully on it for me for my home set up. (I'm crap at Darts though) I know i'll hit it going for double 3   The Bully painting is brilliant Del!  Nice work from your daughter there mate. 
Could always find a nice big ugly wall and do a large mural of something like this, certainly as good as any 'Street Art' out there right now!  |
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Apr 15, 2020 15:56:55 GMT
Nice background on the 'Bully' Sparks, as you say air play to Chris seeing an opportunity for the show that initially ATV/Central didn't really see in the long term let alone it lasting over a decade and still being talked about nearly 40 years on. I suppose, Perhaps tt was (and still) quite unheard of to buy your designs and work from your employer.
If you worked for a car manufacturer - say Ford; you'd never be able to take your design work. What you design under their employment is theirs.
I suppose, with ATV more or less going out of business, they really didn't give a monkeys.
Also - I think what helped was that it was one of very few UK gameshows that weren't US Imports, guarded by all these contractual obligations to stick to a rigid format and style.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 15, 2020 18:47:00 GMT
I expect they'd thought of Dusty Bin when coming up with Bully. Like Bully Dusty Bin features prominently in the titles of 3-2-1, became the show's mascot & had spin off merchandise. Like Bowen, Ted Rogers started the show by telling some story or mentioning a viewer's letter & Dusty Bin made an appearance. Bully on the other hand existed only as an animation or Bendy Bully, all you got was a moo. Dressing someone up as Bully probably wouldn't have worked, though Bowen had Tony Green to bounce off.
I wonder if either show would be as well remembered without these mascots? Not by kids at any rate & it's mainly them who would want the Bullseye board game or Bully merchandise.
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Post by Sparky on Apr 16, 2020 6:38:28 GMT
I expect they'd thought of Dusty Bin when coming up with Bully. Like Bully Dusty Bin features prominently in the titles of 3-2-1, became the show's mascot & had spin off merchandise. Like Bowen, Ted Rogers started the show by telling some story or mentioning a viewer's letter & Dusty Bin made an appearance. Bully on the other hand existed only as an animation or Bendy Bully, all you got was a moo. Dressing someone up as Bully probably wouldn't have worked, though Bowen had Tony Green to bounce off.
I wonder if either show would be as well remembered without these mascots? Not by kids at any rate & it's mainly them who would want the Bullseye board game or Bully merchandise.
There is a bit of Dusty Bin merch about. I keep seeing it pop up at Memorabilia Fairs. The China "Dusty Bin" money boxes go for about £20.
I've seen a few Bendy Bullies too - though it's hard to find out if it's a genuine, or a merch one made in the 90s.
I agree, without the Mascots - chances are, the shows would have been forgotten.
How many kids talk about Winner Takes All or Sale of the Century?
If you think about it - The Board on Family Fortunes and wrong sound is their mascot, the Screen & Mr Chips on Catchphrase is their mascot. For me, the theme tune to Going for Gold was a mascot on it's own!
Even on Price is Right apart from the 'Come on Down' phrase, many of the games became mascots - "Cliffhanger" and "Plinko" for instance.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Apr 16, 2020 11:26:43 GMT
I agree Sparks things like The Going For Gold theme, Mr Chips on Catchphrase, Bully etc. made many of these show's quite iconic and they stayed with you whether you liked them or not.
I'm right that Central made the Leslie Crowther Price is Right episodes in the 80's, it gets a big mention in Auf Pet's Hasta la Vista episode when Barry still has the price tag on his Italian jacket when the lads are going through customs/security before their flight/trip is cancelled? I've not got the time to check but it'd be odd if they mentioned it and was made by another ITV company? 
My mum got a Bendy Bully once that someone got from Yorkshire TV's shop/office in Hull which we had for a few years and even survived the attentions of a rather destructive/boisterious dog who was in the house for a few years too! For some reason it sadly perished in the early 2000's... I know you can get them on ebay etc. but not the same.  |
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Post by Sparky on Apr 17, 2020 17:39:05 GMT
I agree Sparks things like The Going For Gold theme, Mr Chips on Catchphrase, Bully etc. made many of these show's quite iconic and they stayed with you whether you liked them or not.
I'm right that Central made the Leslie Crowther Price is Right episodes in the 80's, it gets a big mention in Auf Pet's Hasta la Vista episode when Barry still has the price tag on his Italian jacket when the lads are going through customs/security before their flight/trip is cancelled? I've not got the time to check but it'd be odd if they mentioned it and was made by another ITV company?
My mum got a Bendy Bully once that someone got from Yorkshire TV's shop/office in Hull which we had for a few years and even survived the attentions of a rather destructive/boisterious dog who was in the house for a few years too! For some reason it sadly perished in the early 2000's... I know you can get them on ebay etc. but not the same. Yes, the original "Price is Right" here in the UK, was made by Central; the first series of this was in production in late 1983 early 1984. It was in production in 1985, when S2 of "Auf Pet" was also in Production. I remember the scene in Auf Pet at customs, with Barrys coat!
Price is Right was axed under mysterious circumstances - Leslie Crowther didn't even know until a reporter knocked on his door to ask him about his thoughts on the shows cancellation. The ratings were still quite high too.
When the series was brought back with Brucie - it was made at Yorkshire Television.
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Post by Del Boy on Apr 17, 2020 21:51:21 GMT
That long ago! Eeek. I remember Price Is Right starting and my parents commenting that it was copying American crap! when the trailers were shown.(think they saw the yank one on Tarrant on T.V) Thing is when starte they watched it every bloody week |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Apr 17, 2020 23:09:36 GMT
Bomber's appearance on Bullseye-
As for The Price Is Right, I remember when it was first on & how false the 'come on down!' & audience going potty seemed.
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Post by Sparky on Apr 18, 2020 7:23:30 GMT
That long ago! Eeek. I remember this show starting and my parents commenting that it was copying American crap! When the trailers were shown.(think they saw the yank one on Tarrant on T.V) They watched it every bloody week My Grandparents did exactly the same - complained that it was too in your face, brash and too much like US Gameshows. But they gathered round the TV each Saturday night and sat glued to it......
I didn't think to tell them that most TV gameshows on at the time were in fact US Imports anyway.... Apart from "Bully"!
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Nice work from your daughter there mate. 
