Crackerjack’s back! Iconic children’s TV show returns to screens after 36-year pause… but the traditional five-to-five timeslot is put back an hour for today’s busy kids
- Popular children’s TV show Crackerjack to return following 36-year hiatus
- Given slot an hour later than its original five-to-five timing, and moved to CBBC
- Featured a noisy live audience, games with pencils as prizes, and a comedy sketch finale
A whole new generation of children will be able to enjoy the delights of teatime show Crackerjack, as it returns to our screens after a 36-year break.
Between 1955 and 1984, if it was a Friday, at five to five, then for boys and girls across the country it meant being glued to the living room television set for 40 minutes of variety show entertainment.
However, as the show is revived with new hosts Sam & Mark for a spot on CBBC there will be one major difference.
A whole new generation of children will be able to enjoy the delights of teatime show Crackerjack, as it returns to our screens after a 36-year break
The show’s introduction will be changed to: ‘It’s Friday. It’s six o’clock. And it’s Crackerjack!’
The later 6pm start, which breaks with the iconic announcement, is a sign of the times, according to the show’s co-host Sam Nixon.
‘Five to five is very early these days, what with after-school clubs. There wouldn’t be enough people watching because they’d not be home in time,’ he told Radio Times.
Between 1955 and 1984, if it was a Friday, at five to five, then for boys and girls across the country it meant being glued to the living room television set for 40 minutes of variety show entertainment
Crackerjack featured a noisy live audience, games with the reward of a pencil and a comedy sketch finale – with most of the original aspects set to make a return.
The programme was initially hosted by Eamonn Andrews followed by Leslie Crowther, Michael Aspel, Ed Stewart and, finally, Stu Francis who was renowned for his comedy catchphrases, including ‘I could crush a grape.’
Performers included Jack Douglas, Ronnie Corbett, Peter Glaze, Don Maclean, Bernie Clifton, The Krankies and Basil Brush.
Former presenters have however criticised the BBC’s decision to air the show on CBBC rather than BBC One, with Stu Francis saying: ‘Why put it out in the wilderness?’
X Factor contestants-turned-presenting-duo Sam Nixon and Mark Rhode defended the decision.
‘When children’s TV came off BBC One, we all thought it was a shame because not as many people would see it,’ he said.
‘But that was ages ago. These days, if you want to watch a kids’ show, you’ll find the channel.’
Sid Cole, the executive producer, said the programme would also follow the example of US shows that use social media to increase their audiences.
‘The programme will probably be cut up – so, some of it will be on YouTube and our social media,’ Cole said. ‘It’ll be diced up in order to entice people to come to it … that model will become commonplace going forward.’
In 2018, a Radio Times panel voted Crackerjack the tenth best children’s TV programme of all time.