It used to be the case that whenever a comedian's career started to flag, he did either of two things: a) retired to France or b) fronted a game show. Nowadays they are regarded as a step up for comics. Not every funnyman is cut out to be a game show host, of course; for every Bob Monkhouse or Tom O'Connor, there's a Charlie Williams or Max Bygraves.
In 1975 ( its not 1978, sorry I.M.D.B. ) gap-toothed, mop-topped Jimmy Tarbuck, fresh from a string of A.T.V. specials, fronted this modest little show, made by good old Yorkshire Television, in which two contestants were asked general knowledge questions and had to choose the answer from a board. The higher the odds, the greater number of points were scored. Occasionally there was consensus ( usually when the question was dead simple ) but from time to time differences of opinion occurred. We knew this because Jimmy would say: "We have a difference of opinion!".
The questions and answers were read aloud by the invisible form of Geoffrey Wheeler, whom I recall presented an early '70's schools programme called 'Meeting Your Needs'. He had a lovely relaxing voice which somehow suited the style of the show. Geoffrey appeared on camera from time to time, usually in the Christmas specials. Speaking of which, a question concerning a type of hot drink led to an unexpected guest appearance by Dorothy Sleighthome, presenter of the iconic daytime show 'Farmhouse Kitchen'. She had come prepared with drinks for both contestants as well as Tarby. Nice lady. But, as she turned to leave the studio floor, carrying her empty tray, she slipped and went flying. Presumably this was a live show as her mishap went out on air.
Like 'Sale Of The Century', 'Winner Takes All' was best viewed with a mug of cocoa and plate of Jammie Dodgers to hand. I watched not because I was a big fan of Tarbuck but because the show occasionally threw out interesting if somewhat useless facts, verified by the equally invisible Deborah Sutherland using the Encyclopaedia Britannia.
In the early '80's, it underwent a makeover. Dolly bird hostesses were brought in to provide glamour ( one of whom - Jani-Z - went on to an unsuccessful pop career as well as appearing in 1983's Bond epic 'Octopussy' ). A jazzy new theme tune replaced the more sedate old one. Its catchy lyric went thus: 'Winner Takes All! Winner Takes All! Parp! Parp! Parp! Parp Parp!'. The new set looked like the bridge of the Liberator spaceship from 'Blake's Seven'.
Somehow this seemed like an act of desperation, it was as though the Antiques Roadshow were suddenly being presented by Davina McCall. No longer did you need the mug of cocoa and Jammie Dodgers, instead you had to have bromide to stop getting excited at the sight of Jani-Z's stunning cleavage.
Some of the answers boggled the mind. For instance, in response to 'Who Wrote The Book 'The Thirty-Nine Steps'?', a contestant chose 'Victor Silvester' over John Buchan. Tarbuck later admitted he had to bite his lower lip to stop him calling the man an idiot on air. One question had me roaring with laughter. It was "Who Said 'You've Never Had It So Good?'". Alongside Harold Macmillan ( which was the correct answer ) was the name 'Linda Lovelace'. I could imagine sweet old biddies all over the country turning to each other and going: "Who's she?".
As host, Tarbuck's job was to chat to the contestants, put them at ease, and wherever possible make a golfing joke. The combination of his cheeky chappie humour and Wheeler's earnestness went down well and the show ran for twelve years, earning itself promotion from a non-networked midweek show to a peak-time Sunday night highlight along the way.
Tarbuck left in 1987, and it continued with Wheeler as host. But the viewers decided it was not the same and it did not return.
Like 'Sale Of The Century', Sky's 'Challenge' threw it a lifeline sometime in the '90's with Bobby Davro as host. I never saw it so I cannot comment. An episode of the original was repeated on 'Challenge' a few years back. The most interesting thing was the appearance of the young male contestant; he had fashionable shoulder-length hair, but also a Hitler-style moustache. I was amazed that Tarby did not try to make fun of him.
Should 'Winner Takes All' be revived by I.T.V.? Of course. Presenter? I should have thought that was obvious. Michael Winner, of course.
In 1975 ( its not 1978, sorry I.M.D.B. ) gap-toothed, mop-topped Jimmy Tarbuck, fresh from a string of A.T.V. specials, fronted this modest little show, made by good old Yorkshire Television, in which two contestants were asked general knowledge questions and had to choose the answer from a board. The higher the odds, the greater number of points were scored. Occasionally there was consensus ( usually when the question was dead simple ) but from time to time differences of opinion occurred. We knew this because Jimmy would say: "We have a difference of opinion!".
The questions and answers were read aloud by the invisible form of Geoffrey Wheeler, whom I recall presented an early '70's schools programme called 'Meeting Your Needs'. He had a lovely relaxing voice which somehow suited the style of the show. Geoffrey appeared on camera from time to time, usually in the Christmas specials. Speaking of which, a question concerning a type of hot drink led to an unexpected guest appearance by Dorothy Sleighthome, presenter of the iconic daytime show 'Farmhouse Kitchen'. She had come prepared with drinks for both contestants as well as Tarby. Nice lady. But, as she turned to leave the studio floor, carrying her empty tray, she slipped and went flying. Presumably this was a live show as her mishap went out on air.
Like 'Sale Of The Century', 'Winner Takes All' was best viewed with a mug of cocoa and plate of Jammie Dodgers to hand. I watched not because I was a big fan of Tarbuck but because the show occasionally threw out interesting if somewhat useless facts, verified by the equally invisible Deborah Sutherland using the Encyclopaedia Britannia.
In the early '80's, it underwent a makeover. Dolly bird hostesses were brought in to provide glamour ( one of whom - Jani-Z - went on to an unsuccessful pop career as well as appearing in 1983's Bond epic 'Octopussy' ). A jazzy new theme tune replaced the more sedate old one. Its catchy lyric went thus: 'Winner Takes All! Winner Takes All! Parp! Parp! Parp! Parp Parp!'. The new set looked like the bridge of the Liberator spaceship from 'Blake's Seven'.
Somehow this seemed like an act of desperation, it was as though the Antiques Roadshow were suddenly being presented by Davina McCall. No longer did you need the mug of cocoa and Jammie Dodgers, instead you had to have bromide to stop getting excited at the sight of Jani-Z's stunning cleavage.
Some of the answers boggled the mind. For instance, in response to 'Who Wrote The Book 'The Thirty-Nine Steps'?', a contestant chose 'Victor Silvester' over John Buchan. Tarbuck later admitted he had to bite his lower lip to stop him calling the man an idiot on air. One question had me roaring with laughter. It was "Who Said 'You've Never Had It So Good?'". Alongside Harold Macmillan ( which was the correct answer ) was the name 'Linda Lovelace'. I could imagine sweet old biddies all over the country turning to each other and going: "Who's she?".
As host, Tarbuck's job was to chat to the contestants, put them at ease, and wherever possible make a golfing joke. The combination of his cheeky chappie humour and Wheeler's earnestness went down well and the show ran for twelve years, earning itself promotion from a non-networked midweek show to a peak-time Sunday night highlight along the way.
Tarbuck left in 1987, and it continued with Wheeler as host. But the viewers decided it was not the same and it did not return.
Like 'Sale Of The Century', Sky's 'Challenge' threw it a lifeline sometime in the '90's with Bobby Davro as host. I never saw it so I cannot comment. An episode of the original was repeated on 'Challenge' a few years back. The most interesting thing was the appearance of the young male contestant; he had fashionable shoulder-length hair, but also a Hitler-style moustache. I was amazed that Tarby did not try to make fun of him.
Should 'Winner Takes All' be revived by I.T.V.? Of course. Presenter? I should have thought that was obvious. Michael Winner, of course.
