Alfresco1983
Alfresco was a sketch show starring Robbie Coltrane, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Siobhan Redmond and Emma Thompson and was broadcast by ITV between 1983 and 1984. Running for two series, it totalled 13 episodes and was named Alfresco (from the Italian al fresco, meaning "in the fresh air") because, unusually for a comedy sketch show of the time, it was shot on location rather than in a studio. Here we have some comic book inspired titles. More clips and titles can be found on the Comedy page.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1984
Drama from Granada featuring the famous detective starring Jeremy Brett
Albion Market1985 - 1986
A twice weekly soap set in an indoor market in Manchester. It didn't attract the expected audience and was dropped after only 100 episodes.
Bullman1985
This was Don Henderson's third drama series playing Bulman. The previous series were "The XYY Man" and "Strangers". Bulman, now retired, ran a clock mending shop in between freelance detective work.
Busman's Holiday1993
Three teams of contestants from different professions try to win a working holiday. This quiz was orginally presented by Julian Pettifer, replaced by Sarah Kennedy and then Elton Welsby
Created and produced by Action Time's Stephen Leahy
Celebration1980s
Celebration was initally a Granada local programme showcasing entertainment from the North West. It later became a general arts programme for the ITV network. This clip includes some HTV West continuity at the start
Celebration 15-251990
Anthony H Wilson presents this arts festival from Granada's studio backlot in Manchester
Clapperboard1981
Childrens series presented by Chris Kelly looking at aspects of film making. Featuring movies with a special interest for children.
Clapperboard was also made as a regional programme looking at North West film-making.
Cluedo1992
Cluedo, with Richard Madeley from 1992. The programme was set in Arley Hall in Northwich, Cheshire.
The Comedians1974
The Comedians gave cabaret comics a half hour stage in which to reach a wider audience with gags and jokes. Amongst the best known names were Bernard Manning, Charlie Williams, Frank Carson, Mike Reid, Duggie Brown, Colin Crompton, Ken Goodwin and George Roper. The series originally ran from 1971 to 1985 but returned briefly in 1992.
Conjugal Rites1993
Starring Gwen Taylor, Michael Williams and Cordella Bugeja. This sitcom gained higher than average audiences of iver 10 million view to the fact it depicted a mid life marital crisis which appealed to middle class audiences.
Connections1980s
Connections was originally hosted by Sue Robbie (as seen in the clip), followed by Richard Madeley then Simon Potter.
Created by Stephen Leahy, Simon Potter produced by Action Time for Granada
Cool Cube1990
Children's programme produced by Granada for BSB's Galaxy Channel. The programme used the backlot of the Granada Studios Tour as their set
Coronation Street1970s
Another set of titles from the age when slow panning was all the rage at Granada!
Coronation Street1984
Rollers and a cup of tea, what could be more Northern? well a pie.. a whippet and a flat cap wouldnt go a miss.
Does anyone know the whereabouts of that cat? Mind you it was 1984.. it's probably in a kebab at Wongs Chippy by now...
Coronation Street2002 Widescreen arrives to Corrie in 2002. Special effects were used in every shot of this sequence to give the illusion of the street appearing in a real community. High angle shots were taken of the Granada set whilst the same angles were shot in Salford and the two were matched, to create a seamless, totally believable environment. Brilliantly executed sequence produced by inhouse designers Paul Kearton and Sue Frost. 15 shots featuring a variety of weather conditions for the beginning and end of parts were also created, to complement different storylines
Cribb1980
Very brief continuity from Peter Marshall at Thames TV leads into this drama series about police work
in Victorian London, featuring Detective Sergeant Cribb, a member of Scotland Yard's newly formed CID
unit. Starring Alan Dobie as Sergeant Cribb, this ran for 14 episodes from 1980 to 1981. Also
starring William Simons, best known as Alf Ventriss in "Heartbeat"
Apologies for the shakey quality of this clip
Criss Cross Quiz1957 - 1967
Criss Cross Quiz was televisions first game show based on Noughts and Crosses. The original quiz master was Jeremy Hawk
(Junior) Criss Cross Quiz1970s
Manchester's Bill Grundy hosts a junior version of Criss Cross Quiz from 1960.
Crown Court1973
Crown Court was a popular lunchtime serial. The jury was made up of Granada's local viewers. The series ran from 1972 to 1984
Right clip - programme credits from 1982
The Dustbinmen1969
Sitcom based around "Thunderbird 3" and those who worked on her. Featuring C.E "Cheese and Egg"
Petty, a fervent communist, "Heavy Breathing" (described as "the one with the looks") the housewives
favourite and Winston Platt, a devout Manchester City supporter. Starred Bryan Pringle, Trevor
Bannister, Graham Haberfield and Tim Wylton
This clip is from Series 3
Four Feather Falls1960
Tex Tucker is the cowboy who becomes sheriff of Four Feather Falls, owner of a talking dog and horse. The programme was made by AP Films for Granada Television and was created and directed by Gerry Anderson
Get It Together1977
Linda Fletcher hosted with Roy North for first 2 seasons and was replaced by Megg Nicol with Wally Whyton's Ollie Beak appearing too. All were produced by Head of Childrens Muriel Young, what with 52 Clapperboard's per year, G I T, and a Handful Of Songs she was a busy lady.
Get It Together1981
Hang about, isn't that Mr Roy from the Basil Brush Show? Indeed it is! Roy North hosts this kids
music show, where pop acts of the day would play live. Assisted by Megg Nichol and Linda Fletcher, as
well as Ollie the Owl,this show ran for a few series, but it was hardly TOTP. (And possibly the
worst/cheesiest theme music ever)
Granadaland1992
OK this wasn't a Granada programme, but instead the BBC produced a whole night of programming on BBC2 dedicated as a tribute to the North's premier Independent television station. The tribute was paid back in return to Granada, after they did the same for the BBC on it's opening night.
Granada Up Front1991
Late night regional talk show hosted by the late Tony Wilson and Lucy Meacock
right clip - closing credits
Hickory House1973
Aimed at pre-school children. It ran from 1973 to 1977 and broadcast on weekday lunchtimes. The main
presenter was Alan Rothwell (who played David Barlow in Coronation Street from 1960 to 1968) and, in
this clip, features Amanda Barrie, also of Coronation Street fame.
Some early episodes incorporated the Granada arrow into the opening titles, where the "G" would turn into the house.
Hillsborough1996
Cracker's Jimmy McGovern superbly writes this recreation of events in April 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans died and the fight for justice by the families of the bereaved. Christopher Eccleston stars.
Hooked!1992
A six part series looking at the use of drugs in the 1990s. The series was presented by Stuart Cosgrove.
The Hitman and Her1980s
Jeeves And Wooster1993
Jeeves and Wooster was Granada's adaptation of the novels by PG Woodhouse. Starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
The Jewel In The Crown1984
A monumental series focusing on the final years of the British in India. The series starred Susan Wooldridge, Art Malik, Tim Piggot-Smith, Peggy Ashcroft, Warren Clarke and Charles Dance. The series was based on the Raj Quartet by Paul Scott.
The Krypton Factor1977
A young Gordon Burns welcomes viewers to TV's toughest game show - this edited clip is from the very first episode.
The Krypton Factor1987
The Krypton Factor ran from 1977 to 1993 hosted by the ever versatile Gordon Burns. Gordon produced every series until the last, perhaps that's why it was axed? He's now is back in Granadaland but for the other side presenting the local news programme North West Tonight, where he still likes to mention his time on The Krypton Factor at least once a month!
Live from Two1980
Live from Two was a live, twice weekly, networked chat show. The programme was hosted by Shelley Rohde who was also a director, writer and reporter for Granada Reports.
Live Talk2000
Presented by Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha.
For a short period, the women's daytime chat show "Loose Women" moved it's production to Granada TV and became "Live Talk" live from Manchester . After just one series, the programme returned to it's original format "Loose Women" and went to Anglia TV in Norwich for another series, before returning to it's original base in London.
Lost Empires1986
Starred Colin Firth, this epic Granada production based on JB Priestley's autobiographical novel. This starred a magician trying to present the dissolving ghost illusion (Dizzy Limits)
It was filmed in the North West, specifically at Buxton Opera House
The Magic Ball1971
The Magic Ball followed the adventures of Sam who lived in a seaside town called Haythornthwaite. Sam
had a magic ball which he carried around with him everywhere Sam's Aunt Mill owned a curiosity /
antique type shop full of wierd and interesting items. Sam would often go looking through the shop and
find interesting items. Whilst holding an object, the Magic Ball would activate and take Sam off on an
exciting adventure. The Ball would always bring him back home safely though after righting wrongs or
solving a problem.
Produced by the legendary Cosgrove/Hall team and written/voiced by Eric Thompson (father of actress Emma Thompson and writer/narrater of The Magic Roundabout)
Matchtime1982
Granada's local footy show hosted by Elton Welsby. Some people have sworn blind that Match Time used
the theme from The Big Match and that appears to have happened a few time, but in this clip, it uses
its own theme.
The New Sessions1990
Hosted by Bob Dickinson (very rock and roll name), this regional music show highlighted up and coming
bands and featured live music from locations around the region.
OSM1990s
OSM stood for the Other Side of Midnight, Granada's weekly alternative music show presented by Manchester legend Tony Wilson
Party People2007 Granada's local political series presented by Rob McLoughlin
right clip - programme close
The Practice1985
Medical drama series focusing on the staff and patients of a northern health centre. The series starred John Fraser, Brigit Forsyth, Tim Brierly, and Rob Edwards.
Punk1991
Documentary on the punk era featuring bands from the time, such as The Clash, The Undertones and
Siouxie And The Banshees.
The Rock Show1985
A rock concert show from Gibraltar (Rock) show on Christmas Day 1985 and hosted by Sue Robbie
Shades of Darkness - The Demon Lover1980s
An anthology series of short stories produced at great expense by June Wyndham Davies in 1984. Alas, it did not rate with the ITV controllers who put it in the death drama slot of Friday 21.00.
The episode The Demon Lover was transmitted during World Cup 86 and has a very famous cast including the likes of Hugh Grant.
Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four1986
TV film by Granada to makr the centenary of the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes.
So It Goes1976
So It Goes was presented by the late Tony Wilson from 1976-1977. A Rock and pop music programme shown in the Granada and ATV regions. It also featured Clive James who would interview guests in the studio. The programme was famous for showcasing Punk Rock and gave The Sex Pistols their first ever tv appearance.
So It Goes1977
The very last show of season 2 (and indeed the programme as a whole) sees Ian Dury perform a recital
in tribute to Charlie Mingus (american Jazz bassist, composer and activist against racism, who died
that year), Steel Pulse perform 'Makka Spliff (The Colly Man)' and 'Klu Klux Klan' at the Elizabethan
Ballroom, Belle Vue, Manchester and The Clash perform 'Capital Radio' at the same venue. After a few
quick questions, Ian Dury recites the 'Bus Driver's Prayer' and The Clash play out, performing ‘Janie
Jones’ at the Elizabethan Ballroom once more (end credits roll before the end of the performance).
Iggy Pop's expletive filled performance in show 4 in october '77 lead to the demise of the show. The set was recreated for the film about Anthony H Wilson, "24 Hour Party People".
Soapstar Superchef2007 Spin off daytime series from the successful talent show Soapstar Superstar.
In the programmes popular soap stars attempt to recreate the signature dishes of the country's leading chefs
Soccer Night2003
Soccer Night is ITV's regional football programme. The titles feature the same graphics across the regions although the pictures within them and the sets vary.
Granada Soccer Night2007 Soccer Night is renamed back to 'Granada Soccer Night' presented by Matt Smith
Stars In Their Eyes1990 A rather nice sequence where people's inner talents are shown as their shadows
Strangers1978 / 1979
This was Don Henderson's second drama series playing the now Detective Sergeant Bulman.
Surgical Spirit1981
Produced by Humphrey Barclay Productions for Granada. The hospital shots are from The Lister Hospital in Stevenage.
Teach Yourself Gibberish1982
Skits, sketches and various wackiness for kids, starring ubiquitous (in Manchester, anyway) parody
band ALBERTO Y LOS TRIOS PARANOIAS. (which features a certain Jimmy Hibbert who was a voice in many,
if not all, Cosgrove Hall animations)
This Morning1988 This Morning - with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. Live from the Albert Dock in Liverpool, 90 minutes of entertainment and information from the husband and wife team. Didn't he used to present Granada Reports?
This clip is the first edition
This Morning1989
This Morning from 1989 complete with a new arangement of the theme and a new set of titles.
Right clip - This Morning goes to Disneyland for a week.
This Morning1995 & 1996
Another trip to Liverpool for This Morning in 1995.
A sad moment for the Albert Dock in Liverpool. After 8 years This Morning hoisted their anchor and moved down river to the South Bank in London.
This Morning2002
A special set of short titles for This Morning's Golden Jubilee Special on 4th June 2002 with guest presenters Ruth Langsford and Eamon Holmes.
Tickle On The Tum1984 Set in a shop in the sleepy hamlet of "Tickle" on the River "Tum" (ingenious don't you think?). Folk singer Ralph McTell would play guitar and sing songs, and would be visited by a different tradesmand every week, for example a Postman or Milkman (played by Kenny Lynch) or a handyman (played by Tim Healy), and they would tell stories and sing songs. Classic stuff!
Tonight2006
Revamped titles lead us into another edition of the current affairs show, later to be hosted seperatly
by Mary Nightingale and Mark Austin.
University Challenge1983
This show with the most unusually named presenter in the world, pitches posh boys and girls against even posher boys and girls to show which students have actually been working and not down the pub! It was beautifully parodied in the 80's with the not so posh Scumbags college courtesy of The Young Ones.
Today it is still going strong presented by the not so unusually named Jeremy Paxman.
Watching1993
Watching was a comedy which ran for 5 series 1987 - 1993. Starring Emma Wray, Paul Brown and Liza Tarbuck
What the Papers Say1984
What The Papers Say is a ten minute irreverant review of stories covered by the press for the week. It's one of Granada's longest running programmes made since 1956. The first programme in the series aired on Granada TV and was presented by Brian Inglis, deputy editor of The Spectator. In 1982 it switched from ITV to the newly formed Channel 4 and later in 1989 to BBC Two. This switch was historic, as it was the first programnme to be produced by an ITV company for the BBC.
What The Papers Say1993 & 1994
In 1993 this new title sequence for What The Paper Say probably looked quite good.. now with an urban beats sound track and new voice over it could still be used to encourage us all to go green and recycle....
Wilson's World of Pop1980
Tony Wilson presents a selection of pop music and interviews, featuring: Hazel O'Connor, Dexy's
Midnight Runners, Elvis Costello, Tygers of Pan Tang at Manchester Polytechnic, Gibson Brothers and
Pete Townsend.
Wood and Walters1982
Comedy sketch show starring Julie Walters and Victoria Wood but written entirely by Wood. The show was
short-lived, with one pilot in 1981 and a series of six shows in 1982.
World In Action1965
So that's how you make an edition of World In Action! From 1963 a very dramatic theme for Granada's long running current affairs programme.
World In Action1970s
A beautifully produced sequence. Nice use of takeover techniques for such an early sequence
World In Action1985
The famous W.I.A. theme and title sequence from the 1980's including holding slide. Granada often introduced their own productions with holding slides
World In Action1995
World In Action titles from 1995. The theme tune is called 'Jam for the World in Action' by Jonathon Weston.
World In Action1998
A very colourfull set of titles to World In Action here! Perhaps not quite fitting with the majority of subjects in the series, however im sure it was designed around the story of Swizzle's Sweet Factory introducing a new line of jelly tots!
The XYY Man1977
The XYY Man began life as a series of novels by Kenneth Royce, featuring the character of William (or
Willie) 'Spider' Scott, a one-time cat-burglar who leaves prison aiming to go straight but finds his
talents still to be very much in demand by both the criminal underworld and the British secret
service. Scott has an extra "y" chromosome that supposedly gives him a criminal predisposition -
although he tries to go straight, he is genetically incapable of doing so.
Young Krypton1988
Hosted by Ross King, Granada produced a spin off chidrens version of The Krypton Factor for CITV
You've Been Framed!1990 & 1994
Clip show featuring amusing footage sent in by viewers.
Originally hosted by Jeremy Beadle and latterly by Lisa Riley. Various sets of titles here from 1990 to 2001.
You've Been Framed2003
The opening and closing credits to You've Been Framed from 2003 presented by Jonathan Wilkes