Children's / Youth: commentary

A commentary on the top 20 in this genre

As would be expected for audiences ranging from pre-school to teenagers, the top 20 children's/youth programmes contain a diverse cross-section of styles and subject matter (animation, puppets, drama, magazine programmes). No genre or decade is excluded. Twelve of this top 20 are from the 1950s-1960s, six from the 1970s-1980s, just two from the 1990s. This probably says more about the average age of the voters than it does about any 'golden age' of children's television. If you'd bet on which titles would have made it into this top 20, you'll surely find several of the hot favourites are there, and two of them make it into the top ten of the overall bfi TV 100.

Long-running children's programmes have fared extremely well in both the genre list and the overall 100. Occupying top position is Doctor Who. Had there been sub-categories of cult and science-fiction programmes, the Doctor would surely have been well placed there, too. Its broad appeal to children and adults alike - some would say it should have been counted as a drama, rather than a children's programme - as well as its popularity for more than 20 years on BBC TV would also explain its high placing in the overall 100.

Another enduring favourite is second in the genre list. Blue Peter has stood the test of time and is still going strong. Its energetic, youthful presenters have fearlessly demonstrated all sorts of activities, visited all sorts of people and places, and launched all sorts of appeals, for more than four decades. Blue Peter's position at number six in the overall 100, sandwiched between Monty Python and Boys from the Blackstuff, is a testament to its longevity. Doctor Who and Blue Peter have both been accorded their own 'theme night' on BBC2, in recognition of their special status in viewers', as well as the industry's, affections.

Animation and puppetry take up seven places in the list, all of them beautifully crafted, innovative productions with universal appeal and novel storylines. The Wrong Trousers (in third place) and The Snowman (eighth) are the only one-off programmes appearing in the genre top 20. Unsurprisingly, the multi award-winning Wallace and Gromit's appearance in The Wrong Trousers also bagged a top 20 slot in the overall 100 (number 18). The claymation tale of a man, his dog, a mechanical pair of trousers and a penguin jewel thief has become a firm favourite with children and adults. And the picture-book animation and unforgettable music of The Snowman, (overall number 71), make Raymond Briggs' Christmas story a permanent fixture in the December schedules.

Universal appeal plus a dash of nostalgia have contributed to the cult status of the other animation titles. Despite their age, many remain very much in the present, with frequent re-runs (two of the BBC titles transferring to early mornings on Channel 4) and video sales. The Magic Roundabout offers the delights of Serge Danot's surreal garden setting and Eric Thompson's witty, sometimes quite adult, narration. Thunderbirds delivers special effects galore and so much dramatic tension that even the puppets sweat! Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate's Smallfilms deserves special praise for bagging two places in the top 20. In 13th place are The Clangers - no-one knew what the pink space-mice were talking about, but Postgate's commentary was enchanting. The animated adventures of the Prince of the Nogs in The Saga of Noggin the Nog follows closely in 17th, and the last and oldest entry in this group is Watch with Mother's Flowerpot Men (19th).

Whilst the other programmes in this genre made the transition to colour, The Flowerpot Men are fondly remembered 'flobba-dobbing' in black and white - but they are currently being re-made and should soon claim a fresh generation of fans.

The top 20 contains a mixed bag of children's drama series and serials. It includes realistic portrayals of social issues, lavish special-effects led productions, classic adaptations and historical dramas. The highest place, fifth, belongs to Phil Redmond's Grange Hill, the only weekday drama, and the only drama title in the top 20 still running. Since the late 1970s, Grange Hill has presented a realistic view of comprehensive school life and has courted controversy with some of its storylines, bullying, heroin addiction and teenage pregnancy, to name but three.

A proven favourite for family viewing, it comes as no surprise that the Sunday tea-time drama slot is well represented in the children's list - five of the six children's drama entries were screened in this slot. Fantasy and adventure are represented in the form of two lavish adaptations of children's classics. In ninth place the award-winning The Borrowers won many fans not only for the enjoyable story but also for its re-creation of Mary Norton's miniature world of the Clock family and the marvellous performances of the cast. Another special-effects spectacular, screened over a three-year period, was The Chronicles of Narnia, appearing in 12th place. It drew upon C. S. Lewis's enchanting stories, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair to bring the fantasy world of Narnia and its many magical creatures to life.

The remaining three Sunday dramas, as well as having an historical context, all boast memorable star performances. The 1968 serialisation of The Railway Children had amongst its cast a young Jenny Agutter, who would reprise the role of Roberta ('Bobbie') Bastable in the big-screen version of Edith Nesbitt's story two years later. ITV created a new twist on historical drama with Catweazle, Richard Carpenter's story of an eleventh century wizard trapped in the twentieth century, with Geoffrey Bayldon's not-to-be forgotten performance in the title role. Finally, Richard Greene's swashbuckling hero helped to make The Adventures of Robin Hood a major success for ITV in Britain and the USA.

Besides Blue Peter, several other studio-based, presenter-led programmes are in the list. The anarchy that was Tiswas - sixth on the children's list, 48 in the overall 100 - made compulsive viewing on Saturday mornings.

Side by side in the top 20 are two examples of adult formats adapted for children with considerable success, both running for more than 30 years. Crackerjack offered variety acts, comedy and competitions in a television theatre; whilst John Craven's Newsround gave a live bulletin of the latest news for younger viewers. The latter programme continues today, simply as Newsround, and young viewers now act as reporters on some of the stories.

The final two programmes in the genre list are for the youngest viewers. Storytelling has always been popular with children, and Jackanory's many presenters read hundreds of stories, re-creating an image of story time at home. Later the programme evolved and presented plays for young children, under the name Jackanory Playhouse. Storytelling also has a role in the most recent programme in this top 20, Teletubbies. But the 1990s' approach is much more interactive, with the childlike chatter of its cute cartoon-like characters, careful storytelling and comforting repetition.

Only eleven of these 20 titles have made it into the overall 100; two (Doctor Who and Blue Peter) are highly placed in the top 10. Of all the genre lists, this one probably reflects the most personal favourites. Programmes are recalled with affection from childhood, but several of them have not been seen complete since their original transmissions. The newer programmes are most likely to be favourites of the voters' own children, but this does not detract from their quality, value or standing.

The children's list is diverse, showing a preference for long-running programmes with broad appeal. Animation and drama prove most popular, with an almost equal split between adaptations and original work, but all provide enduring viewing for children of all ages.

Kathleen Luckey