Certainly was... Thats why I have it set as my alarm on my phone! (It's the only thing I could stand keep nagging me every 10 minnutes using the snooze function lol)
In answer to Elberto - 'we' are... or were LEGS productions based in Manchester, we made the title sequence - not the music. No computer animation here - all the buildings and city were made from card and reflective / mirrored coatings , lights added inside and then we built a miniature version of the studio set. It was all shot with a motion control rig. A long time ago but happy days when stop frame was the norm.
Great intro. It looks like a scene from a science fiction or comic book film like Superman or the X-Men. Although this was the 1980s, this intro to Blockbusters was futuristic for the time.
Hearing this theme song again, after so many, many years has made me cry! But in a nice way, as it reminds me of my beloved Nan & Grandad, who left my life at a young-ish age. The only thing they watched during the day was Euro-Sports on Sky, & i remember all the ski jumps etc, but every time this was on GranadaTV (Channel 3) at the time (now ITV), this was there go to show! Nan & Grandad I
This is the original and best version of the theme. The reason there might be similarities in sounds and writing style to Knightmare is that the same composer wrote both tracks - Ed Welch. Also around the same time. (Blockbusters in 1983, Knightmare in 1987)
I was in sixth form in 1991 and around about that time I was in the audience for filming. They used to invite local schools to be in the audience and we had to do the hand clap thing at the end as the camera panned over. One thing I remember is they kept having to refilm one guy walking up to the hot spot to do his gold run as he kept tripping up.
R I P Bob Holness, we can say he was a true Gentleman... TV hasn't had many of those and we probably wont see another either. he took genuine interest in the contestants too... Not just paying lip service... The remakes of Blockbusters should stay in someones head.. show the classics again.. R I P Bob.. you Legend!
To those people asking how this was done. It was a mixture of video effects and practical model shooting. They actually made a city scape with hexagonal buildings, they were going for a Blade Runner type look.
I love this show. It was brilliant and the Gold Run was an extra treat to watch. That theme tune is so catchy. 'Blockbusters' is being shown on Challenge at 4pm Mondays - Fridays and weekends at 5pm.
The theme for blockbusters was composed by Ed Welch. Central TV and Ed Welch released the full 3 minute version back in 1988 on 7" single. A friend of mine still has it!
I love 80's gameshow. Including this one, The Krypton Factor, Catchphrase, Strike It Lucky, Connections, Knightmare, All Clued Up, Concentration, Through The Keyhole (even though it was more of a panel show), etc...
I remember watching this with my late-grandma between the ages of 6 and 9/10 (1984-1987) That was replaced by Home and Away in 1988.t used to be on just between on Anglia TV between Children's TV the National News. Before Children's TV was either The Young Doctors or Sons and Daughters the Mid Afternoon News Birthday Club and earlier in the afternoon was A Country Practice. Back then no shops were open after 6 in the evening. It's interesting to note a five minute mid afternoon summary of regional news has now become a bulletin of the same length but at 13:55 and the period between 14:00 and 18:00 is shows like Judge Rinder, Chat Shows and Quizzes. The chat Show were on at 09:30. I guess some of this is because primary school age children now have more homework than they did in the mid- 1980s and/or they do more after school activities and also whether for pre- school age or school age children or school age Children's TV now has it own Channels.
+Annabelle Short Yeah I remember watching this as a kid too! I found the show quite boring but the intro theme and city were excellent - as was Bob and his upbeat spirit. The days when shops were all closed by 6pm... that takes me back.. Life was so much simpler and happier then!
+Delta10666 Yes I have to say that I quite enjoyed it but hen I was a fan of BBC show called The Lowdown, which was a documentary show. Even today sometimes watch quizz shows and documentrayFrom 1985/1986 on I was at private primary and for some of that period I didn't get home from school until around 17:00 maybe later and had homework where perhaps children attending state primary school did not. I my older brother ( who is 5 years older than me) and and I were only allowed one show to watch one soap -drama each and my mum did like us us watching Grange Hill or EastEnders because a accent and the language. It's funny that now watch soaps that I probably wouldn't have been allowed to watch. Yes that time was much simpler but in my experience but not necessarily always happier.
Yeah, quiz shows had the odd habit of having very memorable intros and themes to catch little kids. I was all of four and I have three strong memories of after-school TV during 1990; Thomas, The Dreamstone, and the Blockbusters intro.
Yes quiz shows did have good themes them. I also like some non quiz themes like Dynasty A Country Practice Young Doctors and later Flying Doctors, here in the UK there were also Take The High Road in the afternoon and Brookside and from 1985 neighbours (then on the BBC I wasn't able to watch Children thorough the mid/10 late 1980s as I didn't get back from school in time also by the end of 1990 I was living in Malta and the only English Speaking TV there was in the late afternoon/ early evening was episodes of Neighbours that had that had been screen four/five years previously in the UK and Twin Peaksoh and CNN news or/ later BBC World Service. The rest was either Maltese TV or Italian TV.
This reminds me of loading of the days when I started loading a game from tape on my Commodore 64 while I watched Blockbusters, before switching the aerial cable when it was finished.
I was fortunate to spend summer holidays at the studio for work experience and this show was the next best thing after, Emu’s Live Pink Windmill Show😂 what you may not realise is that the big hexagonal board was not a large tv with computer generation but a rack of projectors both vertically and horizontally that would project onto the screen from behind. Individual slides in each projector beaming its own hexagonal image and changed by cabled remote. How analogue was that back in the 80’s and yet looked futuristic.
I think it's clear that it's not computer generated but looks really good. Was it like a slide projector and the operator could change the colour by advancing and rewinding? I wonder how the achieved the flashing
I recently bought the home game from a charity shop. It was a hit with my mates! Only watched it for the theme and that intro. Was too young to get the questions right.
@bjoevans Thanks for that info mate, what can I say except I am really impressed and fascinated! I don't remember being particularly bothered at the time, but now as I'm a 35yo 80s child, I love it.
This was a brilliant intro for Blockbusters and was proberbly the most advanced intro sequence of it's time. Fron what I read, the intro was based on Bladerunner, as I have seen comments about it below. They should bring back Bob, the brilliant intro and best of all the hand jive at the end!
Getting in from school, smashing a few penny sweets whilst watching Children's Itv then the smell of tea being cooked at 5. Followed by THE theme tune of 80s kids tea time, Blockbusters!!
@bjoevans Great info, thanks! Just curious about a couple of things: the glowing/flying hexagon spaceships thingies: were these not CG? Were they some kind of seperately filmed element that was overexposed (for the glow) and comped in to the other footage? Kudos on the studio miniature. I wouldn't have known! Oh, also, one other question: what was the thinking behing the title sequence? It's kind of insane. A Balderunner-esque dystopia ruled by hexagons. Earth consumed by a solar flare. Genius.
As a kid who grew up in the 80s, this was essential viewing. RIP Bob. You were a TV legend.
He still is just because someone is dead doesn’t mean they can’t be a legend
Man, that intro was so ahead of its time, I remember loving the hell out of it.
When gameshows were good. This, The Krypton Factor, The Crystal Maze and Bullseye are my all time favorites.
When gameshow were good this the krypton factor the crystal maze & bullseye are my all time favourites gameshows
@@ellie-maydavenport3118 yeah Gladiators too, It's a Knockout
Run the Gauntlet
Good gameshows still exist.
@@AC_Milan1899with Martin Shaw
Dark winter nights in the 80s as a kid - brings back memory’s
I close my eyes it takes me back.to.a better time
This is my ringtone. Its 2022.
Greatest game show intro theme ever.
Certainly was... Thats why I have it set as my alarm on my phone! (It's the only thing I could stand keep nagging me every 10 minnutes using the snooze function lol)
@@jaydee2559 same here!
I agree
Can I have a P please Bob
@@TyMarshall007 lol
In answer to Elberto - 'we' are... or were LEGS productions based in Manchester, we made the title sequence - not the music. No computer animation here - all the buildings and city were made from card and reflective / mirrored coatings , lights added inside and then we built a miniature version of the studio set. It was all shot with a motion control rig. A long time ago but happy days when stop frame was the norm.
Jo Evans 8years later « my work here is done »
Would love to see any photos you might have from back then if they're available online please :)
You did an absolutely brilliant job, as a child watching that intro, it really did take to another world.
Well done Jo and team for back in the day initiative, it was brilliant.
Great job. Who made the historical figure sculptures that were in the studio? They were awesome
Great intro. It looks like a scene from a science fiction or comic book film like Superman or the X-Men. Although this was the 1980s, this intro to Blockbusters was futuristic for the time.
Weird considering it's just a game show revolving around letters. The "letter gods" as Bob referred to them, were an interesting touch, too.
The intro was inspired by Blade Runner.
Seeing this has just brought back primary school memories. Just got back from school had tea etc it was then time to watch Bob
Imagine how kick ass those graphics could be if they were done now. They are incredibly cool for the year they were made in!
This looks better than crappy CGI from now.
Hearing this theme song again, after so many, many years has made me cry! But in a nice way, as it reminds me of my beloved Nan & Grandad, who left my life at a young-ish age.
The only thing they watched during the day was Euro-Sports on Sky, & i remember all the ski jumps etc, but every time this was on GranadaTV (Channel 3) at the time (now ITV), this was there go to show!
Nan & Grandad I
What a lovely tribute.
@@TomRipley7350 Thank you so much ❤️
I was in the audience for filming one of these shows in 1991 or 1992 - so when I hear the theme it takes me right back 30years!
Makes me miss my childhood days. In good and bad ways. I'm 40 this year
Used to watch this with my grandmother. She was a big quiz show fan. Always loved this intro.
This is the original and best version of the theme. The reason there might be similarities in sounds and writing style to Knightmare is that the same composer wrote both tracks - Ed Welch. Also around the same time. (Blockbusters in 1983, Knightmare in 1987)
Thanks. I had a flashback to Knightmare while listening to this, and now I know why! 👍
RIP Bob. Thanks for the happy childhood memories of getting home from school to watch this at teatime!
That theme tune takes me back! ITV were on to a great thing with this programme. I even got my five minutes of fame as a contestant back in 1991!
I was in sixth form in 1991 and around about that time I was in the audience for filming. They used to invite local schools to be in the audience and we had to do the hand clap thing at the end as the camera panned over. One thing I remember is they kept having to refilm one guy walking up to the hot spot to do his gold run as he kept tripping up.
This is so ridiculously over the top but I absolutely love it to death.
It is one of the classics from the 1980's - no doubt about it! How do I know - I was on it in 1985 with a girl from our school.
You’re a legend bro
R I P Bob Holness, we can say he was a true Gentleman... TV hasn't had many of those and we probably wont see another either. he took genuine interest in the contestants too... Not just paying lip service... The remakes of Blockbusters should stay in someones head.. show the classics again.. R I P Bob.. you Legend!
Absolutely epic! Who knew that they would make Blade Runner into a quiz show.
What B was a game show that had amazing intro and hosted a brilliant host
Blockbusters.
Bullseye?
@@muhammadalieesaa3379 brilliant
@@DoubleWavedYellows brilliant
@@waynehigham6504 I can think of another one, Bob's full house.
the ultimate in TV themes, pure class and respect to the composer Ed Welch. Thank you
To those people asking how this was done. It was a mixture of video effects and practical model shooting. They actually made a city scape with hexagonal buildings, they were going for a Blade Runner type look.
RIP Bob
When I was a kid I always wanted to go on Blockbusters
lol amazing intro theme.... so 80's
We made this at Legs productions in Manchester 1987!
I love this show. It was brilliant and the Gold Run was an extra treat to watch. That theme tune is so catchy.
'Blockbusters' is being shown on Challenge at 4pm Mondays - Fridays and weekends at 5pm.
So many terrific memories of this, in my 20's at the time but, the way this has been done and captured so brilliantly. is truly amazing!
The theme for blockbusters was composed by Ed Welch. Central TV and Ed Welch released the full 3 minute version back in 1988 on 7" single. A friend of mine still has it!
The statues were designed to represent 'Great Thinkers'. It was part of the original set. You can see Zeus, Beethoven and other icons of intelligence.
When the series finally finished all of the statues were placed in the staff canteen looking down from above
Its one of the best Game show intros
I love 80's gameshow. Including this one, The Krypton Factor, Catchphrase, Strike It Lucky, Connections, Knightmare, All Clued Up, Concentration, Through The Keyhole (even though it was more of a panel show), etc...
Best Quiz show theme tune EVER without a doubt
when i wathced this on tv, i always thought the intro was very futuristic. lookin at the intro on here, im still thinkin the exact same thing
I remember watching this with my late-grandma between the ages of 6 and 9/10 (1984-1987) That was replaced by Home and Away in 1988.t used to be on just between on Anglia TV between Children's TV the National News. Before Children's TV was either The Young Doctors or Sons and Daughters the Mid Afternoon News Birthday Club and earlier in the afternoon was A Country Practice. Back then no shops were open after 6 in the evening. It's interesting to note a five minute mid afternoon summary of regional news has now become a bulletin of the same length but at 13:55 and the period between 14:00 and 18:00 is shows like Judge Rinder, Chat Shows and Quizzes. The chat Show were on at 09:30. I guess some of this is because primary school age children now have more homework than they did in the mid- 1980s and/or they do more after school activities and also whether for pre- school age or school age children or school age Children's TV now has it own Channels.
+Annabelle Short Yeah I remember watching this as a kid too! I found the show quite boring but the intro theme and city were excellent - as was Bob and his upbeat spirit. The days when shops were all closed by 6pm... that takes me back.. Life was so much simpler and happier then!
+Delta10666 Yes I have to say that I quite enjoyed it but hen I was a fan of BBC show called The Lowdown, which was a documentary show. Even today sometimes watch quizz shows and documentrayFrom 1985/1986 on I was at private primary and for some of that period I didn't get home from school until around 17:00 maybe later and had homework where perhaps children attending state primary school did not. I my older brother ( who is 5 years older than me) and and I were only allowed one show to watch one soap -drama each and my mum did like us us watching Grange Hill or EastEnders because a accent and the language. It's funny that now watch soaps that I probably wouldn't have been allowed to watch. Yes that time was much simpler but in my experience but not necessarily always happier.
Yeah, quiz shows had the odd habit of having very memorable intros and themes to catch little kids.
I was all of four and I have three strong memories of after-school TV during 1990; Thomas, The Dreamstone, and the Blockbusters intro.
Yes quiz shows did have good themes them. I also like some non quiz themes like Dynasty A Country Practice Young Doctors and later Flying Doctors, here in the UK there were also Take The High Road in the afternoon and Brookside and from 1985 neighbours (then on the BBC I wasn't able to watch Children thorough the mid/10 late 1980s as I didn't get back from school in time also by the end of 1990 I was living in Malta and the only English Speaking TV there was in the late afternoon/ early evening was episodes of Neighbours that had that had been screen four/five years previously in the UK and Twin Peaksoh and CNN news or/ later BBC World Service. The rest was either Maltese TV or Italian TV.
i used to love blockbusters and ' going for gold' with henry kelly.
for being such a old geeky show, the graphics and music at the start were well ahead of its time lol Quality tune!
I watched this from age 6 in 1987
Bob Holness a TV Legend
RIP Bob Holness
😢😭
Blade Runner wishes it looked and sounded as good as the Blockbusters intro
This reminds me of loading of the days when I started loading a game from tape on my Commodore 64 while I watched Blockbusters, before switching the aerial cable when it was finished.
Mine to
R.I.P. please, Bob.
Ahhh memories. Great programme and an even better theme tune. Wonderful stuff
Possibly the greatest gameshow theme ever in my opinion
Oh my God, I haven't watched this programme in AGEES, sooooooooooooooooooo love this show!
greatest gameshow and
theme tune ever rip bob
rest in peace the late great bob holness.
I was fortunate to spend summer holidays at the studio for work experience and this show was the next best thing after, Emu’s Live Pink Windmill Show😂 what you may not realise is that the big hexagonal board was not a large tv with computer generation but a rack of projectors both vertically and horizontally that would project onto the screen from behind. Individual slides in each projector beaming its own hexagonal image and changed by cabled remote. How analogue was that back in the 80’s and yet looked futuristic.
I think it's clear that it's not computer generated but looks really good. Was it like a slide projector and the operator could change the colour by advancing and rewinding? I wonder how the achieved the flashing
can i have a L E G E N D please bob
RIP BOB
I remember this in the early 90s...took me right back my eyes fascinated by that intro
the theme tune in history of television!!!
That's a fucking good intro theme.
Fantastic quality and a fantastic intro.
OMG the memories...just chillingly cool!
Great intro 👍🤓
I recently bought the home game from a charity shop. It was a hit with my mates!
Only watched it for the theme and that intro. Was too young to get the questions right.
The intro to this show was incredible
i agree.
Omg this theme song brought back my childhood
Great theme tune, used to watch all the time. Still got the Blockbusters game!
So long Bob, we will miss you, R.I.P.
LOVE IT! These were the days - much better than the reality TV saturated programming of today...
Same here😊 loved that show
It used to be on around 5pm on Saturday evenings before the A Team. My gran loved it.
Just wanted to add: This version of the theme-tune is a killer. By far ranks as the top 5 game-show theme-tunes of all time!
absolute banger of a tune
Bob holness perfect host and a gentleman!!! RIP Bob.
His playing on Baker Street was brilliant too
@@barryvaux8679 He was the best James Bond.
@@barryvaux8679 Yeah...but no
I will have a p please Bob lol. I wish I could go back to these days
it all used to be like that, stunning stuff.
awesome,best theme song ever!
remember this winter evenings..couple of hours after school sitting back with my egg chips and peas.
@aQSteve you're right it IS one of the best telly shows ever - I was on it in 1985
@bjoevans Thanks for that info mate, what can I say except I am really impressed and fascinated! I don't remember being particularly bothered at the time, but now as I'm a 35yo 80s child, I love it.
why is this intro so bizarrely freaking awesome?!
Years ahead of its time :)
I used to watch this in the eighties and had the game. I mostly like the intro tune but then again I was only about 7 or 8 at the time
Oh memories ! I feel they should bring this back !
Fantastic theme music!
hahaha! i agree with you there bud, blankety blank and this are such comical intros!
Great theme. Best era opening too.
The best TV theme EVER !
Very uplifting music. Love it.
This theme was done by the same guy who did the theme to Knightmare did ye know?
This was a brilliant intro for Blockbusters and was proberbly the most advanced intro sequence of it's time. Fron what I read, the intro was based on Bladerunner, as I have seen comments about it below. They should bring back Bob, the brilliant intro and best of all the hand jive at the end!
yes same here - shame it's not on anymore. the music and opening titles brings it all back.
my mum put this on when I was about 7 or 8. couldnt understand any of the questions but I loved bob holness.
So iconic!
Loving it x
R.I.P Bob greatly missed
Came here from SpaceX's Starship launch. The theme tune is a banger!
I want this played at my funeral.
If you go for cremation, you could have a voice-over that says "PUT YOURSELF ON THE HOT SPOT!"
@@stephenmcconnell1000 😂 😂 😂 now that’s funny!
Getting in from school, smashing a few penny sweets whilst watching Children's Itv then the smell of tea being cooked at 5. Followed by THE theme tune of 80s kids tea time, Blockbusters!!
On Repeat. Forever. LOVE IT
@bjoevans Great info, thanks! Just curious about a couple of things: the glowing/flying hexagon spaceships thingies: were these not CG? Were they some kind of seperately filmed element that was overexposed (for the glow) and comped in to the other footage? Kudos on the studio miniature. I wouldn't have known! Oh, also, one other question: what was the thinking behing the title sequence? It's kind of insane. A Balderunner-esque dystopia ruled by hexagons. Earth consumed by a solar flare. Genius.
This is brilliant!
Bob Holness IS Blockbusters!
For The Last Time Put Yourself On The Hot Spot
Gold to gold in sixty seconds or less.
U had to be there then to understand now, pure joy.
brings back memories