'Entertain': the third part of the BBC's mission. Drawing on unique interviews from the BBC Oral History Collection, this collections explores the varied landscape of BBC broadcast entertainment, and the men and women behind the scenes and in front of the camera and microphone who made it happen, often facing a diverse array of challenges.
It ranges right across the genres: from Saturday night 'shiny floor' entertainment which drew the nation together, to natural history programmes that both educated and entertained at one and the same time, and on to political satire, sitcoms, drama and music. Enjoy – and be entertained!
Curated by Professor Jamie Medhurst, Aberystwyth University; Dr Siân Nicholas, Aberystwyth University; Dr Anthony McNicholas, University of Westminster; Professor Richard Haynes, University of Stirling, under the aegis of Professor David Hendy and Dr Alban Webb, University of Sussex.
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Saturday Night
Saturday nights have always been about family viewing and relaxation, a night off after a hard working week. -
Comedy and Satire
The BBC has a long and proud history of radio and television comedy, many of which broke new ground - and rattled politicians. -
Natural History
More than any other form of programming, Natural History has an innate ability to inform, educate, and entertain, making it the ideal genre for a public service broadcaster. -
EastEnders
Launched in February 1985, Eastenders has become one of the most popular programmes in the BBC One schedule. With its mix of strong characters and gritty storylines, the serial has entertained the nation for over 35 years.
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Popular Drama
Fantasy, costume drama, science fiction, realist plays... popular drama has always been a key part of the BBC's schedules and continues to play a significant part in the Corporation's output today. -
Sports
England’s World Cup triumph in 1966 continues to hold the record for the UK’s largest television audience. This followed two decades of innovation in the coverage of sport by the BBC’s Outside Broadcasting Department. -
Events that bind the Nation
From local to global events, from ceremonial to sports, over the past hundred years BBC radio and television coverage has been the means of binding the nation together as a single audience. -
Music
From Elgar to Eurovision, the BBC has provided an eclectic mix of musical entertainment since the earliest days of broadcasting. Although jazz wasn’t always welcome on the airwaves.
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Entertaining the Nations
In his 1924 book, Broadcast over Britain, John Reith spelt out his vision for the way in which broadcasting would ‘make the nation as one man’. But what nation? -
My Journey in Comedy
From working class east London, via Asia, Nigeria and Manchester, five women comedians explore their stories of bringing comedy to the BBC. The highs, the lows, and all the funny bits in between. -
Share Your Memories
Tell us how the BBC has entertained you over the years. Do the comedy classics such as Morecambe and Wise and the Two Ronnies tigger happy memories? How have the regular TV ‘soaps’ held your attention over the years, and who would you like to see entertaining the UK over the next 100 years? -
Background to the Project
Emeritus Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex explains how the BBC Oral History Collection is used in the Voices of the BBC project, and Frank Gillard founder of the original collection explores its beginnings.
Editorial Note
The Entertaining the UK collection contains excerpts and programmes from BBC services at specific moments in time. The material should be viewed in this context and with the understanding that it reflects the attitudes and standards of that period – not those of today.