Contrary to popular myth, Noel Edmonds' 'The Late Late Breakfast Show' was not the Bearded Wonder's first attempt at an early-evening Saturday night show. In 1979, he fronted a revival of 'Juke Box Jury' ( in one episode, Johnny Rotten memorably clashed with D.J. Alan Freeman ), while a year before he gave us 'Lucky Numbers', an expanded version of a segment of 'Multi-Coloured Swap Shop'. Both bombed.
'Late Late' too looked set for the scrapyard when it was launched in 1982. It had a difficult birthing period; the early shows began with a title sequence reminiscent of the old Simon Dee show 'Dee Time', depicting Noel racing to the B.B.C. T.V. Centre in various forms of transport to the accompaniment of a strident theme by Gary Kemp of 'Spandau Ballet'. The late D.J. John Peel figured prominently, as did Scottish comedian Leni Harper ( whatever happened to her? ). Poor ratings necessitated a rethink. Noel decided his co-presenters were to blame and, ditching them, brought in fellow D.J. Mike Smith. There was also a lawsuit threatened by Peter Dulay, ex-producer of the British version of 'Candid Camera'. Dulay claimed that a 'Gotcha' stunt involving a conveyor belt was a steal of one of his ideas. The case was letter settled out of court, with Dulay receiving an on-screen credit as 'Consultant'.
Despite these troubles, 'Late Late' caught on, and would have run years had not viewer Michael Lush died in 1986 while rehearsing a stunt. Noel later commented: "It nearly ruined my career.". Didn't do poor Michael much good either, Noel.
'Late Late' too looked set for the scrapyard when it was launched in 1982. It had a difficult birthing period; the early shows began with a title sequence reminiscent of the old Simon Dee show 'Dee Time', depicting Noel racing to the B.B.C. T.V. Centre in various forms of transport to the accompaniment of a strident theme by Gary Kemp of 'Spandau Ballet'. The late D.J. John Peel figured prominently, as did Scottish comedian Leni Harper ( whatever happened to her? ). Poor ratings necessitated a rethink. Noel decided his co-presenters were to blame and, ditching them, brought in fellow D.J. Mike Smith. There was also a lawsuit threatened by Peter Dulay, ex-producer of the British version of 'Candid Camera'. Dulay claimed that a 'Gotcha' stunt involving a conveyor belt was a steal of one of his ideas. The case was letter settled out of court, with Dulay receiving an on-screen credit as 'Consultant'.
Despite these troubles, 'Late Late' caught on, and would have run years had not viewer Michael Lush died in 1986 while rehearsing a stunt. Noel later commented: "It nearly ruined my career.". Didn't do poor Michael much good either, Noel.
