It’s good to talk
Terry Wogan brought on the blarney 35 years ago with the relaunch of his TV chat show
CELEBRITIES loved talking to him and telly watchers could not get enough of Terry Wogan and his chat show in the Eighties. The BBC programme first began in 1982 as a late-night chat and music show hosted by Terry and Paula Yates, but it was relaunched 35 years ago as part of a revamp of the BBC1 schedule.
It meant Wogan went out live at 7pm, three times a week, from the Television Theatre in London’s Shepherds Bush from February 19, 1985.
The intention was to bring some of the relaxed charm of Terry’s radio show to TV and he immediately won over viewers by tripping and falling on the opening show – recovering to ad lib with guest Elton John.
The line-up of the first show also included impressionist Rory Bremner, American singing star Tina Turner and British actress Wendy Richard, best known as the glamorous Miss Brahms in the sitcom Are You Being Served?, who was about to star as Pauline Fowler in the Beeb’s new soap EastEnders.
Terry once explained the art of live telly saying: “You have to be aware of your own shortcomings.
“The main thing I try not to do is lose my temper. Doing live interviews on television, you learn not to say the first thing that comes into your head.”
Terry with Phyllis Diller in 1989
The informal appeal of the chat show saw it running for the next seven years with appearances from everyone from David Bowie and David Icke to cast members from American shows such as Dallas and Dynasty.
Stars such as comedian Robin Williams, Spike Milligan, Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali, Oprah Winfrey and 007 actor Sean Connery also joined Terry for a chat.
The presenter, who sadly died in 2016 at the age of 77, was knighted for services to broadcasting in 2005.
He once explained: “A television chat show is light entertainment, so it is trivial by its very nature.
“It is hardly the place to get people to reveal their innermost thoughts.”
The main thing I try not to do is lose my temper.
Terry Wogan