Talking Pictures TV has announced its intention to broadcast the classic panel show Give Us A Clue, originally produced by Thames Television. The channel will be airing the Michael Parkinson era of the show from the 1980s.
What is Give Us A Clue?
Give Us A Clue was a television version of the game Charades. It involved two teams of several people, mostly celebrities, who had to act out a mime to lead to the saying of a name, phrase, book, play, film or TV programme.
It was produced by Thames Television and aired on ITV between 1979 and 1992, running for 322 episodes over 16 series. Michael Aspel initially hosted the show until 1984, when Michael Parkinson took over. The two regular team captains for most of the series were Dancer Lionel Blair and Actress Una Stubbs.
Each episode will feature several celebrities from the era, including Honor Blackman, Joan Sims, Frazer Hines, Spike Milligan, Anita Harris, William Guant, John Inman, and Mike Read. Many more will be featured!
What is Talking Pictures TV?
Talking Pictures TV is a free-to-air channel accessible through Freeview and Freesat in the UK. It is assigned channel 82 on Freeview and channel 306 on Freesat. Additionally, it is available on subscription platforms, appearing on channel 328 on Sky Digital and channel 445 on Virgin Media. The channel focuses on vintage films and television shows, often showcasing forgotten gems and classic favourites.
Jamie’s Reaction
This is a lovely surprise from Talking Pictures TV. There was a DVD release of the Michael Aspel years issued by the much missed Network Distributing, shortly before they closed. It looked like the Parky years were going to be confined to dodgy VHS rips on YouTube. It’s nice to know Talking Pictures have our back, and give a chance to see this era of the show.
Having only watched the Aspel series, I am not very familiar with the flavour of the succeeding era. One thing is for certain, it’s sure to be fun with Una Stubbs and Lionel Blair on hand to give us a clue! The show is a brilliant acquisition, because it’s a simple game that can turn anarchic very quickly. There’s also sure to be a plethora of stars from yesteryear!
When is Give Us A Clue being broadcast?
Give Us A Clue begins on Talking Pictures TV on Sunday the 25th of January 2025 at 3:30 pm. It will continue weekly in the same time slot. Please check the channel’s website for any schedule updates.
