Going Live! (1987)
The iconic BBC One Saturday morning live show that defined a generation of British weekend television from 1987 to 1993.
Going Live! - Series Information
- Original Title: Going Live!
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1993
- Type: TV Series
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (173 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 179
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Networks: BBC One
Going Live! - Plot
Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher. The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking. In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.
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Going Live! - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Phillip Schofield
- Sarah Greene
- Peter Simon
- Trevor Neal
- Simon Hickson
- Emma Forbes
- Shane Richie
- Phillip Hodson
- Jason Donovan
- Kylie Minogue
Going Live! - FAQs
Who presented Going Live! on BBC One?
Going Live! was primarily presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. The show also featured Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, and Emma Forbes as regular contributors, along with the beloved puppet Gordon the Gopher, who became one of the show's most iconic characters.
What was Going Live! about?
Going Live! was a live Saturday morning magazine show on BBC One, packed with celebrity guests, pop music performances, viewer phone-ins, competitions, and comedy sketches. It ran from 1987 to 1993 and became a defining part of British children's weekend television during that era.
Did Robbie Williams appear on Going Live!?
Robbie Williams did appear on Going Live! during his Take That years, stepping in as a guest presenter during the final series in 1992–93 when Phillip Schofield was committed to his stage role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and could not host the show.
Why did Sarah Greene miss Going Live! in 1988?
Sarah Greene was injured in a helicopter crash in 1988 alongside her then boyfriend Mike Smith, forcing her to miss the start of the second series. Guest presenters stepped in during her recovery, including Carol Decker of T'Pau, who helped keep the show running smoothly.
How many seasons and episodes does Going Live! have?
Going Live! ran for 6 seasons and a total of 179 episodes. Each season contained between 28 and 31 episodes, broadcast during the autumn-to-spring period on BBC One, with other programmes taking over the Saturday morning slot during the summer months.
What shows came before and after Going Live!?
Going Live! was preceded by Saturday Superstore and succeeded by Live & Kicking, which carried on the Saturday morning tradition. During summer months, the slot was filled by other programmes such as The 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 while Going Live! was off air.
When did Going Live! first air and when did it end?
Going Live! first aired in 1987 on BBC One and ran until 1993, spanning six series. It broadcast during the autumn-to-spring seasons each year, making it a cherished fixture of British Saturday mornings for children and families throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What network aired Going Live! in the UK?
Going Live! aired on BBC One, the flagship channel of the BBC. It occupied the Saturday morning slot and was one of the most-watched children's and family programmes on British television during its run from 1987 to 1993.
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