Strong Programmes In Line For Television One (Press, 31 January 1977)

On 31 January 1977, the television programme “The Naked Civil Servant” is set to premiere on TV1. This acclaimed British production is a biographical portrayal of Quentin Crisp, a self-identified homosexual, and stars actor John Hurt, whose performance garnered him the Actor of the Year Award. The film, based on Crisp's autobiography, highlights his decision to embrace an open lifestyle in his early twenties without concealing his sexual identity. The production has received critical acclaim, winning both the Prix Italia and an Emmy Award. Des Monaghan, the programme controller for TV1, described the production as "quite the funniest yet, one of the saddest productions I have seen.” Viewer surveys in Britain showed that the audience largely responded with sympathy and appreciation rather than shock. Additionally, TV1 will feature other popular programs, including the BBC comedy series “Fawlty Towers,” starring John Cleese, which revolves around Basil Fawlty, a remarkably incompetent hotel manager. The show will air six episodes over six weeks on Thursday evenings. Another new political drama series from Thames, “Bill Brand,” will also debut soon, depicting a young man navigating motivational pressures as he vies for the Labour candidacy in a competitive Manchester constituency. Furthermore, TV1 will begin screening the American series “Charlie’s Angels,” which focuses on the crime-fighting escapades of three female protagonists. The successful series “Moynihan” is returning with a second season, emphasising character development, and features local actress Judi Douglass. A new Western titled “The Quest” is scheduled to start, which is described as “very gutsy” and began airing in the United States in September 1976. As it stands, the programming landscape includes a variety of genres, highlighting TV1's commitment to diverse and adult-oriented content in its afternoon schedule, with fewer children's shows. A new soap opera, “Rooms,” set in a West London boarding house, is set to air twice a week, alongside the revival of the iconic series “Peyton Place” in a special treatment with a backdrop in sepia tones. Other future programming includes repeats of shows like “Family at War,” and “War and Peace,” as well as a new BBC series “When the Boat Comes In,” slated for Sunday evenings. Guests of the previously airing Max Cryer Show will be replaced by a new Auckland-based show hosted by Vai Lamond and Ray Woolf, though an exact starting date has yet to be determined. Local producers have been invited to pitch quiz show pilots, and “The Bag” will continue with Selwyn Toogood. Future plans include the revival of “The Entertainers” and the introduction of “Ready to Roll” on Fridays.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand