Popworldis aBritish televisionprogramme that was broadcast onChannel 4as part of theT4strand, featuring pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from contemporary artists.
| Popworld | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Robert Dodds Simon Fuller |
| Presented by | Miquita Oliver Simon Amstell Alex Zane Alexa Chung |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company | Eyeworks |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 20 January 2001– 14 July 2007 |
The show began on 20 January 2001 and was initially presented byMiquita OliverandSimon Amstell.Alex ZaneandAlexa Chungtook over the hosting role in 2006.[1]Popworldwas broadcast every Sunday morning onChannel 4at 10:30am,[2]and repeated onE4at 2:00pm the following day.
On 27 April 2007, Channel 4 announced they would not be recommissioning the show, and after six years on air,Popworldended on 14 July 2007.[3]
History
editPopworldbegan in 2000 as a website founded by pop mogulSimon Fuller,and the accompanying show (first transmitted daily at teatime onE4) was originally intended for a pre-adolescent audience.[1][4]The show's original hosts wereNickelodeonpresenterSimon Amstelland 16-year-oldMiquita Oliver.The original ratings for the programme were dismal, but as Amstell and Oliver gradually warmed to each other (their relationship was strained in the early days) and had greater control of what they could say, the ratings improved.[5][1][6]Popworldfinally made it on toT4(Channel 4's youth strand) in the spring of 2001. In the early series, the show featuredLeigh Francisas the character Barry Gibson.[7][8]
During Amstell and Oliver's tenure on the show, it often usedsurreal humour[4]and small references toJewish culturein the United Kingdom;[6]for example, Amstell had been shown readingThe Jewish Chronicle,as well as making references to festivals and customs. Since its inception, the show gradually grew more and more dry and sarcastic,[1]with singers and bands being subtly, and by 2004 more overtly, mocked.[5]By the end of Amstell and Oliver's tenure on the show, it had gained a cult following as the alternative to limitlessly enthusiastic programmes such asTop of the Pops.[2][4]Notable events that occurred during their tenure included openly gay Amstell coming on tohomophobicreggae starBeenie Man,[1][6]andBritney Spearswalking out of an interview in tears.[5]The Kooksrefused to do an interview on their second appearance on the show, after Amstell's repeated references to the singer's ex-girlfriendKatie Meluaduring their first interview.[9]
In February 2006, Amstell and Oliver announced they would be leaving the show.[4][1]Following their departure episode,Alex ZaneandAlexa Chungtook over presenting until its series finale in July 2007.[6]
Magazine
editPopworldlaunched a magazine of the same name in 2003, but production was stopped after just one year.[4]
In late 2006, it was announced thatPopworldwas launching a weekly magazine calledPopworld Pulp.130,000 copies were produced for launch, which took place in April 2007. After only a week, it was axed due to selling only 7% of its newsagent allocation, despite a £1.49 cover price and a wide promotional campaign.[10]Two weeks later, the show, too, announced it was ending.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdefEllen, Barbara (9 April 2006)."Bands on the run".The Observer.
- ^abFreeman, Hadley (30 November 2004)."The new TOTP? Get up early on Sunday".The Guardian.
- ^Welsh, James (27 April 2007)."Channel 4 axes 'Popworld'".Digital Spy.
- ^abcdeRobinson, Peter (18 January 2016)."Bring back Popworld: the music show fans loved and celebrities feared".The Guardian.
- ^abcDavis, Johnny (14 January 2006)."Popworld: the irreverent music show".The Independent.
- ^abcdFreeman, Hadley (1 May 2021)."'God, I never thought we'd be this old!': Miquita Oliver and Simon Amstell on Popworld turning 20 ".The Guardian.
- ^"Who is Keith Lemon? Real name and family life revealed".Heart.Retrieved11 May2023.
- ^"Leigh Francis as Barry Gibson on T4s Pop World"– via youtube.
- ^Soghomonian, Talia (16 May 2012)."Come Back 'Popworld', TV Needs You".NME.Retrieved11 May2023.
- ^"Pop magazine axed after one week".BBC News. 19 April 2007.