Archive TV aficianado Thriller (ATV) blog https://thriller-reviews-and-reflections.blogspot.com/ Shadows of Fear blog https://shadowsoffearreviewed.blogspot.com/ Public Eye website http://www.publiceye1965-1975.uk/https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mk3t47l56k25Profiles of actors & performers due to play in a charity football match in 1974 - quite a few very familar names who were on screen or on the radio back in the early 1970s.22 Apr 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3t47l56k25https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mjcsujc4yk2hApril 12th is significant in Gerry Anderson's UFO as it is the only specific date noted on screen. In the episode "Survival" we learn that astronaut Bill Grant was killed on April 12th 1981. The episode marked the production debut of Michael Billington as Paul Foster who searches for the killer.12 Apr 2026 16:53 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjcsujc4yk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mir2oflpks2ePorter Arnold Capper (John Halstead) again in the bad books of the nurses (played by Sally Knyvette, Carol Hazell & Pippa Rowe) in episode 126 of General Hospital, December 1973. The odd look of the image is because the episode exists as that rare thing - a colour telerecording of the original tape.05 Apr 2026 15:25 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mir2oflpks2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mijldgakas2fApril 2nd for followers of Thriller is "One Deadly Owner Day". Specific dates were rarely mentioned in the show but model Helen Cook (Donna Mills) discovers it was on that day that Mrs Jacey disappeared and set off the fateful supernatural chain of events which were to put her own life in danger.02 Apr 2026 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijldgakas2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mhy2ev7m622bMark Curry meets Bonnie Langford - the new Doctor Who assistant Mel - on Blue Peter in September 1986. Both had many of their earliest TV appearances back in the early 1970s on Yorkshire TV's kids' variety show "Junior Showtime". Janet Ellis had guest-starred in Doctor Who back in 1979.26 Mar 2026 16:43 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhy2ev7m622bhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mfmlqqv5bs2yColette O'Neil & John Carson in the 1974 Thriller episode "Come Out Come Out, Wherever You Are" & then in rather different garb in the 1983 Doctor Who serial "Snakedance"; a young Martin Clunes is alongside them.24 Feb 2026 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfmlqqv5bs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mff3przdoc2tWhich series of ATV's Thriller are most popular or least popular with viewers? These results are based on IMDb ratings. Probably not a big surprise that Series 3 is easily the best-rated. Series 6 is lowest, maybe reflecting some changes in style & some more low-key stories.21 Feb 2026 16:56 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mff3przdoc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mfcl2nrlw22xThe viewer ratings for the 43 episodes of ATV series Thriller. It's always interesting to see how these compare to our own opinions - probably broadly similar but with us rating some much higher or lower. "Coffin for the Bride" is clearly in top place with "K Is for Killing" bottom.20 Feb 2026 16:53 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfcl2nrlw22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mcajdhd6bk27One of the notable features of the Jason King TV series (1971-1972) were the mock-up novels written by Jason about his fictional detective "Mark Caine" and which regularly featured in episodes.12 Jan 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcajdhd6bk27https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mbrg6r2r4s2mHeaded notepaper showing the Hereford address of the Bourne family featured in ATV drama "The Cedar Tree" (1976-1978). ATV shows occasionally referred to less well known parts of the region although in this case I'm not sure there was any filming in the Hereford area or anywhere beyond the studio.06 Jan 2026 16:55 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbrg6r2r4s2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mb2q56qxoc24Actress Wendy Gifford in Crown Court in 1972. Wendy appeared in many shows but ATV's Thriller was not one of them. Despite this I can't shake off the idea she appeared in the episode "Good Salary - Prospects - Free Coffin", probably because it features characters called Wendy & one called Gifford!28 Dec 2025 16:21 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mb2q56qxoc24https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3mae5qgi6ec2tIt's always interesting to see pictures - especially in colour - from wiped episodes. These are from "The Old Folks at Home" (August 1973) from Series 1 of ATV police drama Hunters Walk. Actor Ken Jones was best known for his comic roles but like many comic actors acquitted himself well in drama.19 Dec 2025 16:54 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3mae5qgi6ec2thttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3ma75wp4r6s24Article extract from June 1974 about Mark McManus. Now best remembered as Scottish detective Taggart it's easy to overlook the variety of roles & accents he employed with great aplomb early in his career. In this extract he offers some fascinating thoughts on work, class and politics....17 Dec 2025 17:14 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma75wp4r6s24https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m7xjxrriqc2kBorder TV was the joint first channel to start showing Gerry Anderson's UFO in September 1970. After a strong start though screenings became more sporadic with a few new episodes mixed with repeats. It didn't complete a first run until May 1975, almost 5 years after starting.14 Dec 2025 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7xjxrriqc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m7pytflgmk2dMalcolm Terris and James Bate appearing in the last episode of the 1972 Granada TV serial "The Intruder". By coincidence both appeared as detectives in episodes of ATV's Thriller. Both were also originally from the North East (Sunderland & Whitley Bay respectively).11 Dec 2025 16:33 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7pytflgmk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m7igo5uewc2jAnthony Ainley & Geoffrey Beevers in a 1976 episode of prison drama Within These Walls alongside regulars Mona Bruce & Sonia Graham. Both actors later played incarnations of The Master in Doctor Who. Anthony was playing an MP here & described himself as "the Shadow Minister for Organised Chaos"!08 Dec 2025 16:19 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7igo5uewc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m7avwbocg22cSpecial effects were not generally a strength of Thames' 1970 science fiction series The Tomorrow People but it did make some good use of optical effects such as in this colourful, psychedelic image from the 1974 serial "The Blue and the Green".05 Dec 2025 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7avwbocg22chttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m73uttx2c22hCrime-writer, crime-fighter and playboy Jason King - or is it?03 Dec 2025 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m73uttx2c22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m6wu5ivdc22vJohn Le Mesurier, Carol Lynley and Francesca Annis in "Death of an Old-Fashioned Girl", an episode of Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (Anglia). All three also had starring roles in ATV's Thriller but unlike Thriller OWGM wasn't networked & this episode appeared at various points in 1975 & 1976.01 Dec 2025 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6wu5ivdc22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m5ypwyuurs2kUlster TV did not start showing UFO until Friday 29th September 1972. An overall broadcast order is impossible as most of the earlier screenings had no episode title but it it possible to identify when the "late night", "sensitive-content" episodes were first broadcast.19 Nov 2025 16:57 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5ypwyuurs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m5r5qok3t227"The Vampire from Space" - the original name for the 1971 Doctor Who serial "The Claws of Axos". It isn't unusual in TV for stories or episodes to have originally had different titles but it's quite rare to have on-screen evidence of the original.16 Nov 2025 16:43 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5r5qok3t227https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m5m52yoizc2mColourful ident for Trident Television. Trident was a company that handled sales for both Yorkshire Television and Tyne Tees. The three prongs of the trident represented these two companies and Trident's extensive other business interests.14 Nov 2025 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5m52yoizc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m57evro4p22zNicholas Pennell, "Gail" aka Helen Worth and Bernard Kay in the Doctor Who serial "Colony in Space" broadcast in May 1971.09 Nov 2025 15:03 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m57evro4p22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m54zglimns22Thames TV ident from its earliest days in 1968, very different to its later, best-known incarnation but still accompanied by the famous fanfare. New ITV channels often had at least one ident before reaching the versions for which they are best remembered.08 Nov 2025 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m54zglimns22https://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m4xz2qnd6s2xFirst broadcasts of Gerry Anderson's UFO on Grampian spanning three and a half years from mid 1971 to late 1974. This was a difficult region to compile with the show disappearing for long periods and with repeats mixed with first broadcasts. Grampian did not start colour broadcasts until 30.9.71.06 Nov 2025 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4xz2qnd6s2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m4nwko54222sThe 1974 Thriller episode "Death To Sister Mary" focused on the targeting of an actress playing a nun in a TV series set in a convent. A seemingly improbable setting for a drama but it had been used in the 1967-1968 Rediffusion series "Sanctuary" starring Joanna Dunham - only one episode exists.02 Nov 2025 16:31 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4nwko54222shttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m4bgexlmvc2jListing for the episode "Nowhere for the Kids" from Series 2 of LWT's prison drama "Within These Walls", 24th January 1975. Curiously this episode is missing and it's uncertain how it happened with all other episodes of the show's five series in existence, possibly a case of accidental wiping.28 Oct 2025 17:09 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4bgexlmvc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m3km76icjk2eListing from September 1969 for the first episode of "Parkin's Patch", a series about ruling policing and an early YTV production. This notes that lead actor John Flanagan was himself the son of a police officer. He went on to play detectives or police in later shows such as The Sweeney & Thriller.19 Oct 2025 15:22 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3km76icjk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m3d3djfuvs2eActresses Barbara Mitchell and Polly James as guest storytellers on Rainbow in late 1972. The show was then its early days but lasted another 20 years. Also lasting those 20 years was its famous theme tune which was never re-recorded or "updated" as other long-running themes have been.16 Oct 2025 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3d3djfuvs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/alanbriscoe.bsky.social/post/3m33jwtalg22cListings for Ulster TV for 20th December 1973. An odd feature is the reference to "The World of Jason King" - the original name for the Jason King series but dropped before screening. The show had been on TV for two years by this time so it's puzzling the old name was used.13 Oct 2025 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:7leowobl6dlalsp6vahf2j5s/app.bsky.feed.post/3m33jwtalg22c