TV Pop Diaries
Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999

Set in a nightclub, the show took a look at the pop world. Hosted by Australian actor Vincent Ball and produced by Jo Douglas it was intended to take Wham’s time slot, but wasn't music all the way as many of the guests would be journalists, songwriters and disc jockeys.

Douglas told TV Times "We shall be topical and newsy, and feature people who make the music, instrumentalists, recording managers and composers - as well as those who sing. We'll invite Tin Pan Alley experts, such as sheet music publishers and disc jockeys, to come and talk about their activities. But this will not be a show just for those who take an avid interest in popular music. I certainly don't intend to have a lot of chatter about record hits 'climbing up the charts'." "We hope teenagers will love this programme, but we intend to please their mums and dads, too."

The show came at an unfortunate time for pop music on British TV as both the BBC and (collectively) ITV had jointly announced that they were dropping shows dedicated to pop. The BBC initially had a hit with The Six-Five Special, but all the sequels had flopped. Similarly, Oh Boy on ITV was a hit, but its follow-ups were not. Talking to the Daily Mirror an ATV spokesman claimed "We have just started a new Saturday night series 'Tin Pan Alley'. But we are not catering for any particular audience group. We want to attract all groups and not teenagers alone. After all, beat music leaves the rest of the family a little puzzled."

Jack Parnell's group provided the music each week, along with guest singers and a film spot each week.

THE TIN PAN ALLEY SHOW

ATV

25th June 1960 - 30th July 1960