Popworld

infobox television
show_name = Popworld


caption =
format = Music
runtime = 45 minutes
creator =
presenter = Miquita Oliver (2000-2006)
Simon Amstell (2000-2006)
Alex Zane (2006-2007)
Alexa Chung (2006-2007)
country = United Kingdom
network = Channel 4
first_aired = January, 2001
last_aired = July, 2007 |

"Popworld" was a British television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4, offering pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from the most recent top artists.

The show began in January 2001 and was initially presented by Miquita Oliver and Simon Amstell. Alex Zane and Alexa Chung took over the programme in 2006. "Popworld" was broadcast every Saturday Morning on Channel 4 at 10.30 a.m., and repeated on E4 at 2.00 p.m. the next day.

At various points over the years there has been enough of what the presenters term "interview gold" to keep celebrity fear levels running high. [ [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1748170,00.html Bands on the run | Magazine | The Observer ] ] Everything from a po-faced Gwen Stefani refusing a gift of cheese on the red carpet at the 2005 Brits; host Simon Amstell interviewing Natalie Imbruglia with a paper bag over his head, or, famously, Girls Aloud's Cheryl Tweedy, fresh from her court case involving an incident with a toilet attendant, being asked whether people were frightened to see her walk into the ladies.

"Popworld" has often been compared to shows such as the 1980s hit "The Tube" and it does share its sense of reflecting the times - in "Popworld"'s case, it reflects confusing multi-media/blogging/downloading times. But it also harks back to the best on offer from previous eras - including, from the publishing world, the irreverence of old-school "Smash Hits", the merciless skewerings of "NME", through to the brutal-when-necessary celebrity demystification of "Heat" magazine.

On the 27th April 2007 Channel 4 announced that they would not be recommissioning the show, and after 6 years on air, "popworld" ended on 14th July 2007. [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/programming/a45795/channel-4-axes-popworld.html Digital Spy - Channel 4 axes 'Popworld'.] ]

History

"Popworld" started life in 2000 as a website founded by pop mogul Simon Fuller, and the accompanying show (first transmitted daily at teatime on E4) was originally intended for a much younger audience. The show's original hosts were Nickelodeon presenter Simon Amstell and 16-year old Miquita 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. "Popworld" finally made it on to T4, (Channel 4's youth strand), in the spring of 2001. In the early series the show featured Leigh Francis as the character Barry Gibson.

During Amstell and Oliver's tenure on the show it often used surreal humour, and small references to Jewish culture in the UK; for example, Simon Amstell had been shown reading the Jewish Chronicle, as well as making references to festivals and customs. Since its inception the show gradually grew more and more dry and sarcastic, with singers and bands being subtly, and by 2004 more overtly, mocked. By the end of Simon Amstell and Miquita Oliver's tenure on the show it had gained a cult following as the alternative to limitlessly enthusiastic programmes such as "Top Of The Pops". Notable events that occurred during their tenure include Amstell coming on to homophobic reggae star Beenie Man, practically outing then closeted gay singer Darren Hayes, and Britney Spears walking out of an interview in tears. The Kooks refused to do an interview on their second appearance on the show, after Amstell's repeated references to the singer's ex-girlfriend Katie Melua during their first interview.

In February 2006, Simon Amstell and Miquita Oliver announced they would be leaving the show.Following Simon Amstell and Miquita Oliver's departure from the show, Alex Zane and Alexa Chung took over presenting until its final episode in July 2007.

Magazine

"Popworld" launched a magazine of the same name in 2003, but production was stopped after just one year. One of the covers can be seen here: [http://www.girlsaloudaddict.org/gallery/albums/popworld02/normal_01.jpg]

In late 2006, it was announced that "Popworld" was launching a weekly magazine called "Popworld Pulp". 130,000 copies were produced for launch, which took place in April 2007. However, after two weeks, it was axed, the publishers claiming it had undersold against its sales targets. Two weeks later, the show, too, announced it was ending. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6571291.stm]

References

External links

* [http://www.popworld.com "popworld" website]
* [http://www.channel4.com/popworld "popworld"] at Channel4.com
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274277/ Internet Movie Database Entry]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1362330,00.html 'The new TOTP? Get up early on Sunday' - article from The Guardian]
* [http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/features/article338104.ece 'popworld: the irreverent music show' - article from The Independent]
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1748170,00.html How did a 'gay geek' and a bolshie schoolgirl change the face of music TV? - article from The Observer]