The children’s programme Why Don’t You...? was presented by children and aimed at finding children things to keep them occupied during the school holidays. It was first broadcast on 20 August 1973. The show embodied the idea that it was unhealthy for kids to spend too long watching television and that they would be much better off playing outside, or possibly making something. It was put together in response to viewers’ letters. A typical week would feature a teenager’s plastic bag collection, a trip on a steam railway, recipes for fruit punch, viewers’ jokes and tricks with matches.
The full title of the programme was heard in the opening credits; "Why don’t you just switch off your television set and go and do something less boring instead?" The Radio Times tried Wdyjsoytsagadslbi? though it was generally just Why Don’t You...? It started life in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Bristol, but in later years was made by teams in different parts of the country, coming from Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester.
Why Don’t You...? ran until 1995. Several of the children who appeared on the programme went on to have more substantial careers in broadcasting - such as DJ Gideon Coe and Ant McPartlin. Nothing quite like it has been seen on television since, although quite a few programmes for children - like Friday Download - have had young presenters.
August anniversaries
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Family Favourites
1 August 1945 -
Sailor
5 August 1976 -
It's a Knockout
7 August 1966 -
First Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Promenade Concert
13 August 1927 -
The Weakest Link
14 August 2000 -
Junior Masterchef
14 August 1994 -
Launch of 1Xtra
16 August 2002 -
Dr Finlay's Casebook
16 August 1962 -
The Marriage Lines
16 August 1963 -
Observer reveals MI5 vetting of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff
18 August 1985 -
Why Don't You...?
20 August 1973 -
The Moral Maze
20 August 1990 -
First experimental Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV Programme
22 August 1932 -
Match of the Day begins
22 August 1964 -
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Monitoring
26 August 1939 -
Radio 5 launches
27 August 1990 -
First live TV from the continent
27 August 1950 -
Start of experimental stereo broadcasting
28 August 1962 -
Elizabeth Cowell first female TV announcer
31 Aug 1936 -
The Monocled Mutineer
31 August 1986 -
Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow
31 August 2002 -
The Battle of Britain
Summer 1940