Top Of The Pops

Television Show
Host	(Incomplete) Jimmy Savile (1964–1984) David Jensen (1976–1984) Mike Read (1978–1989) Simon Bates (1979–1988) Steve Wright (1980–1989) John Peel (1981–1987) Janice Long (1982–1988)
Filmed	BBC Television Centre, London, UK (Other locations also used)
Years Active	1 January 1964 – 30 July 2006 (Weekly format)
Associated Acts	The Smiths, Morrissey
Official Website	http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00704hg

History

Top Of The Pops (common acronym TOTP) is a British popular music television programme, broadcast on the BBC from 1964 to present.
It's format follows the UK singles chart top 40, of which the current positions are announced throughout the show.
It's presenters were BBC Radio One DJ's for most of it's run, including Janice Long and John Peel.
Artists traditionally performed their current release 'live' on stage in front of a studio audience, although for many of it's years the songs were actually played from the track of the recorded single, and the musicians mimed. For this reason, Morrissey performed all of The Smiths appearances without the use of a theatrical microphone.
Broadcasts were usually transmitted from the studios of BBC Television Centre, located in west London, England. The audience were provided admittance free of charge on a ticket allocation.
The show had a great impact on the sale of singles, with performers chart position customarily rising following an appearance, watched by large audiences each Thursday evening.
In 1996 the show was moved to Friday evenings in an attempt to retrieve greater viewing figures.
The show was broadcast weekly until viewing figures declined significantly in the early 2000's, and after moving from BBC1 to BBC2, the decision was made to axe the regular show in 2006.
Since then only occasional 'specials' have been made, such as the Christmas TOTP, which is ongoing and is aired each Christmas Day afternoon.

The Smiths Appearances

1983

24 November 1983: This Charming Man

1984

26 January 1984: What Difference Does It Make?

9 February 1984: What Difference Does It Make?

26 April 1984: The Smiths & Sandie Shaw, Hand In Glove

31 May 1984: Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

14 June 1984: Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

30 August 1984: William, It Was Really Nothing

1985

14 February 1985: How Soon Is Now?

10 October 1985: The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

1987

5 February 1987: Shoplifters Of The World Unite

Morrissey Appearances

1988

9 June 1988: Everyday Is Like Sunday

1989

9 February 1989: The Last Of The Famous International Playboys

1990

3 May 1990: November Spawned A Monster

1991

8 August 1991: Pregnant For The Last Time

10 October 1991: My Love Life: Possibly live vocal performance.

1992

7 May 1992: We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful: Live vocal performance.

1994

3 March 1994: The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (Live vocal performance to backing track).

1997

1 August 1997: Alma Matters

19 September 1997:

2004

10 May 2004: Irish Blood, English Heart

23 July 2004: First Of The Gang To Die

Associated Performers

The The, The Beat-en Generation, March 1989

Electronic, Disappointed, June 1992

References And Notes

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Mentioned In

• A Day In The Life Of... Morrissey - Smash Hits Yearbook (1988)
• Q&A: Morrissey - In Dublin (April 27, 1991)

Related Forum Threads

• [Morrissey Central] "ANOTHER WORLD." (March 5, 2024) - Morrissey-solo (Mar 05, 2024)