Juke Box Jury
| Juke Box Jury | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Music |
| Created by | Peter Potter |
| Presented by |
David Jacobs (1959–67) Noel Edmonds (1979) Jools Holland (1989–90) |
| Opening theme | "Hit and Miss" by John Barry |
| Release | |
| Original network |
BBC Television Service (1959–67) BBC1 (1979) BBC2 (1989–90) |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 1 June 1959 – 25 November 1990 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows |
Jukebox Jury Drumbeat |
Juke Box Jury is a music panel show which originally ran on the BBC Television Service from 1 June 1959 until 27 December 1967. The programme was based on the American show Jukebox Jury, itself an offshoot of a long-running radio series.
Throughout its run the series featured celebrity showbusiness guests on a rotating weekly panel judging the hit potential of recent releases. By 1962 the programme attracted 12 million viewers weekly on Saturday nights.
The concept was later revived by the BBC for one series in 1979 and a further two series in 1989/1990.
Juke Box Jury took a format where a guest panel reviewed new record releases in a 25-minute programme, extended to an hour for some Christmas shows. The format was drawn from that of the US TV series, Jukebox Jury. Host David Jacobs each week asked four celebrities (the 'Jurors') to judge newly released records on his jukebox (a Rock-Ola Tempo II) and forecast which would be declared a "hit" or a "miss" – the decision accompanied by either a bell for a 'hit' or a hooter for a 'miss'. A panel of three members of the audience voted as a tie-breaker if the guests' decision was deadlocked, by holding up a large circular disc with 'Hit' on one side and 'Miss' on the other. Most weeks the performers of one of the records would be hidden behind a screen and emerge to "surprise" the panel after they had given their verdict.
The series was usually broadcast from the BBC TV Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green, London. Each programme normally consisted of between seven and nine records. Those editions which were pre-recorded normally followed a live transmission, and broadcast in the regular slot.
Juke Box Jury was first broadcast on BBC Television on 1 June 1959. Originally on Monday evenings, the BBC show was moved to early Saturday evenings starting on 3 September 1959 due to its immediate popularity. The series was produced by Russell Turner.
The original panel consisted of Pete Murray, Alma Cogan, Gary Miller and Susan Stranks, who gave a 'teenager's view'. However, the panel of judges changed from week to week and mainly featured current stars from music, television and film. The panel normally comprised two male and two female guests, many of whom appeared more than once. Actor Eric Sykes was often a panelist and Katie Boyle was a frequent Juror, as were Lulu and Cilla Black, who appeared twelve and nine times respectively. From December 31, 1966, a regular panel was established for eight consecutive editions. Jimmy Savile, Simon Dee, Alan Freeman and Pete Murray sat in judgement for all these programmes, having first appeared together on December 3, 1966. From February 25 until April 1, the foursome continued as regular panelists, but alternating in pairs each week, with Savile and Murray appearing together, followed by Freeman and Dee. Among the diverse others from the world of entertainment who appeared were Thora Hird, Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Milligan, Lonnie Donegan,Johnny Mathis,Roy Orbison and David McCallum.
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