As in much of Morris's work, surrealism was an important part of the programme, the nonsense in the content ("De-frocked cleric eats car park", "Borrowed dog finds Scotland", etc.) delivered in the same straight-faced manner with which contemporary news stories are dealt, and it has often been quoted that Morris's initial intention was indeed to show how the public would believe anything if it was delivered with a straight-face. It did fool many people, with some listeners ringing in to complain about how the anchor treated his guests. The programme also utilised editing of out-of-context sound-clips and prank phone calls, heightening its surreal quality.
The Hour was a lifestyle magazine programme broadcast on STV, the ITV franchise in Northern and Central Scotland.
Originally broadcast each weekday afternoon at 5pm, the programme was presented for much of its run by Michelle McManus and Stephen Jardine and broadcast from STV's Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow. The programme later moved to a weekly peak time slot but was axed after four weeks.
History
The Hour began in May 2009 as an hour-long replacement for The Five Thirty Show, which had aired on weekdays since January 2008. Whilst its male presenter, Stephen Jardine, remained with the programme since its launch, his female co-host rotated between various personalities until October 2009, when it was announced that regular guest host Michelle McManus would become a main co-host.
Despite replacing The Five Thirty Show, The Hour's focus was more lifestyle-orientated than its predecessor, which was originally intended to cover the main issues and news topics of the day. Features on The Hour included entertainment, TV, movies, cookery, health, gardening, fashion, celebrity guests and other topics.
The series premiered on BBC Two and BBC HD from 19 July 2011 each Tuesday at 9 pm. Each episode lasts 60 minutes, with Ruth Kenley-Letts as producer and Coky Giedroyc as lead director. It was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two, and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning and produced by Kudos Film and Television.
Following the airing of the final episode of the first series, it was announced that a second series had been commissioned, which is co-produced by American network BBC America. It premiered on 14 November 2012 in the UK and on 28 November 2012 in the United States.
On The Hour - Full Radio Series 1 episodes 1 - 6 featuring Alan Partridge
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
published: 19 Oct 2022
On The Hour - Full Radio Series 2 episodes 1 - 6 featuring Alan Partridge
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
published: 16 Nov 2022
On The Hour wins 1993 British Comedy Award
Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci accept the award for Best Radio Comedy in 1993, with in-character Morris delivering an acceptance speech typical of the humour in On The Hour.
(Note Pete Baynham at the Harpoon table, who'd go on to write for On the Hour's TV adaption The Day Today.)
Credit goes to The Meddler for capturing this originally.
published: 12 Aug 2006
On the Hour - Peter O'Hanra-Hanrahan's bits
2 of Peter O'Hanra-Hanrahan's contributions to Chris Morris's "On The Hour"
published: 11 Jul 2009
On the Hour - S1E1
Episode 1 of Season 1 of Chris Morris' 'On the Hour'.
published: 27 Jun 2012
On the Hour - S2E1
Episode 1 of Season 2 of Chris Morris' 'On the Hour'.
published: 29 Jul 2012
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris vs. Daily Mail & Sun
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris hilariously prank sells fake Kinnock scandal to Daily Mail & Sun after Conservative central office direct him to 'Tory Tabloids'.
published: 17 Aug 2011
On the Hour - S1E4
Episode 4 of Season 1 of Chris Morris' 'On the Hour'.
published: 27 Jun 2012
On the Hour - S1E3
Episode 3 of Season 1 of Chris Morris' 'On the Hour'.
published: 27 Jun 2012
On the Hour - S1E2
Episode 2 of Season 1 of Chris Morris' 'On the Hour'.
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 betw...
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 betw...
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci accept the award for Best Radio Comedy in 1993, with in-character Morris delivering an acceptance speech typical of the humour...
Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci accept the award for Best Radio Comedy in 1993, with in-character Morris delivering an acceptance speech typical of the humour in On The Hour.
(Note Pete Baynham at the Harpoon table, who'd go on to write for On the Hour's TV adaption The Day Today.)
Credit goes to The Meddler for capturing this originally.
Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci accept the award for Best Radio Comedy in 1993, with in-character Morris delivering an acceptance speech typical of the humour in On The Hour.
(Note Pete Baynham at the Harpoon table, who'd go on to write for On the Hour's TV adaption The Day Today.)
Credit goes to The Meddler for capturing this originally.
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris hilariously prank sells fake Kinnock scandal to Daily Mail & Sun after Conservative central office direct him to 'Tory Tabloids'....
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris hilariously prank sells fake Kinnock scandal to Daily Mail & Sun after Conservative central office direct him to 'Tory Tabloids'.
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris hilariously prank sells fake Kinnock scandal to Daily Mail & Sun after Conservative central office direct him to 'Tory Tabloids'.
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
#alanpartridge #chrismorris #radio #comedy
On the Hour was a British radio programme that parodied current affairs broadcasting, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. Written by Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci,[1] Steven Wells, Andrew Glover, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring and David Quantick, On the Hour starred Morris as the overzealous and self-important principal anchor (for which he used his own full name). He was accompanied by a regular cast assembled by Iannucci, comprising Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber and David Schneider, who portrayed assorted news reporters, presenters and interviewees.[2] On the Hour featured the first appearance of Coogan's character Alan Partridge as the "Sports Desk" reporter
Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci accept the award for Best Radio Comedy in 1993, with in-character Morris delivering an acceptance speech typical of the humour in On The Hour.
(Note Pete Baynham at the Harpoon table, who'd go on to write for On the Hour's TV adaption The Day Today.)
Credit goes to The Meddler for capturing this originally.
On The Hour 1992: Chris Morris hilariously prank sells fake Kinnock scandal to Daily Mail & Sun after Conservative central office direct him to 'Tory Tabloids'.
As in much of Morris's work, surrealism was an important part of the programme, the nonsense in the content ("De-frocked cleric eats car park", "Borrowed dog finds Scotland", etc.) delivered in the same straight-faced manner with which contemporary news stories are dealt, and it has often been quoted that Morris's initial intention was indeed to show how the public would believe anything if it was delivered with a straight-face. It did fool many people, with some listeners ringing in to complain about how the anchor treated his guests. The programme also utilised editing of out-of-context sound-clips and prank phone calls, heightening its surreal quality.
On and on I'm feeling blue On my own, to see, to do Everything it seems is time Like a book song, that rhyme I can only say that time has come The waiting's on your own If you're feeling insecure Happening not fewer I can only say that time has come Like a drum, a gun, I'm done And the waiting's on On and on, I'm feeling blue On my own, to see, to do Getting it on the two The repetition Is it a deja vu Waiting on the hour [x2] With a flash before eyes Is an impact disguise On and on, I'm feeling blue On my own, to see, to do Getting it on the two The repetition Is it a deja vu Waiting on the hour [x2] Waiting on the hour On and on, I'm feeling blue On my own, to see, to do