The groundbreaking Up documentary series tops the list of most influential TV shows of the past 50 years… but does YOUR favorite qualify?
It is the documentary that spans six decades and follows children from different social backgrounds and transcends generations.
And now the Up series has been named the most influential program of the past 50 years in a poll by members of the Broadcasting Press Guild.
The program was first broadcast in 1964 on ITV and followed fourteen seven-year-old children from the ‘extremes’ of society to represent the different socio-economic backgrounds of Britain, directed by Paul Almond.
Seven years later, Michael Apted, who had been an investigator on the first episode, took over and directed all subsequent episodes, including the most recent in 2019 – two years before his death in 2021.
The series, which was filmed every seven years between 1964 and 2019, sought to shine a light on how a child’s upbringing can impact the rest of their life. Some participants have dropped out over the years, others have died.
The Up series has been voted the most influential program of the past 50 years in a poll by members of the Broadcasting Press Guild
Up (pictured), first broadcast in 1964 on ITV, followed 14 seven-year-old children from the ‘extremes’ of society to represent Britain’s different socio-economic backgrounds, directed by Paul Almond
Second on the list of programs that ‘changed broadcasting, influenced the way we see the world and made us laugh or think in new ways’ is Sir David’s BBC nature program Life On Earth Attenborough, which first aired in 1979.
The critically acclaimed program is inspired by Aristotle’s statement: ‘Give me the child until he is seven, and I will give you the man.’
The survey of the top 50 historical programs of the past 50 years includes documentaries, dramas, comedies and reality shows – 31 of which have been broadcast on the BBC.
Second on the list of programs that ‘changed broadcasting, influenced the way we see the world and made us laugh or think in new ways’ is Sir David’s BBC nature program Life On Earth Attenborough, which first aired in 1979.
In third place is ITV’s 1973 series The World At War, which documents the Second World War, followed by Ricky Gervais’ award-winning mockumentary The Office.
Big Brother, which first started on Channel 4 in 2000 as a reality show and social experiment of its kind, comes fifth on the list.
BPG chairman Manori Ravindran said: “Over our fifty years, the members of the Broadcasting Press Guild have been the trendsetters of the British TV industry.
“As such, it felt appropriate to celebrate this milestone anniversary with a Top 50 list that reflects the programs that we believe created historic TV moments or were truly important to the industry during that time.
In third place is ITV’s 1973 series The World At War, which documents the Second World War, followed by Ricky Gervais’ award-winning mockumentary The Office
The BBC’s Blackadder came in at number 15, with the broadcaster leading the BPG top 50 of milestone programs of the past 50 years with 31 shows, while ITV and Channel 4 each have nine.
Some more recent shows to appear on the list include Michaela Coel’s hard-hitting drama I May Destroy You, about a woman trying to come to terms with her rape, and Fleabag (pictured)
‘It has not been an easy process – and we welcome healthy debate about our selections – but we believe this list reflects the richness of the creative sector and its inimitable contribution to our culture and society.’
The BBC tops the BPG top 50 history programs of the last 50 years with 31 shows, while ITV and Channel 4 each have nine, with Sky, Netflix and Disney+ also appearing.
Some more recent shows to appear on the list include Michaela Coel’s hard-hitting drama I May Destroy You, about a woman trying to come to terms with her rape, and the BBC’s big reality show The Traitors.