Noel's HQ
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Noel's HQ | |
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Genre | Sky1 |
Release | 14 September 2008 14 February 2009 | –
Noel's HQ is a British
History
Noel's HQ was first announced as a pilot broadcast live 14 September 2008 on Sky1; the programme was billed as having a philanthropic purpose, and as being a "response to a broken Britain".[2][3]
During a February 2009 episode featuring
Following the broadcast, it was reported that Sky had edited approximately 20 seconds of the segment for repeat airings out of concerns for Ofcom regulations—a decision that led to conflicts between Edmonds and Sky over editorial control, and nearly prompted him to quit the programme.[4][5]
In March 2009, Sky announced that it would not renew Noel's HQ for a second series.[7]
Format
The programme consisted of interviews and segments profiling and surprising people in need, performers of random acts of kindness, and the operators of charities, with prizes and expertise.[5][8] It was described by an Independent writer as a "modern-day Jim'll Fix It".[9]
The theme of a "broken Britain" was prevalent in its content, such as bureaucracy and overregulation,[10] political correctness, and "health and safety rules and initiatives that don't work."[2][3]
Reception
Writing for
Fellow Guardian writer Lucy Mangan jokingly described the programme as practicing a religion that "harnesses the intercessionary powers of celebrities to encourage community spirit and the charitable impulse", where "thou must declare every third-hand snippet of news about bureaucratic snafu as incontrovertible evidence of Bonkers Britain", and "corrupt and pervert every pure and humane impulse thou—or thou's research team—comes across by the addition of puking sentimentality and the meaningless benedictions of Nell McAndrew."[10]
References
- ^ http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm#fountain
- ^ a b West, Dave (2 July 2008). "Edmonds vows to battle "broken Britain"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Noels broken Britain call". VirginMedia.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
- ^ a b "James Donaghy: Noel Edmonds's rant at Wealden council". the Guardian. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "Noel Edmonds 'threatened to quit Sky' over editing of tirade against council". the Guardian. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "Edmonds fronts TV show for free". BBC News. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ "Noel Edmonds show dropped by Sky". 26 March 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Charlie Brooker's screen burn: Noel's HQ". the Guardian. 14 February 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "What's eating Noel Edmonds?". The Independent. 15 September 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Cable girl by Lucy Mangan". the Guardian. 15 September 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2022.