I was staggered to see 'Out Of Town' included in 'The 100 Greatest Moments From T.V. Hell', broadcast on Channel 4 in 2000. Which numbskulls chose it, I wonder? Probably the sort who unreservedly condemn 'Curry & Chips' without ever having seen it.
Made by the now sadly defunct 'Southern T.V.' ( also responsible for 'How' and 'Freewheelers' ), 'Out Of Town' used to go out at Sunday at noon ( peak viewing time if you were a British farmer back in the '70's ), alongside 'Farming Diary', adverts for pesticide and worm tablets, and a 'weather forecast for farmers and growers'.
Bearded, pipe-smoking Jack Hargreaves was a wise old sage who lived and breathed the countryside. Sitting in a mock-up study or allotment shed, he would chat to camera, conveying tremendous enthusiasm for all things country, such as rabbit skinning or the best way to catch trout, without ever once becoming boring.
It came as a shock to learn he was for years controller of programmes for Southern ( but I then I also believed Johnny Morris was a real zoo keeper ). The short films Jack introduced were simply but beautifully shot by the late Stanley Brehaut. No intrusive background music either! I got my love of nature from watching this show. It was the sort of country programme even us townies could appreciate.
I can only assume that the reason it wound up on the Channel 4 hatefest was because it did not feature bad language, violence, and gratuitous sex, unlike 99% of most modern shows. That says more about the viewers than about the show itself. Can anyone explain to me why a lovely old man talking at length about a subject he knew and cared about should be considered a suitable candidate for T.V. Hell?
Made by the now sadly defunct 'Southern T.V.' ( also responsible for 'How' and 'Freewheelers' ), 'Out Of Town' used to go out at Sunday at noon ( peak viewing time if you were a British farmer back in the '70's ), alongside 'Farming Diary', adverts for pesticide and worm tablets, and a 'weather forecast for farmers and growers'.
Bearded, pipe-smoking Jack Hargreaves was a wise old sage who lived and breathed the countryside. Sitting in a mock-up study or allotment shed, he would chat to camera, conveying tremendous enthusiasm for all things country, such as rabbit skinning or the best way to catch trout, without ever once becoming boring.
It came as a shock to learn he was for years controller of programmes for Southern ( but I then I also believed Johnny Morris was a real zoo keeper ). The short films Jack introduced were simply but beautifully shot by the late Stanley Brehaut. No intrusive background music either! I got my love of nature from watching this show. It was the sort of country programme even us townies could appreciate.
I can only assume that the reason it wound up on the Channel 4 hatefest was because it did not feature bad language, violence, and gratuitous sex, unlike 99% of most modern shows. That says more about the viewers than about the show itself. Can anyone explain to me why a lovely old man talking at length about a subject he knew and cared about should be considered a suitable candidate for T.V. Hell?
