The groundbreaking Up documentary series tops the list of most influential TV shows of the last 50 years… but does YOUR favourite make the cut?
Spanning six decades and following children from different social backgrounds, it’s the documentary that has transcended generations.
And now, the Up series has been voted as the most influential programme of the last 50 years in a poll by members from the Broadcasting Press Guild.
First airing in 1964 on ITV, the programme followed 14 seven-year-old children from the ‘extremes’ of society to represent Britain’s differing socio-economic backgrounds, directed by Paul Almond.
Seven years later, Michael Apted, who had been a researcher on the first episode, took over and directed all of the subsequent episodes including the most recent in 2019 – two years before his death in 2021.
Filmed every seven years from 1964-2019, the series sought to shine a light how a child’s upbringing can impact the rest of their lives. Some of the participants dropped out over the years while others have died.
The Up series has been voted as the most influential programme of the last 50 years in a poll by members from the Broadcasting Press Guild
First airing in 1964 on ITV , Up (pictured) followed 14 seven-year-old children from the ‘extremes’ of society to represent Britain’s differing socio-economic backgrounds, directed by Paul Almond
In second place on the list of shows that ‘changed broadcasting, influenced how we look at the world and made us laugh or think in a new way,’ is Sir David Attenborough’s BBC nature programme Life On Earth, which first ran in 1979
In third is ITV’s 1973 series The World At War, documenting the Second World War, followed by Ricky Gervais’ award-winning mockumentary The Office
Critically-acclaimed, the programme was inspired by Aristotle’s saying: ‘Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man.’
The poll of the top 50 landmark programmes of the last 50 years includes documentaries, dramas, comedies and reality shows – with 31 of the entries airing on the BBC.
In second place on the list of shows that ‘changed broadcasting, influenced how we look at the world and made us laugh or think in a new way,’ is Sir David Attenborough’s BBC nature programme Life On Earth, which first ran in 1979.
Then in third is ITV’s 1973 series The World At War, documenting the Second World War, followed by Ricky Gervais’ award-winning mockumentary The Office.
Big Brother, which first started in 2000 on Channel 4 as a first-of-its-kind reality show and social experiment, is on fifth place on the list.
BPG chairman Manori Ravindran said: ‘In our 50 years, members of the Broadcasting Press Guild have been the tastemakers of the British TV industry.
‘As such, it felt appropriate to celebrate this milestone birthday with a Top 50 list reflecting the programmes we believe have created landmark TV moments or have been truly significant to the industry over that time.
The BBC’s Blackadder came in at number 15, with the broadcaster leading the BPG top 50 landmark programmes of the last 50 years list with 31 shows while ITV and Channel 4 have nine each
Some more recent programmes 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 being raped, and Fleabag (pictured)
Fan favourite Only Fools and Horses came in at 19th – behind comedies including The Royle Family and The Thick Of It
‘It wasn’t an easy process – and we welcome healthy debate about our selections – but we believe this list encapsulates the richness of the creative sector and its inimitable contribution to our culture and society.’
The BBC leads the BPG top 50 landmark programmes of the last 50 years list with 31 shows while ITV and Channel 4 have nine each, while Sky, Netflix and Disney+ also appear.
Some more recent programmes 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 being raped, and BBC’s smash hit reality show The Traitors.
