An article on Knightmare achieving 16th place on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows
Knightmare on Channel 4's The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows
[Channel 4 / August 2001]
[Edit 2011: An updated clip of this feature is now attached to page 2]
"Get the cool! Get the cool shoe shine!"
Presented by Jamie Theakston, this show was broadcast on the 27th August 2001, from 8.30pm to 12.05am. The programme makers had selected their choice of the 100 'greatest' children's TV programmes, and allowed the public to vote for their favourites on the Channel 4 website, presumably to decide the order. This proved controversial since many popular shows had been overlooked, and were never considered for review on the programme.
Knightmare finished in 16th place, ranking above shows such as The Flintstones, Postman Pat, Thunderbirds and Thomas The Tank Engine. A full list of the Top 100 (as shown on the programme) can be seen overleaf. After the show, Channel 4 posted an 'updated' list of the Top 100, which saw Knightmare mysteriously relegated to 21st place. But to Knghtmare fans, the (rightly) higher position of 16th on the programme takes precedence.
A video clip and transcript of Knightmare's appearance follows:
Finally, after 83 featured shows in the reverse countdown, the original Knightmare opening titles roll. Knightmare will feature in 16th place!
Iain Lee: "This is the most exciting thing. It was Virtual Reality on TV - I think it was first time that had been done. It was sort of Dungeon and Dragons and goblins and trolls and... nerdy Pratchett stuff like that. And it was quite witty as well."
A few clips of the first episode of Knightmare were used in the feature. Treguard's debut is shown as the badge of 16th place is awarded to Knightmare.
Treguard: "Welcome Watchers of Illusion, to the Castle of Confusion."
Iain Lee: "You'd have jobbing actors coming in, who I'm sure are more than embarrassed by it, pretending to be a jester, and stuff, and being a bit wacky and giving clues and stuff."
Treguard: "There is no correct route through the dungeon..."
The first team is shown starting their quest, and tackling various bomb rooms that they encountered in the early stages.
Iain Lee: "It was the first intelligent game show for kids, I would say. The first one where kids actually had to think."
"It was actually kids having to work out logistical problems and doing things."
"It was good, I think."
Treguard: "Farewell, David! You did well, but I'm afraid you came an awful cropper..."
In the 24-48 hours after this feature, there was a huge increase in hits to this site, presumably because it reminded many people of Knightmare who then searched for it on the web.
See hit counter graph for this period.
The full countdown of the Top 100 as identified by the show are listed on the following page.
- Prev
- Next >>
 100_Greatest.wmv | [See Knightmare on Channel 4's The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows.] | 7677 Kb |