Knightmare on
Channel 4's
The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows
# "Get the cool! Get the cool shoe shine!"
Presented by Jamie Theakston, this show was broadcast on the 27th August 2001, 8.30pm to 12.05am. The makers of the programme first chose what they thought was the 100 'greatest' children's TV programmes, and the public were given the opportunity to vote on their favourites on the Channel 4 website, presumably to decide the eventual order. This caused some controversy as many popular shows were missed off the list in the first place, and therefore had little chance of even making it on the programme.
The main thing was that Knightmare was one of the nominees, and it ended up in 16th place, beating 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 at the bottom of this page. After then show, Channel 4 posted an 'updated' list of the Top 100, and shock horror Knightmare was mysteriously moved down a few places. But that doesn't matter - Knightmare was 16th on the programme, and that's what matters :).
A video clip and transcript of Knightmare's appearance follows:
Clip available in 'Other Clips'
So finally after 84 featured shows, the original Knightmare opening titles roll which must mean Knightmare is at 16th place!
Iain Lee comments:
"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, you know - nerdy Pratchett stuff like that. Erm, and it was quite witty as well."
A few clips of the first episode of Knightmare were used in the feature. Here shows Treguard debut.
Treguard: "Welcome Watchers of Illusion, to the Castle of Confusion."
Iain: "You'd have the 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.
Iain: "It was the first intelligent game show for kids I would say, 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..."
Last clip of the first team leaving the dungeon... and that's it.
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.
2. The Muppet Show
3. Dangermouse
4. Bagpuss
5. Grange Hill
6. Mr Benn
7. Rainbow
8. Scooby Doo
9. Doctor Who
10. He-Man
11. The Magic Roundabout
12. Rentaghost
13. The Clangers
14. Tom and Jerry
15. Wallace & Gromit
16. Knightmare
17. Hong Kong Phooey
18. The Wombles
19. The Flintstones
20. Worzel Gummidge
21. Maid Marian and her Merry Men
22. Trumpton
23. Postman Pat
24. Thunderbirds
25. Jim'll Fix It
26. Thomas The Tank Engine
27. SM:tv Live
28. Top Cat
29. Jamie and the Magic Torch
30. Roobarb and Custard
31. Blue Peter
32. Sesame Street
33. The Basil Brush Show
34. Chorlton and the Wheelies
35. Banana Splits
36. The Adventure Game
37. Roland Rat
38. The Sooty Show
39. Crackerjack
40. Battle of the Planets
41. Byker Grove
42. Play School
43. Why Don't You
44. Captain Pugwash
45. Multi-Coloured Swap Shop
46. The Tomorrow People
47. Press Gang
48. Batman
49. Tiswas
50. Fingerbobs
52. Wide Awake Club
53. Pipkins
54. The Herbs
55. Flowerpot Men
56. Wind in the Willows
57. Animal Magic
58. Metal Mickey
59. Newsround
60. Pob's Programme
61. Black Beauty
62. Andy Pandy
63. Jackanory
64. Lassie
65. Record Breakers
66. The Double Deckers
67. The Snowman
68. The Famous Five
69. Mary, Mungo and Midge
70. How?
71. Michael Bentine's Potty Time
72. Noggin The Nog
73. Pokemon
74. Bob The Builder
75. Skippy
76. Catweazle
77. We Are The Champions
78. Vision On
79. Tales of the Riverbank
80. The Adventures of Robin Hood
81. The Secret Garden
82. Cheggers Plays Pop
83. The Tweenies
84. Just William
85. Pinky and Perky
86. Button Moon
87. Runaround
88. The Woodentops
89. Hector's House
90. Teletubbies
91. Bod
92. Screen Test
93. White Horses
94. HR Pufnstuf
95. Magpie
96. The Singing Ringing Tree
97. Muffin the Mule
98. Chystal Tipps
99. Junior Showtime
100. Do Not Adjust Your Set