Corners (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Corners was a BBC children's television series
in the 1980s. Produced by Alison Stewart, the format of the programme was that viewers would submit questions and queries (usually general knowledge
, but sometimes metaphysical
or scientific), and the two hosts, Sophie Aldred
(later Diane-Louise Jordan
) and Simon Davies, would try to answer the questions, aided by an anthopomorphised animal puppet
, Jo Corner. Being children's programming, the explanations used humour to convey information and frequently involved demonstrations which degenerated into slapstick
humour. Songs were also used. A show with a similar format, "Dear Mr. Barker" aired on CBBC in the mid-'90s, but did not last long.
One of the presenters of the show was Sophie Aldred
, who later became famous for playing the role of Ace
in the television series Doctor Who
(in one segment prior to her involvement in Who, Aldred met Keff McCulloch
to discover how the new Doctor Who theme tune was composed). The other was Simon Davies, whose career continues as a writer and performer.
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
in the 1980s. Produced by Alison Stewart, the format of the programme was that viewers would submit questions and queries (usually general knowledge
General knowledge
General knowledge has been defined by differential psychologists as referring to 'culturally valued knowledge communicated by a range of non-specialist media' General knowledge therefore encompasses a wide range of knowledge domains...
, but sometimes metaphysical
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
or scientific), and the two hosts, Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
(later Diane-Louise Jordan
Diane-Louise Jordan
Diane-Louise Jordan is a British television presenter. She was the first black presenter of the children's television programme Blue Peter, being involved in the programme from 25 January 1990 until 26 February 1996, making her its fourth longest-serving female presenter .Born in 1960, Jordan grew...
) and Simon Davies, would try to answer the questions, aided by an anthopomorphised animal puppet
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
, Jo Corner. Being children's programming, the explanations used humour to convey information and frequently involved demonstrations which degenerated into slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
humour. Songs were also used. A show with a similar format, "Dear Mr. Barker" aired on CBBC in the mid-'90s, but did not last long.
One of the presenters of the show was Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred is an English actress and television presenter, best known for her portrayal of The Doctor's companion Ace in the television series Doctor Who during the late 1980s.-Early life:...
, who later became famous for playing the role of Ace
Ace (Doctor Who)
Dorothy Gale McShane, better known by her nickname Ace, is a fictional character played by Sophie Aldred in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
in the television series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
(in one segment prior to her involvement in Who, Aldred met Keff McCulloch
Keff McCulloch
Keff McCulloch is a British composer. In 1987 created the Doctor Who theme music for the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy. The theme, drawing on the original by Ron Grainer/Delia Derbyshire lasted for three years until the series was cancelled by the BBC in 1989...
to discover how the new Doctor Who theme tune was composed). The other was Simon Davies, whose career continues as a writer and performer.