Go 4 It
Encyclopedia
Go4it was a children's magazine programme broadcast on Sunday evenings at 7.15pm on BBC Radio 4
, and one of the few speech-based shows on British national radio aimed at younger listeners.
Children's radio had been provided by Listen with Mother from 1950 to 1982. In the early 1990s there were Children's BBC radio serials on BBC Radio 5
. When that station closed in 1994 CBBC serials moved to Radio 4 on Sundays from 7 to 7.30pm until Easter 1998 when it was replaced by another episode of The Archers
. Since Go4it started it followed The Archers in the schedule.
It started in 2001 and was originally hosted by Matt Smith
and included Cromarty the space cat and many jokes. Smith was replaced one year later by CBBC
presenter Barney Harwood
on 5 May 2002. With Harwood's arrival the show became less patronizing with the theme tune changed to that from Danger Man
. When Harwood was off on holiday guest presenters were Kirsten O'Brien
, Natalie Barrass and David McFetridge.
The show typically centred around themes of books, poetry and literature. A typical episode featured a guest author or poet and often a trip 'on location' to an event related to children's literature. It could be considered a junior version of Radio 4's Book Club with an author being asked questions by the young fans in the studio: the 'gfi-ers'. Also included were games and competitions. Some shows were also themed, for instance an Arthurian theme (27 May 2007) or Enid Blyton
(3 June 2007). The programme included readings of serialized stories although this was later dropped as the show 'matured'; instead listeners were encouraged to listen to sister programme Big Toe Books on BBC7.
The 4 May 2008 episode was a special on comics
. Featured was Philip Pullman
's new comic strip and Eagle.
During the first year the show was extensively parodied on the Radio 4 impressionist satire Dead Ringers
for being about 'what people at Radio 4 think young people want to listen to', for instance Dylan Thomas
poetry read by Richard Burton
and Will Self
stories. Matt Smith was singularly highlighted for what could be seen as a patronising attitude towards the audience, including excessive use of the word 'ace'.
In March 2009, it was announced that Go4It would be cancelled. The last episode was broadcast on 24 May 2009. The reason given was that it did not attract enough young listeners. The show attracted an average of 450,000 listeners, but only 20,000 were aged between 4-14. The average age of the listeners was between 52-55. The decision to axe Go4It means that there is now no children's programmes on BBC analogue radio, with the only children's shows being on BBC Radio 7.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, and one of the few speech-based shows on British national radio aimed at younger listeners.
Children's radio had been provided by Listen with Mother from 1950 to 1982. In the early 1990s there were Children's BBC radio serials on BBC Radio 5
BBC Radio 5 (former)
BBC Radio 5 was a BBC radio network that carried sport, children's and educational programmes.It was transmitted via analogue radio on 693 and 909 kHz, and lasted for three years and eight months. The success of BBC Radio 4's coverage of the Gulf War, on a service known as Scud FM,...
. When that station closed in 1994 CBBC serials moved to Radio 4 on Sundays from 7 to 7.30pm until Easter 1998 when it was replaced by another episode of The Archers
The Archers
The Archers is a long-running British soap opera broadcast on the BBC's main spoken-word channel, Radio 4. It was originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk", but is now described on its Radio 4 web site as "contemporary drama in a rural setting"...
. Since Go4it started it followed The Archers in the schedule.
It started in 2001 and was originally hosted by Matt Smith
Matt Smith (broadcaster)
Matt Smith is a British broadcaster, and currently one of ITV Sport's main presenters.-Early life:Matt is a Modern Languages and Political Studies graduate from Sheffield City Polytechnic, where he studied from 1985-89. During that time he spent a year in Italy as part of his studies...
and included Cromarty the space cat and many jokes. Smith was replaced one year later by CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
presenter Barney Harwood
Barney Harwood
Barney Harwood is an English television presenter and actor, known for his work with CBBC.-Television:For CBBC, he presented Prank Patrol and was a voice-over commentator for The Smokehouse, while on BBC Two, he co-presented Basil's Swap Shop , alongside Basil Brush.Previous work for CBBC included...
on 5 May 2002. With Harwood's arrival the show became less patronizing with the theme tune changed to that from Danger Man
Danger Man
Danger Man is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again between 1964 and 1968. The series featured Patrick McGoohan as secret agent John Drake. Ralph Smart created the program and wrote many of the scripts...
. When Harwood was off on holiday guest presenters were Kirsten O'Brien
Kirsten O'Brien
Kirsten O'Brien is an English television presenter and stand-up comic.She is known for presenting SMart, and presented Smile and Totally Doctor Who alongside Barney Harwood on CBBC....
, Natalie Barrass and David McFetridge.
The show typically centred around themes of books, poetry and literature. A typical episode featured a guest author or poet and often a trip 'on location' to an event related to children's literature. It could be considered a junior version of Radio 4's Book Club with an author being asked questions by the young fans in the studio: the 'gfi-ers'. Also included were games and competitions. Some shows were also themed, for instance an Arthurian theme (27 May 2007) or Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton was an English children's writer also known as Mary Pollock.Noted for numerous series of books based on recurring characters and designed for different age groups,her books have enjoyed huge success in many parts of the world, and have sold over 600 million copies.One of Blyton's most...
(3 June 2007). The programme included readings of serialized stories although this was later dropped as the show 'matured'; instead listeners were encouraged to listen to sister programme Big Toe Books on BBC7.
The 4 May 2008 episode was a special on comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
. Featured was Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
's new comic strip and Eagle.
During the first year the show was extensively parodied on the Radio 4 impressionist satire Dead Ringers
Dead Ringers (comedy)
Dead Ringers is a UK radio and television comedy impressions broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and later BBC Two. The programme was devised by producer Bill Dare and developed with Jon Holmes, Andy Hurst and Simon Blackwell. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly and Mark Perry...
for being about 'what people at Radio 4 think young people want to listen to', for instance Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2008. who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself...
poetry read by Richard Burton
Richard Burton
Richard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
and Will Self
Will Self
William Woodard "Will" Self is an English novelist and short story writer. His fictional style is known for being satirical, grotesque, and fantastical. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary British life, with regular appearances on Newsnight and Question Time...
stories. Matt Smith was singularly highlighted for what could be seen as a patronising attitude towards the audience, including excessive use of the word 'ace'.
In March 2009, it was announced that Go4It would be cancelled. The last episode was broadcast on 24 May 2009. The reason given was that it did not attract enough young listeners. The show attracted an average of 450,000 listeners, but only 20,000 were aged between 4-14. The average age of the listeners was between 52-55. The decision to axe Go4It means that there is now no children's programmes on BBC analogue radio, with the only children's shows being on BBC Radio 7.
Guests on the programme
Studio guests and people Natalie has interviewed:- Philip PullmanPhilip PullmanPhilip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
and Dakota Blue RichardsDakota Blue RichardsDakota Blue Richards is an English actress. Her debut was in the film The Golden Compass, as the lead character Lyra Belacqua....
interviewed on her debut in the recently-released film The Golden Compass, as the lead character Lyra BelacquaLyra BelacquaLyra Belacqua , also known as Lyra Silvertongue, is the heroine of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra is a young girl who inhabits a universe parallel to our own...
.
- Michael MorpurgoMichael MorpurgoMichael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:...
- Interviewed by a young fan.
- Morris GleitzmanMorris GleitzmanMorris Gleitzman is an English-born Australian writer. He is one of Australia's most successful writers.Morris Gleitzman has also gained recognition for sparking an interest in politically-controversial children's books like Two Weeks with the Queen.He has collaborated on children's series with...
- Rainer HerschRainer HerschRainer Hersch is a British musician and stand-up comedian known for his comical take on classical music. He has toured in more than 25 countries and has broadcast extensively, principally for the BBC...
- musician
- Lynne Reid BanksLynne Reid BanksLynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults.She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and has been successfully adapted to film. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, published...
Interviewed about her novel The Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the Cupboard is a children's book by British author Lynne Reid Banks, and illustrated by Brock Cole. It was first published in 1980, and has received numerous awards, as well as being made into a film in 1995....
is a 1980 children's bookChildren's literatureChildren's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. In the story, a young boy discovers that when he locks a toy plastic IroquoisIroquoisThe Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
IndianIndigenous peoples of the AmericasThe indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
in an old bathroom cupboard, the figure comes to life.
- Paul JenningsPaul Jennings (Australian author)Paul Jennings AM is an English-born Australian children's book writer. His books mainly feature short stories that lead the reader through an unusual series of events that end with a twist.-Biography:...
- Michael RosenMichael RosenMichael Wayne Rosen is a broadcaster, children's novelist and poet and the author of 140 books. He was appointed as the fifth Children's Laureate in June 2007, succeeding Jacqueline Wilson, and held this honour until 2009....
- Talked of his grief of losing his son Eddie at 18, how his writing The 'Sad Book' helped him cope with such a loss on Children & Bereavement edition
- Jacqueline WilsonJacqueline WilsonDame Jacqueline Wilson, DBE, FRSL is an award-winning English author, known for her vast and diverse work in children's literature. Her novels have been adapted numerous times for television, and commonly deal with such challenging themes as adoption, divorce and mental illness...
- Raymond BriggsRaymond BriggsRaymond Redvers Briggs is an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, and author who has achieved critical and popular success among adults and children...
- Steve Jackson
- Daniel RadcliffeDaniel RadcliffeDaniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence playing the titular character in the Harry Potter film series....
his favourite when he was younger was HolesHoles (novel)Holes is a Newbery Medal-winning novel by Louis Sachar. It was adapted into a screenplay for the 2003 film by Walt Disney Pictures. In 2006, Sachar published Small Steps, a companion novel featuring one of the characters from Holes.-Plot:...
by Louis Sacher
- Nick Tocjek. He reads one of his poems, and writes a new poem with the help of the Go4it guests. (20 May 2007)
- Kevin Crossley-HollandKevin Crossley-HollandKevin John William Crossley-Holland is an English translator, children's author and poet.-Life and career:Born in Mursley, north Buckinghamshire, Holland grew up in Whiteleaf, a small village in the Chilterns...
, author of a series of books set at the time of Arthurian legend.
- Author Philip ReevePhilip ReevePhilip Reeve is a British author and illustrator. He presently lives on Dartmoor with his wife Sarah and their son Samuel.-Biography:...
is this week's guest- he is here to talk about his new book about King Arthur, which is a bit different from other books about the legends.(27 May 2007)
- Imogen Enid BlytonEnid BlytonEnid Blyton was an English children's writer also known as Mary Pollock.Noted for numerous series of books based on recurring characters and designed for different age groups,her books have enjoyed huge success in many parts of the world, and have sold over 600 million copies.One of Blyton's most...
's daughter. (3 June 2007)
- Eva Rice - Author of Who's Who in Enid Blyton.
- Jam, a member of the all-girl computer experts, the Frag DollsFrag DollsThe Frag Dolls are a group of girl gamers recruited and employed by Ubisoft with the aim of promoting women in gaming and in particular the promotion of games made by Ubisoft. The Frag Dolls are all avid gamers...
.
- Kirsten O'Brien interviews the author of another book about a school where the pupils are trained to become super-villains! (10 June 2007)
- Author, Dan Freedman, who talks about his new book "The Kickoff", which is not only a story about a kid who works hard to become a top footballer, but also includes some tips for budding footballers. Dan also talks about how he used to work for the F.A., including an interview with Sir Alex FergusonAlex FergusonSir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
. We also interview the author of another book about football, which is rather unusual. (17 June 2007)
- Nick Green: author of The Cat Kin.
- Natalie Barass interviews author Andrew CopeAndrew CopeAndrew Cope is a children's author. He has written books in the Spy Dog series and the Spy Pups series.- Background :Andrew Cope was born in Derby in 1966. He is a teacher and trainer in positive psychology.-Spy Dog:...
, about his book, which is about a spy dog, who is actually based on his dog, Lara. We listen in as Lara is put through her paces at a dog-training day. (24 June 2007)
- The author Catherine Lamb, who has written a book called Penguin Problems, which tells people how they can help the environment, in a fun and entertaining way. The main characters, Evie and Lola, take being environmentally friendly to a new level.
- Natalie Barass interviews another author, David GilmanDavid GilmanDavid Gilman is an English television writer and novelist.Before becoming a writer, David was previously a fire-fighter, photographer and a soldier in the parachute regiment's Reconnaissance Platoon....
, about his book "The Devil's Breath", in which the hero, Max Gordon, fights to protect the environment in some of the most dangerous places on earth.(3 June 2007)
- Anthony HorowitzAnthony HorowitzAnthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
- Philip ArdaghPhilip ArdaghPhilip Ardagh is an English children's author, primarily known for the Eddie Dickens series of books. He has written more than 70 books including adult fiction and children's non-fiction....
(8 July 2007)
- Author Louise RennisonLouise RennisonLouise Rennison is an English author and comedienne.She is the author of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series for teenage girls. This series records the exploits of a teenage girl, Georgia Nicolson, and her best friends, the Ace Gang...
, who writes teenage fiction.
- Shirley HughesShirley HughesShirley Hughes is an English author and illustrator. She has written more than fifty books which have sold more than 11.5 million copies, and illustrated over two hundred. She currently lives in London....
, whose book DoggerDogger (book)Dogger is a children's book written by Shirley Hughes, about a boy and his stuffed dog. In the story, the dog, named Dogger, is lost, then bought at a fairground stall, before the boy's sister has to earn Dogger back.-References:...
, has just won the "Greenaway of Greenaways" prize- it's been voted the favourite out of all the books that have ever won the Kate Greenaway medalKate Greenaway MedalThe Kate Greenaway Medal was established in the United Kingdom in 1955 in honour of the children's illustrator, Kate Greenaway. The medal is given annually to an outstanding work of illustration in children's literature. It is awarded by Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
.
- Minne Gray, who has just been awarded the Kate Greenaway medal for The Adventures of The Dish and The Spoon, which picks up where the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle" left off- we find out where the dish and the spoon ran away to. (22 July 2007)
- Thomas DaleyTom Daley (diver)Thomas Robert "Tom" Daley is an English diver who specialises in the 10 metre platform event and was the 2009 FINA World Champion in the individual event at the age of 15. He started diving at the age of seven and is a member of Plymouth Diving Club. He has made an impact in national and...
, teen Olmpian, was interviewed by Dominic Mather for the Olympic themed programme in August 2008, this interview was repeated in the end of year highlights show.