Interceptor (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Interceptor was a British
game show
created by Jacques Antoine
and produced by Chatsworth Television
for Thames Television
in 1989, and shown on the ITV
network during that summer, with the hosting its last show on 1 January 1990 for a New Year bonanza. It was made in between,Treasure Hunt
and The Crystal Maze
, game shows from the same production company.
The show was hosted by former tennis player and Treasure Hunt sky-runner Annabel Croft
. The eponymous Interceptor was played by actor Sean O'Kane
.
Interceptor was received well by critics and viewers, yet only eight episodes (one series) were made. Nonetheless, the show has something of a cult following, which influenced re-runs on UK satellite channel Challenge from 2001. A public vote by The UK Game Show Page in 2002 saw the series voted the UK's 13th best game show.
to locations in the area. The challenge was for both contestants, under radio guidance from Croft, to obtain the key to their opposite number's backpack - usually some distance away from their start point - and meet up, all within a 40-minute time limit.
A simple enough task, except for some obstructions placed in their way. Principal among these was the titular Interceptor, a tall man dressed in black, armed with an infra-red projector mounted on his left forearm (the technology for which was procured from the British Army), and possessed of an intimidating fish-eagle screech. It was his job to pursue the contestants and - to the accompaniment of post-production sound effects - 'zap' the receptors on their backpacks, causing the locks to jam. Thus, if the contestant carrying the money is 'zapped', neither contestant wins.
Distance was also a major enemy to the contestant, causing them to beg or borrow any mode of transport
available to them. During the course of the series, more or less everything from bicycles to Sea King
helicopters were used. The Interceptor, too, was able to hijack available transportation, but had his own fleet available to him. The most-used of these was his black-and-yellow Agusta A109
helicopter registered G-MEAN, piloted by his long-suffering pilot and servant 'Mikey' (played by helicopter pilot Michael Malric-Smith). Also at his disposal was a Maserati
Biturbo Spider sports car registration INT 1, and a Kawasaki
ZX10 motorbike registration INT 2. It was also claimed that a hovercraft was available to him, though this was never used. The INT number plates were not real; the producers had special permission to film whilst using them.
The contestants' other major enemy was the time limit. Once they had located their key, they often had to perform a task in order to obtain it. Examples included participating in a limited jousting exercise, or removing the key from a horse's braided mane.
which had put in a larger bid.
.
to his key challenge and the Interceptor climbs along the train in pursuit of Max. Contestant Suzanne gets soaked in Wast Water
while trying to get her key. At the end of the episode, the Interceptor blocks the entrance to the Eskdale Outward Bound Centre where contestant Suzanne is coming but her partner Max grabs her just in time before the Interceptor.
if he don't leave her alone. Nevertheless, the ambush effort was all in vain, as even if the trick did not work the contestants still would have failed, as they did not meet each other within the 40-minute time limit.
, the helicopter charter company which supplied the aircraft. The 40-minute game time was also somewhat elastic, with filming and gameplay often suspended.
Two helicopters were used in the production of the series. One of these was the Interceptor's aircraft, the black and yellow Agusta A109, with the registration G-MEAN. The other was G-BHXU, the same Agusta-Bell Jetranger helicopter used in Treasure Hunt, piloted here by Jerry Grayson.
The theme music, composed by Chatsworth's resident composer Zack Laurence, is an adaptation of Chopin's Etude in C minor, Opus 10 Number 12 titled Rock Revolution. It was released as a single with an 'instrumental' B-side (essentially the track minus the piano) titled Interceptor Boogie.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
created by Jacques Antoine
Jacques Antoine
Jacques Antoine is a French writer of game shows. He had successes in the 1980s with Treasure Hunt and Interceptor, and in the 1990s with Fort Boyard and The Crystal Maze.-Credits:...
and produced by Chatsworth Television
Chatsworth Television
Chatsworth Television was a British television production company. The most renowned examples of their programmes are Treasure Hunt , Interceptor and The Crystal Maze...
for Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
in 1989, and shown on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network during that summer, with the hosting its last show on 1 January 1990 for a New Year bonanza. It was made in between,Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunt (UK game show)
Treasure Hunt was a popular UK game show, based on the format of the French show La Chasse au Trésor, created by Jacques Antoine. It appeared on Channel 4 between 28 December 1982 and 18 May 1989 and was revived by BBC Two between 16 December 2002 and 2 August 2003.-The game:A team of two...
and The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze was a British game show, produced by Chatsworth Television and shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 15 February 1990 and 10 August 1995. There was one series per year, with the first four series presented by Richard O'Brien and the final two by Ed Tudor-Pole, who made...
, game shows from the same production company.
The show was hosted by former tennis player and Treasure Hunt sky-runner Annabel Croft
Annabel Croft
Annabel Croft is a former professional tennis player and current radio and television presenter. As a tennis player she won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup.After retiring from tennis, she turned to television...
. The eponymous Interceptor was played by actor Sean O'Kane
Sean O'Kane
Sean O'Kane , is a Scottish actor from Bellshill near Glasgow.- Career :Sean O'Kane grew up in Cambuslang, in a family with twelve siblings. He was interested in acting as a child, then at the age of 19, after a stint in the Territorial Army, O'Kane left the country...
.
Interceptor was received well by critics and viewers, yet only eight episodes (one series) were made. Nonetheless, the show has something of a cult following, which influenced re-runs on UK satellite channel Challenge from 2001. A public vote by The UK Game Show Page in 2002 saw the series voted the UK's 13th best game show.
Format
Each episode of the series was based, like Treasure Hunt, in a region of the UK, and began from a local tourist attraction. The host, Annabel Croft, would introduce the episode's two contestants, one woman (the yellow contestant) and one man (the blue contestant). Each contestant would be given a locked backpack - one would contain £1,000 in cash, the other containing nothing but weights. Both backpacks had five large infra-red receptors on the back. The contestants would be blindfolded and taken by helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
to locations in the area. The challenge was for both contestants, under radio guidance from Croft, to obtain the key to their opposite number's backpack - usually some distance away from their start point - and meet up, all within a 40-minute time limit.
A simple enough task, except for some obstructions placed in their way. Principal among these was the titular Interceptor, a tall man dressed in black, armed with an infra-red projector mounted on his left forearm (the technology for which was procured from the British Army), and possessed of an intimidating fish-eagle screech. It was his job to pursue the contestants and - to the accompaniment of post-production sound effects - 'zap' the receptors on their backpacks, causing the locks to jam. Thus, if the contestant carrying the money is 'zapped', neither contestant wins.
Distance was also a major enemy to the contestant, causing them to beg or borrow any mode of transport
Mode of transport
Mode of transport is a term used to distinguish substantially different ways to perform transport. The most dominant modes of transport are aviation, land transport, which includes rail, road and off-road transport, and ship transport...
available to them. During the course of the series, more or less everything from bicycles to Sea King
Sea King helicopter
Sea King helicopter may refer to:* SH-3 Sea King* CH-124 Sea King* Westland Sea King...
helicopters were used. The Interceptor, too, was able to hijack available transportation, but had his own fleet available to him. The most-used of these was his black-and-yellow Agusta A109
Agusta A109
The AgustaWestland AW109 is a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland...
helicopter registered G-MEAN, piloted by his long-suffering pilot and servant 'Mikey' (played by helicopter pilot Michael Malric-Smith). Also at his disposal was a Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
Biturbo Spider sports car registration INT 1, and a Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
ZX10 motorbike registration INT 2. It was also claimed that a hovercraft was available to him, though this was never used. The INT number plates were not real; the producers had special permission to film whilst using them.
The contestants' other major enemy was the time limit. Once they had located their key, they often had to perform a task in order to obtain it. Examples included participating in a limited jousting exercise, or removing the key from a horse's braided mane.
Airing
The eight existing episodes were recorded over the summer of 1989 and shown soon afterwards. The only notable exception was the eighth and final episode, which was intended for a Christmas airing but was instead shown in the new year. This episode included seasonal greetings from both Annabel and the Interceptor.Cancellation
The series appeared to de well to public and critical view, garnering good ratings for its Wednesday prime-time slot due to its suspense-filled format. However, Interceptor was shown at the time when ITV was undergoing major changes, and it became a casualty of them. Despite public outcry - even public polls - Interceptor was never recommissioned for a subsequent series. While ITV franchisee Thames TV wanted to propose Interceptor for another ITV network commission in 1990, Thames was already responsible for a very large section of ITV prime-time television shows and other companies wanted a greater proportion. In addition, a new round of franchise bidding was impending, and Thames was concerned to improve its profitability; Interceptor was a relatively expensive show and was made by an independent contractor. In the event Thames lost its franchise to Carlton TelevisionCarlton Television
Carlton Television was the ITV franchise holder for London and the surrounding counties including the cities of Solihull and Coventry of the West Midlands, south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire,...
which had put in a larger bid.
Repeats
Despite its premature termination, Interceptor retains a cult following. Pressure exerted by these fans led to UK satellite channel Challenge re-running the series alongside other game shows. among which were stablemates Treasure Hunt and Crystal Maze. Here, the series gained a whole new generation of fans, and at one point even spawned discussion on Challenge's website as to production of a new series, fuelled by the channel's resurrection of the UK version of Fort BoyardFort Boyard
Fort Boyard is a fort located between the Île-d'Aix and the Île d'Oléron in the Pertuis d'Antioche straits, on the west coast of France. Though a fort on Boyard bank was suggested as early as the 17th century, it was not until the 1800s under Napoleon Bonaparte that work began.-Layout:Fort...
.
Episode 1: Kent
Contestant Mark (to get his key) has to get it from a hive of bees. The Interceptor chases contestant Candy (who is travelling in a Rolls Royce) on horseback. Towards the end of the episode, the Interceptor successfully sneaks up on an oblivious Mark and zaps his backpack at point-blank range. After doing so, he screams into his ear.Episode 2: Norfolk
While contestant Roger tries to get his key in the middle of a maze in a stately home, the Interceptor plans an ambush. Contestant Claire goes on a pleasure cruise to get near her key while at the end of the episode, the Interceptor has a brush with the law. The contestants win the money.Episode 3: Wye Valley
Contestant Mark enlists the help of the army to find his key while at the end of the episode, the Interceptor screeches over a bridge in his Maserati.Episode 4: Cumbria
Contestant Max makes his way on the Ravenglass and Eskdale RailwayRavenglass and Eskdale Railway
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a minimum gauge heritage railway in Cumbria, England. The line runs from Ravenglass to Dalegarth Station near Boot in the valley of Eskdale, in the Lake District...
to his key challenge and the Interceptor climbs along the train in pursuit of Max. Contestant Suzanne gets soaked in Wast Water
Wast Water
Wast Water or Wastwater is a lake located in Wasdale, a valley in the western part of the Lake District National Park, England. The lake is approximately 4.6 kilometres long and 600 metres wide. It is the deepest lake in England at 79 metres , and is owned by the National Trust...
while trying to get her key. At the end of the episode, the Interceptor blocks the entrance to the Eskdale Outward Bound Centre where contestant Suzanne is coming but her partner Max grabs her just in time before the Interceptor.
Episode 5: Derbyshire
Contestant Martin has a brief chase with The Interceptor but gets away in the nick of time. Contestant Hillary is unaware that she was taken on a ride in a tractor by the Interceptor. The farmers at the farm where she gets the tractor even go as far as helping him, all because of a money bribe of ten pounds, and a further ten pounds if his ambush is a success. When he locks Hillary's pack he shrieks many times and yells in joy, only for Hillary to jump on a nearby van, jokingly threatening to hit The Interceptor with a spadeSpade
A spade is a tool designed primarily for the purpose of digging or removing earth. Early spades were made of riven wood. After the art of metalworking was discovered, spades were made with sharper tips of metal. Before the advent of metal spades manual labor was less efficient at moving earth,...
if he don't leave her alone. Nevertheless, the ambush effort was all in vain, as even if the trick did not work the contestants still would have failed, as they did not meet each other within the 40-minute time limit.
Episode 6: Borders
The Interceptor won't leave contestant Mike alone but while attempting an ambush, he is spotted by Mike and gives up. Contestant Sarah cycles down from her starting position to get to her key challenge only to see the Interceptor nearby in a dinghy.Episode 7: Cotswolds
Contestant Marcel has to escape the chasing Interceptor by quadbike. Contestant Nikki is taken to her key at the top of a burning building and when he starts chasing her on foot she finds away to escape quicker and the Interceptor loses her and at the end of the episode, Marcel is getting his key on a chariot race and the Interceptor is ready to zap him but he is too late and the contestants win the £1000 prize moneyEpisode 8: Cornwall
Contestant Clive is successfully ambushed by the Interceptor but has a plan to save his partner Sarah from the Interceptor on a lifeboat. Contestant Sarah had a mini hovercraft ride before coming with the Interceptor but was protected by locals. Clive had arranged for a RAF helicopter to come and get her to meet him at the lifeboat but in a dramatic chase, the Interceptor's and the RAF helicopter race. The episode is memorable for the Interceptor going to the extreme of going up to Sarah's face, shrieking, shooting his infra-red gun only for the locals to protect her.Production trivia
Although each episode appeared to be filmed in real time, it was not. The introduction was filmed the day before the game itself, giving the producers opportunity to re-randomise the backpacks the contestants had chosen. The contestants would be blindfolded from their hotel and driven to a location used as a remote base by Castle AirCastle Air
Castle Air is a British helicopter charter and sales company which specialises in the use of helicopters in TV and film. It is based in Trebrown, near the town of Liskeard, Cornwall....
, the helicopter charter company which supplied the aircraft. The 40-minute game time was also somewhat elastic, with filming and gameplay often suspended.
Two helicopters were used in the production of the series. One of these was the Interceptor's aircraft, the black and yellow Agusta A109, with the registration G-MEAN. The other was G-BHXU, the same Agusta-Bell Jetranger helicopter used in Treasure Hunt, piloted here by Jerry Grayson.
The theme music, composed by Chatsworth's resident composer Zack Laurence, is an adaptation of Chopin's Etude in C minor, Opus 10 Number 12 titled Rock Revolution. It was released as a single with an 'instrumental' B-side (essentially the track minus the piano) titled Interceptor Boogie.
External links
- Interceptor at The Interceptor's Lair (Official Website)