Through the Keyhole
Encyclopedia
Through the Keyhole was a British panel game
, hosted by Sir David Frost
where panellists are given a video tour of a mystery famous guest's property and attempt to identify them. As of 1996, it is produced by David Frost's own production company, Paradine Productions at The Leeds Studios
(having originally been produced by Yorkshire Television
), and has been on air since 3 April 1987. It first aired on ITV
from 3 April 1987 to 19 June 1994 with a special that aired on 1 May 1995, then moved jointly to Sky1 from 22 February to 23 December 1996, it was then moved to BBC One
from 7 April 1997 to 9 May 2007 and then moved to BBC Two
from 6 May to 4 June 2008.
At the start of each episode, Frost introduces a panel of three celebrities, with the catchphrase "And what a panel they are...." and some gently humorous or mocking descriptions. He then hands over to the location presenter who gives the panellists a guided tour of the property, noting particular items, though, there is typically a large amount of misdirection
involved as the items pointed out by the presenter are not necessarily the most pertinent clues to the person's identity. Items not specifically mentioned may provide much more useful clues. Once completed, Frost reveals the identity of the guest to the audience, and the panel are given turns at guessing their identity. The audience participate with varying degrees of clapping according to the accuracy of the panellists' guesswork.
The panellists are either successful at identifying the guest, or Frost has to reveal their identity, after which they are interviewed and given a key-shaped trophy as a memento.
Starting during Catherine Gee
's reign as location presenter, the geographic spread of the properties was extended with one of the properties on each show being located in the US and one in Europe. When Stefanie Powers
took over her role in 2007, she was based in the US and conducted the US property tours, whilst UK based Lisa Snowdon
conducted the European property tours.
In July 2011, it was announced that the rights to the show had been bought by FremantleMedia
. It was reported that Through the Keyhole will return in a revived format with Vernon Kay
as location presenter.
Panel game
A panel game or panel show is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participates. Panelists may compete with each other, such as on The News Quiz; facilitate play by guest contestants, such as on Match Game/Blankety Blank; or do both, such as on Wait Wait.....
, hosted by Sir David Frost
David Frost (broadcaster)
Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE is a British journalist, comedian, writer, media personality and daytime TV game show host best known for his two decades as host of Through the Keyhole and serious interviews with various political figures, the most notable being Richard Nixon...
where panellists are given a video tour of a mystery famous guest's property and attempt to identify them. As of 1996, it is produced by David Frost's own production company, Paradine Productions at The Leeds Studios
The Leeds Studios
The Leeds Studios also known as the Yorkshire Television Studios or YTV Studios is a television production complex on Kirkstall Road in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
(having originally been produced by Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network...
), and has been on air since 3 April 1987. It first aired on 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...
from 3 April 1987 to 19 June 1994 with a special that aired on 1 May 1995, then moved jointly to Sky1 from 22 February to 23 December 1996, it was then moved to BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from 7 April 1997 to 9 May 2007 and then moved to BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
from 6 May to 4 June 2008.
At the start of each episode, Frost introduces a panel of three celebrities, with the catchphrase "And what a panel they are...." and some gently humorous or mocking descriptions. He then hands over to the location presenter who gives the panellists a guided tour of the property, noting particular items, though, there is typically a large amount of misdirection
Misdirection
Misdirection is a form of deception in which the attention of an audience is focused on one thing in order to distract its attention from another....
involved as the items pointed out by the presenter are not necessarily the most pertinent clues to the person's identity. Items not specifically mentioned may provide much more useful clues. Once completed, Frost reveals the identity of the guest to the audience, and the panel are given turns at guessing their identity. The audience participate with varying degrees of clapping according to the accuracy of the panellists' guesswork.
The panellists are either successful at identifying the guest, or Frost has to reveal their identity, after which they are interviewed and given a key-shaped trophy as a memento.
Starting during Catherine Gee
Catherine Gee
Catherine Gee is a television presenter and property expert who took over as the host of the popular ITV daytime makeover show 60 Minute Makeover in 2011. Prior to this she was best known for presenting the BBC relocation programme, Escape to the Country and being the location presenter on the...
's reign as location presenter, the geographic spread of the properties was extended with one of the properties on each show being located in the US and one in Europe. When Stefanie Powers
Stefanie Powers
Stefanie Powers is an American actress best known for her role as Jennifer Hart in the 1980s television series Hart to Hart.-Early life:...
took over her role in 2007, she was based in the US and conducted the US property tours, whilst UK based Lisa Snowdon
Lisa Snowdon
Lisa Snowdon is an English fashion model, television personality and presenter. She was the host of the reality television show Britain's Next Top Model from 2006 until 2009...
conducted the European property tours.
In July 2011, it was announced that the rights to the show had been bought by FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
. It was reported that Through the Keyhole will return in a revived format with Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay
Vernon Charles Kay is a British television presenter, radio DJ, american footballer and former model. He began television presenting on the BBC children's programme FBi, a spin-off of Fully Booked. Since he has presented various programmes, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family...
as location presenter.
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Special
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