The Girlie Show (Channel 4)
Encyclopedia
The Girlie Show was a 1990s Channel 4
television programme in the United Kingdom
. Its presenters were Sarah Cawood
, Claire Gorham
, American Model Rachel Williams
, and in her first presenting job, Sara Cox
. The programme ran for two series in 1996 and 1997.
Originally broadcast in the old The Word
time slot of 10pm on a Friday night, The Girlie Show later occupied Channel 4's traditional "post-pub" time slot. As with The Word, the late night air-time meant that guests and presenters encouraged each other to be controversial.In the tradition of The Word, the show's content and its presenters were heavily hyped as being more edgy, dangerous, and 'ballsy' than other programmes on British Television.
The series was notable for being the first to feature the girl group Spice Girls
.
There was considerable tabloid backlash against the show due to its often amateurish production standards - the presenters had little experience of live television. It was similarly castigated in the broadsheets as 'witless'. Although the intention of the producers was to cash in on the Girl Power
and ladette phenomena, feminist commentators complained the show's style and content appealed to male chauvinistic stereotypes. Several so-called practical jokes on members of the audience were also clearly staged. Channel 4 subsequently placed the show at number 80 in its 100 Greatest TV Moments from Hell list.
There was also a Wanker of the Week section, in which some hapless male was lambasted for wanking on stage like a full on Homo Man
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
television programme in the United Kingdom
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...
. Its presenters were Sarah Cawood
Sarah Cawood
Sarah Cawood is an English television presenter.-Career:Cawood grew up in the Cambridgeshire village of Maxey and was educated at Stamford High School, Lincolnshire near Peterborough, United Kingdom. She also attended the Royal Ballet School and Arts Educational Schools London.Between 1995 and...
, Claire Gorham
Claire Gorham
Claire Gorham is an English journalist and television presenter, best known for The Girlie Show in the late 1990s.She is sometimes credited as Clare Gorham...
, American Model Rachel Williams
Rachel Williams
Rachel Williams is an American model, actress, and TV presenter now living in the United Kingdom.- Biography :Her father Tod Williams and stepmother Billie Tsien are architects in the Manhattan firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, well known for their American Folk Art Museum, which many...
, and in her first presenting job, Sara Cox
Sara Cox
Sara Cox , known as "Coxy", is an English TV presenter and radio DJ, most well known for presenting the breakfast show on BBC Radio 1 between 2000 and 2003...
. The programme ran for two series in 1996 and 1997.
Format
Its magazine format allowed for interviews, live music, features, and stunts involving studio guests and the live audience.Originally broadcast in the old The Word
The Word (TV series)
The Word was a 1990s Channel 4 television programme in the United Kingdom.-Format:Its presenters included Mancunian radio presenter Terry Christian, comedian Mark Lamarr, Dani Behr, Katie Puckrik, Jasmine Dotiwala, Alan Connor, Amanda de Cadenet and "Huffty"...
time slot of 10pm on a Friday night, The Girlie Show later occupied Channel 4's traditional "post-pub" time slot. As with The Word, the late night air-time meant that guests and presenters encouraged each other to be controversial.In the tradition of The Word, the show's content and its presenters were heavily hyped as being more edgy, dangerous, and 'ballsy' than other programmes on British Television.
The series was notable for being the first to feature the girl group Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
.
There was considerable tabloid backlash against the show due to its often amateurish production standards - the presenters had little experience of live television. It was similarly castigated in the broadsheets as 'witless'. Although the intention of the producers was to cash in on the Girl Power
Girl Power
The phrase "girl power", as a term of empowerment, expressed a cultural phenomenon of the 1990s and early 2000s. It is also linked to third-wave feminism...
and ladette phenomena, feminist commentators complained the show's style and content appealed to male chauvinistic stereotypes. Several so-called practical jokes on members of the audience were also clearly staged. Channel 4 subsequently placed the show at number 80 in its 100 Greatest TV Moments from Hell list.
There was also a Wanker of the Week section, in which some hapless male was lambasted for wanking on stage like a full on Homo Man