Working Lunch
Encyclopedia
Working Lunch was a television programme broadcast on BBC Two
which covered business
, personal finance
and consumer
news between 1994 and 2010. The programme was first aired on 19 September 1994. It had a quirky, relaxed style, especially when compared to other BBC
business shows such as World Business Report
. In April 2010, the BBC announced that the programme would not be produced or broadcast from the end of July 2010. GMT
with George Alagiah
would instead take its place at 12:30 on BBC Two. The final show, on 30 July 2010, started and ended with a live version of the show's theme tune which has been used since the first broadcast in 1994.
Lloyds building. The title sequence led to a virtual set that was designed to look like a converted warehouse when in fact the studio it came from was the smallest BBC News studio. In 2002 the title sequence was changed by BBC Design for a computer generated sequence in which a goldfish is trying to escape from a shark onboard a sunken ship. The programme graphics also reflected this style with a marine-themed studio background. Other graphics were in a "crude clipart" style.
, Paddy O'Connell
and Nik Wood were replaced by Declan Curry
and Naga Munchetty
, the latter joining from Bloomberg TV. The new format was unpopular with viewers, and the vast majority of comments about it were negative.
and Adrian Chiles
. Chiles, who left the programme on 26 January 2007 after 12 years, became the co-host of the BBC One
current affairs and lifestyle programme The One Show
. He was replaced by Nik Wood. On Fridays, Paddy O'Connell
fronted the show with Adam Shaw instead of Nik Wood. Both Shaw and O'Connell bowed out on 26 September 2008.
In 2007, former footballer Graeme le Saux
presented a series of items recorded in his birthplace of Jersey
. Jenny Culshaw, a senior producer on the show, also occasionally presented items.
Other members of the Working Lunch team included Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Simon Gompertz, Rachel Horne, Rachel Burden
, and Rob Pittam.
From 6 October 2008, a revamped lineup saw BBC Breakfast
s former business presenter, Declan Curry
and Naga Munchetty
take over studio presentation, with Nik Wood returning to his former role of roving reporter, alongside Rob Pittam.
Gillian Lacey-Solymar left the show on 29 January 2010.
The programme was broadcast for 42 weeks of the year, taking a break for Easter
, Christmas
and some sports tournaments coverage, such as Wimbledon
, the Olympic games
and golf
.
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...
which covered business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, personal finance
Personal finance
Personal finance is the application of the principles of finance to the monetary decisions of an individual or family unit. It addresses the ways in which individuals or families obtain, budget, save, and spend monetary resources over time, taking into account various financial risks and future...
and consumer
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
news between 1994 and 2010. The programme was first aired on 19 September 1994. It had a quirky, relaxed style, especially when compared to other BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
business shows such as World Business Report
World Business Report
World Business Report is a television business news programme produced by BBC News and shown daily on BBC World News and the BBC News channel. The programme is broadcast 10 times daily Monday - Thursday and 9 times daily on Fridays. The main presenters of the programme are Tanya Beckett, Sally...
. In April 2010, the BBC announced that the programme would not be produced or broadcast from the end of July 2010. GMT
GMT (programme)
GMT is a news programme on BBC World News that first premiered on 1 February 2010. The programme is hosted by George Alagiah on Monday-Thursday and Stephen Sackur on Friday. Each programme begins with the presenter giving the headlines then turning to the first story, giving the time in that part...
with George Alagiah
George Alagiah
George Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter.Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010...
would instead take its place at 12:30 on BBC Two. The final show, on 30 July 2010, started and ended with a live version of the show's theme tune which has been used since the first broadcast in 1994.
Graphics
The original title sequence created by Piers Helm, featured a real goldfish and a rubber shark in a tank that contained the programmes subject matter represented as kitsch fish tank objects. These objects were treasure chest, bank, factory and a version of the Richard RogersRichard Rogers
Richard George Rogers, Baron Rogers of Riverside CH Kt FRIBA FCSD is a British architect noted for his modernist and functionalist designs....
Lloyds building. The title sequence led to a virtual set that was designed to look like a converted warehouse when in fact the studio it came from was the smallest BBC News studio. In 2002 the title sequence was changed by BBC Design for a computer generated sequence in which a goldfish is trying to escape from a shark onboard a sunken ship. The programme graphics also reflected this style with a marine-themed studio background. Other graphics were in a "crude clipart" style.
2008 relaunch
The show relaunched on 6 October 2008, with new titles, set and presenters. The familiar goldfish and shark were replaced by a piggy bank. Presenters Adam ShawAdam Shaw
-Education:Shaw was educated at an inner city comprehensive school in Kilburn, in north-west London.-Life and career:Until October 2008 Shaw presented Working Lunch, BBC Two's main lunchtime economics programme...
, Paddy O'Connell
Paddy O'Connell
Guy Patrick Bennett O'Connell , known as Paddy O'Connell, is an English television and radio presenter, working mainly for the BBC....
and Nik Wood were replaced by Declan Curry
Declan Curry
Declan Curry is an Irish journalist, presenter and businessman, currently employed by the BBC and best known as the former Business Correspondent for BBC Breakfast.-Early career:Curry studied chemistry at Imperial College, London...
and Naga Munchetty
Naga Munchetty
Naga Munchetty is a British journalist and television presenter. She currently presents BBC World News at 0500GMT on weekday mornings on BBC News Channel and BBC World News and makes regular appearances on BBC Breakfast...
, the latter joining from Bloomberg TV. The new format was unpopular with viewers, and the vast majority of comments about it were negative.
Presenters and reporters
Originally, the show was presented by Adam ShawAdam Shaw
-Education:Shaw was educated at an inner city comprehensive school in Kilburn, in north-west London.-Life and career:Until October 2008 Shaw presented Working Lunch, BBC Two's main lunchtime economics programme...
and Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles
Adrian Chiles is a British television and radio presenter, currently working for ITV Sport presenting football coverage....
. Chiles, who left the programme on 26 January 2007 after 12 years, became the co-host of the 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...
current affairs and lifestyle programme The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
. He was replaced by Nik Wood. On Fridays, Paddy O'Connell
Paddy O'Connell
Guy Patrick Bennett O'Connell , known as Paddy O'Connell, is an English television and radio presenter, working mainly for the BBC....
fronted the show with Adam Shaw instead of Nik Wood. Both Shaw and O'Connell bowed out on 26 September 2008.
In 2007, former footballer Graeme le Saux
Graeme Le Saux
Graeme Pierre Le Saux is a retired English footballer of French ancestry who played for the Premier League clubs Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, and for the England national football team. Primarily a left back, he was sometimes also played in midfield or on the left wing.After...
presented a series of items recorded in his birthplace of Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
. Jenny Culshaw, a senior producer on the show, also occasionally presented items.
Other members of the Working Lunch team included Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Simon Gompertz, Rachel Horne, Rachel Burden
Rachel Burden
Rachel Mary Burden , is a British-born Irish national, who is a radio news reporter and presenter, currently presenting the BBC Radio 5 Live weekday breakfast show....
, and Rob Pittam.
From 6 October 2008, a revamped lineup saw BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast is the morning television news programme simulcast on BBC One and the BBC News channel. It is presented live from BBC Television Centre in White City, West London, and contains a mixture of news, sport, weather, business and feature items...
s former business presenter, Declan Curry
Declan Curry
Declan Curry is an Irish journalist, presenter and businessman, currently employed by the BBC and best known as the former Business Correspondent for BBC Breakfast.-Early career:Curry studied chemistry at Imperial College, London...
and Naga Munchetty
Naga Munchetty
Naga Munchetty is a British journalist and television presenter. She currently presents BBC World News at 0500GMT on weekday mornings on BBC News Channel and BBC World News and makes regular appearances on BBC Breakfast...
take over studio presentation, with Nik Wood returning to his former role of roving reporter, alongside Rob Pittam.
Gillian Lacey-Solymar left the show on 29 January 2010.
Broadcast schedule
- Monday – Tuesday: 12:30 – 13:00
- Wednesday: 13:30 – 14:00
- Thursday – Friday: 12:30 – 13:00
The programme was broadcast for 42 weeks of the year, taking a break for Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and some sports tournaments coverage, such as Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, the Olympic games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
.