Official poster of The Old Grey Whistle Test
⭐ 8.3/10
TV Series • 1971

The Old Grey Whistle Test

16 seasons • 558 episodes

Synopsis

The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.

Release date 1971-09-21
Original language EN
Status Ended
Popularity 6

Main Cast

Seasons

Poster for 1971/2

1971/2

42 episodes

1971
Poster for 1972/3

1972/3

49 episodes

1972
Poster for 1973/4

1973/4

43 episodes

1973
Poster for 1974/5

1974/5

42 episodes

1974
Poster for 1975/6

1975/6

35 episodes

1975
Poster for 1976/7

1976/7

36 episodes

1976
Poster for 1977/8

1977/8

39 episodes

1977
Poster for 1978/9

1978/9

37 episodes

1978
Poster for 1979/80

1979/80

34 episodes

1979
Poster for 1980/81

1980/81

41 episodes

1980
Poster for 1981/2

1981/2

29 episodes

1981
Poster for 1982/3

1982/3

22 episodes

1982
Poster for 1983/4

1983/4

20 episodes

1983
Poster for 1984/5

1984/5

38 episodes

1984
Poster for 1985/6

1985/6

31 episodes

1985
Poster for 1986/7

1986/7

20 episodes

1986