Television host Chris Tarrant had endured a rough 1982. Having come to prominence as presenter and producer of ITV's Saturday morning show 'Tiswas', he'd recognised that the audience for that show went far beyond its intended target audience of young children. Initially starting out as a 'strand' linking together cartoons and pop music, the show developed into a madcap, slapstick programme filled with buckets of water and throwing of 'custard pies'. That, plus the frequent appearance of top bands, in addition to the charms of co-presenter Sally James, led to a more adult audience tuning in.
With that in mind Tarrant, plus several other regulars of the cast including a young Lenny Henry, puppeteer Bob Carolgees and Liverpool humorist John Gorman, left the Tiswas team at the end of 1981 to create a 'late-night' version of the show, with more adult (read, overtly risqué) content but with the slapstick element retained. Whilst James remained with Tiswas for one more year, presenting the show with a new team from autumn of 1981 into spring of 1982, Tarrant and his team (now including actress Helen Atkinson-Wood in Sally James' place) launched 'OTT' (or 'Over The Top') in January of 1982, airing live on Saturday nights. The programme was immediately panned by critics, with both the top brass at broadcaster Central Television and the then TV regulator IBA alarmed by some of the more risqué content. The show ran for 13 weeks and when Central opted not to renew it for another year, Tarrant retreated to lick his wounds.
The next year, the TV bosses clamped down on Tarrant; before approving a new programme they insisted on cutting the budget and also stipulating that he must pre-record his show rather than go out live. Angered by that decision (he reportedly shattered a glass door from slamming it too hard, following a meeting with Central bosses) Tarrant came up with a new concept for the show, staging it in a pub so that it appeared to be a late-night, closed doors drinking session (hence the title, Saturday Stayback).
'Saturday Stayback' was given a low-key launch in January 1983; consisting mainly of comic sketches and music slots, the show was still adult-orientated but with content considerably toned down, and ran for six editions. Tarrant still had enough influence to attract some big names from the music world onto the programme; rocker Ian Gillan performed on the show with his own band as did Thin Lizzy. The theme tune was performed by Roy Wood, of Wizzard fame.
Some idea of what the programme was like is illustrated by this clip, with an incredible collection of players (Roy Wood, Bev Bevan of ELO, Phil Lynott and Chas Hodges) being interrupted from performing a rock 'n' roll medley by a comic segment.
(The caption incorrectly flags it as coming from the earlier OTT show)
The programme also launched comic Tony Slattery's career, and Helen Atkinson-Wood went on to further fame as Mrs Miggins in the 'Blackadder' comedy series. Tarrant himself later became better known as a radio presenter, joining Capital Radio in 1984 and later taking over the breakfast programme. He continued as breakfast presenter until 2004, by which time he had re-established himself on television, most notably as the host of game show 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'.
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