Ear Say

1 9 8 4 (UK)
23 x 60 minute episodes

Hosted by DJ and American football commentator Nicky Horne with DJ/columnist Gary Crowley and journalist Lesley-Ann Jones, this Channel 4 music magazine show premiered on Saturday 31 March 1984 at 6.00 pm.

Produced by Action Time Limited, it claimed to be the first music magazine show to examine in depth the contemporary music scene and its many diversification into films, video, fashion and books. Each programme presented news, interviews, gossip, videos, and reviews, with musical performances in the studio from bands and a celebrity reviewing the latest singles.

Guests included Boy George, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ray Davies, Wham!, John Lydon, Madness, Captain Sensible, Lemmy from Motorhead, Scritti Politti, Matt Bianco, Ian Dury, The Cramps, Bananarama, Nigel Planer from The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle, Marc Almond, Special AKA, Dee Snider from Twisted Sister, Spandau Ballet, Elvis Costello, Billy Connolly, Kid Creole, Sade, Eurythmics, James Brown and Al Green.

In July, Horne flew to New York to interview Barry Manilow in a bizarre segment in which he quizzed the peeved Manilow about his divorced parents, his love life, his “sexually and emotionally disturbed fans” and other such music-related gems.

Critics called it “the most cobbled-together music show on TV”, and Smash Hits introduced their readers to the show by saying, “Fall sound asleep as Nicky Horne quizzes Steve Winwood about the drum sound on his latest album!”

The final episode aired on Saturday 1 September 1984.

Presenters
Nicky Horne
Gary Crowley
Lesley-Ann Jones

Video