BBC2 Curve Idents (2018) - The Ident Review

Episode 20
This week on the Ident Review, we take a look at BBC2's most recent set of idents. This, is Curve.
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[@PredictedCyborg]

A lot of these seem to be descended from the 90s 2s. Curve looks to be a 'modern' set trying to recapture some of that magic with the music especially and the visuals in some cases. ... they haven't captured my heart yet though. Especially since the textures and sounds used in some make my skin crawl JUUUUST a bit.

[@stevekey244]

duh

[@TellyArchive]

It’s interesting that the reason the BBC changed the BBC Two idents from having more personality to something that doesn’t just to compete with Amazon and Netflix, I feel like these idents don’t really give off much competition as they don’t really say a lot about the channel and it makes the channel look more like BBC Four

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I wouldn't doubt that's what happened here.

[@CyberLink70]

Compete with Amazon or Netflix? How?

[@dementedgamer0810]

I love the 2s

[@unusedchannel6918]

TellyArchive I agree.

[@frazzleface753]

I like them. Most of them have that haunting, stark quality from the 1991 set, which I think is quite difficult to achieve. As you say, the design is very adaptable, almost infinitely so I would say. I had the pleasure of watching the first airing of the 1991 2 as it happened. I remember it introducing Mahaharrat!

[@AlexBaldwinFTW]

Is there anything more British than someone reviewing BBC2 idents? Love it. Subscribed.

[@themightyboush]

The 1991 2's will be missed for sure, but this is a worthy successor. Significantly better than the dreck over on BBC One.

[@EternityMediaGroup]

the first ident from the first batch kinda reminds me of the "Diary" Ident from the 1991 run. anyone else see that?

[@PredictedCyborg]

Yeah that was my first thought too. Heck, quite a few of these seem to have ancestor roots in the 90s 2s and I think the Curves are meant to be a 'modern' set of the 90s 2s.

[@arielsidiqerdanayt]

Like Batch 1, but it comes (until) together.

[@dementedgamer0810]

Me too

[@vinfinityremakerguy]

But instead of it going out, It goes in.

[@KRPTV]

Yeah and the second ident from the first batch is more like the 'silk' ident yet the orange and purple colours of that ident kind of remind me of BBC One's 90's look.

[@JamieBoy-ij2ri]

The 1990's idents felt very timeless and so do the 2018 Idents as well, I can't wait for the Christmas ones.

[@doomotron6160]

I'd like to see what they make for the next series of Top Gear, considering the Personality 2 toy car ident was used for it.

[@oxanagubert7504]

Batch 1: - Reflective - Escapist - Infinite - Paper Batch 2: - Offbeat - Gritty - Revelatory - Captivating Batch 3: - Visceral - Feel Good - Dark - Wonder Batch 4: - Sculpture - Celebratory - Charged - Bold Batch 5: - Slice - Squish - Gripping - Vivid

[@CyberLink70]

Did you make all of these up?

[@oxanagubert7504]

Yeah.

[@sebastienlee7037]

@@oxanagubert7504 liar

[@oxanagubert7504]

Sebastien Lee What do you mean?

[@sebastienlee7037]

@@oxanagubert7504 You didn't come up with those. The names you gave were the same as the ones given on The Ident Gallery.

[@MrDan1466]

This is an if the BBC recreated scenes from either "Fantasia" (Disney, 1940) or the finale of "2001: A Space Odyssey" (MGM, 1968), just with up-to-date animation...

[@collapsible1639]

I have to be honest..I always thought the ''classic'' much loved old idents were as dull as dishwater. I LOVE these new idents, yeah they are digital..but they are so inventive and pleasing to the eye..oh and very psychedelic.

[@MattTheSpratt]

And they could really Only be done with the current staggering power of graphics technology going.

[@James-4812]

To be honest, when I first saw the new 2's, I thought "oh these look intriguing," but seriously, after watching 4 or 5 of them I was already bored of them... Yes they are colourful and some are eye catching, but I don't think they'll ever get popular. Everyone will just want the old ones back again - as usual.

[@TellyArchive]

I think the last two new BBC Two idents were pulled as they would have included them in the new batch

[@KoopaTroops213]

These bumpers just confusing for me... (even when I first saw them.) Even know these aren't my favourite. (And to be honest I don't really like them) I at least give them credit for trying to capture the classic 2s we all know and love (and we can all agree that these are better then the oneness and the other current idents of the other BBC channels) I just kind of wish they keep the classic 2s as well as making some new ones.

[@97channel]

Now was certainly the time to retire the 2. I think the timing was spot on. The personality 2's never really shone, in my view. They weren't bad, but as the next chapter in the evolution of the 2 concept, they offered a lot less than the previous set from the 90's. Window On The World was a better set, they recaptured the essence of the 90's 2's in an interesting new way. There were some real stand-out ones, the Chase themed versions really set a mood. But overall, there was something a bit pedestrian about them. Most of them didn't grab you, didn't capture your imagination as well as the 90's set. Reinstating the 90's set was an interesting, somewhat unprecedented move. Had any channel ever reverted to a previous set like that before? They were first reinstated as part of the Classic Afternoon strand, then as a constant identity throughout the station for the 50th anniversary period. But then they just stayed, and I saw it coming by that point. It was nice to have them back, though it would have been nicer if network had reinstated as many as NI. But some of the newer additions, such as the sport themed ones for darts, tennis and snooker, I thought were quite poor. Though nice to have some old favourites around for a while, I think they were retired at the right moment. BBC Two should really be looking forward, rather than backward. As much loved as the 2's are, your head goes back in time some 20-odd years whenever you see them, and that's not really where the channel should be leading your thoughts. It's not UKTV Gold, it's not a classics channel, it has thriving new content which deserves its own place in time. I like the new set of idents. They are where I think idents should be headed, certainly rather than the BBC Oneness sort of thing. Although the initial set are a bit vague, they are never-the-less nice, and set the tone for a whole new era of potential creativity to expand upon the set. They can't be too expensive to produce either, so hopefully we'll see tons more of them in time to come. I do have some reservations on the curve being maybe too abstract, I think especially older people may not recognise what it represents. But on the other hand, I think back to the golden age of ITV regions, where the Central Cake, the TVS... erm, shape thingy, the TSW... erm, other shape thingy, and others all came to boldly represent their respective channel without the viewer necessarily understanding why they did. In the same way, perhaps given time, the curve may come to represent BBC Two in a similar way.

[@joannepadmore1854]

I hope they bring back the old idents and the 2 for the 60th anniversary

[@TheCanadianAskew]

Me when I first heard about the rebrand: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@dementedgamer0810]

CCCCCCCCk

[@unusedchannel6918]

The Canadian Askew Yes. That was also me.

[@HighTen_Melanie]

I like the 2 with the ducklings in the shape of 2s!

[@robertcomer2767]

Please god let's hope there's new ones for BBC One in the new year. If I have to watch that dancing one with the woman at the end not have a f**king clue I'll go mad. No Oneness there love!!! And bring back a bloody clock before the news. It doesn't need a second hand.

[@jonnygulmatico9472]

A numeral 1 for BBC One perhaps?

[@stephenbailey3412]

These idents are just so brilliant, well done to the BBC.

[@SuiSock]

I like em. Turned on bbc2 to watch them in real time

[@Jamster8399]

Can you do a video on CITV?

[@jordanhowell7798]

I asked him the same question.

[@timgoodwin4424]

Please do an ident review on the new e4 idents especially the chip shop ident

[@TMPStudios07]

Why do you remind me of somethi- *has mental flashbacks of the cringy 2017 bbc one idents*

[@roundel52]

Losing the 2s is like losing an old friend, rather like loss of the globe baloons on BBC1. That said, these are rather nice. There's a definite nod to some of the old idents, and it's obvious that a lot of thought has been given to them. It will take a long time for people to love them like the characterful 2s, but at least they are not as pointless as the BBC1 "oneness" lot, or even the dancers. In years to come though I do see these being looked back on fondly.

[@helixmediacorporation862]

These IDs give me the vibe of ABC2's 2011-2015 era IDs

[@mustardchan]

i kinda want the old ones back. they seemed more creative, and im kinda drawing blanks when it comes to what more they can do with a curve. not only that but i can watch the old 2 idents for days and not get bored... but these ones kind of just bore me after watching them a few times. i hope we don't see the last of the 2.

[@Kinitawowi]

I wish I liked them, but the Curve motif doesn't remind me of the number 2. It reminds me of the old Samsung Galaxy S logo. And that's the problem - these are a collection of great imagery but they don't ever feel like television idents. They feel - particularly in still frame - like mobile phone backgrounds.

[@danwoodhouse9290]

5:55 - GOLDFISH

[@ssp6186]

i have commented this before, on another video, but i think you should review the personality 2s used between 2001 and 2007, specifically the ones introduced around the launch.

[@ssp6186]

okay, i have a selection of Personality 2s Fish Bounce Logo Domino.

[@cartoonosaurus]

i don't like how the just got rid of the iconic 2, which iirc was modeled after a variant of the Gill Sans font.

[@CyberLink70]

I quite like these, actually!

[@sambee8982]

They should've kept the 1991 to 2001 idents; the curve idents look dull, but strangely enough it's similar to Channel 4's broken 4 idents.....

[@thisissaah_3536]

I think both the 1991-2001 idents would be amazing if it combined with the curve idents. -[toothpaste snake]

[@jeremedia0214]

What happens if the Original Two Crossover with the curve idents?

[@oxanagubert7504]

+Adam Martyn These are 19 variants, not 16.

[@oxanagubert7504]

For me, the "Sculpture" ident isn't boring, this ident looks interesting.

[@mitchellgsheph1]

I prefer the “2”s, but I like these idents a lot.

[@danielfennessey]

I like them - classy and elegant. I think so anywayAlso the ident @7:41 I think is supposed to resemble peeling snake skin.

[@airwave6610]

7:27 it's supposed to be based on a crystal formation! Makes me think of a crystal called agate.

[@marcliguori9385]

Is the BBC2 ident of a couple in the restaurant whom fall in love and argue is it available to view?

[@procommentr]

Wait, isn't that just EastEnders?

[@cameronyoungcg9270]

@@procommentr I was thinking the old TV licensing ad, where there's a couple in a restaurant and they go from getting married tomorrow to getting divorced tomorrow in about 20 seconds.

[@TheGerkuman]

I think the reddish-purple one was based on Slinkies

[@evertonporter7887]

3:22 Was the creator of that ident high on spliffs or something 😆?

[@evertonporter7887]

Those curve idents are best viewed in HD...well, at least I think so 😅 .

[@steve.wassall06]

I'm not a huge fan of them... I like the first one that the BBC chose to introduce these new idents but the rest of them make BBC 2 look a bit dull again like in the late 80s... I'm also not a fan of the new Christmas ones either... I think these idents will be short-lived and that they will bring the personality 2s back again. I can see where the BBC were going with the curve so that it looks like a 2 but overall I'm not a fan....

[@kylebulger4240]

Reusing the 90s idents was fun and all but sometimes I wanting something new for the identity grpahics of a Television network

[@davidmunns135]

BBC 2 always ahead of the curve and that’s certainly true here long may they continue into 2020 and beyond and besides what’s wrong with being like BBC 4 ?

[@nathang2750]

I sort of like these idents but I prefer the two

[@TVCurator]

Ayyyy my video 12:02

[@billylawuk]

Don't like them tbh. Not as bad as Oneness. But I see why BBC decided to bring new idents to the channel

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

I wish I don’t want to dislike it.. But I’m sorry the new styles are just not interesting and boring.. The 2 idents from the 90’s are the best and in a nostalgic field into it.

[@debbieascott8702]

I love BBC 2

[@Plutobug2468]

My opinion I really don’t like this because the curves can sometimes be annoying, I prefer the other idents this year (Some idents music is perfect)

[@johnpot]

I can named it

[@barbara-annemcgregor1769]

There was a Christmas tree one.

[@saveukrainenow1451]

The last two are found the other one is the bold ident

[@whatamalike]

7:40 looks like a mouldy Xenomorph lol

[@IrishKeshiHead]

I'm more akin to the original "2's" idents.. these just look a bit too artistic to be viewed.

[@ben_fpyt]

Definitely better the the Oneness Although the 2’s we’re getting old.

[@PlayWatchViewKayden]

I just saw a curve ident

[@mathieuleader8601]

something old something barrowed something new

[@aswkwiwiwiwwiiakierul1177]

W

[@debbieascott8702]

Hello

[@Matt78778]

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@nxx99]

tin can

[@oxanagubert7504]

I'll call it BBC Two "Twoness" idents

[@nottimhortons]

Definitely not a oneness ident. They spent a lot of time with these idents, and I am really seeing that.

[@hxcyns2191]

6:02 How'd you miss out the fact that they look like slinkies?

[@LorddexGAMNG]

I think they look like glorified screensavers

[@reallyryan_]

I like these they are more modern and up to date with current times I miss the 2's in different situations these are cool though much better than BBC one! Their idents are shit. (The outro voice over was kind of cringy)

[@hotmarx8358]

and the Idents doesn't look like a 2 it Looks like a 7 also i Don't live in uk

[@ConorDaRobin]

Come on, BBC 2, go back to the "Two"s.

[@ccateni28]

I don't like these idents because it shows dumbness of the BBC company by not updating one with a look like this and making crap decisions.

[@stepheng8779]

Garbage now on 2 to match the dross on 1.

[@stevekey244]

was anyone else freaked /grossed out by this HORRIBLE horror show??, want the old conventionals back.....NOW

[@nottimhortons]

Not really. Some of them were really calming.

[@legomaniac856]

I like the weird & sometimes unsettling nature of them. But, then again, I'm into the creepy & off-putting.

[@thecolmaster2300]

Be careful they might be fake!

[@nemaniledua1976]

Blender

[@stevekey244]

bring back the old ones ASAP... the these anomalies and oddities are creepy and gross.....NOT BEAUTIFUL...and the creepy noises with them.....triggers my trypophobia...ie the speed and noises.....the pulses....I couldn't disagree with u more.....your taste is quite offputting and weird...like these new damn monstrous idents...hate them....BRING BACK THE OLD ONES...

[@kokianod5345]

Do you want them to go backwards or forward? The 90 BBC 2 idents are good too but they are holding back the channel.

[@gumballandstevenuniverseye8924]

I hate those idents!

[@nottimhortons]

Your opinion. I like it.

[@evertonporter7887]

They look stunning on HD.