Time 4 Breakfast Part 2 - Let's Get BIG! The history of the Big Breakfast

Well thanks to my expert planning skills (Spoiler alert they are not expert) I’ve made a bumper length video!
In part 2 of Time 4 Breakfast, we’re looking at the legendary “Big Breakfast”. It was a monster of a show, but it was also a pain in the arse to channel 4. It was up and down in the rating but it was a favourite, and it wouldnt become clear how much of a following it had until it was gone.
Launching in 1992 after the Channel 4 Daily would have it’s final goodbye, the big breakfast was pretty much the “we’re turning the fricking car around” moment of television. Instead of going the standard route of news and boringtons, it went to the place none of the other shows dared to go.
With hilarious, witty presenters and completely dodgy innuendo, it was just sheer outrageous entertainment, it was the full english breakfast television in the 1990s and early 2000s. British Zoo TV at it’s best.
This episode documents the rise and the fall of The Big Breakfast and it’s presenters. Where did the presenters go after the show? What did Channel 4 do after they axed it?
In the video I mention Zig and Zag, the puppets from the show had a song. It was this one • Zig & Zag - Them Girls...
Whilst I was editing and looking for footage I found another video about the big breakfast from about a month ago. If you liked my video check this one out. It’s a slightly different perspective but a good one from a fellow big breakfast fan back in the day. Check out his videos, they are pretty good. • The Golden Age Of Brea...

[@jonkasonic]

Just a quick mention here in regards to Sharron Davies because there was a bunch of stuff that I didn’t put in the video because I felt it was off topic, and I didn't want to start a debate about it. In recent years she's been very vocal about trans people in sport and holds a heck ton of views against trans people. I don't agree with it, and i was fighting off itchy fingers to go off off on one, but also wanted to stay on topic. I mentioned Jenny McCarthy and her views in brief... again restraining myself, but not Sharron's. I mentioned that as a presenter I thought she was OK, and was trying to be fair to her on a presenter level. But yeah I don't condone nor can I agree with transphobic views because it's a subject I have many views about. I have family members who are trans who I love for who they are, and I although I don't consider myself as trans, I am Bi Gender, so I'm really not on board with her. Personally I've never felt completely comfortable being considered a male... I don't like to be defined by the the body parts people assume I have or assume I have certain personality traits because of those. its not something I am tetchy personally about and i don't see my gender identity as a personality trait. Plus people are not (usually) psychic and will sometimes assume. To me it's not a big thing but I know it can be to others. Anyway enough about me... I don't want this to turn into a debate, but I didn't want to let it slide. I try and keep it about the subject in the videos and how the viewer might see it :)

[@MateusHonrado]

You made the right decision to not mention them in your video.

[@guksack]

I did think "Oh shit, not her" when she showed up, but was a nice relief to stay on topic in this context 😁

[@teknikmao]

There are many forms of ignorance. Yours is sort of the worst.

[@Leawzkd]

Johnny and Denise did a mini return on Steph Packed lunch a few months back. And it was the classic team back together again.

[@jonkasonic]

Yeah i was trying to find it. I could only find a phone recorded quality version of more tea vicar and it wasn't on channel 4 on demand any more

[@DelosFive]

I was lucky enough to win £10,000 on the BB in their Ten Big Ones event. A friend of mine recorded it but we lost touch. I always check videos like these in case someone found a copy 😂

[@frankiewilde7791]

Great work on this video. Brings back memories of getting ready for school with The Big Breakfast on in the background. Couldn't beat having a sick day and getting to see the show all the way until 9 o'clock.

[@guksack]

Remember my sister getting well jealous that I got to watch the 8:30 celeb interview as she headed off to school and I sat in a pool of tissues on the sofa 🤒🤒

[@davidcarrol110]

Johnny Vaughan made a return trip to the Lockkeeper's Cottages in October 2020. Strangely melancholic after nearly 20 years since leaving.

[@jpkaye79]

Couple of things, 1, it's weird how 30years later John Major foresaw the future of his party and the country, 2, just want to say thanks for the entertainment for the last few months looking back, and wishing you and your production crew a very merry Christmas and happy new year

[@jonkasonic]

Thank youuu :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!!!

[@ChrisHack150380]

Great video as always! I was in the crowd at the house for the final show in 2002. It was an amazing atmosphere. I also went on to run the Big Breakfast Message Board for a couple of years as well. The problem with the refresh in 2001 was never the format in my opinion, but the choice of presenters, especially Donna who came across as wanting all of the attention to be on her. Paul and Amanda might’ve worked as a pairing given more time but as per usual the producers panicked and threw the entire refresh in the bin.

[@guksack]

How many shows manage to get lightning in a bottle twice? Chris/Gaby era was awesome and so original and refreshing. Johnny/Denise era was even better in my opinion. I remember the crushing morning of turning on the telly after the school holidays and seeing the Rick/Sharron era had kicked in and being gutted, didn't work from the get-go (Rick was awesome on other shows as you said) Also, hadn't realised Johnny got the gig after covering a holiday. Graham Norton did the same for Jack Docherty and the rest was history! I'd be too scared to take a break if I was a presenter 😁

[@5340robert]

Loved the big breakfast when i was a kid. Also Denise Van Outen huba huba, she was like my first celeb crush. It kinda lost momentum when Johnny and Denise left for the 2nd time.

[@immakingamovie1379]

Thanks for the shout out!

[@01302]

been saving this for one of these weird mornings between Xmas and New years. Really great walk down memory lane, just like you I'd forgotten so many of the weird unsuccessful attempts at revamping.

[@BluetheFortune2006]

Now since RI:SE is included in the next episode, i wonder if it's going to be called '''RI:SE and Fall?'' Heh, RI:SE and fall... i love it but it makes sense too, because RI:SE.

[@BluetheFortune2006]

Oh, i kinda forgot you commented on this thing thinking it's a good idea to call it ''RI:SE and Fall'' that i thought RI:SE weren't going to be revealed until i've noticed it did, apologises for deleting my comment because i didn't even notice until i reached to the end! lol

[@RichardCJohnson]

When I was a student in the mid 90s, the Big Breakfast was the perfect programme at the right time. It perfectly captured the spirit of the times and was just great tv

[@tsimeone]

I loved TBB... I was like 7 when it started but great before started school.. Nothing has been as good as since.

[@huczenit]

"Them girls" from Zig & Zag is produced by the house music mastermind Erick Morillo who was also behind Reel 2 Real :D it's a funny little recycle of the same formula

[@RobinBlamires]

Never sounded as good as the song as performed on the show. Though sort of get why it needed to be polished up to be a hit.

[@Andygoz]

Really good stuff mate fascinating the Vaughan bit about his time in prison and stuff, was not expecting such a deep conversation and insight

[@BREAKINGRUMOUR]

Kelly Kates (Dalgleish) at one point hosted the news bulletins before she ventured into sport broadcasting.

[@warren19721]

Amazing video, great editing and voice over

[@AS90AS90____]

Enjoyed that, look forward to the next one!

[@darkhall8227]

John Major got that right

[@jaydaksy4094]

Oh Gawd I thought Mr Bogus was all in my head 😮, when I’d tell people, they’d always say they never heard of it lol.😅 Thank you so much for this video I didn’t want it to end 😢. Merry Christmas to you!!

[@kevinmcgrath6628]

Hi there. Just watched your video and have a few corrections if that's okay... The news bulletins on The Big Breakfast didn't start with a lighter story, then go serious in the middle. They led with whatever the top story was. Peter Smith was newsreader from 1992-96. The entertainment feature was called Snap, Cackle and Pop. (It's incorrectly named on Wiki.) Competitions with presenters in character began during Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen's era. Most of the cartoons/programmes listed as featuring within the show are incorrect, aside from Dennis and Mr. Bogus. (This is incorrect on Wiki.) Ben Shephard hadn't worked for GMTV at the time of co-presenting The Bigger Breakfast. Mel Sykes hadn't co-presented Today with Des and Mel at the time of co-presenting The Bigger Breakfast. Gaby Roslin hadn't worked in radio when she co-presented The Big Breakfast. Danny Baker co-presented on Mondays and Fridays before Mark Little took the role Whilst Gaby Roslin left the show in 1996, the timeline then goes a bit askew - Dannii Minogue and Dani Behr co-presented the show prior to this. This includes Dani Behr co-presenting with Keith Chegwin in 1995. Paul Ross left in 1995, Richard Orford joined in 1995, Zoe Ball joined the Monday after Gaby left in 1996, Lily Savage joined in 1995 and left in May 1996 ahead of the revamp. Whilst Richard Orford filled in as co-presenter occasionally in the first half of 1997, he didn't do so for an extended period until June 1997. Rick Adams and Sharron Davies didn't go part time in early 1997, although Denise Van Outen increasingly filled in as co-presenter for Sharron. Rick remained as co-presenter until June 1997, swapping with Richard on the OB. Johnny Vaughan filled in as co-presenter for Rick Adams for a fortnight in June 1997. Following this stint, Richard Orford and Denise Van Outen then co-presented The Big Breakfast and The Bigger Breakfast until the end of the summer. Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen left the show in January 2001. Old features from the Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin era weren't brought back, apart from Invention Corner during Johnny Vaughan's two week stint as co-presenter in June 1997. Denise Van Outen wasn't on a break in 1999 when Kelly Brook co-presented, Denise had left permanently and Kelly replaced her. Sara Cox presented interviews in a caravan in the garden. Liza Tarbuck didn't cover for Denise Van Outen following Denise's return in 2000. The millennium show was called The Biggest Breakfast Ever. RI:SE didn't launch until about a month after The Big Breafast finished. The Big Breakfast never had desks, although there was presentation from tables during the Bigger Breakfast OBs of 1997. The pandemic was ongoing when the one-off special in 2021 took place.

[@jonkasonic]

Ha, yes of course! Always welcome. I try not to be too specific in time frames if I'm not sure, and much in this case i just wanted to sum things up like show in general or the features and presenters and stuff or the video would be really long and trying to hammer out an absolutely accurate timeline with the info I had was really tricky, especially if i don't want to completely rely on wikipedia. I guess I am taking a number of personal accounts and pricing it all together like a TV detective :P I do use wiki as a base, but there's stuff I discover watching footage and sometimes it's taking an educated guess where it fits in, but usually if I do that I'm rather broad or vague about it and cluster it together and I hope that everything's roughly in the right place.

[@KirkNorthrop]

It feels like in general this focuses more on the later years than the early to mid 90s era.

[@kennedyhopkins19]

Awesome video can't wait for the next one

[@Redrally]

I am thankful to the Big Breakfast for introducing me to one show in particular: Biker Mice From Mars

[@f4rr3r]

The thing I don’t get is how they managed major news events. Did they really make a show where they’d cross over to a newsreader who would provide updates on 9/11 or the death of Princess Diana & other massive events of the era, and then go straight back to big jenga or whatever?

[@jonkasonic]

So for Diana that was on a Sunday. On 9/11 ... as the event broke on Tuesday afternoon our time so I think Wednesday they had a channel 4 news special report

[@jonkasonic]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXfQhml5ntSXsLcsi=W3cmyRS4GTwZokM7

[@f4rr3r]

Makes sense, thanks.

[@darkhall8227]

christmas 93/94 did you spot the pudding

[@xtraspecialmango]

Good Times 🤩👍

[@BREAKINGRUMOUR]

The Big Breakfast theme tune reminds me of the Gary Glitter song ‘And Then She Kissed Me’. Take a listen and tell me I’m not going mad.

[@TheGerkuman]

Yes, it is the same notes in both motifs, albeit in different keys. The Gary Glitter version is a cover though. Was originally a Phil Spector song sung by The Crystals called 'And Then He Kissed Me.' The Beach Boys also did a cover, titled 'And Then I Kissed Her'.

[@BREAKINGRUMOUR]

@@TheGerkuman I specifically mentioned the glitter version owing to him having dated Denise van Outen.

[@jonkasonic]

It's ok, we can still enjoy the original it was based on kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4TOpqBqd5ZpaK8&ab_channel=SabolSlayer

[@BREAKINGRUMOUR]

@@jonkasonic Much as I love the wall of sound vibe spectacle by Phil Spector, I can’t help but prefer the Glitter version. In the next episode of this series when you cover RI:SE please be sure to describe just how much of a dopey, phoney, wokey Iain Lee is nowadays. He grifts supporters whilst sending unsolicited seedy pictures of himself to vulnerable women online. Now he proclaims to be a counsellor despite having used his former position as a DJ to obtain personal information of listeners who disliked or disagreed with him. Naturally, he is a lefty. Love the channel @jonkasonic!

[@SweetStevieAaron]

Anyway, good memories of everyone singing the “Egg On Your Face” song at school and stuff.

[@morbidsearch]

Should have said "Dennis the Menace... no, the other one".

[@bas3q]

This was really solid, I actually watched the other TBB video last night (not knowing this one was coming out today), but it was good seeing things from a more historical perspective! Two viewpoints of the same topic etc. I was really interested to hear about TBB because it inspired Breakfast Time on this side of the pond, one of the most anarchic American TV shows ever made. Connor Higgins made an excellent video on BT last year (and a follow-up on the ill-fated successor show Fox After Breakfast where he even got to interview the hosts of both shows). If you're a fan of high-quality documentaries on TV (why else would you be here?), or just want to see what TBB spawned in the States, it's really worth a watch & highly recommended: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqrSmXend8Spr9k

[@PhilipMurphyExtra]

Back then and still the cause now. Breakfast was for the serious news. But Big Breakfast was the fun option, Some people who had spare time may watch both back then

[@davidattwell2574]

Sharon Davies the Olympic swimmer 🏊‍♀️ ♥️ 😮😮😮

[@timgoodwin4424]

I though Jon Briggs was from the Paint Drying Network

[@jonkasonic]

Yes he is haha. There's quite a few new who would be on there

[@warren19721]

Great video, love the detail

[@stonecoldmark316]

The recent shows tried to hard to be like the old bb but failed cause it was still too focused on the one off they did . They should of tried new presenters and not gone down a certain route

[@michaelnuk]

E3 2NN!

[@SweetStevieAaron]

Forgot all about Rick Adams. Just a very forgettable presenter tbh. I’m sure he’s a nice enough fella though.

[@davidt-rex2062]

Forgot how funny and good the big breakfast was when it was on top.