User reviews

Often mimicked, yet never equalled, Going Live was the original kids program. Unlike it's predecessors, such as Tiswas and Swap Shop, Going Live was like a variety show on a Saturday morning. Full of energy, presenters, Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene introduced the cartoons, interviewed the latest popstars (Such as Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) and participated in sketches written and starring Trev and Simon. Back then they were funny, I promise you.

Going Live had it all. Bands performing live (Although they all mimed), fantastic 'toons, like The Racoons and I haven't even covered Gordon the Gopher yet.

Gordon the Gopher should have been Time magazine's Man of the Year. Sure, so he could only talk through a series of sqeaks. He still had comic timing that most comedians would die for (I'm not kidding, watch it sometime, you'll see). Schofield was Gordon's punch bag, and he took it like a man whenever Gordon punished him. The two had more chemistry than Bonnie and Clyde and that's where a lot of the humor worked.

Live and kicking may have tried to succeed after Going Live, but even though it was the same format, it couldn't compare to Phillip, Sarah, Trev, Simon and Gordon. Long Live Going Live.

I really liked watching GOING LIVE on Saturday mornings . Much of my enjoyment was down to the comedy duo Trevor and Simon . Laurel and Hardy they were not but their brand of humour was so infectiously silly it was difficult not to be carried along as they played a couple of hippys` and a pair of shop owners . I remember a shop owner skit when Meatloaf was a guest and he didn`t think much of a punchline . He glowered at Trevor and Simon for several seconds then bawled " I`m leaving here and when I get back you guys had better be goddamn funny " I`m still not sure if that was written or if Meatloaf was having a go .

GOING LIVE also featured THE FLASHING BLADE a couple of times but it wasn`t the version I`d grown up on , it was a comedy version where the dialogue had been re-dubbed . For example a town crier stood in front of a crowd and pulled out his scroll

TOWN CRIER : I say I say I say . Why did the chicken cross the road ?

CROWD : We don`t know . Why did the chicken cross the road ?

TOWN CRIER : To get to the other side ? ( Crowd Groans )

I laughed out loud but I remember TV guides received complaints about this classic French show being ruined . C`est la vie

Simply the best children's TV show ever! Every Saturday morning from around 9am to 12pm on BBC.

Gordon the Gopher was a genius - he was only a puppet, and yet, he was able to yawn when a guest was boring - even really famous people!

Double Dare with Peter Simon was an excellent kids quiz show in the middle (with lots of gunge) and who could forget Trevor & Simon - in particular World of the Strange, the Art people, the Barbers stuck in the 70's, the laundrette guys and the amazing Singing Corner (Swing your pants. They got big stars like Sting to act really silly - brilliant!

They should bring it back!