The Old Grey Whistle Test
TV Show1971•1sa•star8.3(3)•trending_up5
The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.
Details
StatusEnded
First AiredSeptember 21, 1971
Last AiredApril 22, 1987
Episode Runtime1sa
Seasons16
Episodes558
TypeScripted
Origin CountryUnited Kingdom
Original LanguageEnglish
Spoken LanguagesEnglish
Production Companies
Networks
Last Episode
S16 E20 • 4/22/1987
That Was The Whistle Test That Was
5 hour finale
Cast
Featured Cast
Seasons
1971/2
42 Episodes • 1971
1972/3
49 Episodes • 1972
1973/4
43 Episodes • 1973
1974/5
42 Episodes • 1974
1975/6
35 Episodes • 1975
1976/7
36 Episodes • 1976
1977/8
39 Episodes • 1977
1978/9
37 Episodes • 1978
1979/80
34 Episodes • 1979
1980/81
41 Episodes • 1980
1981/2
29 Episodes • 1981
1982/3
22 Episodes • 1982
1983/4
20 Episodes • 1983
1984/5
38 Episodes • 1984
1985/6
31 Episodes • 1985
1986/7
20 Episodes • 1986
