Why Don't You...?

The children’s programme Why Don’t You...? was presented by children and aimed at finding children things to keep them occupied during the school holidays. It was first broadcast on 20 August 1973. The show embodied the idea that it was unhealthy for kids to spend too long watching television and that they would be much better off playing outside, or possibly making something. It was put together in response to viewers’ letters. A typical week would feature a teenager’s plastic bag collection, a trip on a steam railway, recipes for fruit punch, viewers’ jokes and tricks with matches.

The full title of the programme was heard in the opening credits; "Why don’t you just switch off your television set and go and do something less boring instead?" The Radio Times tried Wdyjsoytsagadslbi? though it was generally just Why Don’t You...? It started life in BBC Bristol, but in later years was made by teams in different parts of the country, coming from Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester.

Why Don’t You...? ran until 1995. Several of the children who appeared on the programme went on to have more substantial careers in broadcasting - such as DJ Gideon Coe and Ant McPartlin. Nothing quite like it has been seen on television since, although quite a few programmes for children - like Friday Download - have had young presenters.