First Class

FIRST CLASS
Made by: BBC
Shown on: BBC1
Years shown: 1986-88

First Class was hosted by Debbie Greenwood and – like all the worst programmes of the 80s – she co-hosted with a computer, called Eugene. The main thing I can remember about this uninspiring quiz for school kids was the round that involved the contestants playing very retro BBC computer games, including Paperboy and different rounds from Track & Field. I have memories, in particular, of the frustration on their faces when, despite giving the joystick a good bashing, they failed to get the gymnast over the spring and vault. There was also a geography quiz based around Hangman and a music round of some description, which involved trying to guess the pop star behind the Spinning Gold Disc (wow, a CD!) – usually Matt Bianco, Brother Beyond and the like. The two teams were made up of children of different of different ages from the same school, from the 2nd, 4th and 6th forms - which was just asking for bullying to commence as soon as the cameras were switched off. The star prize for the series' winning team was - you've guessed it - a BBC computer for your school, plus the dubious honour of playing a special game against a 'celebrity' team. Dreary stuff.

SQUARE EYES RATING: 4/10

(Thanks to www.tvradiobits.co.uk for the borrowed pic of Debbie)