大象传媒

It's a Knockout

7 August 1966

It's a Knockout, the inter-town contest of skill and strength, began on 7 August 1966. The first series was between Lancashire and Yorkshire, with 8 towns competing for the Tip-Top-Town-Trophy. The signature tune - Bean Bag, played by Herb Alpert - set the tone for the games, which were played despite the British weather, and frequently featured water, grease, and silly costumes.

An early episode of It's a Knockout

The format of the gameshow was adapted from the French series Intervilles, but also owed a debt to the 大象传媒's earlier Top Town, created by It's a Knockout director Barney Colehan MBE. British winners of It's a Knockout joined Jeux Sans Frontieres, the European version, and the competing countries ensured the props and costumes became more elaborate.

It's a Knockout ran on the 大象传媒 until 1982, but returned in 1987 with the charity special Grand Knockout Tournament, featuring members of the Royal family and a host of celebrity contestants. In its heyday It's a Knockout showcased regional and international co-operation in an entertaining format.

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