The gold mines of South Africa are the subject of this, the penultimate episode of Wacaday from the 1991 summer holidays. (So that makes the original bradcast date either late August or early September of that year, I suppose, but I can't be more specific than that - anyone?) Timmy Mallett is aided by Jacqueline Sharpe of Oakham and Dominic (from somewhere I can't make out - possibly Horsham, as suggested in the comments) throughout the usual fun and mayhem.
One of the disappointments of this series is that it's after Mallett's Mallett was "sanitised" - that is, Timmy strikes the device besides the contestants rather than their heads. I remember the media pressure before that change was made after reports of children up and down the country whacking each other; I also remember being incredulous. We kids aren't that stupid, thought young me. Then not long after I went to visit my cousins. "Did you see Wacaday this morning?" asked I.
"We're not allowed to watch it anymore," came the dismayed reply.
"Whyever not?" I pressed.
"Because I smashed [younger brother] over the head with a piece of wood playing Mallett's Mallett."
Sigh.
In defence of children in general, it's got to be said that some of the stuff that viewers made and sent in was really impressive. Are kids still just as talented today? I'd like to think so, but I wonder whether the modern-day equivalents of Wacaday (if there's such a thing) inspire their creativity as much as back then. I suspect not.
Incidentally, halfway through there are some vintage ads for you to enjoy: Monster in My Pocket, Monster Munch, Frosties, Care Bears, and Ribena, to be precise. And now I fancy a packet of Monster Munch, which I haven't had in well over a decade.
Huge thanks must go to Neil for providing this recording. You can view his fantastic Sooty-related channel here: / thesootyshoworg - highly recommended.
(Please remember that this is an off-air video recording, so don't go expecting 1080p HD quality. Also, apologies for the one-legged sound. I'm fairly certain that this video isn't commercially available, and I've uploaded it for its historic interest only. That said, if you are a copyright holder and object, please don't hesitate to contact me.)
21 авг 2024
