Minipops

Minipops is a television series broadcast in 1983 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. Designed primarily for younger viewers, it consisted of music performances on a brightly coloured set featuring preteen children singing then-contemporary pop music hits and older classics. The children were usually made to look like the original performers, including clothing and make-up. Controversy over children singing songs that often contained a subtext of adult content (in adult costumes and make-up) led to the show's cancellation after one series.[1][2]

For other uses, see Mini pops.

Minipops
Created byMartin Wyatt
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerMike Mansfield
Running time30 minutes
(including adverts)
Production companyMike Mansfield Enterprises
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release8 February (1983-02-08) –
15 March 1983 (1983-03-15)

History

Minipops was the brainchild of Martin Wyatt, who created a new child group from London called the MiniPops and released an album in 1982 which reached the top 30 in the UK and Europe. This resulted in a French record label releasing a single from the album, "Stupid Cupid", which was sung by Martin Wyatt's young daughter Jo. The song reached number 1 in France, knocking "Ebony and Ivory" off the top spot.[3]

Head of Entertainment Cecil Korer at Channel 4 and record producer Mike Mansfield embraced the idea of producing a TV show around the MiniPops; Korer believed it would boost and broaden the group's audience appeal. On 4 July 1982, thousands of amateur child performers from across Britain descended on a London theatre for the audition in a search to find additional children to sing and star in the television show with the original five members of the group.[3]

Criticism

The programme began attracting criticism from commentators in the British media for the portrayal of children in this manner.[4] One caller on Channel 4's Right to Reply programme stated, "Minipops should be called MiniWhores. Are you people out of your mind?"[3][5]

Discography

Seven albums were produced and released in the UK, Europe and Canada.

Albums

Before the television show:

  • The Mini Pops (1982)[6]

After the television show:

  • We're the Mini Pops (1983)[6]
  • Christmas (1984)
  • Let's Dance (1984)
  • Wanna Have Fun (1985)
  • Magic Juke Box (1986)
  • Rocket to the Stars (1989)

In Canada We're the Mini Pops was successful, becoming the third-highest-selling album in Canada at the time. This prompted the Minipops to hold a three-week tour in 1983, enjoying controversy-free success.[3]

A number of singles were released across Europe.

See also

References
  1. Tury, Jord (20 December 2021). "10 TV Pilots That Surprisingly Managed To Greenlight A Series". Collider.
  2. Goodhart, Benjie (8 February 2023). "'It wasn't designed for people with perverted minds': how kids' show Minipops scandalised Britain". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  3. Whatever Happened to the Minipops? (2005). Channel 4
  4. Westbrook, Caroline (27 June 2015). "12 moments of extreme awkwardness from 80s TV". Metro.
  5. "Channel 4's legacy of controversy". 6 June 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  6. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 368. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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