Whether it's an eye-catching Thunderbirds theme night on BBC Four, or a fun-for-all-the-family look back at the 'Story of Strictly' on BBC One, Jeff's programmes are always an event - strong on narrative, full of moving personal stories, and packed with delightful archive.
NETWORK DOCUMENTARIES
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"WHEN MOYLES MET THE RADIO 1 BREAKFAST DJS"
BBC Two's Radio 1 Night, May 9, 2010
Devised and authored by Chris Moyles himself, Jeff worked closely with the DJ and presenter to tell the story of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show through a series of encounters with former hosts, including Mike Smith, Mike Read, Steve Wright, Simon Mayo, Zoe Ball, Sara Cox, and of course, Mr Tony Blackburn. This authored documentary was also strong on archive and personal testimony from Chris and his interviewees, but also took Chris and the viewers on a journey - whether in the Radio 1 Roadshow vehicle from the 1980s, or in the case of Mike Smith, high above the ground in a helicopter.
The programme was commissioned by BBC Entertainment, through Magnum Media.
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MEET THE BRITISH TX on BBC Four, Tuesday June 2, 2009.
'Meet The British' was a one hour special on the British Government's hidden archive of films which were made to promote Britain to foreign countries. Between the 1950s and the mid-80s, UK taxpayers paid for thousands of hours of government films which were for foreign audiences, and designed to promote Britain abroad. At first, they focussed on links between the Commonwealth, but later they were used to portray Britian as a thrusting, go-getting nation looking to a bright future. But along the way, these films also show British eccentricities, national foibles and more than a few completely barmy inventions. After viewing hundreds of hours of material, Jeff assembled an entertaining snapshot of how Britian wanted to be seen by the rest of the world.
The programme was extensively previewed on radio and in the press (see 'What the Papers Say'), and BBC Four viewers were the first people in the UK ever to see these hidden treasures.
'Meet the British' had a further showing on BBC Two in August 09, which earned an impressive 1.2m viewers in the mid-evening slot.
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MARTY FELDMAN: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
TX March 31, 2008, BBC Four.
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This 60 min profile and tribute to the comedian aimed to set the record straight about Marty Feldman's long-neglected contribution to British comedy. With heavyweight contributors and collaborators like John Cleese, David Frost, Michael Palin, Dennis Norden, Gene Wilder, Larry Gelbart and Barry Levinson, the programme traced Marty's journey from radio, as writer of 'Round the Horne', to TV, where he worked alongside all the Pythons, and on to Hollywood. Extensive previews and press articles warmly welcomed the programme for bringing Marty back into the spotlight as one of Britain's most influential comics.
Commissioned by BBC Arts.
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'STORY OF STRICTLY'
TX Dec 28, 2007, BBC One, 7pm
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A Christmas treat for all the family, looking back over five sparkling series of the BBC's most successful entertaiment show. The show told the emotional and epic stories of all five series champions - along with an affectionate look back at the original 'Come Dancing' and an exclusive peak at how they do 'Strictly' around the world, from Hollywood to Bollywood.
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The programme - heavily promoted as 'Pick of the Day' - won an average of 5.5 million viewers, peaking at a slot-winning 6.6 million, at 7pm on the Friday after Christmas.
Commissioned by BBC Entertainment.
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'THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO !'
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1st TX Jan 2 08, 7pm-10.10pm, BBC FOUR
Repeated Sunday 28 Dec 2008, BBC TWO
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A full size FAB 1 pink Rolls Royce glides through Picadilly Circus, as Thunderbird 3 zooms overhead ...
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Traffic stops as Thunderbird 2 arrives on the scene ...
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It's the jaw-dropping opening sequence of the documentary, 'All About Thunderbirds', the centrepiece of BBC Four's theme night celebrating Britain's most thrilling puppet show. Jeff curated the whole night's programming, which included episodes of Thunderbirds and Captian Scarlett, Jeff's one hour documentary, plus a brand new episode of 'Stringray', which was also compiled by Jeff, under the supervision of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson.
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The documentary and the night were massively highlighted in previews, much to the excitement of fans everywhere. The result was one of the most watched nights ever for BBC Four.
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'All About Thunderbirds' and 'Stingray: The Reunion Party' commissioned by BBC Arts
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'BE MY BABY - THE GIRL GROUP STORY'
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TX August 31 2006 - BBC ONE, 10.35pm. 60 min
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Part of a series of pop music documentaries for BBC One which Jeff developed, this special programme told the story of one of pop's most successful formulas, the Girl Group, from the 60s to the present day. Featuring interviews with members of The Supremes, The Three Degrees, Sister Sledge, Banananrama, The Bangles, the Spice Girls and Girls Aloud, the programme earned an audience of 2.5 million in the 10.35pm slot. It was repeated in Jan 08 as part of BBC Four's Pop season.
Commissioned through BBC Entertainment.
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'QUEENS OF DISCO'
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TX Spring 06 BBC One, Friday 10.35pm.
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A celebration of the leading ladies of disco, fronted by Graham Norton, the programme looked at the roots of disco in the polysexual and multi-racial world of 70s New York clubs. Interviewees included Gloria Gaynor, Grace Jones and Chaka Khan, and there was a timely look at Madonna's links to the New York discos. Commissioned through BBC Entertainment.
'GIRLS AND BOYS'
TX Autumn 05 4 X 60 min BBC Two, Sundays 9pm.
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Britain's changing attitudes to sex, sexuality and gender identity were the themes of this landmark series about British pop. Pop music became the prism through which our changing mores were recalled and examined. Jeff co-developed the series, and directed two of the four episodes. He found a new way of seeing 80s pop music by analysing the impact of the AIDS crisis on the hedonism of the early 80s, through to the sanitised pop of the end of the decade. In the final episode of the series, Jeff told the story of the rave generation, New Lads and Ladettes and their relationship with Britpop, Girl Power and Tony Blair.
Commissioned through BBC Arts
'WHAT'D I SAY - A TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES'
Summer 04 - 50 min BBC Two, Saturday 8.20pm. Shortly after the death of the legendary musician, Jools Holland paid warm tribute to the inventor of soul music, Ray Charles, and revealed the incredible story of Ray's life. Commissioned through BBC Arts
'STILL CLIFF'
Autumn 03 -60 min, BBC One - Monday, 10.35pm. Jeff was associate producer working alongside director Mike Connolly on this biography of Cliff Richard, told alongside the story of his latest attempt to be Christmas Number One. Commissioned through BBC Entertainment
WINTER 02 - 'TOP OF THE POPS: THE TRUE STORY'
- a remarkable documentary telling the inside story of Britain's most celebrated music show. Remarkable as much for its perforamnce in the schedule as for its content. With an array of stars paying tribute to the legendary show, including Keith Richards, Debbie Harry, Robbie Williams, Cliff Richard, Kylie Minogue, Noel Gallagher and the Spice Girls, the origination earned a 49% share, 6.7 million viewers in the late afternoon slot on New Year's day. In July 06, the same show's second repeat went out at 10pm on the night of the last ever Top of the Pops, and won another 3.3 million viewers, beating everything else in that slot.
STUDIO SHOWS:
TOP OF THE POPS
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Summer 03 - Jeff worked on Top of the Pops for four years (back when it was still good), and produced the show in 2003. He worked with presenters Jamie Theakston, Jayne Middlemiss, Jo Whiley, Edith Bowman, Fearne Cotton, Reggie Yates and guest presenter Jack Osbourne.
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He also produced many of the spin-off versions of Top of the Pops, including the live 'Top of the Pops @ Play' on UK Play, and a highly-rated BBC One documentary, 'Top of the Pops: The True Story', which achieved a 49% share on New Year's Day, 2001.
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Pics: Jeff produced guest host Jack Osbourne on Top of the Pops, and managed to get regular host Jamie Theakston to dress as Adam Ant for a special called 'Top of the Pops Reunion of 1981'
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IT'S THE NUMBER ONE PARTY: BBC One.
Winter 02 Jeff was associate producer of 'It's the Number One Party', a show he also helped develop. Produced by Suzy Lamb, this performance show celebrated 50 years of the UK chart, with performances by Chrissie Hynde and UB40, Simply Red, Adam Faith, Will Young and Nancy Sinatra.
GALLERY:
Leading ladies
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Among the artists Jeff has worked with: Grace Jones, one of the 'Queens of Disco'; Spice Girl Mel B, interviewed for the story of Girl Groups; and Nancy Sinatra, special guest performer on 'It's the Number One Party'
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