A Beetle called Derek (TVS) 1990 and 1991

[williammcgregor]

A Beetle Called Derek was made by TVS.
It was an environmental magazine programme presented by Andrea Arnold with additional material from
poet Benjamin Zephaniah and percussionist Luke Cresswell.

Although from 1990-91, TV Brain has the following episodes as missing

Series 1

21.07.1990 Pets and Animals
04.08.1990 Waste and Recycling

Series 2

29.06.1991 Time Off
06.07.1991 Urban Jungle
20.07.1991 Through The Looking Glass
27.07.1991 Planet For Sale

Can anyone add any information about the episodes beyond their episode titles please

How long were these episodes, were they filmed on location?

[David King]

"A Beetle Called Derek" Documentary/Adult Education ITV Network

Series 1
1) "Air and Energy" TVS VTR No. 17791 TX 07/07/1990 R/T 25:17
Fed-up with endless programmes about the environment that leave you feeling depressed and hopeless? "A Beetle Called Derek" is the antidote to tired television. Andrea Arnold offers and energetic alternative to passive despair, a clear route through the issues and a radical solution to the problem. Add rap poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, percussionist, Luke Cresswell and TV's first environmental soap opera, 'The Stuffits and the Worthies' , and even haggard house plants will spring back to life. Puzzled and confused? Never fear, A Beetle's here. Seeing is believing.

2) "Transport" TVS VTR No. 17792 TX 14/07/1990 R/T 25:17
This week's programme explores modern day methods of transport and looks at energy saving and environmentally friendly alternatives. Andrea Arnold visits a transport cafe on the A20 to play snooker with Clive Sinclair. Percussionist, Luke Cresswell, visits a bus garage and rap poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, introduces us to his own special car. Meanwhile, TV's first environmental soap opera, 'The Stuffits and the Worthies", has reached a first course transport crisis.

3) "Pets and Animals" TVS VTR No. 17793 TX 21/07/1990 R/T 25:27
This week's programme looks at our behavior and attitudes to pets and animals around the world, in the home and farm animals. Shot at Elm Farm, Battersea.

4) "Food and Water" TVS VTR No. 17794 TX 28/07/1990 R/T 25:16
This week's programme, shot mainly at an outdoor "Banquet" set in a Kentish allotment, looks at the subject of our food and water.

5) "Waste and Recycling" TVS VTR No. 17795 TX 04/08/1990 R/T 25:00
This week, Andrea Arnold roams one of the enormous rubbish tips our throw-away society is busy creating. She takes a bath with Richard Caines, author of 'The Good Beach Guide", while Benjamin Zephaniah rhapsodises on the wonders of waste and Luke Cresswell beats a spectacular retreat through a public sewer.

6) "Personal Space" TVS VTR 17796 TX 11/08/1990 R/T 25:21
Andrea Arnold hosts a 'Green' party with many guests including Richard Branson,championing children's rights against smoking, Anthropologist, Nigel Barley, Hat-maker, David Shilling and poet, Benjamin Zephaniah. Ending the series with a powerful plea to begin by caring for the environment.

TVS, in association with Volkswagen, have produced a free information pack to accompany this (these) programme(s). It can be obtained by writing to: PO Box 123, Southampton SO9 7HH or by ringing 0898 300 720.



Series 2
1) "Open the Barn Doors" TVS VTR No. 22112 TX 22/06/1991 R/T 25:22
Andrea Arnold finds out about the pros and cons of factory farming in Britain.Andrea Arnold interviews James Serpell, Cindy Milburn, Professor Harry Rothman, Chris French (NFU), Richard Lacey and Mark Purdey.

2) "Time Off" TVS VTR No. 22111 TX 29/06/1991 R/T 25:00
Andrea Arnold interviews several experts on the impact our holidays have on the environment. Interviews with Tom Selwyn, Tricia Barnett, Alan Woods, Benny Rothman, Sue Ockwell. Music from Yes/No People and poems from Benjamin Zephaniah.

3) "Urban Jungle" TVS VTR No. 22113 TX 06/07/1991 R/T 25:05
Andrea Anold looks at life in the city, its past, its present and its future. Featuring Benjamin Zephaniah and rhythms from Luke Cresswell of Yes/No People.Interviews with John Murdoch,Historian; Duncan McLaren, Friends of the earth; Glynis Fricker, David Holden, Gina Harkell, Development Campaigners,; Herbert Giradet, Author of "Blueprint for a Green Planet". With music "Windows" from the Yes/No People group and poem "The Last Man on Earth" from Benjamin Zephaniah.

4) "Planet Prescription" TVS VTR No. 22114 TX 13/07/1991 R/T 24:24
Andrea Arnold investigates our health and our environment. Interviews with David Gee, David Pearson, Jane Metcalfe and Martin Miles. Music from Yes/No People and poems from Benjamin Zephaniah.

5) "Through the Looking Glass" TVS VTR No. 22115 TX 20/07/1991 R/T 25:10
Andrea Arnold looks in the recesses of her wardrobe to discover that, behind the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry, is a tale of sweat shops, fur farms and massive waste. Young designers pace the catwalk with their own environmental solutions. Rap Poet, Benjamin Zephaniah shows off his closet while the Yes/No People tap out a rhythm with their shoes. Interviews with Tony hare, Carol McKenna, Mike Allan, Maggie Raja, Chris Brown.

6) "Trade (Planet for Sale)" TVS VTR No. 22116 TX 27/07/1991 R/T 25:14
Andrea Arnold finds out how trade affects then environment and the whole world we live in. Interviews with Ian Redmond, Wendy Tyndale, Jane Smart, Simon Counsell. Music from Yes/No People. Poems from Benjamin Zephaniah.

7) "Attitude" TVS VTR No. 22117 TX 03/08/1991 R/T 24:45
Andrea Arnold examines attitudes to the environment and how different cultures look on the natural world. Interviews with Julian Agyeman, Judy Ling Wong, Laurence Pinturault, Ranchor Prime. Music from Yes/No People and Um Mongkol and band.

8) "Eco-Warriors" TVS VTR No. 22118 TX 10/08/1991 R/T 25:13
Andrea Arnold talks to several local campaigners and explains how to go about setting up your own campaign. With Benjamin Zephaniah and Frank Sidebottom. Interviews with David Bowles, Environmental Investigation Agency and Madeleine Cobbing from Greenpeace.

All end with Factsheet address caption.

[Simon B Kelly]

All of s2e8 Eco-Warriors and half of s2e4 Planet Prescription are on YouTube. They had many guests on each show who would most likely have recorded their "15 minutes of fame" and have it sitting on a shelf somewhere - almost everyone had a VHS recorder by 1990 (I probably had 3 or 4 machines back then!)

Just to confuse matters, the BFI website says there were 3 series between 1989 and 1991...