Why Don't You?

Why Don't You? (1973-1995)

EndedReality showChildren

Why Don't You? or (Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go Out and Do Something Less Boring Instead?) was a BBC children's television series broadcast in 42 series between 20 August 1973 and 21 April 1995.

It originally went out in the morning during the Summer school holidays and once was shown during the weekday evening children's TV slot around 4:45 to 5:45. Later it went out during the Easter and Christmas school holidays although it was also broadcast once on Saturday mornings. The format consisted of groups or "gangs" of children responding to letters from viewers who wrote into the show suggesting games, 'makes' and days out. Typically these were arts-and-crafts activities involving cutting up paper, or games and magic tricks children could learn to impress their friends.

Created by producer/director Patrick Dowling at the BBC's Bristol studios, Russell T Davies was later at one time a producer and director for Why Don't You...? before going on to greater fame as writer of Queer as Folk and producer of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who. Under Davies's direction, the format of the series shifted from magazine show to drama, with plots frequently centring around harebrained young Welsh presenter Ben Slade and his increasingly elaborate inventions. Slade was one of the longest serving presenters in the show's 22-year run.

Network
ScheduleMonday to Friday (daily) (25 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S42E10Last Ever Episodeavr. 21, 1995
S23E10Episode 10avr. 9, 1986
S23E09Episode 9avr. 8, 1986
S23E08Episode 8avr. 7, 1986
S23E07Episode 7avr. 4, 1986
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

What year did 'Why Don't You?' premiere?

'Why Don't You?' premiered in 1973 on BBC1.

Who was the target audience for 'Why Don't You?'?

The show was aimed at children aged between 5 and 12 years old.

What was the format of 'Why Don't You?'?

The show was a magazine-style program featuring a mix of live action, animation, and music.

Who were the presenters of 'Why Don't You?'?

The show had a rotating cast of presenters, with no permanent host.

What were some of the recurring segments on 'Why Don't You?'?

Some popular segments included arts and crafts, science experiments, and make-believe play.

How was 'Why Don't You?' different from other children's shows at the time?

'Why Don't You?' was one of the few children's shows on British television that directly engaged with children and encouraged them to participate in its content.

What was the main theme of 'Why Don't You?'?

The show's theme was "Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go and Do Something Less Boring Instead?"

How was the theme reflected in the content of 'Why Don't You?'?

The show often featured content that encouraged children to be active, imaginative, and creative in their play.

Was 'Why Don't You?' a success with its target audience?

Yes, the show was popular with its target audience and ran for over 20 years.

Did 'Why Don't You?' win any awards during its run?

No, the show did not win any major awards during its run.

Was 'Why Don't You?' only broadcast in the UK?

Yes, the show was only broadcast in the UK.

Was 'Why Don't You?' politically or socially controversial?

No, the show was not politically or socially controversial and presented fairly innocuous content.

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Characters

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