I.T.V.'s 'Play It Again' was a popular daytime show in which celebrities picked clips from their favourite films, and explained what they meant to them. Amongst those taking part were Dick Emery, Alun Armstrong, Dave Prowse ( of 'Star Wars' fame ), Larry Grayson, Joan Bakewell, Derek Jacobi and, in her final television appearance, Hattie Jacques. The interviewer, Tony Bilbow, had a natural charm and got celebrities to open up simply by putting them at ease. To give an example, he extracted from Hattie a heartfelt admission that she was fundamentally unhappy with the 'fat woman' comedy roles she'd played over the years. Shocking stuff at the time. 'Play It Again' was hardly groundbreaking, but it provided the ideal accompaniment to a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit at the end of a hard day's household chores. Compared to the salacious rubbish currently on daytime television ( 'Loose Women' anyone? ), it was brilliant. I.T.V. bosses, take note, the simplest ideas are usually the best.
