Hosts and Presentation
Family Fortunes was first hosted by comedian Bob Monkhouse (1980–1983) then by singer and entertainer Max Bygraves (1983–1985). After being rested for the whole of 1986 (during which time Bygraves offered to finance its production himself), it returned with Les Dennis on 27 June 1987, and had a consistently successful run for the next fifteen years. It was then moved out of peak time and became a daily daytime show, hosted by Andy Collins, but it only had a short run in this format before being axed. For 2006, the series was hosted by Vernon Kay, and was renamed All Star Family Fortunes, as each team consisted of a celebrity and four family members. The show was transmitted back in peak time.
Christmas specials aired most years during earlier runs of the show, with prize money going to charity, and contestants being either celebrity families, or a group of actors famous for playing a fictional family.
The most iconic aspects of the show are the large computer screen, named "Mr Babbage" by original host Bob Monkhouse and the famous computerised "Eh-uh" sound used when wrong answers are given. Both were originally designed to appear high-tech but have since become fondly regarded for being quite the opposite. The computer screen name "Mr Babbage" was in recognition to the English mathematician, philosopher, inventor, and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer, Charles Babbage.
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Famous quotes containing the word presentation:
“He uses his folly like a stalking-horse, and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)