ITV's seminal arts programme, Tempo ran for eight years through a decade which saw a creative explosion within all aspects of the performing arts. Its fluid style of presentation allowed an almost open-ended remit, enabling it to cover subjects as diverse as cinema, music, dance, photography, writing – and much more besides. At a time when television was being criticised for dumbing down, Tempo – more than any other series – showed that ITV could indeed go highbrow whilst still remaining populist – a philosophy and outlook that was to continue into the 1970s and beyond with its successors Aquarius and The South Bank Show.
Tempo (Season 6)
A Guided Tour of Zero Mostel (Episode 1)
Air date: 1966-01-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: An interview with actor/comedian Zero Mostel on the set of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'.
Entertainers: Theatre (Episode 2)
Air date: 1966-01-31
Runtime: 30 min
You've Got a Nerve (Episode 3)
Air date: 1966-02-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The evolution of London's community of street musicians.
Entertainers: Comedians (Episode 4)
Air date: 1966-02-21
Runtime: 30 min
Entertainers: Jazz (Episode 5)
Air date: 1966-03-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A profile of jazz musician Duke Ellington.
Tativille (Episode 6)
Air date: 1966-05-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: An interview with French comedian and director Jacques Tati on the set of his latest film 'Playtime'.
Blood, Sweat & Champagne (Episode 7)
Air date: 1966-05-22
Runtime: 30 min
Jazz in Wonderland (Episode 8)
Air date: 1966-05-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: At EMI Studios in London, Tempo films the pianist Stan Tracey as he works on a new jazz suite interpretation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
The Offenders (Episode 9)
Air date: 1966-06-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A look at satirical magazines 'Krokodil' (USSR), 'Le Canard Enchaine' (France) and 'Private Eye' (UK).
The Image Wizards (Episode 10)
Air date: 1966-06-19
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Awards presented by the Design and Art Directors Association.
Bauhaus (Episode 11)
Air date: 1966-07-03
Runtime: 30 min
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Episode 12)
Air date: 1966-10-23
Runtime: 30 min
Sound (Episode 13)
Air date: 1966-10-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: "Is music just a sound? Is a truck passing by music? Are sounds just sounds or are they Beethoven? Is there such a thing as silence?" John Cage, composer.
Seasons
Episodes 2
Episodes 10
Episodes 8
Episodes 20
Episodes 14
Episodes 13
Episodes 16