Original title
That's Life!
Released
5/26/1973
Origin country
GB
Genre
Comedy, Documentary, Family, News
Production companies
BBC
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
21
Number of episodes
421
A magazine-style television series on BBC1 which was broadcast from May 1973 to June 1994, presented by Esther Rantzen, with various changes of co-presenters. The show presented hard-hitting investigations alongside satire and occasional light entertainment.
A special edition to celebrate a year of the brightest, the best and the wickedest real-life stories. With Esther Rantzen and reporters Kieran Prendiville and Glyn Worsnlp. Cyril Fletcher with the Ode of the Year, Stephanie de Sykes with the Song of the Year, and surprise visits from some of the stars of the year.
Esther Rantzen introduces some of Britain's most talented pets including Patch - the dog that counts, Shimmy - the cat that plays table tennis, Lulu - the Blue Peter elephant who disgraced herself in the studio, and Jack - the crow who can't keep off the beer. Plus the funniest football match of the year when 14 dogs all had their day.
What 6,000 women told That's Life about their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth...
Esther Rantzen with Paul Heiney and Chris Serle return with more stories and results from Britain's biggest ever survey into pregnancy and childbirth.
A special edition featuring some of the most requested items from the last series, including Theo the talking poodle, Honey and Scamper the show-jumping rabbits, and the Bradford Salem Rugby Club playing 'In the Mood' - without instruments.
Featuring some of the most requested items from the last series including zany animals like Sam the motorcycling dog, Sandy the window-cleaning dog and, of course, the now famous lirpa-loof, as well as magic moments like Jo bathing in slime and Bill flying like a bee.
Featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series including: Spike Milligan's farm; Basingstoke Firemen's famous Red Sparrows; Marti Webb's 'Ben'; the somersaulting dog; the talented 9-year-old violinist Ingrid Widdup; and Doc Cox and the team at large in Boulogne to get France singing.
A special holiday edition presented by Esther Rantzen featuring some of the last series' best-loved and most requested moments.
Featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series, including Banjo the building dog, Andrew Egford, the talented 6-year-old cricketer, Doc Cox singing his 'Corker I met in Majorca', and the notorious Brighton bus, complete with tea cakes, a bath and a string quartet.
Remember the dog who said 'sausages' ? Or the mysterious Lirpa Loof who appeared at London Zoo on 1 April 1984 ? Or Shimmy the ping pong pussy? Or the budgie who fell in love with a goldfish ? Esther Rantzen, with a little help from the Panto stars of Montpelier School, Ealing, introduces these and other memorable pets who have appeared in That's Life! over the past 15 years.
A special holiday edition presented by Esther Rantzen featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series.
The dog who is a wonderful housewife. The dart-playing budgie. The horse that can do long division. Esther Rantzen introduces some of the most memorable Pets from the last 15 years of That's Life!
A special bank holiday edition of That's Life! presented by Esther Rantzen.
Esther Rantzen introduces some favourite pets from the last series.
Esther Rantzen presents a compilation edition of That's Life! moments, including Adrian Mills's flight to Australia to expose the latest consumer con; Gavin Campbell helping a child to see; the revelation of the real Howard Leader in 'Get Britain Singing' and Simon Fanshawe getting his 'Surprise Surprise'.
A special selection of talented pets requested by viewers of That's Life!
This programme analyses the background to last summer's trial of the teachers first exposed on That's Life!
Esther Rantzen and her team of Gavin Campbell, Howard Leader, Kevin Devine, Doc Cox and Scott Sherrin with highlights from the last series.
Esther Rantzen presents a special New Year's Eve selection of favourite talented pets requested by the viewers of That's Life!
Highlights from the series, such as the friendship between 2 year old Tansy Aspinall and the gorillas at Howletts Zoo Park.
Highlights from the 1993 series - the campaign to protect witnesses who dare to help the police, and the Ann Mackey Appeal helping desperately sick children in Russia.
A chance to meet some very special animals.
That's Life! examines the causes of fire in the home and offers advice on devising an escape plan.
After 21 years of entertainment combined with campaigning consumer journalism, That's Life! comes to an end with this, its 418th edition. Esther Rantzen is joined for this nostalgic celebration by all the presenters featured over the years, as well as Wet, Wet, Wet and Victoria Wood.
When the Council won't budge, when the Ministry won't reply, when the Managing Director snubs you, do you say, "That's life," and give up ? Or do you turn to this programme: a late night collection of the jokes, dramas and problems that happen in real life ? Songs by Cheryl Kennedy.
Another programme of the jokes, dramas and problems of real life.
With Judy Bruce.
With Esther Rantzen. Reporters Kieran Prendiville and Glyn Worsnip. Oddities of the week: Cyril Fletcher. Song of the week: Stephanie De Sykes. A late-night collection of real-life jokes, dramas and problems.
Song of the week by Stephanie De Sykes.
With Esther Rantzen, and reporters Kieran Prendiville and Glyn Worsnip. Cyril Fletcher with Oddities of the week. Song of the week by Lois Lane.
A late-night collection of real-life jokes, dramas and problems.
A collection of the jokes, dramas and problems that happen in real life. Song of the Week by The Fivepenny Piece.
Esther introduces a new singer for the show - none other than a young Victoria Wood!
With Esther Rantzen, who says, "We're inundated with post - and we're delighted. It's gorgeous! People are sending us all kinds of fascinating stories. We're packing them into programmes as fast as we can."
Song of the Week by Victoria Wood.
A collection of the jokes, dramas and problems of real life.. Song of the Week by Jake Thackray.
Song of the Week by Catherine Howe.
Song of the Week by The Wurzels.
Song of the Week by The Fivepenny Piece.
Tonight That's Life investigates the way you reveal your character when you eat an orange; there is a special message for unscrupulous salesmen and a new consumer record is established. Song of the Week by The Scholars.
The most spectacular sporting event of the week - the Clean Sweep Stakes run by the BBC's own Mrs Mops, and a collection of the jokes, dramas and problems that happen in real life.
With Esther Rantzen are reporters Paul Heiney and Chris Serle.
The first of 26 programmes. From the 10,000 letters you send in every week Esther Rantzen brings you some of the zaniest and funniest. And, with reporters Paul Heiney and Chris Serle investigates the more bizarre consumer sagas and real-life problems. Also featuring Cyril Fletcher with your odes and oddities of the week, and, out and about, Richard Stilgoe and his travelling piano go round Britain in search of things ridiculous and unusual to sing about.
Esther Rantzen, with reporters Paul Heiney and Chris Serle investigate the more bizarre consumer sagas and real-life problems. Also featuring Cyril Fletcher with your odes and oddities of the week.
Billed as being a 15 part series, an episode was replaced by the 1982 Royal Variety Performance.
A new 15-part series of Britain's top consumer programme, with Esther Rantzen, featuring real-life investigations, jokes, stories and problems drawn from the 15,000 letters you send in each week. The new reporters are Bill Buckley, Gavin Campbell, Michael Groth and at the That's Life newsdesk 'Doc' Cox and Joanna Monro.
The last of the present series with Esther Rantzen.
Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send each week. The reporters are Bill Buckley, Gavin Campbell and Michael Groth. At the That's Life Newsdesk, Doc Cox and Joanna Monro.
The last of the present series with Esther Rantzen.
With Esther Rantzen. Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send. The reporters are Bill Buckley, Gavin Campbell and Michael Groth. At the That's Life newsdesk Doc Cox and Joanna Monro.
12th February episode missed in order to broadcast Crufts 84.
Including the latest on Ben Hardwick , the 2-year-old whose life was saved by a liver transplant and whose example has led the way for countless other lives to be saved. And the Get Britain Singing Campaign moves this week to the Reading Bedding Centre.
With Esther Rantzen. Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from your weekly letters. Reporters Bill Buckley, Gavin Campbell and Michael Groth, and at the That's Life newsdesk Maev Alexander and John Gould.
Presented by Esther Rantzen, back for the 13th successive year. Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send each week. With Mollie Sugden and reporters Gavin Campbell, Adrian Mills, Grant Baynham and Doc Cox.
Special guest Mollie Sugden. Featuring St. John's College School Choir performing The Queen's Birthday Song.
The last in the present series.
Presented by Esther Rantzen, back for the 14th year. Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send each week. With Gavin Campbell, Doc Cox, Adrian Mills and Grant Baynham.
Presented by Esther Rantzen. Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send each week. With Gavin Campbell, Doc Cox, Adrian Mills and Grant Baynham.
Last in the present series hosted by Esther Rantzen.
Presented by Esther Rantzen Consumer advice, investigations, misprints, mishaps and real-life humour drawn from the letters you send each week. With Gavin Campbell, Adrian Mills, Grant Baynham and Doc Cox.
Last in the series presented by Esther Rantzen with Adrian Mills, Grant Baynham, Gavin Campbell and Doc Cox.
Real life humour, mishaps, special investigations and consumer stories drawn from the letters which you send That's Life! every week. With Esther Rantzen, Gavin Campbell, Adrian Mills, Howard Leader, Simon Fanshawe and Doc Cox.
Last in the present series.
The return of Doc Cox, and new face Scott Sherrin with a choice of misprints and gobbledegook.
After launching Britain's biggest talent search, Esther Rantzen introduces the first of the new faces auditioning tonight to join Gavin Campbell and Howard Leader on the That's Life! team. And Scott Sherrin and Doc Cox present your choice of misprints.
Esther Rantzen introduces the third of the new faces auditioning tonight to join Gavin Campbell and Howard Leader on the team.
Esther Rantzen introduces another new face auditioning tonight to join Gavin Campbell and Howard Leader. With Scott Sherrin and Doc Cox.
Esther Rantzen introduces the last new face auditioning to join Gavin Campbell and Howard Leader.
Esther Rantzen's new presenter Kevin Devine appears alongside Gavin Campbell and Howard Leader.
Esther Rantzen and her team, including new presenter Kevin Devine, with more investigations and humour.
Esther Rantzen and team with some more special investigations, consumer probes and real life humour.
A mixture of hard-hitting investigations and real life humour. In the first programme, Esther Rantzen launches Britain's biggest search for a new singing star. Eleven years ago, she discovered Sheena Easton and helped launch her successful career. Also in the studio are Gavin Campbell, Howard Leader and Kevin Devine - and the intrepid Doc Cox is touring the country taking revenge on some maddening machines.
More real-life humour, hard-hitting investigations and light-hearted reports from Esther Rantzen and her dedicated team, Gavin Campbell, Howard Leader and Kevin Devine. Meanwhile, Britain's biggest search for a new singing star continues.
Britain's biggest search for a new singing star continues, with Julie and Susan from Chingford.
Britain's biggest search for a new singing star continues with Lettitia King , a 22-year-old secretary from Warrington.
Britain's search for a new singing star continues with Sara Hawkins, 20, from King's Langley, Hertfordshire, singing her version of Misty.
Over 2,000 hopefuls took part in That's Life's search-for-a-star audition. Tonight the final nine acts display their vocal talent in a medley of Beatles' songs. The winner will be decided by viewers' telephone votes and announced in next week's show.
Tonight, Esther Rantzen announces the results of the Search for a Star competition.
Tonight, the new single by Allison Jordan, winner of the show's recent Search for Star competition, gets its first performance on television.
Tonight, Ruby the painting elephant creates a unique masterpiece.
Esther Rantzen and the team - Gavin Campbell, Howard Leader, Kevin Devine and Doc Cox - with more investigations and an update of stories and campaigns covered this year. And there are hidden cameras in Woburn Abbey to 'Get Britain Singing'.
In a bid to discover the most talented town in Britain, Esther has scoured the country filming spoon players, male strippers and singing dogs. Viewers will make the final choice. There is also the premiere of Tom Jones's latest video - All You Need Is Love - the song he and Dave Stewart recorded to raise money for the charity ChildLine.
Tonight: another insight into hard-sell tactics and the continuing search for the most talented town in Britain.
This week the little girl who has raised E50,000 for cancer research.
Every year thousands of lives are saved because someone knows what to do quickly and confidently in a crisis. Sadly, many lives are also lost through ignorance of the same procedures. At the Hillsborough disaster, Trevor Hicks had to stand by helplessly while both his daughters stopped breathing and he did not know what to do. In a special programme Esther Rantzen and the team join forces with St John Ambulance to help viewers learn how to give the 'Breath of Life'.
Including a report on the emergency first aiders who are joining the St John Ambulance 'Breath of Life' campaign.
Last year, singer Allison Jordan beat 2,000 other hopefuls to win the programme's 'Search for a Star'. Tonight, after an exciting year, the 19-year-old returns to the studio to sing her new release, Heart and Soul.
Tonight, Howard Leader returns to the Komso Children's Hospital in Russia with gifts that have been donated by viewers of the programme.
The last in the current series from Esther Rantzen and the team includes updates on stories covered in earlier programmes. And in a special surprise visit, Esther drops in on former That's Life! regular Cyril Fletcher to celebrate his 80th birthday.
In a special report to mark the beginning of its 21st series, That's Life! examines the causes of fire in the home and offers advice on devising an escape plan. With Esther Rantzen, Gavin Campbell and Adrian Mills.
Including the launch of a campaign to make Britain a more welcoming place for parents with young children. Kevin Devine goes under cover to expose the tricks of the conman's trade, and a new character called Killjoy steps onto the scene.
With special guest Wendy Richard.
With special guest June Whitfield.
With special guest EastEnders star Wendy Richard.
This week's programme launches a major BBC campaign to stamp out school bullying. With Esther Rantzen and the team and special guest impressionist Janet Brown.
Special guest June Whitfield, who presents viewers' news cuttings and gives her own comments on the week's news.
Guest Barry Cryer presents viewers' news cuttings and his own comments on the week's news.
Special guest, impressionist Janet Brown who presents viewers' news cuttings and gives her own comments on the week's news.
Special guest, comedienne Kate Robbins who presents viewers' news cuttings.
Tonight's show includes an awards ceremony to applaud Britain's most parent-friendly places, with guest celebrities including Nanette Newman and Loyd Grossman. Plus the Dirty Nappy Award for the least friendly organisation.
Special guest comedienne Kate Robbins, who presents viewers' news cuttings and gives her own comments on the week's news.
Tonight's programme includes a special report by Howard Leader on the recent project to redecorate the Komso Children's Hospital in St Petersburg. Special guest June Whitfield.
With Janet Brown.
Special guest June Whitfield.
Last in the series of hard-hitting investigations and real-life humour from Esther Rantzen and the team, plus special guest June Whitfield.
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