History
The Big Breakfast was launched at the end of September 1992 to replace The Channel Four Daily, which had been Channel 4's unsuccessful first dip into the breakfast television market between 1989 and 1992. The Daily, launched at huge expense, had possessed an "analytical" style, focusing largely on current affairs, news bulletins and quiz shows; however, this format had failed to earn enough viewing figures, and consequently Channel 4 had opted to change direction and work towards a lighter style focusing mainly on entertainment and humour.
The first two presenters were Chris Evans (1992–1994) and Gaby Roslin (1992–1996). At its height in 1993, viewing figures reached around two million per edition, and it was the highest rated UK TV show in its timeslot. Along with Evans and Roslin, Bob Geldof presented a short lived political interview slot. His wife Paula Yates became notorious with her interviews in bed, and the puppet characters Zig and Zag created morning mayhem in the bathroom with Chris, in a slot called The Crunch. The use of puppets may be considered a resurrection of the technique used by TV-am earlier in its history with Roland Rat.
As part of his contract with The Big Breakfast, Evans was committed to developing a new show for Channel 4. Don't Forget Your Toothbrush began in early 1994, and Evans cut his involvement with The Big Breakfast to 3 days a week (Tuesday to Thursday). Former Neighbours star Mark Little permanently replaced Evans on Mondays and Fridays. When Evans left the show later that year, Little continued on Mondays and Fridays, and Paul Ross took over the mid-week duties. Richard Orford replaced Ross around Easter 1995, but he was quickly dropped. After this, the show reverted to using just one male presenter for the full week. This role alternated between Keith Chegwin and Mark Little.
The Big Breakfast staff included many future rising stars like researcher Andrew Newman (Channel 4 commissioning editor for Arts), producer Zoë Ball (BBC presenter/Radio 1 DJ), runner Jasmine Dotiwala (MTV News presenter) and more.
Read more about this topic: The Big Breakfast
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