The Word was a late-night ‘magazine style’ show that was broadcast on Channel 4 between 1990 and 1995, consisting of all sorts of features loosely to do with entertainment in the widest possible definition of the word. In a pre-internet era when print still ruled, particularly across the tabloid media in the UK, this was a show that set out to be provocative, chaotic and controversial, thriving week upon week on the column inches it generated. There was one truly gruesome and very often repulsive and tasteless section entitled ‘I’d Do Anything To Get Myself on Television’ which was very much a forerunner of the ‘me me me’ format of the worst parts of social media.
And yet, it managed over the years to deliver some memorable live music performances, often from singers and bands making their first appearance on UK television. I’m not sure if this, from September 1994, was such a debut, but it really is a great bit of footage.
This very decent quality footage is from Stereolab‘s own YouTube channel.
A b-side from the 2006 re-release of the single Munich.
Great clip. The Word was such a curious mix of unmissable and obnoxious- but its music coverage was often superb.
That’s a pin-sharp and accurate summation of this show, JC, for anyone uninitiated.
Huggy Bear, Thrum and L7 ‘s appearances are essential viewing too.
Always very fond of the Editors cover version!
Damn, never even heard of that show, but this is a great clip!
I used to love the music slots on The Word, this Stereolab appearance was one of the best. There was a YouTube channel under the name of Terry Christian (?) that had a 100 or so band performances on from the 100 or so episodes. Although there were usually two bands per show. This channel seems to have been deleted recently.
The Word was shite. There, I’ve said it. The only purpose in tuning in was to see a band you liked on that turgid show – sometimes with the credits rolling over them. If a band of my liking wasn’t on I’d never watch it. I had paint to watch dry. Amateurish presenters, shock for the sake of shock, it really was dreadful. As others have stated and JC has highlighted: Stereolab, Bikini Kill, Nirvana and L7 were pretty much it – from the number of episodes, quality music and/or interesting performances were few and far between. What also got my goat was that the studio audience much like Top of the Pops episodes seemed to be dancing to an entirely different song to the one being played. Some may say I’m being cranky. I don’t think I’ve been harsh enough.
Flimflamfan
*Tsk. I , of course meant Huggy Bear not Bikini Kill.
FFF
I used to see The Word reasonably often in them days, usually pished oot ma heid just in from the pub, shouting dog’s abuse at Terry Christian or whoever he had on. That was what it was for, really, post-pub inebriation catharsis, just like The Tube, and later Eurotrash. Must have missed that episode as I certainly wouldn’t have shouted at Stereolab. Funnily enough I just saw them the other week here in Wellington and they were FUCKING BRILLIANT. Andy Ramsay still looks the same, still plays like the sharpest octopus on the planet. Gane is a bit porky and grey (aren’t we all?), beginning to look like John Peel. Laetitia is ageless, and now plays trombone. I love them all, profoundly.