Rapido (TV series)

1988 multi-national TV series or program

Rapido

De Caunes presented and linked reports in front of the minimalist white lettered background seen here

Developed by| NBdC
Country of origin| United Kingdom, France
Production
Running time| 22 minutes
Original release
Network| BBC1, BBC2 (United Kingdom)
Canal+ (France)
Release| 3 November 1988 (1988-11-03) (BBC version)[1] –
25 March 1992 (1992-03-25) (BBC version)[2]

Rapido was a British-French music programme presented by Antoine de Caunes in 1987. After the BBC’s head of youth and entertainment Janet Street-Porter saw the programme, she decided to commission an English-language version with de Caunes, which would become part of her DEF II programming block on BBC2.[3][4][5] The English-language version of Rapido ran from 1988 to 1992, with the show usually debuting new episodes on a Wednesday night in DEF II's early evening slot, though episodes from the first series were initially scheduled after Question Time's Thursday night episode on BBC1 from November 1988.[6][7][8]

The show which would feature reports from up-and-coming new bands, European acts (like Françoise Hardy, and Violent Eves)[9] and established acts like Robert Plant,[10] Jeff Beck,[11] the Grateful Dead,[12] John Lee Hooker and Randy Newman.[13] These reports would be narrated in the BBC version by Lisa I'Anson, linked together with footage of De Caunes standing in front of a large Rapido sign on a white background. These parts were directed in France by Bernard Faroux, while the main titles for this Anglo-French TV music show were designed by French fashion photographer and music video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino.[14][15][16][17] The last BBC edition was broadcast on 25 March 1992 as part of DEF II[18] and featured reports on The Cure, Annie Lennox, The Verve, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Rosie the Raving Granny.[19]

Rapido ran in over 14 countries worldwide.[20] and gave the name to the production company Rapido TV (later Planet Rapido) which created the late night Channel 4 television show Eurotrash.

Rapido was notable for De Caunes' idiosyncratic delivery. His English is completely fluent, but he (deliberately) spoke it with French intonations and speech rhythms on the programme.[citation needed][21]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 3 November 1988.
2. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index".
3. ^ "How we made Eurotrash: 'We'd look at all these strange kinks. It traumatised a generation'". TheGuardian.com. 19 September 2022.
4. ^ James Rampton (17 February 1996). "Contentious? Moi? - Life & Style". The Independent. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
5. ^ Serena Mackesy (3 May 1997). "Sads, mads and le lad - Arts & Entertainment". The Independent. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
6. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 17 November 1988.
7. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index".
8. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index".
9. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 3 November 1988.
10. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 23 April 1990.
11. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 9 May 1990.
12. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 24 January 1990.
13. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 17 November 1988.
14. ^ "TV Pop Diaries - Rapido".
15. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 7 February 1990.
16. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Rapido (1988-92)".
17. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 24 January 1990.
18. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index".
19. ^ "BBC Programme Index". 25 March 1992.
20. ^ "(BBC rock show)". Rapido. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
21. ^ "How we made Eurotrash: 'We'd look at all these strange kinks. It traumatised a generation'". TheGuardian.com. 19 September 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Rapido at IMDb
* Rapido at Screen Online
* Rapido Television

This article related to a BBC television programme is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

This article relating to a non-fiction television series in the United Kingdom is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template