Off The Cuff

In March 2003 YSTV received a lot of equipment from a company called AccentureUnverified or incomplete information, including a DV camera, what is now known as "DeathStar", pen cameras, a large equipment desk and a new vision mixer. Whilst this meant the usual DaVE mixer wouldn't have to be trundled out to OBs, it left the new "Panasonic Max" (as it was christened) lying dormant most of the time. With new content desperately needed for the station Jonathan Bufton, along with Dave Baker and Ed Jellard decided to install it in a corner of the studio, with some seatboards, monitors and the new OB sound desk in a setup that echoed - OK, entirely copied - the "broom cupboard" Children's BBC set of the late 80s and early 90s (actually the continuity announcer's booth). The idea was people would be able to have their own shows without such pesky things as crews holding them back, and mix chat with music and whatever people wanted - pretty much as URY was doing very successfully at the time.

After a pilot in May 2003 and a few special Freshers' Week shows that October, words was put about that presenters were wanted for a new anything-goes slot (hence the name) every afternoon between 1600 and 1800, replacing the TMF Music Videos slot that went out at that time. The response was not exactly enormous. After the set was used successfully for Children In Need 2003 the slot finally launched in January 2004, but there were many problems, including the set being quite difficult to learn how to control, the music videos (taped off the telly) having to be cued from dodgy VHS machines, the components of the set frequently being removed for OBs or testings and above all lack of interest, or ability to hold together a 2 hour TV show as would be easy on the radio. After a long period of inactivity the set was taken to pieces in May 2004 and lessons were learnt.