Appearing on TV

"It's Friday, it's five to five, and it's -- Crackerjack!" the voice boomed out in the studio; butterflies started the death march in our stomachs. It was murder -- but the climax was still to come. The thought of it was absolutely terrifying. The climax became a reality when the loud voice of Leslie Crowther stung our ears saying "Now over to Jillian and the boys".

We looked right idiots. With an ugly great camera staring at us, and aware that half a million viewers would be looking at us, it wasn't surprising that we didn't do well in the almost impossible game of knocking down skittles with a ball tied to the leg of the stools we were sitting on.

Mr. Tufnell was responsible for the plight we found ourselves in; at least, it was he got the invitation for three boys to take part in "Crackerjack". He and Mrs. Griffiths picked the victims. We were given our instructions, we knew what was expected of us and all necessary arrangements were made.

After a two week agony of waiting, the big day came and we set off by coach at three o'clock. We were weighed down with autograph books - a service for the collectors - but managed to embark, without any mishap, on an adventure of school history.

At exactly five-fifteen the long awaited trial began; about an hour later it was all over. Then we had to produce the very many autograph books that had been given to us and get Tony Blackburn and the Tremeloes to autograph each of them.

It was a memorable day; I doubt if we'll ever forget it. Thanks to video tape, we were able to watch this thrilling edition of "Crackerjack" when it was televised the following Friday. Were we biased, or was it really better than usual?

J. Galligan 2E


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