Challenge Anneka

After 10+ years, the Crew are back together, that being Annie Rice and her faithful sidekick Dave Chapman, Like a lot of people I am sure who watched last nights programme ( 26th Dec 2006 ) it was great to see the return of the Challenge programme with a one hour special. This one hour special which is the first of a new series was set by World Vision to help rebuild parts of a small village devastated by the Tsunami that struck 2 years ago on boxing day on the coast of Inndonesia. Well done ITV for bringing back one of the best shows that the BBC ever aired. The show was devised by Anneka hence why it is now being shown on ITV. I look forward to the new series which is to be shown in 2007.

This is a great feel good show and just as effective in the 2023 Channel 5 version, which is totally faithful to the originals. I really pray they will resolve the current scheduling issue to complete the current run and make more. I would also love to see a Challenge Anneka Revisited giving updates on the old projects from thirty years ago. Whatever happens, the legacy is great as so many people around the world have benefitted from the episodes, both this format and the international incarnations who bought the rights. Here's hoping we get more editions plus the return of Treasure Hunt and possibly Interceptor too as I love too see shows that celebrate UK.

For those of you Brits who were pretty much any age in the Late 80's - Mid-90's, this is one of those nostalgic and evocative gems of British TV, and of British culture in general.

Basically, this was a video documentary series of Anneka Rice's community projects. The slightly mumsy/poncy but down-to-earth and unpretentious Rice was just the right person to take on such projects, what with her kind philanthropic nature, positive attitude and unfailing ability to encourage and nurture communtiy spirit and participation.

This was quite an original idea for Saturday Night primetime Family TV; real-life community projects was not a likely contender for the sort of show us kids would talk about at school the next week ! A predecessor to (God forbid) reality TV ??

To keep the show from being mundane and merely utilitarian, the show always had an entertaining twist to keep all ages amused. Near-impossible challenges - moving an entire building a mile or so over a hill being no exception, funny behaviour from local children, not to forget the camera following the slightly 'horsy' but stunning Anneka Rice's bottom around as she frantically ran around town in spandex shorts or leggings ! And of course we all remeber the frustration of the 2-3 day challenges having the time frame counted down toward the end:-

4 HOURS TO GO

2 HOURS TO GO

30 MINUTES TO GO

All in all, I will give this show 10/10 for being a good philanthropic project with a positive and stunning presenter, and generally good wholesome simple Saturday Night entertainment for all the family.