Entertainment USA

This was a spin off from a segment Jonathan King used to do regularly on Top of the Pops where he would give a rundown of the US chart hits.

At a time when getting information on what was happening in the world of show business in the USA was difficult to acquire, this show presented entertainment news and clips from the United States to a British audience.

We would get news of the US top ten singles, the hot albums and the top ten films. Some advanced previews of latest US television shows and chat with some celebrities.

The show would be presented each week from a different location. In essence it was also a travelogue. King would review the place, talk to a few eccentrics. If he felt people were not genuine he would say so and was more than prepared to be caustic.

It was an enjoyable show mainly to find out the hit songs and films in the USA. At the time there would be several months before this films would be released in the UK. However it was also good to see different bits of the United States.

However a BBC executive was not happy with the format even though the show was popular with viewers. Too middle of the road with too much Adult Orientated rock music. I guess the executive also did not like King!

I highly suggest you catch this on YT. A simple show, wittily written and presented that crams a lot into its few minutes. Such a simple idea that would still work today. One man travels America reporting from a different city each episode telling us what's hot and interesting to do there, whi,st interviewing the current hot celebrities, pop stars and actors that happen to be in town whilst also bringing us stories and interviews from more 'normal' folk along the way. One of THE best series of my early years, EUSA was unmissable for all youngsters back in the day. And it's still interesting today.