Omnibus

7.2

1967•1h

Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

Production

Seasons

24 Episodes • Premiered 1967

1. Everybody's Expo

The first edition of a regular weekly programme about the creative world of art and artists. Introduced by Henry Livings. Tonight: Everybody's Expo - An account of a world event.

2. Suliotis Sings

The British debut of a new world opera star—at the age of twenty-four.

3. Beethoven Symphony No. 3, in E flat (Eroica)

The first of three performances of Beethoven symphonies conducted by Colin Davis. BBC Symphony Orchestra Leader, Trevor Williams Part of a public concert in the Royal Festival Hall, London.

4. Tyger, Tyger

An enquiry into the power of a familiar poem. Introduced by Henry Livings. "Tyger tyger burning bright In the forests of the night What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry" Why does this poem by William Blake 1757-1827 stick in the mind, and seize the imagination of so many different people?