Michael Grade has played a significant role in defining British television over the past five decades. Known for luring Bruce Forsyth to ITV, creating The South Bank Show, introducing Neighbours to BBC One, and making the decision to cancel Doctor Who, he is currently leading the regulatory body Ofcom.
According to him, all that he has learned, he acquired through the tutelage of his theatrical agent family: his father Leslie, Uncle Bernie (who later became Lord Delfont), and his unique Uncle Lew.
In a later stage of his life, Leonard “Lew” Grade was a transformative figure who started as a Russian refugee, became a world champion in amateur Charleston dancing, and eventually rose to be an impresario and business magnate. Standing short with a bald head, he was always seen with a cigar and brimming with innovative ideas. His energetic and charismatic personality made him more than just larger-than-life; it seems the phrase was tailor-made for him.
Michael recalls feeling incredibly fortunate, as he essentially had three paternal figures to guide him. “Lew was just as you’d imagine – compassionate, firm in business dealings, yet deeply sensitive. He was a true showman, reminiscent of Hollywood’s Sam Goldwyn, and an extraordinary salesperson. He marketed himself and his products with unparalleled skill.
Radio 4 recounts the tale of Lew Grade‘s groundbreaking transformation in entertainment through his Incorporated Television Company (ITC), including series like The Saint, The Persuaders!, Man in a Suitcase, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Muppet Show. It makes one ponder: did Lew admire television or was he more captivated by the thrill of negotiations?
According to his nephew, he took pleasure in engaging the crowd. Notably, during the 1950s, he made a move that few had dared – he traveled to America to arrange acts for the Palladium in the UK. He witnessed commercial TV while there and understood its potential. Despite facing stiff competition from the rather aristocratic BBC, whose notion of an entertainment show was a formal evening at the Savoy attended by gentlemen in white tie and tails and ladies with long gloves, Lew grasped what authentic popular entertainment entailed.
If provided an opportunity, Lew hastily started generating content for the young ITV network. Initially, he created the black-and-white drama “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and the long-standing Sunday Night at the London Palladium show. Later, he progressed to more elaborate, vibrant projects that we now identify with ITC’s golden era.
With well-known actors delivering thrilling tales filled with action and adventure, set against deceptively luxurious backdrops, shows like “The Persuaders!” captivated British viewers. Roger Moore, a former knitwear model, gave a performance as The Saint that was a precursor to his role as Bond, while Patrick McGoohan continued his success from “Danger Man” with the equally mesmerizing “The Prisoner.” It’s fascinating to consider how Lew managed to produce such high-quality programming on British production budgets.
According to Michael, he found himself quite fortunate during the initial phase. Many exceptional talents from Hollywood were unable to work due to McCarthyism-imposed limitations. Instead, they headed to the UK, eager to craft screenplays and produce films. Their abilities truly enlightened everyone around them.
Gerry Anderson and his creative team were equally talented, responsible for an entire universe of “Supermarionation” puppetry, encompassing series like Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, among others. As cultural historian Matthew Sweet describes in a documentary, they could be seen as the wealthy families on strings who routinely came to our rescue from global crises.
Michael admires Lew for his ability to seize opportunities, invest in talent, and trust his intuition above all else. Fast forward to 2025, and I question where today’s counterpart of the Independent Television Corporation (ITC) might reside. “It doesn’t exist,” Michael says. “The competition is fierce now, making it extremely difficult to replicate the risks he took. Everyone is so cautious about taking chances.
Wondering if Michael, now known as Lord Grade, has a favorite show from his uncle’s era? He ponders and shares, “The Saint was revolutionary, but it seems The Muppets are the true enduring legacy. When no one in America was willing to take them on, Lew made the bold move, then, like an expert salesman, he successfully reintroduced them back to their origin.
No ITC, no Kermit. That really would be an international catastrophe.
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2025-01-28 04:11