18 February 1957 (1957-02-18) – 18 June 1965 (1965-06-18)
Tonight is a British current affairs television programme, presented by Cliff Michelmore, that was broadcast on BBC live on weekday evenings from 18 February 1957 to 18 June 1965. The producers were the future Controller of BBC1Donald Baverstock and the future Director-General of the BBCAlasdair Milne. The audience was typically seven million viewers.
Background
Tonight like Six-Five Special, was created by the BBC to fill in the "Toddlers' Truce" closed period between 6.00pm and 7.00pm (the "Truce" was officially abolished only a few days before Tonight was first broadcast). Tonight began broadcasting from the Viking studio in Kensington, known by the BBC as "studio M". It eventually transferred to one of the main studios in Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush, west London.[1]
The style was informal with no attempt to hide studio equipment. Michelmore gave a very relaxed performance, sometimes perching on the edge of his desk, seemingly unfazed by the ringing of his desk telephone letting him know about technical problems. There were regular appearances by Rory McEwen, Cy Grant, singing a "topical calypso", and folk singers Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor. Michelmore became known for his catchphrase when closing the show, "That's all for tonight, the next 'Tonight' will be tomorrow night. Until then, good night!"[2]
A new programme under the name, presented by Sue Lawley, Denis Tuohy and Donald MacCormick, was launched on BBC1 in September 1975, in a late evening slot. When Lawley left to have a baby, Valerie Singleton replaced her on the show, which continued until July 1979.[6]Newsnight, which was intended to launch two months later but ended up launching six months later in January 1980 on BBC2, was its replacement.
