999 (British TV series)

999 is a British docudrama television series presented by Michael Buerk, that premiered on 25 June 1992 on BBC One and ran until 17 September 2003. The series got its name from the emergency telephone number used in the United Kingdom. The series is a British adaption of the American TV series Rescue 911 which premiered in April 1989 and ended in August 1996.

For the 2012 factual programme, see 999: What's Your Emergency?

999
GenreDocudrama
Created byPeter Salmon
Presented byMichael Buerk
Juliet Morris
Donna Bernard
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series12
3 (Compilation)
5 (Lifesavers)
1 (International)
No. of episodes103
14 (Compilation)
41 (Lifesavers)
6 (International)
20 (Specials)
Production
Running time50 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release25 June 1992 (1992-06-25) –
17 September 2003 (2003-09-17)
Chronology
Related showsRescue 911
Real Rescues

A number of specials and spin-off shows were also aired, including five series of 999 Lifesavers (1994–98) hosted by Buerk and Juliet Morris (later replaced by Donna Bernard), and 999 International in 1997.

History

In the first series, each episode included two reconstructions of real emergencies, using actors and occasionally Buerk himself, as well as some of the real people involved in the emergency.[1] By the second series, episodes of 999 included more reconstructions.[2] While recreating an accident for an episode in 1993, veteran stuntman Tip Tipping was killed in a parachuting accident.[3] In September 2002, it was announced that the series had been cancelled.[4]

Transmissions

Original series
SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
125 June 19926 August 19927
212 February 199320 April 19934
327 April 19938 June 19937
415 June 19936 July 19934
58 April 199410 June 199410
67 April 199516 June 199510
712 April 199614 June 199610
821 June 19965 July 19963
98 May 199712 June 19976
107 April 199816 June 199810
1127 April 199917 November 199910
125 April 200027 September 20005
1329 May 200110 September 200114
1428 October 200227 January 20037
1515 April 200317 September 20034

Note: Series 4 and 8 were compilation series. Series 2 was a revised repeat.

Unknown series:

  • 6 January 1995
  • 13 January 1995
  • 29 March 1996
  • 28 August 1998 (Compilation)
  • 2 September 1998 (Compilation)
  • 9 December 1998 (Compilation)
  • 13 December 1998 (Lifesavers)

999 Lifesavers
SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodesMain presenter(s)Co-presenter(s)
18 September 199413 October 19946Michael BuerkJuliet Morris
215 September 199517 November 199510
33 September 199617 December 199610
425 February 19971 April 19974
517 October 19976 January 199810Donna Bernard

Note: Series 4 was a compilation series.

999 International
SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
131 July 199711 September 19976

Specials
DateTitle
30 May 1994Young Lifesavers
6 December 1994[lower-alpha 1]No Excuses
28 April 1995The Point of No Return
12 January 1996Operation Coathanger
19 January 1996Sea of Fire
26 January 1996The Lonely Walk
8 February 1996[lower-alpha 2]The Flying Doctors
20 February 1996999 International Rescue (part 1)
27 February 1996999 International Rescue (part 2)
3 May 1996Speed Kills
6 May 1997Missing in Action
14 October 1997The Great Storm
17 March 1998[lower-alpha 3]Escape from Paradise
27 March 1998Heart Special
21 August 1998Diana's Legacy
28 August 1998Dodi's Legacy - Can A Muslim Save Lives?
8 September 1998999 Lifesavers Baby Special
25 November 1998Storm Alert
5 January 1999The New Year Storms
5 April 1999The Easter Floods
17 August 1999999 Fire Rescues
2 September 1999999 Animal Rescue

Merchandise

Tie-in publication
  • 999: Dramatic Stories of Real-Life Rescues by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1994. ISBN 0-563-37049-1.
Features 15 gripping stories as featured on the show, along with 999 Safety Advice: simple, easy-to-understand instructions on how to deal with common emergencies.
  • 999 Young Lifesavers by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1996. ISBN 0-563-40431-0.
Tying in with the children's television series, "999" and "999 Lifesavers", this book contains instructions on how to react in emergencies. The topics covered include coping with sudden illness, what to do if someone is struck by lightning, survival out of doors, electrical accidents and road accidents. There is also advice on how to avoid accidents in the first place, focusing on, for instance, dangerous plants and animals, and sensible behaviour at the seaside.

Video releases
  • 999: Lifesaver Video (1996)
  • 999: Family Safety Video (1998)

See also

Notes
  1. Repeated on 14 November 1995[5]
  2. Replaced Part 1 of 999 International Rescue
  3. Postponed from 18 September 1997[6]

References
  1. Dugdale, John (29 July 1992). "Media: Not the 'Nine O'Clock News': Michael Buerk fronts a BBC programme that has been criticised as gory. John Dugdale on the dangers of mixing fact with fiction". The Independent. London. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  2. Rees, Jasper (9 April 1994). "Review - Dial nine for no-nonsense entertainment". The Independent. London. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  3. "Stuntman killed in parachute jump". The Independent. London. 6 February 1993.
  4. Cozens, Claire (4 September 2002). "999 faces last rites". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  5. "999 Special - No Excuses". 14 November 1995. p. 94. Retrieved 13 July 2020 – via BBC Genome.
  6. "999 Volcano Special - Escape from Paradise". 17 March 1998. p. 86. Retrieved 13 July 2020 – via BBC Genome.


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