How (TV series)

How was originally devised by Hargreaves for an audience of adults returning home from the pub. Its aim would be to give facts and demonstrations that could settle arguments or be used as pub tricks. A one-off pilot was broadcast at 11.15pm on 22 March 1966, to viewers in the Southern Television area only.

Following the pilot, Hargreaves felt the show might work better in an afternoon slot, aimed at making facts fun for children.[2] Thus, at 5.25pm on 25 April 1966, Southern began live transmission of the first programme in the series of How, which would continue in a similar format for the next 15 years. Produced in Southern's Southampton studios, it provided answers to questions beginning with the word "How". Each episode began with the presenters all raising one hand and saying "How" simultaneously (mimicking the stereotypical Native American greeting). Topics commonly covered included science, history, mathematics and simple puzzles. The formula proved so successful that it was soon broadcast to the whole ITV network and given two slots per week.

The show was originally presented by Hargreaves alone. He was joined by Fred Dinenage (1966–1981), Jon Miller (1966–1981), Bunty James (1966–1969 and 1970–1976), Dr Tom Gaskell (1969), Jill Graham (1969–1970) and Marian Davies (1977–1981). Occasional stand-ins for Hargreaves included Barry Bucknell.[3]

The series came to an end in 1981 when Southern Television lost its ITV franchise. The majority of episodes no longer exist.[4]

• Series 1: 33 editions from 10 November 1966 – 29 June 1967
• Series 2: 27 editions from 28 September 1967 – 27 March 1968
• Series 3: 29 editions from 18 November 1968 – 23 June 1969
• Series 4: 12 editions from 16 January 1970 – 3 April 1970
• Series 5: 7 editions from 9 July 1970 – 20 August 1970
• Series 6: 15 editions from 8 July 1971 – 26 August 1971
• Series 7: 10 editions from 22 June 1972 – 24 August 1972
• Series 8: 10 editions from 24 April 1973 – 26 June 1973
• Series 9: 10 editions from 23 April 1974 – 25 June 1974
• Special: Christmas 1974: 16 December 1974
• Series 10: 7 editions from 8 January 1975 – 19 February 1975
• Series 11: 11 editions 22 April 1975 – 1 July 1975
• Series 12: 13 editions from 31 December 1975 – 24 March 1976
• Series 13: 13 editions from 5 January 1977 – 30 March 1977
• Series 14: 13 editions from 1 March 1978 – 24 May 1978
• Series 15: 13 editions from 3 January 1979 – 28 March 1979
• Series 16: 13 editions from 25 June 1980 – 24 September 1980
• Series 17: 13 editions from 13 May 1981 – 19 August 1981

In 1990, the series was revived as How 2 by TVS. Presenter Fred Dinenage made a return with Gareth Jones, Carol Vorderman, Gail McKenna and Sian Lloyd. The show aired on Children's ITV, known as CiTV and it ran for 16 years — until 2006. [5]

In 2019 How 2 was made available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.[6]

Also in 2019, the CITV channel commissioned a further revival of the format.[7] Due for air November 2020, with Fred Dinenage making his third return to the series, alongside a new team of Vick Hope, Sam Homewood and Frankie Vu.[8]

• How, A Television Heaven Review
• How at IMDb