Its presenters included Mancunian award winning specialist music radio presenter and journalist Terry Christian, comedian Mark Lamarr, Dani Behr, Katie Puckrik, Jasmine Dotiwala, Alan Connor, Amanda de Cadenet and Huffty. Originally broadcast in the old Tubetime slot of 6 pm Friday evenings, The Word's main live show was shifted to a late-night timeslot from 9 November 1990. The magazine format allowed for interviews, live music, features and even game shows. The flexible late-night format meant that guests could do just about anything to be controversial. There was also an 'I'll do anything to be on television' section called "The Hopefuls" which ran for half of series 4 and half of series 5 in which people did generally repulsive things in order to get featured on the programme.
Production
The show was the brainchild of Charlie Parsons and Terry Christian and was originally produced for series 1 and 2 by the production company 24 Hour Productions, which later became Planet 24. Paul Ross was the series editor on series 3 and 4, and became executive producer for series 5. Jo Whiley worked as a researcher–band booker on series 2 and half of series 3 and is credited as having given Nirvana their historic and notorious first TV appearance. The programme ran for five series from 1990 to 1995. From the start, there was considerable tabloid backlash against the show. In mid 2000, Channel 4 screened a short-running compilation series titled "Best of The Word", which mostly featured music performances and was presented by award winning Mancunian specialist music radio presenter Terry Christian. Tango sponsored the show in 1994.
Notable moments
Nirvana's international television debut performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", with Kurt Cobain declaring Courtney Love to be "the best fuck in the world."
Singer/guitarist Donita Sparks of L7 removing her jeans and underwear during a performance, the full-frontal nudity displayed when she drops her guitar being briefly broadcast.
Shabba Ranks advocating crucifixion of homosexuals, which received universal condemnation including from presenter Mark Lamarr, who responded "that's absolute crap and you know it".
