Back in Thatcher's Britain, rent-a-quote Tory M.P. Matthew Parris overstepped the mark by claiming benefit claimants had it easy. Granada's 'World In Action' challenged him to sign on the dole for one week, and he did. Guess what? He couldn't live on the money! 'World In Action' was a hard-hitting current affairs programme that dared to cover issues ignored by the rest of the news media. During its incredible four-decade run, it covered amongst other things the rise of the National Front, militant infiltration of trade unions, the decline of the N.H.S., questioned whether The Queen should pay tax, presented debates both for and against the restoration of capital punishment, and interviewed Thatcher before she became P.M. It lacked 'gimmicks' such as bimbo presenters, dramatic music and glitzy sets, and went for the jugular.
'World' was axed in 1999, for reasons that are still unclear. In its old slot - Monday 8.30 P.M. - you can now see...another episode of 'Coronation Street'! Who says British television has dumbed down?
