Daleks, and Newscasters, and Radio Dramas --- Oh My!
Today was a really exciting day in London. Today, my parents and I toured the BBC. We are Anglophiles and almost exclusively watch BBC America. When not watching BBC America, I also watch a lot of BBC TV on the internet, mostly Youtube, and anywhere else I can find my shows.
Back in 2009, when I was studying in London, I toured the BBC and it was one of my most favorite things I did. I also randomly met the hilarious comedian Bill Bailey in the lobby and I was lucky enough to snap a picture with him! Back then, the BBC was located near White City, but now, the BBC is located near Oxford Circus.
Well said!
The hallway leading to the lobby of the BBC
As visitors, we were instructed not to enter from the main entrance, but rather, from the side entrance. I guess we're "too common?" Anyway, as we entered the BBC, we were greeted by a giant Dalek! Good thing it wasn't real --- otherwise we would've been toast!
EXTERMINATE!
We were directed to the media cafe, where the BBC tour was scheduled to begin. As we entered, we were greeted by a most majestic site: THE TARDIS! Yes, I admit, this is very nerdy of me, but hey, it's Doctor Who related and I love Doctor Who. My dad was really excited. In fact, in honor of our tour, he wore his Tardis t-shirt to the BBC!
I would love to see if it's really bigger on the inside!
As we waited for the tour to begin we watched the buzzing BBC newsroom. This probably sounds super obvious, but this place is HUGE. I mean, really really really big and you can sense the intense energy emanating from all of the hard working journalists. We even got to watch, from a distance, the news being broadcast live! I was watching the weatherman and when we was done with his bit, he waved to me and I waved back.
The BBC newsroom
"On Air"
Our tour began as soon as our tour guide, Jamie, appeared. At first I thought, "is this seriously our tour guide? Does he really work here?" The man looked like he literally just rolled out of bed. Appearances aside, the guy knows his stuff and he was really really really hilarious!
Jamie pointing stuff out to us
Our first stop was the newsroom. Due to privacy issues, we were not allowed to take pictures, but our tour guide enlightened us on the hectic nature of the newsroom. The giant room is divided into half, with one side focusing on domestic news and the other focusing on international. The guide also made sure to mention that time Queen Elizabeth II photobombed the on air BBC newscasters! So brilliant!
This will go down in BBC history
From the newsroom, we were taken to a corner of the BBC lobby, where a fake newsroom was set up. It was OUR TURN to report the news. These two kids volunteered to play newscaster and my father was selected to tell the weather! Whilst the two teens read off a teleprompter, my father had to make the weather forecast up. All he had was a map, showing the weather, and the rest was up to him. When he retires, he should consider weather forecasting!
And we're live in 3, 2, 1 ...
The reception desk at the BBC. I love that background!
From the main BBC building, we were escorted outside and across the piazza to the BBC radio building. Although the tour guide did his best to tell us most about the BBC, we were distracted by the HUGE MOB of screaming tween girls. Turns out the boy band, " 5 Seconds of Summer" was in the BBC radio building, and the tweens were eagerly awaiting their exit. It was insane! As we walked into the building, the girls screamed and swooned, and when we exited the building, it was near chaos! I felt bad that we got their hopes up, but hey, c'est la vie.
Waiting for "5 Seconds of Summer"
Saw this in one of the buildings
From the BBC radio building, we were escorted to another building around the corner. I don't quite recall the function of this place, but what I can tell you is that we stopped in one of the hallways for a history break. We learned that during WWII, the BBC was a vital hub for wartime information. During the war, General Charles de Gaulle, who had fled France, broadcasted to the French people from the BBC. After the war, to show their gratitude, the French presented this yellow tapestry to the BBC.
The last stop on the tour: we were charged with creating our own radio drama! Yes, although it is the year 2014, it seems that the BBC is still producing and airing radio dramas. They are really old school about it too. No special effects or special sound boards --- everything is done by the actors, with the occasional aid of props. I was selected, along with four other individuals, to perform in the radio drama. I was terrified, I'm quite shy and tend to linger behind the scenes, but I rose to the occasion. The script we read was about a haunted house and you know, it was a lot of fun! Perhaps if this whole medicine thing doesn't work out, I have a future in radio drama…?
The tour was about 1.5 hours and it was quite fun. My one criticism is that you didn't get to see very much of the TV studio. This tour seemed to emphasize the radio aspect and the news aspect of the BBC, but when I toured in 2009, we got to see a lot of TV sets (including the Graham Norton set) and see how shows are made. Other than that, the tour was great and my parents really enjoyed themselves! At the conclusion of the tour, we took several family pictures in front of the TARDIS --- all for the Christmas card!
If you find yourself in London and you are a BBC fan, like me, why not book a tour? It's easy and you can pose with the TARDIS and a Dalek. What more could you want?!
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