How It Is (How Late It Is) – Nostalgia Central

1 9 6 8 – 1 9 6 9 (UK)
33 x 30 minute episodes

Debuting on Friday 19 July 1968, and recorded at the BBC’s Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd’s Bush, London, this weekly youth magazine show – “by the young for the young at heart” – promised to treat its viewing audience as “reasonably intelligent and aware people” instead of “suburban suet puddings”.

Initially hosted by Richard Neville (pictured), Tony Palmer and Peter Asher (from the singing duo Peter & Gordon), the BBC dropped Asher from the show in August and replaced him with journalist Angela Huth (from BBC 2’s Man Alive).

Folk group The Spinners were also added to the cast as regulars.

When the show returned in March 1969 for a (shorter) second series, there were more changes: Huth was up front, Pete Drummond replaced Tony Palmer, the show was renamed How Late It Is, and the broadcasts were moved to the later timeslot of 10.50 pm.

Guests included The Who, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, The Moody Blues, Pentangle, Manfred Mann, Status Quo, Fairport Convention, The Nice, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Cleo Laine, John Betjeman, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Family, The Goodies, Rod Steiger, Dudley Moore, Jack Benny, Kenneth More, Marc Bolan and Albert Finney.

As the series came to a close, Angela Huth (pictured) petitioned for divorce from her journalist husband Quentin Crewe, who she married in August 1961.

Following her divorce, she married erstwhile co-host Tony Palmer.

Hosts
Richard Neville
Tony Palmer
Peter Asher
Angela Huth
Ronnie Fletcher
Pete Drummond