Name: Crackerjack
Genre: Comedy, Family
Released: 1955-09-14
Rating: 5
Cast: Stu Francis

29 years of chaos, one iconic catchphrase: "It's Friday, it's five to five..."

chaotic goodretro comfortpure serotonin

Latest Episode

40 min

Season 29 • Episode 13

Latest

Episode 13

Dec 21, 1984

Overview

Comedy Family

Crackerjack was a British children's comedy/variety BBC television series. It started on 14 September 1955 and ran for over 400 shows, first in black and white and later in colour, until 21 December 1984. It was revived in 2020 on CBBC.

Content warning

game show variety show family entertainment

childhood joygenerational nostalgiathe innocence of live TV

Standout Aspects

Practical Effects

Gloriously ramshackle sets held together with hope and gaffer tape.

Writing

Pun-heavy sketches that somehow land every single time.

Best for:Family·Solo·Background

First AiredSep 14, 1955

StatusEnded

Vibe

Pacefast

Intensitylow

Tonelight

Feellight

Seasons29·Episodes453

Top Cast

Stu Francis

Host

Ask about Crackerjack

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

The show invented British children's television as we know it—Doctor Who, Blue Peter, and Saturday morning chaos all owe it everything.

Memorable

The 'Double or Drop' game featured a terrifying cabbage for wrong answers, traumatising an entire nation of 1970s children.

Gallery

Crackerjack (1955)