Michael Grade
Birth Name:
Michael Ian Grade
For Michael Grade, a distinguished and highly successful career in showbusiness appeared to be in the genes. Born in 1943 in London, England, his father was Leslie Grade and his uncles were Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont. Grade became a trainee journalist on the Daily Mirror in 1960 (he was their sports columnist 1964 - 1966). In 1973 he became depu...
Show more »
For Michael Grade, a distinguished and highly successful career in showbusiness appeared to be in the genes. Born in 1943 in London, England, his father was Leslie Grade and his uncles were Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont. Grade became a trainee journalist on the Daily Mirror in 1960 (he was their sports columnist 1964 - 1966). In 1973 he became deputy controller of entertainment programmes at London Weekend Television.In 1984, Grade gained one of the most prestigious positions in British broadcasting when he became controller of BBC One. He became BBC TV's director of programmes two years later. During his brief but significant stint at the BBC he was noted for his brave and controversial decisions, which included delaying production for 18 months of the corporation's legendary science fiction series Docteur Who (1963), which he openly criticised in interviews, and then ordering that Colin Baker be replaced as its star in 1986, as well as commissioning the controversial Dennis Potter play The Singing Detective (1986). He was also the man who recognised the potential of the new soap opera EastEnders (1985), which he gave a prominent twice-weekly slot, and he broadcast the Live Aid (1985) rock concert. Another success during Grade's time was Black-Adder II (1986), which he commissioned on the condition it would be an improvement on La vipère noire (1982), which he judged an expensive failure. His tenure was notable for boosting BBC One's ratings, not least through the introduction of several popular and long-lasting soap operas. As well as EastEnders (1985), there was the seafaring soap opera Howards' Way (1985), hospital series Casualty (1986) and the Australian import Les voisins (1985).In 1988, he became chief executive at Channel 4 television, replacing Jeremy Isaacs. During this time he was to face unprecedented levels of criticism and the channel's output earned him the label "the pornographer-in-chief" from the Daily Mail newspaper. But Grade was also responsible for bringing the hugely popular American series' Urgences (1994) and Friends (1994) to British TV. He eventually left Channel 4 in 1997. He has since taken major roles at numerous companies, including First Leisure, Camelot and the Millennium Dome project. He was appointed Chairman of the BBC in 2004. His remarkably successful career in broadcasting was recognised by a CBE in 1998. A supporter of the Conservative Party, he was made a peer in 2011 and became known as Lord Grade. Always a busy man, Grade's favourite leisure pursuit is sailing. Show less «
[on becoming the chairman of the BBC] I would like to thank those who appointed me for having the courage to break the mold.
[on becoming the chairman of the BBC] I would like to thank those who appointed me for having the courage to break the mold.
[on television watchdog Mary Whitehouse] I think she had little or no effect on the content of television, but she was a very sincere campai...Show more »
[on television watchdog Mary Whitehouse] I think she had little or no effect on the content of television, but she was a very sincere campaigner and she and I debated all over the land about the content of television. She was witty, she was a great debater, she was very courageous and she had a very sincere view but it was out of touch entirely with the real world. Show less «
[on Mary Whitehouse] She really wanted television to be propaganda for a very moral view of the world, not the imperfect world we live in. S...Show more »
[on Mary Whitehouse] She really wanted television to be propaganda for a very moral view of the world, not the imperfect world we live in. She was really detached from the reality of the creative process. Show less «
The basic ethic of broadcasting in this country is trust.
The basic ethic of broadcasting in this country is trust.
[in 2007] We are in an age today where there has been a huge influx of young talent into the industry as it expands. They have not been trai...Show more »
[in 2007] We are in an age today where there has been a huge influx of young talent into the industry as it expands. They have not been trained properly, they don't understand that you do not lie to audiences at any time, in any show - whether it's news or whether it's a quiz show. It's desperately important that we restore trust and that the programme-makers get to understand - whether through hard lessons or through training or a combination of both - that you do not lie to audiences under any circumstances. Show less «
I am acutely aware that the spirit of David Plowright is as relevant today as it ever was. It's a much tougher world these days, as David, I...Show more »
I am acutely aware that the spirit of David Plowright is as relevant today as it ever was. It's a much tougher world these days, as David, I'm sure, would have been the first to recognise. But you have to go on believing what David believed - that the audience is not stupid, that quality and popularity are not mutually exclusive qualities. Be ahead of the tastes of your audience, not behind. I will do my best to rekindle his passion for programmes and programme makers. His impact on British television must never be forgotten, and it never will be forgotten. The high reputation of British television, its central role in the life of the nations and regions owes much to David Plowright. Show less «
We must continually remind ourselves that the trust which our audiences have in our fair dealing as broadcasters is not negotiable, whatever...Show more »
We must continually remind ourselves that the trust which our audiences have in our fair dealing as broadcasters is not negotiable, whatever the pressure, editorial or financial. Show less «
Economic, technical and organizational changes have strained our ability to ensure the highest standards throughout the whole production cha...Show more »
Economic, technical and organizational changes have strained our ability to ensure the highest standards throughout the whole production chain. Show less «
This is not easy to write - as you will readily understand. But here goes - congratulations to all involved in Doctor Who (2005): to whoever...Show more »
This is not easy to write - as you will readily understand. But here goes - congratulations to all involved in Doctor Who (2005): to whoever commissioned it, those who executed it, the writers, the cast, the publicity folk that promoted it, the schedulers and of course the late Sydney Newman who invented the whole thing. I truly enjoyed it and watched it every week with my six and half year old son who is now a fan. A classy, popular triumph for people of all ages and all backgrounds - real value for money for our licence fee payers. PS never dreamed I would ever write this. I must be going soft! Show less «
In a speech I made when I was CEO at Channel 4 I included the words: "It's the BBC that keeps the rest of the industry honest." That is as t...Show more »
In a speech I made when I was CEO at Channel 4 I included the words: "It's the BBC that keeps the rest of the industry honest." That is as true today as it ever was. Show less «
[on leaving the chairmanship of the BBC in 2006] I leave with the feeling that I have done the best I can to secure the future of the instit...Show more »
[on leaving the chairmanship of the BBC in 2006] I leave with the feeling that I have done the best I can to secure the future of the institution about which I will always care so deeply, I leave with some sadness because of all the friends old and new who have been my support over the past two and a half years. What I won't miss is the BBC sandwiches at meetings. They have taken recycling to new heights. Show less «
ITV is a competitor to the BBC, yes. But the BBC does need ITV to be strong, both for competitive reasons and to maintain the balance of pow...Show more »
ITV is a competitor to the BBC, yes. But the BBC does need ITV to be strong, both for competitive reasons and to maintain the balance of power within British public service broadcasting. Show less «
I think temperamentally I have learned in my life that I can do a maximum of three years in the public sector at any one time and I think th...Show more »
I think temperamentally I have learned in my life that I can do a maximum of three years in the public sector at any one time and I think that was about my limit. Show less «
People who keep writing the obituaries for existing broadcasters ignore one thing - they are people who are in love with technology and dist...Show more »
People who keep writing the obituaries for existing broadcasters ignore one thing - they are people who are in love with technology and distribution mechanisms - that the history of the modern media age is littered with casualties of people who believed in technology rather than content. Show less «
Lew (Lew Grade) was very straight and always kept his word. He relied entirely on his instincts. And his judgement was very good. He wouldn'...Show more »
Lew (Lew Grade) was very straight and always kept his word. He relied entirely on his instincts. And his judgement was very good. He wouldn't have lasted two minutes if he had no judgement, or if he was selling crap all the time. He picked good people and let them get on with it. The difference now is that everything is done by committee, they squeeze the life out of creativity. Show less «
[on turning down the chance to broadcast X Files: aux frontières du réel (1993) when he was at Channel 4, which he has describ...Show more »
[on turning down the chance to broadcast X Files: aux frontières du réel (1993) when he was at Channel 4, which he has described as the worst mistake of his career] We said, 'This will never run - it's complete garbage,' which shows you how wrong you can be. The pilot wasn't that good and the series improved but that was a terrible mistake. In the end we don't decide what's a hit, the audience decides. Show less «
I have never sued anybody in my life and I've had lots of opportunity. But I and my family - my father and my two uncles, although they've a...Show more »
I have never sued anybody in my life and I've had lots of opportunity. But I and my family - my father and my two uncles, although they've all gone now - have had an enduring reputation for probity, integrity and honesty. I feel a huge responsibility to maintain that. You can call me anything you like - say I'm ugly or past it - but don't tell me that I've behaved in a way that's not correct. Show less «
[in 1985 about his decision to put Docteur Who (1963) on hiatus] The response of Docteur Who (1963) enthusiasts is bordering on the hysteric...Show more »
[in 1985 about his decision to put Docteur Who (1963) on hiatus] The response of Docteur Who (1963) enthusiasts is bordering on the hysterical given the exact nature of the BBC's decision. Docteur Who (1963) has not been cancelled, just delayed for a year. The ratings for the current season have been disappointing and we need time to consider the reasons for this. The current series is an experimental 45-minute length and this has not proved as popular as we had hoped. We were looking to make some financial savings in the coming year and it seems that after 21 years a short rest would do the Doctor no harm at all. Long-running television series do get tired and it is because we want another 21 years of Docteur Who (1963) that we have prescribed a good rest. Show less «
The truth about Docteur Who (1963) is that it was a target for a cut, because the show's not doing very well. It's overly violent. It's losi...Show more »
The truth about Docteur Who (1963) is that it was a target for a cut, because the show's not doing very well. It's overly violent. It's losing audiences. It's appeal is not what it was. It's not getting new generations of children. We needed time to take it off the air and get it right. Show less «
The people who make it have got rather complacent. The show got rather violent and lost a lot of its imagination, a lot of its wit, and was ...Show more »
The people who make it have got rather complacent. The show got rather violent and lost a lot of its imagination, a lot of its wit, and was relying far too much on straightforward on-the-nose violence and had failed really to capture a new audience. There's no question of it being killed off. There is going to be another series next year. The problem with the programme was that it had been losing its appeal. I decided that it was time to take stock, to look at the show, to rethink the scripts, to rethink the shape of the programme, to think how we might revitalise Docteur Who (1963) so that it's going to last another 20 years. Show less «
[in 2008] I do think the prevalence of bad language such as the F-word is a little bit unrestrained. I am not calling for it to be banned bu...Show more »
[in 2008] I do think the prevalence of bad language such as the F-word is a little bit unrestrained. I am not calling for it to be banned but I don't think we take enough care over the use of the F-word and similar words. It used to be that you had to get very senior sign-off to use that word in any show. I am not sure what the rules are these days. Clearly not enough consideration is given to a very large section of the audience who don't want to hear that word or such words. You have to know where you are using it and give it some extra consideration. It seems to be indiscriminate now. Show less «
[on Doctor Who (2005)] The Doctor's back, he has beaten me. It (Docteur Who (1963)) was a very clunky studio show, it was as if the producer...Show more »
[on Doctor Who (2005)] The Doctor's back, he has beaten me. It (Docteur Who (1963)) was a very clunky studio show, it was as if the producers had not been to see any Spielberg (Steven Spielberg) films, or Star Wars [La guerre des étoiles (1977)]. It got left behind. Now of course the filmic quality, the production values that BBC Wales has put into the show has transformed it and I have to admit that I am now a keen viewer. Show less «
The BBC is like China - it has been invaded many times but it has not been conquered. The BBC, if it's not independent, is not worth tuppenc...Show more »
The BBC is like China - it has been invaded many times but it has not been conquered. The BBC, if it's not independent, is not worth tuppence of your licence money. Show less «
[in 2006] It is my judgement that the quality of BBC programming is beginning to improve overall quite markedly. There is a lot of weeding g...Show more »
[in 2006] It is my judgement that the quality of BBC programming is beginning to improve overall quite markedly. There is a lot of weeding going on every year. There aren't going to be any more lifestyle programmes on the BBC unless they are very innovative and exceptional. Show less «
I sit in the Lords and listen to the debates on the welfare bills - you know, welfare has now become an entitlement. It's not a safety net a...Show more »
I sit in the Lords and listen to the debates on the welfare bills - you know, welfare has now become an entitlement. It's not a safety net any more, it's an entitlement. The words that should be banned in this country are, 'What is the Government doing about this?' Well, what are you doing about it? I'm a huge believer in the welfare state - if you are really struggling, then that's what the state should do, help people. But it's got to ridiculous extremes. Show less «
I can see my grandmother in the East End in 1919, taking in washing, borrowing, buying and selling to try and pay the rent, without governme...Show more »
I can see my grandmother in the East End in 1919, taking in washing, borrowing, buying and selling to try and pay the rent, without government assistance. If she could do it, a lot more people could do that today. Show less «
It's a great privilege to live in this country. We were very lucky we were taken in here. I think we've contributed - we've paid our taxes a...Show more »
It's a great privilege to live in this country. We were very lucky we were taken in here. I think we've contributed - we've paid our taxes and created businesses and worked hard. Show less «
I think the BBC has become too bureaucratic. I commissioned The Singing Detective (1986) in the loo. I bumped into Jonathan Powell, the head...Show more »
I think the BBC has become too bureaucratic. I commissioned The Singing Detective (1986) in the loo. I bumped into Jonathan Powell, the head of drama. He said, 'I've just had a meeting with 'Dennis Potter'. He's got a thing called The Singing Detective.' I said, 'OK, we'll do it.' That was it. What's missing today, to a certain extent, are people's instincts. You're not allowed to trust your instincts. Show less «
I do think there was a golden age of television. I think it lasted about 30 years. The stuff that poured out of ITV and the BBC through the ...Show more »
I do think there was a golden age of television. I think it lasted about 30 years. The stuff that poured out of ITV and the BBC through the late 60s, 70s and 80s was just gobsmacking - Play for Today, Armchair Theatre, drama series, documentary series, current affairs. The golden age was a matter of finance. The BBC had had a huge increase in the license fee because of colour television. They could hardly spend the money. ITV had a monopoly, money was plentiful, you could take any risk you wanted to - you could do 26 hours of The World at War, you could do Evelyn Waugh. Show less «
There are three established UK institutions you would not invent today if you had a blank sheet of paper and were "creating" a new Great Bri...Show more »
There are three established UK institutions you would not invent today if you had a blank sheet of paper and were "creating" a new Great Britain: a hereditary monarchy, an unelected second legislature (the House of Lords) and, yes, the British Broadcasting Corporation. The arguments against these "anachronisms" are more powerful and more easily articulated than the arguments in favour of their continued existence. Yet, somehow, their emotional grip on the hearts and minds of the British people seems likely to hold sway for generations to come. Show less «
[on "I Only Want to be with You" by Dusty Springfield] Still great. Enduring, absolutely enduring. One of the greatest female artists I thin...Show more »
[on "I Only Want to be with You" by Dusty Springfield] Still great. Enduring, absolutely enduring. One of the greatest female artists I think we've ever produced. Show less «
[on Sir Jimmy Savile] I never heard anything that gave me cause to think we would need to investigate or do anything about it, no, but I thi...Show more »
[on Sir Jimmy Savile] I never heard anything that gave me cause to think we would need to investigate or do anything about it, no, but I think there were question marks, certainly. But the entertainment industry is awash on a sea of rumours. Show less «
My late father Leslie Grade brought Jerry Lee Lewis over for a tour in the late Fifties and the tour had to be cancelled because he'd brough...Show more »
My late father Leslie Grade brought Jerry Lee Lewis over for a tour in the late Fifties and the tour had to be cancelled because he'd brought with him his 12-year-old bride which caused something of a sensation. That's the way they do things down there. But the tour had to be cancelled in the end, there was such a public outrage. Show less «
Michael Grade's Photos
