In the 70’s this kid would sometimes stumble on this peculiar program featuring upbeat, chipper presenters cobbling together different art projects that I found oddly mesmerizing and a change of pace from my usual tv diet of explosions and whatnot. Catchy music, especially the closing and opening themes, and for those who remember the show, who can forget the wonderful pokey tune of Harry the Turtle?
Growing up in the PNW, I always thought the British program was a Seattle production. (Indeed: just found out in wikithat KOMO tv in Seattle aired their own episodes along with the BBC ones, and was called “Jim Brown’s Vision On”, and so I guess Jim was some Seattle guy).
It struck me as a little odd, back then, that there was no dialogue, and so I was also surprised to learn in wiki that it was primarily for deaf children.
Anyone else remember this show?
I remember watching that show as a kid but I never knew it was a BBC production. I guess I saw it on Public Broadcasting. I enjoyed it. I especially remember the segment with the Gurney Slade theme.
Watched the British version every week.
It was a big hit during my childhood in New Zealand. The music is especially memorable, hitting the nostalgia notes every time.
It starred Tony Hart, an artist who helped create Morph, which was a plasticine character animated by Aardman. And it also was where I first saw Seventh Doctor Who Sylvester McCoy, as the guy who lived in the mirror and did everything backwards.
Another NZ watcher of Vision On.
The format was replicated in Take Hart, another art show (starring Tony Hart) that followed after Vision On ended production.
Also Wilf Lunn was in it - madcap scientist type
I still remember the logo that turned into a bug and hopped away, and the animated workman who was always digging a hole and stoically unearthing weird stuff. Great show.
I LOVED that show! (70’s kid in Canada here.) Yeah the logo would mirror itself, turn sideways to become the bug, and hop away. I looked forward to that part.
I didn’t know until I was an adult with the Internet that the show was intended for kids who were hearing impaired.
And a young Sylvester McCoy, later to become Doctor Who.
Watched it regularly as a kid in the 60s until maybe 1971 or so.
The Tony Hart section was always worth watching and the other part I remember well is the Gallery showcasing viewers’ art which they sent in.
I always knew it was aimed at hearing-impaired children… I occasionally thought that maybe I shouldn’t be watching it because I could hear perfectly well and wasn’t the target audience!