The Big Smoke

LWT and Thames TV began broadcasting 40 years ago this week, overcoming industrial disputes, financial difficulties and a brush with Rupert Murdoch to produce some of the best British TV around, and Love Thy Neighbour. In this week's issue, Gabriel Tate discusses seminal moments with Melvyn Bragg, John Hurt and Michael Palin, which the Big Smoke blog can now bring to you courtesy of YouTube.

A South Bank Show from 1984 featuring Paul McCartney and a Melvyn Bragg introduction.

The credits for The Big Match, when men were men and football was crap.

The opening episode of the brilliant World At War.

Somebody out there loves Dempsey And Makepeace.

The programme that broke Thames – Death On The Rock.

Hurt hamming it up in a wonderful excerpt from The Naked Civil Servant.

Do Not Adjust Your Set , it's Michael Palin and David Jason.

An extract from Kevin Brownlow's superb Buster Keaton documentary.

The Sex Pistols v Bill Grundy.

The last day of Thames.

And farewell LWT.