| Runtime: | 30 minutes (including adverts) |
| Creator: | Martin Wyatt |
| Company: | Mike Mansfield Enterprises |
| Executive Producer: | Mike Mansfield |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Network: | Channel 4 |
| Num Series: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 6 |
Minipops is a television series broadcast in 1983 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. Designed primarily for younger viewers, it consisted of music performances on a brightly coloured set featuring preteen children singing then-contemporary pop music hits and older classics. The children were usually made to look like the original performers, including clothing and make-up. Controversy over children singing songs that often contained a subtext of adult content (in adult costumes and make-up) led to the show's cancellation after one series.[1] [2]
Minipops was the brainchild of Martin Wyatt, who created a new child group from London called the MiniPops and released an album in 1982 which reached the top 30 in the UK and Europe. This resulted in a French record label releasing a single from the album, "Stupid Cupid", which was sung by Martin Wyatt's young daughter Jo. The song reached number 1 in France, knocking "Ebony and Ivory" off the top spot.[3]
Head of Entertainment Cecil Korer at Channel 4 and record producer Mike Mansfield embraced the idea of producing a TV show around the MiniPops; Korer believed it would boost and broaden the group's audience appeal. On 4 July 1982, thousands of amateur child performers from across Britain descended on a London theatre for the audition in a search to find additional children to sing and star in the television show with the original five members of the group.[3]
The programme began attracting criticism from commentators in the British media for the portrayal of children in this manner.[4] One caller on Channel 4's Right to Reply programme stated, "Minipops should be called MiniWhores. Are you people out of your mind?"[3] [5]
Seven albums were produced and released in the UK, Europe and Canada.
Before the television show:
After the television show:
In Canada We're the Mini Pops was successful, becoming the third-highest-selling album in Canada at the time. This prompted the Minipops to hold a three-week tour in 1983, enjoying controversy-free success.[3]
A number of singles were released across Europe.