| Runtime: | 22 minutes |
| Developer: | NBdC |
| Country: | France |
| Network: | BBC1 (United Kingdom) BBC2 (DEF II programme strand) Canal+ (France) |
| First Aired: | (BBC version)[1] |
| Last Aired: | (BBC version)[2] |
Rapido was the name of a French music programme presented by Antoine de Caunes in 1987. After the BBC’s head of youth and entertainment Janet Street-Porter saw the programme, she decided to commission an English-language version with de Caunes, which would become part of her DEF II programming block on BBC2.[3] [4] [5] The English-language version of Rapido ran from 1988 to 1992, with the show usually debuting new episodes on a Wednesday night in DEF II's early evening slot, though episodes from the first series were initially scheduled after Question Time's Thursday night episode on BBC1 from November 1988.[6] [7] [8]
The show which would feature reports from up-and-coming new bands, European acts (like Françoise Hardy, and Violent Eves)[9] and established acts like Robert Plant,[10] Jeff Beck,[11] the Grateful Dead,[12] John Lee Hooker and Randy Newman.[13] These reports would be narrated in the BBC version by Lisa I'Anson, linked together with footage of De Caunes standing in front of a large Rapido sign on a white background. These parts were directed in France by Bernard Faroux, while the main titles for this Anglo-French TV music show were designed by French fashion photographer and music video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino.[14] [15] [16] [17] The last BBC edition was broadcast on 25 March 1992 as part of DEF II[18] and featured reports on The Cure, Annie Lennox, The Verve, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Rosie the Raving Granny.[19]
Rapido ran in over 14 countries worldwide.[20] and gave the name to the production company Rapido TV (later Planet Rapido) which created the late night Channel 4 television show Eurotrash.
Rapido was notable for De Caunes' idiosyncratic delivery. His English is completely fluent, but he (deliberately) spoke it with French intonations and speech rhythms on the programme.[21]