Channel 4 is making some of its classic comedy shows available on its catch-up service All 4 to mark World Alzheimer’s Day.
Watching films and TV shows from the past can benefit people with Alzheimer’s by acting as a memory aid, so Channel 4 will also be broadcasting its original 1982 Lambie-Nairn idents on Saturday 21st September as well as releasing ‘Old Favourites’.
Viewers will be able to re-watch nostalgia-inducing titles including The Comic Strip (1982), Crapston Villas (1995), Porterhouse Blues (1987), Terry & Julian (1992) , The Jack Dee Show (1992), Paul Merton – The Series (1991), Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990), Sean Show’s (1992) and Desmond’s (1989).
This collection will be promoted with a social video on Channel 4’s Twitter and Instagram made in collaboration with four continuity announcers, in which they discuss the benefits of old TV shows in bringing back fond memories and positive feelings.
Channel 4’s continuity announcers will hand over their mics to the staff of the series The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes who are each living with dementia. Peter Berry, Sue Strachan, Sean Blackmore and Shelley Shephard will be making C4’s announcements during which they will be sharing with viewers stats and facts from the Alzheimer’s Society about the disease, to assist people living with the condition or supporting people who are.
James Walker, Marketing and Media Controller said: “We’re really proud to be raising awareness of World Alzheimer’s Day and working with the wonderful cast of The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes again. Channel 4 has a strong track record in encouraging viewers to talk about mental health which is still too often a taboo subject.”
The activity will carry the hashtag #WorldAlzheimersDay, encouraging viewers to join in the conversation on social media.
This Saturday The Alzheimer’s Society are celebrating reaching three million Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends - the UK’s biggest ever initiative to change the stigma of dementia and change people’s perceptions of the condition.
