The A Force (1996)

Late Night Black Entertainment slot on BBC 2 which ran for 3 series in 1996-1997, containing various shows all under the umbrella title The A Force. Programmes within the slot included the topical panel show Blouse And Skirt, hosted by broadcaster Tony Morris, with regular panellists Curtis Walker and Gina Yashere, and featuring such performers as Craig Charles, Angie Le Mar and Junior Simpson throughout the 3 series run, eventually gaining a spin off series in 2000. A dating show Get It On was hosted by radio personality Angie Greaves and comedian Geoff Schumann, and the soap opera Brothers And Sisters, starring David Harewood, Nina Baden Semper and Sandra Bee was so popular that it too earned a spin off series. Felix Dexter provided the links during the 1996 series, in the form of various character monologues. For Series 2 and 3 Marcus Powell (in the comic guise of "Roy Diamond") hosted a chat show segment, featuring guests such as Frank Bruno, Bernie Grant, Desiree and Ainsley Harriott. The A Force was a two hour segment on Friday nights aimed at Afro-Caribbean people, with drama, stand up comedy, game shows and entertainment reviews.