FA Cup final: Cup final hell – how the TV build-up used to be

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/17/fa-cup-final-tv-build-up

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It never used to be like this. Once upon a time, the build-up to the FA Cup final on television was not a mere two hours as it is on Saturday, but an epic, interminable, luxurious TV event. You'd close the curtains, shut out the sun, clear the diary and settle down on the settee for hour after hour of interviews, analysis, shots of fans walking up Wembley Way and Des Lynam trying desperately to fill the time, with all the while the stadium slowy filling up in the background.

The need to fill so much air-time often led to programme makers getting, well, 'creative'. Take these fans in the famous black leather chair for Cup Final Mastermind:

When the interviews with players and optimistic fans ran out, a more inventive approach was sometimes needed. In 1985, for example, Bob Wilson attempted to interview a labrador:

Other sports were sometimes needed to fill in the hours. Here's Jimmy White and Alex Higgins trying a few trick shots …

… and Gary Lineker taking on Mark Lawrenson on the baize:

Other options included It's A Knockout competitions between fans, such as the one before the 1975 final, when supporters of West Ham and Fulham clashed in a winner-takes-all balloon-crushing race:

Comedians could always be brought in to lighten the mood. Eric Morecambe's gentle ribbing of Kenny Dalglish's accent was a winner, while Russ Abbott wasn't quite so successful:

And if all else failed you could always just stick Des Lynam in a bath: