THE CRUNCH! Segment - Lost media - Nickelodeon UK 2006

Very pleased to present this ultra rare clip from the lost Nickelodeon UK show *The Crunch!,* which was an interstitial morning show that aired weekdays from 2005-2006. The show was incredibly stylized, innovative, and creative. It was a top-rated show for the network at the time, and coincided with a period of huge growth for the channel. It featured comedy sketches, games, viewer contests, and celebrity guests, all taking place on a surreal set, designed to look like the basement of 'Nick Towers.' It was one of the last big presenter-led shows on Nickelodeon UK, and as such, is something of a culmination of everything that came before it, and everything that made Nick UK unique.

This clip is likely from early 2006, and includes the wrap-up of a segment called 'Pool Idol,' and a mock horse race skit called 'SCUMM National.' It also features a young Ed Petrie (with a strangely ever-expanding bow tie), before he became famous presenting for CBBC. A big thanks to the former crew member who sent this footage and allowed it to be shared here.

Unfortunately, *The Crunch* is now considered lost media, as the network didn't save any archive of the show. All sources indicate that the master tapes were thrown out or lost during the move of Nickelodeon UK's headquarters from Rathbone Place to the much smaller shared space at MTV Studios, circa 2010. The show likely survives only on viewer-made home recordings, and very few of such clips have surfaced. Although approximately 400 episodes were made, there are no complete episodes online.

*The Crunch* is a lost gem, and my personal favourite Nickelodeon show. If you have any footage at all, or if you can help in the search for this show, please consider getting in touch. I'd be happy to work something out, and would be very grateful to hear from anyone.