UK TV from the past

[thecooldud]

That happened as a season cliffhanger on Soap, and then The Colbys later did it for real!

[Steedeel]

Anyone remember Joe 90?

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Anyone remember Joe 90?

For some weird reason, I remember the opening sequence pretty well, but other than that, I can't really recall much of the episodes themselves. It was probably one of those shows I dipped into now and again but never really followed it regularly.

[CV19]

Here's one I do remember more - good old Thunderbirds:

"Thunderbirds": HD Restored Title Sequence - YouTube

[CV19]

How about The Muppet Show. In particular, I loved the 'Pigs In Space' sketches.

This example below is a remake, but I couldn't resist posting it as it's a parody of the Alien film and is a good example of how funny the original sketches were:

The Muppets | Pigs in Space | “Alien: Look Who’s Coming to Dinner� - YouTube

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

How about The Muppet Show. In particular, I loved the 'Pigs In Space' sketches.

This example below is a remake, but I couldn't resist posting it as it's a parody of the Alien film and is a good example of how funny the original sketches were:

The Muppets | Pigs in Space | “Alien: Look Who’s Coming to Dinner� - YouTube

I was never really into the muppets. The music was a reminder I had school the next day!

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I was never really into the muppets. The music was a reminder I had school the next day!

I must have been about 9 or 10 years old when I watched them. Some sketches weren't that funny, but the Pigs In Space sketches and the two old geezers sat on the balcony criticising everything were quite funny at times I thought.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

The music was a reminder I had school the next day!

This is the music that reminded me of school the next day:

Esther Rantzen - That's Life - 1981 episode - YouTube

I can't say I really liked the show that much. It was always shown on a Sunday evening (late 70's) and not having a video in those days, there wasn't anything else really worth watching - so this show was nearly always what we ended up watching. The music/opening titles at the start always reminded me that the weekend had come to an end.
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I started working in 1985, and this show reminded me of work the next day as it was shown on a Sunday evening as well:
At least the theme tune was pleasant enough - not like That's Life!

Howards' Way - opening intro - YouTube

[Geoff D]

Holy shit that Howard's Way one brings back a lot of feels, I always remember the ending to one ep with someone falling into the water in slow motion and they wus ded, ded I tells ya

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

This is the music that reminded me of school the next day:

Esther Rantzen - That's Life - 1981 episode - YouTube

I can't say I really liked the show that much. It was always shown on a Sunday evening (late 70's) and not having a video in those days, there wasn't anything else really worth watching - so this show was nearly always what we ended up watching. The music/opening titles at the start always reminded me that the weekend had come to an end.
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I started working in 1985, and this show reminded me of work the next day as it was shown on a Sunday evening as well:
At least the theme tune was pleasant enough - not like That's Life!

Howards' Way - opening intro - YouTube

Yeah, watched it every week. .

[CV19]

A post made on another thread gave me an idea about viewing figures from the past. Just for a bit of fun, these are the Top 10 figures in millions (as per BARB) for each year in the 1980's:


1981

1 Film: Jaws - 08 Oct 1981 - ITV 23.30
2 Film: Diamonds are Forever - ITV 22.20
3 Royal Wedding - 29 Jul 1981 - BBC1/ITV 21.70
4 The Benny Hill Show - ITV 20.00
5 This Is Your Life - ITV 19.80
6 Coronation Street - ITV 18.80
7 To The Manor Born - 29 Nov 1981 - BBC1 17.80
8 Shelley - ITV 17.70
9 Magnum - ITV 17.60
10 Seven Dials of Mystery - ITV 17.60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982

1 Film: The Spy Who Loved Me - 28 Mar 1982 - ITV 22.90
2 This Is Your Life - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 19.30
3 Coronation Street - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.95
4 Film: Force 10 From Navarone - 10 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.90
5 The Gentle Touch - 08 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.10
6 The Benny Hill Show - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.95
7 Family Fortunes - 09 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.35
8 ITN News - 25 Apr 1982 - ITV 17.25
9 London Night Out - 13 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.20
10 Play Your Cards Right - 08 Jan 1982 - ITV 16.85
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1983

1 Coronation Street - 23 Feb 1983 - ITV 18.45
2 Film: Superman - 06 Jan 1983 - ITV 16.75
3 This Is Your Life - 05 Jan 1983 - ITV 16.55
4 It'll Be Alright on the Night - 04 Feb 1983 - ITV 16.00
5 Last of the Summer Wine - 30 Jan 1983 - BBC1 15.95
6 Film: Jaws II - 09 Jan 1983 - ITV 15.80
7 Film: The Man With The Golden Gun - 06 Mar 1983 - ITV 15.70
8 Family Fortunes - 25 Mar 1983 - ITV 15.25
9 Miss World 1983 - 17 Nov 1983 - ITV 14.95
10 Name That Tune - 26 Oct 1983 - ITV 14.75
10 Wish You Were Here - 21 Feb 1983 - ITV 14.75
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1984

1 The Royal Variety Performance 1984 - 25 Nov 1984 - BBC1 20.55
2 Coronation Street - 14 Nov 1984 - ITV 20.45
3 Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark - 25 Dec 1984 - ITV 19.35
3 Porridge - 27 Dec 1984 - BBC1 19.35
5 Film: Airplane - 26 Dec 1984 - ITV 18.10
6 Film: Kramer v Kramer - 30 Dec 1984 - BBC1 18.00
7 Bullseye - 23 Dec 1984 - ITV 17.60
8 Minder - 10 Oct 1984 - ITV 17.50
9 Film: Mary Poppins - 25 Dec 1984 - BBC1 17.35
10 Miss World 1984 - 15 Nov 1984 - ITV 17.10
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1985

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 26+ 29 Dec 1985 - BBC1 23.55
2 Coronation Street - 02 Jan 1985 - ITV 21.40
3 Wish You Were Here - 02 Jan 1985 - ITV 18.95
3 Open All Hours - 06 Oct 1985 - BBC1 18.95
5 Last Of The Summer Wine - 10 Feb 1985 - BBC1 18.80
6 The Prince & Princess of Wales - 20 Oct 1985 - ITV 18.60
7 It'll Be Alright on the Night - 11 Jan 1985 - ITV 18.55
8 The Two Ronnies - 25 Dec 1985 - BBC1 18.50
9 That's Life - 17 Feb 1985 - BBC1 18.35
10 World Featherweight Championship (Barry McGuigan v Eusebio Pedroza) - 08 Jun 1985 - BBC1 18.00
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1986

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 25+ 28 Dec 1986 - BBC1 30.15
2 Just Good Friends - 25 Dec 1986 - BBC1 20.75
3 Coronation Street - 25 Feb 1986 - ITV 19.25
4 Only Fools & Horses - w/e 05 Oct 1986 - BBC1 18.80
5 Prince & Princess of Wales In Private and in Public - 22 Sep 1986 - ITV 18.45
6 World Featherweight Championship (Barry McGuigan v Denilo Cabrera) - 15 Feb 1986 - BBC1 18.30
7 Blind Date - 22 Nov 1986 - ITV 18.20
8 Last of the Summer Wine - 05 Jan 1986 - BBC1 18.10
9 People Do The Funniest Things - 10 Jan 1986 - ITV 17.85
10 Duty Free - 08 Jan 1986 - ITV 17.35
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1987

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 1+ 04 Jan 1987 - BBC1 28.00
2 Coronation Street - (*aggregated) 25+ 27 Dec 1987 - ITV 26.65
3 A Question Of Sport - 05 Feb 1987 - BBC1 19.05
4 Film: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 25 Dec 1987 - BBC1 18.95
5 Grand Royal Knockout Tournament - 16 Jun 1987 - BBC1 18.35
6 Wish You Were Here - (*aggregated) 12+ 16 Jan 1987 - ITV 18.05
7 It'll Be Alright On Xmas Night - w/e 27 Dec 1987 - ITV 17.95
8 Challenge Anneka (Children In Need) - 27 Nov 1987 - BBC1 17.20
9 Don't Wait Up - w/e 05 Apr 1987 - BBC1 16.65
10 Film: Love Bug - w/e 04 Jan 1987 - ITV 16.55
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1988

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 7+ 10 Jan 1988 - BBC1 24.15
2 Bread - 11 Dec 1988 - BBC1 20.95
3 Neighbours - (*aggregated, lunchtime+teatime showing) 08 Nov 1988 - BBC1 19.60
4 The Royal Variety Performance 1988 - 26 Nov 1988 - BBC1 18.15
4 Coronation Street - 04 Jan 1988 - ITV 18.15
6 Film: For Your Eyes Only - 04 Apr 1988 - ITV 17.80
7 Last of the Summer Wine - w/e 25 Dec 1988 - BBC1 17.10
8 Allo Allo - 24 Dec 1988 - BBC1 17.05
9 Question of Sport Meets Spitting Image - w/e 07 Feb 1988 - BBC1 16.40
10 Comic Relief - 05 Feb 1988 - BBC1 16.40
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1989

1 Film: Crocodile Dundee - 25 Dec 1989 - BBC1 21.77
2 Neighbours - (*aggregated, lunchtime+teatime showing) 03 Jan 1989 - BBC1 20.48
3 Only Fools and Horses - 25 Dec 1989 - BBC1 20.12
4 Coronation Street - 20 Mar 1989 - ITV 19.01
5 Blind Date - 18 Nov 1989 - ITV 16.86
6 Bread - 31 Dec 1989 - BBC1 16.51
7 Eastenders - 28 Dec 1989 - BBC1 15.88
8 Forever Green - w/e 12 Mar 1989 - ITV 15.75
9 Inspector Morse - w/e 29 Jan 1989 - ITV 15.49
10 Film: The Man with the Golden Gun - w/e 02 Apr 1989 - ITV 15.48
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[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

A post made on another thread gave me an idea about viewing figures from the past. Just for a bit of fun, these are the Top 10 figures in millions (as per BARB) for each year in the 1980's:


1981

1 Film: Jaws - 08 Oct 1981 - ITV 23.30
2 Film: Diamonds are Forever - ITV 22.20
3 Royal Wedding - 29 Jul 1981 - BBC1/ITV 21.70
4 The Benny Hill Show - ITV 20.00
5 This Is Your Life - ITV 19.80
6 Coronation Street - ITV 18.80
7 To The Manor Born - 29 Nov 1981 - BBC1 17.80
8 Shelley - ITV 17.70
9 Magnum - ITV 17.60
10 Seven Dials of Mystery - ITV 17.60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982

1 Film: The Spy Who Loved Me - 28 Mar 1982 - ITV 22.90
2 This Is Your Life - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 19.30
3 Coronation Street - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.95
4 Film: Force 10 From Navarone - 10 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.90
5 The Gentle Touch - 08 Jan 1982 - ITV 18.10
6 The Benny Hill Show - 06 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.95
7 Family Fortunes - 09 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.35
8 ITN News - 25 Apr 1982 - ITV 17.25
9 London Night Out - 13 Jan 1982 - ITV 17.20
10 Play Your Cards Right - 08 Jan 1982 - ITV 16.85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1983

1 Coronation Street - 23 Feb 1983 - ITV 18.45
2 Film: Superman - 06 Jan 1983 - ITV 16.75
3 This Is Your Life - 05 Jan 1983 - ITV 16.55
4 It'll Be Alright on the Night - 04 Feb 1983 - ITV 16.00
5 Last of the Summer Wine - 30 Jan 1983 - BBC1 15.95
6 Film: Jaws II - 09 Jan 1983 - ITV 15.80
7 Film: The Man With The Golden Gun - 06 Mar 1983 - ITV 15.70
8 Family Fortunes - 25 Mar 1983 - ITV 15.25
9 Miss World 1983 - 17 Nov 1983 - ITV 14.95
10 Name That Tune - 26 Oct 1983 - ITV 14.75
10 Wish You Were Here - 21 Feb 1983 - ITV 14.75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1984

1 The Royal Variety Performance 1984 - 25 Nov 1984 - BBC1 20.55
2 Coronation Street - 14 Nov 1984 - ITV 20.45
3 Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark - 25 Dec 1984 - ITV 19.35
3 Porridge - 27 Dec 1984 - BBC1 19.35
5 Film: Airplane - 26 Dec 1984 - ITV 18.10
6 Film: Kramer v Kramer - 30 Dec 1984 - BBC1 18.00
7 Bullseye - 23 Dec 1984 - ITV 17.60
8 Minder - 10 Oct 1984 - ITV 17.50
9 Film: Mary Poppins - 25 Dec 1984 - BBC1 17.35
10 Miss World 1984 - 15 Nov 1984 - ITV 17.10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 26+ 29 Dec 1985 - BBC1 23.55
2 Coronation Street - 02 Jan 1985 - ITV 21.40
3 Wish You Were Here - 02 Jan 1985 - ITV 18.95
3 Open All Hours - 06 Oct 1985 - BBC1 18.95
5 Last Of The Summer Wine - 10 Feb 1985 - BBC1 18.80
6 The Prince & Princess of Wales - 20 Oct 1985 - ITV 18.60
7 It'll Be Alright on the Night - 11 Jan 1985 - ITV 18.55
8 The Two Ronnies - 25 Dec 1985 - BBC1 18.50
9 That's Life - 17 Feb 1985 - BBC1 18.35
10 World Featherweight Championship (Barry McGuigan v Eusebio Pedroza) - 08 Jun 1985 - BBC1 18.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 25+ 28 Dec 1986 - BBC1 30.15
2 Just Good Friends - 25 Dec 1986 - BBC1 20.75
3 Coronation Street - 25 Feb 1986 - ITV 19.25
4 Only Fools & Horses - w/e 05 Oct 1986 - BBC1 18.80
5 Prince & Princess of Wales In Private and in Public - 22 Sep 1986 - ITV 18.45
6 World Featherweight Championship (Barry McGuigan v Denilo Cabrera) - 15 Feb 1986 - BBC1 18.30
7 Blind Date - 22 Nov 1986 - ITV 18.20
8 Last of the Summer Wine - 05 Jan 1986 - BBC1 18.10
9 People Do The Funniest Things - 10 Jan 1986 - ITV 17.85
10 Duty Free - 08 Jan 1986 - ITV 17.35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1987

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 1+ 04 Jan 1987 - BBC1 28.00
2 Coronation Street - (*aggregated) 25+ 27 Dec 1987 - ITV 26.65
3 A Question Of Sport - 05 Feb 1987 - BBC1 19.05
4 Film: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 25 Dec 1987 - BBC1 18.95
5 Grand Royal Knockout Tournament - 16 Jun 1987 - BBC1 18.35
6 Wish You Were Here - (*aggregated) 12+ 16 Jan 1987 - ITV 18.05
7 It'll Be Alright On Xmas Night - w/e 27 Dec 1987 - ITV 17.95
8 Challenge Anneka (Children In Need) - 27 Nov 1987 - BBC1 17.20
9 Don't Wait Up - w/e 05 Apr 1987 - BBC1 16.65
10 Film: Love Bug - w/e 04 Jan 1987 - ITV 16.55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988

1 Eastenders - (*aggregated) 7+ 10 Jan 1988 - BBC1 24.15
2 Bread - 11 Dec 1988 - BBC1 20.95
3 Neighbours - (*aggregated, lunchtime+teatime showing) 08 Nov 1988 - BBC1 19.60
4 The Royal Variety Performance 1988 - 26 Nov 1988 - BBC1 18.15
4 Coronation Street - 04 Jan 1988 - ITV 18.15
6 Film: For Your Eyes Only - 04 Apr 1988 - ITV 17.80
7 Last of the Summer Wine - w/e 25 Dec 1988 - BBC1 17.10
8 Allo Allo - 24 Dec 1988 - BBC1 17.05
9 Question of Sport Meets Spitting Image - w/e 07 Feb 1988 - BBC1 16.40
10 Comic Relief - 05 Feb 1988 - BBC1 16.40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989

1 Film: Crocodile Dundee - 25 Dec 1989 - BBC1 21.77
2 Neighbours - (*aggregated, lunchtime+teatime showing) 03 Jan 1989 - BBC1 20.48
3 Only Fools and Horses - 25 Dec 1989 - BBC1 20.12
4 Coronation Street - 20 Mar 1989 - ITV 19.01
5 Blind Date - 18 Nov 1989 - ITV 16.86
6 Bread - 31 Dec 1989 - BBC1 16.51
7 Eastenders - 28 Dec 1989 - BBC1 15.88
8 Forever Green - w/e 12 Mar 1989 - ITV 15.75
9 Inspector Morse - w/e 29 Jan 1989 - ITV 15.49
10 Film: The Man with the Golden Gun - w/e 02 Apr 1989 - ITV 15.48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Those were the days!

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Those were the days!

Indeed they were. It's a pity there doesn't appear to be figures for earlier years, but the days when a film could attract 20 million+ viewers on TV I think have long gone. Funnily enough I can actually remember Airplane being premiered back in 1984. Still a very funny film for me even after seeing it many, many times.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

Indeed they were. It's a pity there doesn't appear to be figures for earlier years, but the days when a film could attract 20 million+ viewers on TV I think have long gone. Funnily enough I can actually remember Airplane being premiered back in 1984. Still a very funny film for me even after seeing it many, many times.

I just belly laughed throughout the entire film.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I just belly laughed throughout the entire film.

Airplane was for me the best of the spoof comedies. I even liked Airplane 2, but I also enjoy Zucker's Naked Gun films with Leslie Nielsen. I remember going to see the first Naked Gun film at the cinema and it was packed out. It was probably the only comedy I can recall seeing at the pictures where the entire audience was laughing out loud.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

Airplane was for me the best of the spoof comedies. I even liked Airplane 2, but I also enjoy Zucker's Naked Gun films with Leslie Nielsen. I remember going to see the first Naked Gun film at the cinema and it was packed out. It was probably the only comedy I can recall seeing at the pictures where the entire audience was laughing out loud.

I miss those comedies. Most modern ones are trash with bad overacting.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I miss those comedies. Most modern ones are trash with bad overacting.

Oh I agree. Admittedly comedy is fairly subjective, but I just don't find today's comedies as good or as funny.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

Oh I agree. Admittedly comedy is fairly subjective, but I just don't find today's comedies as good or as funny.

Tv wise, The Office is easilly the best comedy tv show from the last 20 years for me. Loved the Inbetweeners also.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Tv wise, The Office is easilly the best comedy tv show from the last 20 years for me. Loved the Inbetweeners also.

I like Inbetweeners too and another one called Big School. The Office to be fair, I never really gave it much of a chance. I think I only watched perhaps a couple of episodes when it first started and never carried on with it for whatever reason.


(Had to get that in quick as I don't know what the hell is happening with my ISP this morning - I keep getting cut off with a message saying "This site cannot be reached!")

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I like Inbetweeners too and another one called Big School. The Office to be fair, I never really gave it much of a chance. I think I only watched perhaps a couple of episodes when it first started and never carried on with it for whatever reason.


(Had to get that in quick as I don't know what the hell is happening with my ISP this morning - I keep getting cut off with a message saying "This site cannot be reached!")

I think Ricky Gervais will be remembered as one of the greats. David Brent is up there with Del Boy and Basil Fawlty imo.