Well hello folks! How is everyone? Good I hope. 🙂
I feel I’ve been AWOL for a while and I apologise. But now I’m back (at least for a little while) as I have been inspired!
What by? Well, this A-Z challenge malarkey – post everyday in April (except Sundays), thus giving a day for each letter of the alphabet. I’m doing it. And I’m late – I only decided yesterday afternoon. And I was probably supposed to sign up, ask someone who started the hashtag, join a support group and send out social media alerts. But I didn’t. Oh well…
To be truthful, the inspiration came from James (of the Proclaims variety), who is himself indulging in the challenge with a fab trip down memory lane to cartoons of his (and my own) youth. I already have two theme tunes stuck in my head… go check out his posts!
Couple this with having just finished reading Ready, Player One (I may review this at some point, still want to see film, despite bad feedback) and I’m on a complete nostalgia trip. I’ve already written several nostalgic posts in the past (I have a dedicated section on my site, under Entertainment), but so far haven’t covered shows aimed at teens, adults and families. So that’s what I’m doing…
The A-Z of 80s / 90s TV shows (with maybe the odd film thrown in) that I loved as a child. Yes…I was a child (mostly) when I watched them, and after spending a day reminiscing with my mum, we realised:
– We watched A LOT of crime dramas,
– Some probably weren’t suitable for an 8 year old,
– It hasn’t done me any harm!
As it’s day four, you’re going to get bombarded with a mini glut of posts to bring me back in line (sorry). Then daily until the end of the month or when I get fed up, whichever comes first! Better get started, hadn’t I?
Ready? Good.
A IS FOR…
The easy answer would be A-Team…and I did love the show. But my favourite was AIRWOLF.
I’m don’t remember specific plot details but it seemed to involve tracking down bad guys, with a state-of-the-art helicopter, piloted by the dashing Stringfellow Hawke (Jan-Michael Vincent), having a bit of a shoot out, that ended when Airwolf flew in from behind a mountain and won!
It also seems to be one of those shows that people often ask whether you can remember the theme tune (like it’s obscure or something). Well, yes I can and I’ll sing it for you right now…
“Dah, da-da, da-dah, da-da, da-dah, dah, dah-di-dah, dah…”
Erm, totally nailed it… 😉
Airwolf was a ‘me’ show, a teatime / weekend watch. But A’s enjoyed with my mum and grandparents included comedies Are You Being Served? set in a department store…
…and of course, another British classic, ‘Allo,’Allo.
Set in France during WW2, we watched the bungling antics of Rene, trying to appease both the Gestapo and the Resistance, as he ran his cafe and got seduced by his waitresses!
Both shows included well known catchphrases (I’m free!), with me still finding it impossible to say any sentence that includes the words, ‘listen very carefully‘, without finishing with ‘I shall say zis ony once‘, complete with French accent!
Giving instructions to the kids at school is always a pleasure… 😉
IMAGE CREDITS: AtoZchallenge, bbc.co.uk, Youtube, Twitter and telegraph.co.uk
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I was born in Poland in the mid 80’s and with Communism alive and well, it’s always nice to see what other countries were up to! 🙂 I live in the USA now — where TV shows are readily available 😉
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This is equally as interesting to me – I think we often take for granted our upbringings and don’t realise it was very different for others outside our British/ US bubble. I certainly recommend you catching up with some that are on the lists to come. I see from your other comment that you’re a fan of BlackAdder. If you like that kind of humour, then ‘Allo, ‘Allo would also be a good one to watch!
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thanks for the recommendation! I will add it to my list 🙂
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I was more of a Knight Rider fan and I didn’t really enjoy Are You Being Served. I LOVED Allo Allo though. Ediz, my bed has flashing bed knobs lol. Amazing.
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Somebody doesn’t know the alphabet – there’s another 25 of these, so give it time for your favourites to show up! 😉
‘Allo, ‘Allo must have some of the best one-liners and generally daft dialogue Although BlackAdder would give it a run for its money!
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Oooo I’ve not read B yet. I’m hoping it’s Bertha!
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A-D are out today, to bring me up to date. And no, it’s not Bertha I’m afraid… I’m staying away from cartoons for the most part as I’ve done nostalgic animation in the past. Sure there’ll be something I’ve included that you enjoy!
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Is it Boon?
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You’ll have to read it! (I forgot about Boon!!)
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Hmmm is it Bruce’s Play Your Cards Right?
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No hints, sorry!
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I don’t like Blackadder
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Oh well… can’t please ‘em all I guess! There were other shows for B too though.
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I’ve not read it fully yet. Just saw the cover photo. I’ll save it for my morning dump read 🙂
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Thanks, I think…
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There’s only a few blogs I check on the bog you know!
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Ha, then I guess I feel honoured! 🙂
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Well unless your last that is. Just before he wipe lol
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Eeewww… 🙈
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I loved Are you being served!
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It was good fun – and I suppose kick-started some careers, like Wendy Richard, becoming soap opera royalty in Eastenders!
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Several things to say – first, thanks for the link, always nice to have a positive peer review.
Second, I loved Airwolf (although the A-Team was also awesome – pretty hard to pick a favourite out of those two but I pity the fool that didn’t watch both of them).
Third, I just saw Ready Player One as a birthday treat. I really enjoyed it, my other half fell asleep. Take from that what you will…
Also Allo Allo was amazing, I too am stuck with affliction of not being able to hear “listen very carefully” without adding the last bit, and I used to find the police officer hysterically funny. I was a child at the time so it’s possible it wasn’t as funny as I thought it was but still, happy memories…
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You’re more than welcome – thanks for the initial inspiration 🙂 I’m pleased you liked the film. Sam gets put off so easily by bad reviews but I still really want to see it – I raced through the book, purely fuelled by nostalgia.
I don’t think it was just a childhood thing, the police officer WAS hilarious. You can’t help but love a character that tells others they are the guilty potty because they’re holding a smoking goon! 😂
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The Gateau from the Chateau, and The Nicked Knochwurst. Oh yes!!!
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Haha, this is the brilliant bit – other people’s memories of the shows that add to my own!
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Ahhh this is the best post ever! Last year, my New Year’s resolution was to watch every episode of Allo Allo – a feat I completed in less than a fortnight. That theme tune was wedged in my head for ages…
I clicked through to the other blog and was delighted to find the Dogtanian theme tune – a huge favourite. Only last week I stumbled across (alright – was deliberately looking for) the Inspector Gadget theme on YouTube.
Also – wonderful to see you back, my lovely!
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Aaahh, Lucy! I’ve now got Inspector Gadget theme stuck in my head!! Hehe! I do hope you’ll enjoy the others that will be coming along too – and James already has some delightful throwbacks for the first few letters.
And thank you 🙂 However, I do fear I’ll burn out before the end…right around the time of going back to work next week!!
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Even if you just do it until then, that’s great!! I look forward to the posts 🙂
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I do miss my old paper clip board on which I drew up Airwolf’s navigation panel back when I was in 4th or 5th grade probably. Used to fly my “Airwolf” every afternoon in my school van.
Those were the days!!
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Haha, I love how many memories small details from shows can can bring up! There might be some excellent TV these days but I really do think the 80s was a golden era
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Never saw Airwolf but Allo Allo was funny 😂 good luck wit AtoZ I only decided on Sunday so I’m getting scared now that I’ll run out of shite to talk about everyday 😱😱😱😱
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Thanks for the vote of confidence and same to you. I imagine I’ll run out of steam before the end – either that or I’ll just insert images and assume everyone knows what I’m talking about!!
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I’m not sure if anyone knows what I’m on about most days 😂😂😂
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Sometimes the best way forward – your conversations make the most mundane of situations hilarious though!
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If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry… or keep eating chocolate 😱😱😜
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Thanks for the link to the Airwolf theme! I fondly remember that show. Look how 1980s the cast looks!
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You’re welcome – I felt it was necessary in light of my rendition!
The fashion and hairstyles in all the shows I’ve researched so far are 100% amazing… how did we think we ever looked good like that?!
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