UK KIDS TV : What we watched in the 1980s
FROM THE UNFORGETTABLE to the pretty much forgotten; this was the golden age of kids TV - creative, warm, natural, intelligent, playful.
All hail to the lovely worlds of Oliver Postgate, Tony Hart, Derek Griffiths, Johnny Morris, Floella Benjamin, Brian Cant, Johnny Ball etc etc
This list also includes older programs that were broadcast during the 1980s - plus a few 1990s shows that had 1980s spirit. I also include a selection of more adult-orientated programs that were memorable and/or beloved by us kids as well as plenty of USA TV programs that were popular in the UK at that time.
Some notable UK shows not featured on IMDb:
Let's Pretend (1982-89)
Orm and Cheep (1983-85)
Mop and Smiff (1985)
Data Run (1983-84)
Watch (1967-2009) = Legendary edu-tainment show; Louise Hall-Taylor, James Earl Adair and Raewyn Blade were its classic 80s-era presenters. They released an LP of songs which included the memorable 'Moses Suite'. 'Watch' later evolved into 'ZigZag' (author's trivia: the 'ancient Greece Olympic games' episode of ZigZag was filmed at my north London primary school in the mid-1980s).
*p.s. The list may be better read chronologically.
Regularly updated. Thanks for viewing. x
All hail to the lovely worlds of Oliver Postgate, Tony Hart, Derek Griffiths, Johnny Morris, Floella Benjamin, Brian Cant, Johnny Ball etc etc
This list also includes older programs that were broadcast during the 1980s - plus a few 1990s shows that had 1980s spirit. I also include a selection of more adult-orientated programs that were memorable and/or beloved by us kids as well as plenty of USA TV programs that were popular in the UK at that time.
Some notable UK shows not featured on IMDb:
Let's Pretend (1982-89)
Orm and Cheep (1983-85)
Mop and Smiff (1985)
Data Run (1983-84)
Watch (1967-2009) = Legendary edu-tainment show; Louise Hall-Taylor, James Earl Adair and Raewyn Blade were its classic 80s-era presenters. They released an LP of songs which included the memorable 'Moses Suite'. 'Watch' later evolved into 'ZigZag' (author's trivia: the 'ancient Greece Olympic games' episode of ZigZag was filmed at my north London primary school in the mid-1980s).
*p.s. The list may be better read chronologically.
Regularly updated. Thanks for viewing. x
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- CreatorsOliver PostgatePeter FirminStarsOliver PostgateSandra KerrJohn FaulknerBagpuss and his friends are toys in a turn of the century shop for 'found things'. When young Emily brings them a new object, the toys come to life to work out what the strange new thing could possibly be.
- StarOliver PostgateThe series chronicled the melancholically funny lives of the Clangers, a flutey-voiced family of woolen, knitted aliens living below the surface of a knobbly little planet far out in space. Their misadventures brought them into contact with such unlikely creatures as the Soup Dragon, the Froglets, the Iron Chicken and the Glow Buzzers.
- StarsOlwen GriffithsAnthony JacksonOliver PostgateIn the 'top, left hand corner of Wales' runs an archaic railway line staffed by such characters as Jones the Steam and Dai Station. Their pride is Ivor, the steam engine with a will of his own and a penchant for such things as looking after dragons in his firebox.
- StarsRonnie StevensOliver PostgateSandra Kerr"In the Lands of the North, where the black rocks stand guard against the cold sea, in the dark night that is very long, the men of the North Lands sit by their great log fires, and they tell a tale..."
- StarKenneth WilliamsA series of 5 minute cartoons about a group of inhabitants of a forest. Willo the Wisp is a sprite formed from gas who narrates each story. Other characters included Evil Edna (a witch shaped like a TV), Mavis (a rather overweight fairy), The Moog, The Argonauts (strange alien things that flew around in a mushroom), etc.
- StarsJohn Le MesurierMaggie HendersonThe adventures of a little boy called Bod, who lives in a town with his friends Aunt Flo, P.C. Copper, Frank the Postman and Farmer Barleymow. Each episode also featured Alberto Frog and his Amazing Animal Band.
- StarTony HartThe Gobbledygook spouting, shape-shifting little Plasticine man who first appeared in the 1977 arty TV show "Take Hart" gets his own series. Morph, his pet nailbrush and naughty "twin" Chas have all sorts of adventures.
- StarsRichard PearsonPeter SallisMichael HordernMole ventures from home to explore the world, befriending Rat, Badger, and Toad along the way. The group navigates dangers in the Wild Wood together.
- StarsJohnny MorrisKeith ShackletonTony SoperChildren's series looking at the world of animals.
- StarDerek GriffithsDerek Griffiths narrates and sings about animals, birds and insects.
- StarDerek GriffithsDerek Griffiths, as himself and a host of other characters, introduces classic cartoons while explaining thier history and significance in the world of cinema.
- CreatorsJim HensonJack BurnsStarsJim HensonFrank OzRichard HuntKermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets put on a vaudeville show at their theatre, bringing in a famous celebrity to help out for each episode.
- CreatorsJoan Ganz CooneyLloyd Morrisett Jr.StarsJim HensonFrank OzCaroll SpinneyOn a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
- CreatorJim HensonStarsKaren PrellGerard ParkesKathryn MullenThe adventures of the various inhabitants of an underground civilization.
- CreatorJim HensonStarsJohn HurtBrian HensonFrederick WarderAn old storyteller tells European folk tales to his sarcastic dog.
- CreatorCharles E. Sellier Jr.StarsDan HaggertyDenver PyleBozo the BearAn innocent fugitive from the law lives in the wilderness with a grizzly bear companion and helps passers-by in the forest.
- StarsNiamh CusackEnn ReitelMary Jane BoweAn animated series, telling the story of many beloved Beatrix Potter characters.
- StarsEdmond BeauchampDominique BlondeauPaloma MattaMountain-based adventures of a young boy and his dog in a small village in the southern Alps.
- CreatorJulie HolderStarGay SoperThe adventures of a family of cute, furry creatures - The Flumps. Grandpa Flump, Ma and Pa Flump, their eldest son Perkin, daughter Posie and youngest son Pootle. Each episode contains fun songs and a story from the 'Big Book'.
- StarsRobin ParkinsonIan AllenJohn ThirtleMr Spoon and his family live on Junk Planet. He travels in his baked bean tin spaceship across blanket sky to Button Moon. There he meets many strange characters and watches stories unfold on other planets using his telescope.
- CreatorSerge DanotStarsEric ThompsonPatricia DanotBernard HallerCult classic children's animated series about a group of human and animal characters that gather at the roundabout / carousel in the park. Although the original series is French there are multiple dubbed versions from other countries.
- StarEric ThompsonThe Magic Ball was yet another children's TV program from the early 1970's. It was all about " well a ball that was MAGIC " !!
- StarRay BrooksMr Benn enters a magical costume shop where he travels to times and places dictated by his costume and solves problems. The shopkeeper helps Mr Benn escape to the dressing room at moments of peril.
- CreatorPamela LonsdaleStarsGeoffrey HayesRoy SkeltonStanley BatesChildren's puppet programme featuring music and stories.
- CreatorEdward KayStarsBrian TruemanKate Murray-HendersonWhen Jamie shines his Magic Torch on the floor of his bedroom a hole appears, leading Jamie and Wordsworth the sheepdog to the psychedelic fantasy world of Cuckooland.
