GREAT EIGHTIES TV SHOW CREDITS
AFTER THE death of the modern romantics, did you spend too much time flopped in front of the tube, watching pulp TV, munching a packet of Ringos and slurping away on a can of Quattro? Well, this is one just for you.
Initially, this started out as a tribute to all those Saturday afternoon shows which were based around rather special modes of transport, but once we started, we just couldn’t stop. Certainly, not all of these shows were made in the Eighties, but all of these shows will be familiar to the Eighties generation.
Some will make you warm and fuzzy at being reminded of great memories, others, er, you’ll probably curse us for reminding you about them. Which is which? That’s for you to decide...
The A-Team
Ah, the van, the crazy fool, the fear of flying, the shonky disguises, the swarms of bullets and explosions, the lack of deaths, the implausible inventions and that nasty Colonel Decker. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? Utterly brilliant.
MacGyver
The thinking man’s mullet with a free science lesson in most episodes. Ideal for two-dimensional, hairy, middle-aged spinsters, but a bit too dull for everyone else.
Automan
One of Glen A. Larson’s more obscure offerings which only Charlesworth seems to remember. What’s it about? Er, can’t really remember anything other than the Tron-like effects, the synthie theme tune, a thinly disguised Lambo Countache and that annoying Cursor thingy. Clearly designed to cash in on those new-fangled home computers.
CHiPs
Oh yeah, now you’re talking – another show which influenced Eighties youth. So did you have with a CHiPs branded helmet, badge, and gun holster? Theme tune is still seriously funky and thankfully, no Harleys were involved in the making of this sequence.
Knight Rider
A great show which needs no introduction from us. Ah, the battles with KARR and Goliath, the show that gave the world the Hoff and a peculiarly camp Pontiac.
Blue Thunder
Series spin-off from the movie of the same name – featuring a hugely advanced helicopter – and 50% responsible for the age-old debate: which would win out of 'Blue Thunder' v 'Airwolf'? And no, we don't give a toss.
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Streethawk
Take 'Knight Rider' and lose two wheels – the plot is as simple as that – and is possibly why it was only relatively short-lived. It does have a superb theme tune though.
The Dukes Of Hazard
The show that does all thing to all men. Before your balls dropped, there was the appeal of plenty of action and Charger jumping, after the fellas headed south there was the schwing-factor of Catherine Bach in her Daisy Dukes. Hmmm...
Magnum PI
An exotic location, a Ferrari, a helicopter and copious amounts of facial hair. A cracking show that made Tom Selleck and his moustache. Is it us or is there a touch of Family Guy’s Stewie Griffin about Higgins...?
Manimal
Okay, it was about a bloke who transformed into animals – and no it hasn’t aged well. Unsurprisingly hardly anyone can remember it, apart from one individual who clearly needs help.
The Equalizer
Starring Edward ‘keep that wickerman away from me’ Woodward. Show was never as dark or as menacing as its credits promised. Superb advert for the Jaguar XJ... Thumping good tune.
Cover Up
Short-lived series about a model and photographer who were undercover agents – presumably for a leading hairspray manufacturer. Original male star, John-Erik Hexum died during filming following an accident with a revolver. One for the ladies.
Airwolf
Another series about a hugely advanced helicopter. Better opening credits than 'Blue Thunder', but the show’s lead character, the cello-playing Stringfellow Hawk, did suffer from some sort of excessive squinting problem!
