Ah, the 80s. A wonderful time filled with neon colour, leg warmers and Madonna blasting through your personal stereo (stay with us, kids. Personal stereos were very important). While other countries produced hits like Saved by the Bell, we had two of the best aliens in the form of Zig and Zag. Irish 80s TV shows were simply the best (anyone who gets that RTÉ Guide reference, you are most welcome here). Here are eight of our favourites.
1. The Den.
Life was not complete if you didn’t make it home after school and turn on the most lovable aliens in the galaxy, Zig and Zag. Accompanied initially by the brilliant Ian Dempsey, Ray D’Arcy later took over and was joined by Dustin the Turkey and Socky, the Sock Monster. They made us laugh, they made us cry (with laughter) and they brought us years of glorious kids’ TV. The Den was just one of the best.
2. The Late Late Show
Despite the fact that it had been around since the 60s, the Late Late Show was an important part of any Irish person’s life. People were actually genuinely concerned about what Gay Byrne thought about everything and why wouldn’t they be? The Late Late Show was willing to discuss topics you wouldn’t dream of bringing up in your own home. With a host of celebrities, brilliant music performances and amazing debates, the Late Late Show was the cornerstone of all Irish TV watching.
3. Bosco.
Ah, the little red-haired puppet. How he entertained us! Bosco was essential viewing but mainly for every mother in the country who could happily plonk her children in front of the box for a half an hour of entertainment. Remember the magic door? IT WAS MAGIC, OK!
4. Where in the World?
Wanted to go on a holiday? Well then, the only thing you could do was enter Where in the World with your family and answer random general knowledge questions. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded though! Those questions were bloody hard! Wait, something about homework… It’s Sunday night. What did I need to do…?
5. Glenroe.
SUGAR! I NEVER DID MY HOMEWORK! Something niggled at you for the entirity of Where in the World? but you only figured it out as soon as you heard the Glenroe theme music and Miley swearing to the Lord above. There were affairs, drink and plenty of families in crisis. God, there was a lot more to farming in the 80s, wasn’t there?
6. The Beatbox.
For all you people who sat in front of the television every Sunday morning waiting for your favourite song with a blank videotape, this one is for you. Hosted by Simon Young, Peter Collins and later by the inimitable Dave Fanning, the Beatbox gave us access to videos you never would have seen in Ireland. Come on, no one really had MTV in the 80s… Did they?
7. Know Your Sport.
We experienced a jolt of nostalgia when we remembered Know Your Sport. Hosted by George Hamilton, Know Your Sport was a quiz show which, unsurprisingly, asked a lot of sport questions and by God, you had to know your sport to be on it. This just wasn’t easy.
8. Play the Game.
You have to hand it to RTÉ in the 80s, they managed to turn essentially a load of people playing charades into a successful TV show. And, of course, Twink. That is all. We’re off for a game of charades here. JAWS 2, IT’S A DIFFERENT SHARK!
“The SEAT Ibiza is turning 30 and to celebrate SEAT are bringing you everything 80’s!”
