To want to return to the days of Larry Grayson’s Generation Game?

[Ringlet]

A few Saturdays ago on BBC4 they showed a 1981 episode of Larry Grayson’s Generation Game.

it so reminded me of my primary school years - I’d have been 8/9 when it aired - Isla St Clair was on.

it brought back so many memories for me. Loved Larry and Isla - Larry was such a good sport - he’d get up on the stage and do Morris dancing etc with the contestants.

i also loved the contestants - “here’s Sue, a 22 year old accounts clerk from Hinckley..”

Is it just me or did 22 year olds in 1981 seem older/more mature than 22 year olds today ?

i hate all stuff like

The Voice
Strickly
X Factor
BGT

SO, SHALL WE BRING THIS ERA OF TV BACK?????

I agree, Larry Grayson was hilarious, it was great TV. Still enjoy watching old clips, the Morris dancing episode is a classic.

No thanks. The presenters of the day gave me the creeps.
Larry Grayson, Les Dawson, Bruce Forsyth etc. huge cringe as the youngsters say.

Mind you, what do we have now? People eating kangaroo testicles and dating shows where you parade around in the altogether so yeah I think I've changed my mind. Bring back Mary whitehouse and Bullseye.

Just great wasn’t he?

I want Mr Saturday Night Brucie back on the Generation Game. Obviously I'd need a time machine.

I loved the Generation Game, but my era was Bruce Forsyth.
However not so keen on the casual racism and sexism etc.
There are good shows now! I love The Wheel with Michael McIntyre for instance

I was thinking the same as the last poster - got to be Brucie. 😍
I'm considering having a "Nostalgia" themed Christmas this year with Babychams, The 2 Ronnies, Morcambe and Wise and Brucie. We can turn the power off now and again for extra authenticity!

I watched that episode and was horrified we used to watch it every week.

Far too much laughing at the funny dances foreigners do and mocking working class people.

All my happy memories of childhood TV obliterated.

Is it just me or did 22 year olds in 1981 seem older/more mature than 22 year olds today ?

Maybe it was the hair and clothes fashions. I started secondary school in 82. I remember going on a French trip and I bought an outfit from a shop next to Croydon Market which was the height of fashion at my school.
It was a cream tie bow blouse, maroon v neck jumper and knee length black pleated skirt. Seems very middle aged now.

All the women shown were wearing heels which stood out because you just don't see it anymore.

If I was competing on an active game show it would be trainers all the way.

Christmas 1981 schedules..
https://ukchristmastv.weebly.com/bbc-1981.html

Alongside Larry Grayson, how about Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris? If you're really lucky you might have caught Gary Glitter on TOTP...

The problem with nostalgia is that we only want the good bits.

I couldn't agree with you more op, I'm fed up with all the X-Factor type shows now.
I loved The Generation Game, it was always guaranteed to be a good laugh on a Saturday evening.
Those were the days when no one took themselves too seriously of course.

Oh yes please! But preferably Bruce, "the scores on the doors Miss Ford" and "Give us a twirl Anthea" but I did like Larry too!

Saturday nights were great back then, as well as Generation game there would be things like Dad's Army, Dallas, Dynasty, Starsky and Hutch.

I can't bear reality TV shows, I dont watch any.

There were some Larry Grayson episodes on iplayer (I don’t know why), I randomly started watching them after watching another game show and they sucked me in. He was slightly before my time so I hadn’t seen them before. I watched quite a few of them. And I agree, they made me feel very nostalgic for tv of the past. Tv is so samey and vacuous now.

I used to love Sat night telly in the 8os!

Game For a Laugh, Blind date, Beadle's About, Knightrider, The A team...

Yes exactly.

3-2-1

Russ Abbot

TV just not that good anymore

Definitely.

i don’t watch things like

Bake Off and Masterchef

From all I've ever heard (he was my era) Larry Grayson was a gentle soul with no scandal even long after his death and certainly doesn't bear comparison with Savile and Harris.

Thanks for this link.

Xmas 1981 was a time I embarrassed myself ROYALLY with some neighbours

Plus ca change …..,,,,,

YANBU at all OP, there aren't many decent programmes on now. Is it the fear of offending and being cancelled? Racism, sexism and ageism should never be excused of course but I think people have forgotten how to laugh at themselves.

The 22 year old accounts assistant would have started full time work at around 16 (as I did) so would be expected to be more mature in attitude, yes. And it was not unusual to be married with children at that age too.

I loved the Generation game and the innuendos went over children's heads so it was great family viewing.

Is it just me or did 22 year olds in 1981 seem older/more mature than 22 year olds today ?

Yes they were. It was common to leave school at 16 and go into full time work. People got married and had children in their 20s. University wasn't common and people were champing at the bit to move to their own place.

AGREED

It was Bruce Forsyth for me first…I loved it! He was so funny, so was Larry Grayson. Remember they had to remember what was on the conveyer belt? The obligatory fondue set, cuddly toy…the audience ‘oohing’ over all the prizes!

What strikes me about any programme from the 80s and earlier featuring members of the public is the refreshing lack of sob stories. Nowadays everyone has to come on with a sob story about how their TV appearance will mean so much to [insert relative] who [insert tragic event or circumstance]. Sorry, I don't want to hear your life story, can we please get on with the show.

I’ve just read these TV schedules and I’m SO DESPERATE to go back to Xmas 1981

Please make it happen 😭😭😭😭😭

TV channel called Challenge on freeview is a rerun of old programmes from way back. Not quite as far back as Larry Grayson but plenty of Bullseye, Strike It Lucky, Catchprase etc.