TV dramas of yesteryear that were so bad they were good (iyswim)

[MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne]

Following on from all the chat about the Thorn Birds on the fancying priests thread in AIBU, I was thinking about all those corny dramas from my youth.

Like Secret Army Me and my mum used to try and remember the order of the roads, canals and railways each week.

Or Tenko. One of the few programmes of the 70s or 80s to pass the Bechdel test.

[MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne]

This thread is flushing out all the MNers of a certain age, I think. We just need carzynanna now.

[TalcAndTurnips]

Mardy - I must now officially declare my undying love for you.

Whilst searching for old clips, I stumbled upon - quite by accident - I have not seen it for years and years and years. Jealousy has led Victor to re-record some classic musical performances to discredit what he sees as smug artistes.

I remember nearly dying the first time saw this (it's 20 years ago now! ) when Nigel Kennedy's violin sounded like a beginner's school performance - and Jimi Hendrix's 'unusual' rendition of Hey Joe.

[MrsKitty]

Dempsey & Makepeace

Sons & Daughters (looove and laughter...teeeeears and sadness and happinessssss....)

The Young Doctors

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I remember The Cedar Tree. It was all set in the drawing room IIRC.
There was a character called Ann who was always in riding gear (but I think her and/or the horse met a tragic end)

[StephaniePowers]

Moving forward to perhaps the 90s?
A very smooth-faced grey-haired man has a mistress living in a flat...and...and...did he run a clothing company?
Oh dear I can't remember any more but it was truly dire.

[MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne]

Glad to be of assistance Talcy. Got to fetch a child from school now but will be back to enjoy the clip later!

[StephaniePowers]

The Cedar Tree, Crown Court, some 15 programme where a man painted pictures of flowers with a trowel, and Rainbow or Bod.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Petrochelli - he never did get round to building that house

[LadyBeagleEyes]

It was Midnight Caller. I really liked it, and fancied the lead actor.
I must go and google it now.

[IWorshipSatin]

Juliet Bravo (the person) was incredibly dull, she had no sense of humour and was actually quite obnoxious. But I remember having a bit of a girlcrush on her (I was about 10 at the time...)

[EldritchCleavage]

Talc, thank you! I've just laughed like a mad thing watching that!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Stephanie that was Paint With Nancy wasn't it (paint with a trowel)


My mum used to watch some dire drivel called House Party.
Like a live on screen coffee morning.

[nagynolonger]

The Sandbaggers. An early version of Spooks.

[Ilovemyteddy]

Does anyone remember The Tomorrow People - a kids' SF show that was on about tea time on ITV? My friend and I were totally obsessed with that programme. Oh and Colditz with Robert Wagner and David McCallum, and the wonderful Anthony Valentine as the evil Major Mohn.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

I've just Googled Midnight Caller and have decided that I still fancy Gary Cole. I loved the mean and moody theme tune too.
I think they should bring it back.

[Pagwatch]

LBE

I loved The Champions.
I was in love with the dark haired guy and I wanted to be Alexandra Bastedo?

She was so beautiful.

Mission impossible was a big fav too.

[HintofBream]

70LMT, yes, Colin Baker and Liza Goddard.
The Appleyards anyone? Now that is really going back to the dark ages. A soap for kids at tea time on Saturdays.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Oooh I loved the Midnight Caller!! Gary Cole was a bit of a sexpot wasn't he?

Albion Market??

The Ragtrade??

How about Connie??

I really am scraping the bottom of the barrel now :)

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Ooooh and I loved The Saint as well!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Oh The Tommorrow People scared me witless (or something similar sounding)
Pre- Sapphire and Steel


WRT to Anthony Valentine-

Raffles - remember that?

[cerealqueen]

I LOVED Anne of Green Gables and have them all on VHS.

Anybody remember

Classic 'ugly ducking gets attached by a croc and has plastic surgery and then has her revenge.'

[IWorshipSatin]

Ilovemyteddy - I remember The Tomorrow People but it was on at the wrong time for me to watch it regularly.

A kids drama I do remember that was so chilling it should've been rated 18+ was "The Legend of Tim Tyler", a badly dubbed german affair about a boy who sold his smile to an evil baron.
1000 internet points if you remember that one! Definitely in the 'so bad it was good' camp.

[YoureMyOrangeGoldWifeNowDave]

I remember watching them filming a couple of episodes of Juliet Bravo when I was little one was filmed near my school and playing fields and one had a scene filmed on the canal bridge at the end of our row of houses

We all watched excitedly in case any of us had managed to get filmed in the background but the only local that made it on screen was 'Scraps' the dog

[LemonMousse]

I loved The Tomorrow People too Ilovemyteddy especially when Mike Holloway from Flintlock was in it

There was another kids drama about the same time called Time Slip.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

Oh and how could we have a thread like this and not mention Skippy.
I think Lisa Goddard was in that too.
Skippy was so smart, and went t.t.t.t., and the little boy would say 'what's that you're saying Skip, someones fallen down the well', and Skippy would save the day again.