Curious British Telly
@curiousbritishtelly.co.uk
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I'm vaguely starting to run out of Betamax tapes, so if you've got any old ones stashed away in cupboards/lofts, please let me know. VHS more than welcome too. Only looking for 80s recordings. Thanks.
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New article is on Reservations www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2026/02/rese... In this 1985 one-off play, a young Perry Fenwick struggles with his fragile male ego while staying in a fancy hotel with his girlfriend.
Reservations (1985)
The home of all those British TV shows you thought you'd forgotten about...
www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 10:33 AM
New article is on Reservations www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2026/02/rese... In this 1985 one-off play, a young Perry Fenwick struggles with his fragile male ego while staying in a fancy hotel with his girlfriend.
New article is on Reservations www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2026/02/rese... In this 1985 one-off play, a young Perry Fenwick struggles with his fragile male ego while staying in a fancy hotel with his girlfriend.
Reservations (1985)
The home of all those British TV shows you thought you'd forgotten about...
www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 10:33 AM
New article is on Reservations www.curiousbritishtelly.co.uk/2026/02/rese... In this 1985 one-off play, a young Perry Fenwick struggles with his fragile male ego while staying in a fancy hotel with his girlfriend.
New article is September 1972: An Important Month for BBC Children's TV curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/september-... which focuses on expansion, innovation and The Wombles.
September 1972: An Important Month for BBC Children's TV
Expansion, innovation and The Wombles
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:11 PM
New article is September 1972: An Important Month for BBC Children's TV curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/september-... which focuses on expansion, innovation and The Wombles.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
New article is Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/mike-amatt... a 1985 interview with Mike Amatt from BEEB magazine about the recently launched Mop and Smiff.
Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985
From the pages of BEEB magazine
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM
New article is Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/mike-amatt... a 1985 interview with Mike Amatt from BEEB magazine about the recently launched Mop and Smiff.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
I'm vaguely starting to run out of Betamax tapes, so if you've got any old ones stashed away in cupboards/lofts, please let me know. VHS more than welcome too. Only looking for 80s recordings. Thanks.
March 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I'm vaguely starting to run out of Betamax tapes, so if you've got any old ones stashed away in cupboards/lofts, please let me know. VHS more than welcome too. Only looking for 80s recordings. Thanks.
New article is Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/mike-amatt... a 1985 interview with Mike Amatt from BEEB magazine about the recently launched Mop and Smiff.
Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985
From the pages of BEEB magazine
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM
New article is Mike Amatt Talks Mop and Smiff in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/mike-amatt... a 1985 interview with Mike Amatt from BEEB magazine about the recently launched Mop and Smiff.
New article is On Ebay: Gran Busy Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/on-ebay-gr... a look at this relatively obscure board game for a 1980s children's programme that people kind of remember.
On Ebay: Gran Busy Day
Licensed nostalgia, mild peril and cardboard charm.
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:34 PM
New article is On Ebay: Gran Busy Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/on-ebay-gr... a look at this relatively obscure board game for a 1980s children's programme that people kind of remember.
New article is Press Clipping: Garnett Threatens to Return curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... a look at how Alf Garnett was on his way to a rapid return to the BBC in 1985.
Press Clipping: Garnett Threatens to Return
Alf Garnett heads back to the BBC at pace
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:48 AM
New article is Press Clipping: Garnett Threatens to Return curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... a look at how Alf Garnett was on his way to a rapid return to the BBC in 1985.
New article is There Was a Chock-a-Block Comic Strip? curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/there-was-... Checking in with Chock-a-Bloke and Chock-a-Girl for this early 80s extension of the series.
January 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
New article is There Was a Chock-a-Block Comic Strip? curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/there-was-... Checking in with Chock-a-Bloke and Chock-a-Girl for this early 80s extension of the series.
Has there ever been a busier shirt?
January 26, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Has there ever been a busier shirt?
New article on British ephemera from the 1980s is Johnson Photo Envelope (1980) www.ephemeral80s.co.uk/2026/01/john... looking at a world before digital photography, where you had to post your film off to get it developed. A slower, clumsier time.
Johnson Photo Envelope (1980)
Rediscovering Britain's forgotten past from the 1980s. One curious, ephemeral item at a time.
www.ephemeral80s.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 6:15 PM
New article on British ephemera from the 1980s is Johnson Photo Envelope (1980) www.ephemeral80s.co.uk/2026/01/john... looking at a world before digital photography, where you had to post your film off to get it developed. A slower, clumsier time.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
New article is First Impressions: Stookie (1985) curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/first-impr... in which I *finally* track down an episode of the gritty, Scottish children's drama.
First Impressions: Stookie (1985)
Revisiting ITV’s forgotten Scottish drama
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 PM
New article is First Impressions: Stookie (1985) curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/first-impr... in which I *finally* track down an episode of the gritty, Scottish children's drama.
New article is First Impressions: Stookie (1985) curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/first-impr... in which I *finally* track down an episode of the gritty, Scottish children's drama.
First Impressions: Stookie (1985)
Revisiting ITV’s forgotten Scottish drama
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:14 PM
New article is First Impressions: Stookie (1985) curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/first-impr... in which I *finally* track down an episode of the gritty, Scottish children's drama.
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/22012026-v... which points you in the direction of the first episode of Roll Over Beethoven, a Marks and Gran sitcom from 1985 starring Nigel Planer and Liza Goddard.
22/01/2026 Vintage TV Pick of the Day
Another day, another piece of forgotten television
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:14 PM
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/22012026-v... which points you in the direction of the first episode of Roll Over Beethoven, a Marks and Gran sitcom from 1985 starring Nigel Planer and Liza Goddard.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
It's time to take a look at Ragdolly Anna and the Pumpkin curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/ragdolly-a... an intriguing episode of the series from 1982, with a few creepy visuals thrown in for good measure.
January 18, 2026 at 9:44 AM
It's time to take a look at Ragdolly Anna and the Pumpkin curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/ragdolly-a... an intriguing episode of the series from 1982, with a few creepy visuals thrown in for good measure.
It's time to take a look at Ragdolly Anna and the Pumpkin curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/ragdolly-a... an intriguing episode of the series from 1982, with a few creepy visuals thrown in for good measure.
January 18, 2026 at 9:44 AM
It's time to take a look at Ragdolly Anna and the Pumpkin curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/ragdolly-a... an intriguing episode of the series from 1982, with a few creepy visuals thrown in for good measure.
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/17012026-v... a quick clip of an up-and-coming Steve Coogan in 1990.
17/01/2026 Vintage TV Pick of the Day
Another day, another piece of forgotten television
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:34 PM
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/17012026-v... a quick clip of an up-and-coming Steve Coogan in 1990.
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/13012026-v... taking a glimpse at the confoundingly surreal Buttercup Buskers from 1984.
13/01/2026 Vintage TV Pick of the Day
Another day, another piece of forgotten television
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/13012026-v... taking a glimpse at the confoundingly surreal Buttercup Buskers from 1984.
New article is Press Clipping: Channel 40 Launches curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... a swift look at the launch of Milton Keynes' community television channel in 1976.
Press Clipping: Channel 40 Launches
The arrival of community television in Milton Keynes
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:15 PM
New article is Press Clipping: Channel 40 Launches curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... a swift look at the launch of Milton Keynes' community television channel in 1976.
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/10012026-v... featuring a late-night BBC1 regional closedown from 1980 fronted by Judy Lines.
10/01/2026 Vintage TV Pick of the Day
Another day, another piece of forgotten television
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:38 AM
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/10012026-v... featuring a late-night BBC1 regional closedown from 1980 fronted by Judy Lines.
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/06012026-v... featuring the ever wonderful Strawberry Switchblade being quizzed by Ted Robbins on First Post in 1985.
06/01/2026 Vintage TV Pick of the Day
Another day, another piece of forgotten television
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/06012026-v... featuring the ever wonderful Strawberry Switchblade being quizzed by Ted Robbins on First Post in 1985.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
New article is The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/the-young-... a look at how The Young Ones became MTV's first ever comedy programme.
The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985
Anarchy on the US airwaves
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
New article is The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/the-young-... a look at how The Young Ones became MTV's first ever comedy programme.
New article is The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/the-young-... a look at how The Young Ones became MTV's first ever comedy programme.
The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985
Anarchy on the US airwaves
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
New article is The Young Ones Land on MTV in 1985 curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/the-young-... a look at how The Young Ones became MTV's first ever comedy programme.
Reposted by Curious British Telly
More Lovejoy with Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue.
Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way
The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
More Lovejoy with Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue.
More Lovejoy with Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue.
Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way
The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue
curiousbritishtelly.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
More Lovejoy with Press Clippings: Lovejoy on the Way curiousbritishtelly.substack.com/p/press-clip... The first glimpses of Ian McShane's loveable rogue.