''I Love the '80s'' is a BBC television nostalgia series that examines the pop culture of the 1980s. It was commissioned following the success of '' I Love the '70s'' and is part of the I Love... series. ''I Love 1980'' premiered on

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream an ...

on 13 January 2001 and the last, ''I Love 1989'', on 24 March 2001. Unlike with ''I Love the '70s'', episodes were increased to 90 minutes long. The series was followed later in 2001 by '' I Love the '90s''. The success of the series led to

VH1 VH1 (originally an initialism of Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network based in New York City and owned by Paramount Global. It was created by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Commun ...

remaking the show for the US market: I Love the '80s USA, which is known simply as "I Love the '80s" in the US itself. The following repeat version in 2001 was cut down to an hour per year, then in 2019, the series was repeated again, this time cut down into a 30 minutes per year "highlights" version removing certain pop-culture and/or contributors.

Contributors

The series used many regular contributors, which included Peter Kay,

Clare Grogan Claire Patricia Grogan (born 17 March 1962), known professionally as Clare Grogan or sometimes as C. P. Grogan, is a Scottish actress and singer. She is best known as the lead singer of the 1980s new wave music group Altered Images, as well as ...

, Dee Hepburn, Kate Thornton, Stuart Maconie, Emma B, Ice-T, Toyah Willcox, Tommy Vance, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Ross Noble, Jamie Theakston, and many others.

Episode guide

''I Love 1980'' - broadcast: 13 January 2001

Presented by

Larry Hagman Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American film and television actor, director, and producer, best known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera, ''Dal ...

. Opening titles: " Call Me" by Blondie. Ending credits: " Jump to the Beat" by Stacy Lattisaw.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * '' Fame'' * The Gap Band - " Oops Up Side Your Head / Liquid Gold / Kelly Marie * '' Diff'rent Strokes'' *

Pac-Man originally called ''Puck Man'' in Japan, is a 1980 maze action video game developed and released by Namco for arcades. In North America, the game was released by Midway Manufacturing as part of its licensing agreement with Namco America. Th ...

(one of the first popular computer games in Britain) * '' Metal Mickey'' * Kickers shoes *

Synthpop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s a ...

/ The Human League / OMD * Pierrot * '' Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected'' *

Alton Towers Alton Towers Resort ( ) (often referred to as Alton Towers) is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton. The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, ...

(theme park which had opened on the border of

Staffordshire Staffordshire (; postal abbreviation Staffs.) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. It borders Cheshire to the northwest, Derbyshire and Leicestershire to the east, Warwickshire to the southeast, the West Midlands Cou ...

and Derbyshire) * Clothing labels: Pringle,

Kappa Kappa (uppercase Κ, lowercase κ or cursive ; el, κάππα, ''káppa'') is the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the voiceless velar plosive sound in Ancient and Modern Greek. In the system of Greek numerals, has a value o ...

, Fred Perry, *

Barbara Woodhouse Barbara Kathleen Vera Woodhouse (née Blackburn; May 9, 1910 – 9 July 9, 1988) was an Irish-born British dog trainer, author, horse trainer and television personality. Her 1980 television series '' Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way'' made her a h ...

training dogs *

Catsuit A catsuit is a one-piece form-fitting garment that covers the torso and the legs, and frequently the arms. They are usually made from stretchable material, such as lycra, chiffon, spandex (after 1959), latex, or velour, but may use less elasti ...

/ Sheena Easton *

The Face The face is a part of the body, the front of the head. Face may also refer to: Film * ''The Magician'' (1958 film) or ''The Face'' * ''The Face'' (1996 film), an American television film * ''Face'' (1997 film), a British crime drama by Antoni ...

* Moscow Olympic Games (the first to be hosted in a communist country) * Who shot J. R.? / '' Dallas'' (whodunnit storyline in popular USA soap opera) Flashback commercial of 1980: Monster Munch - Three Monsters (actually aired in 1978).

''I Love 1981'' - broadcast: 20 January 2001

Presented by Adam Ant. Opening titles: " Prince Charming" by Adam and the Ants. Ending credits: "

Swords of a Thousand Men "Swords of a Thousand Men" is a song and single written by Eddie Tenpole, and performed by the English punk band Tenpole Tudor. It was first released on Stiff Records in March 1981. It entered the UK Singles Chart in April that year, reaching num ...

" by Tenpole Tudor.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * Adam and the Ants * '' Magnum, P.I.'' * Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer * Valentine's Day * '' Porky's'' * Shakin' Stevens (early successes of the popular Welsh singer) * ''

Danger Mouse Danger Mouse may refer (or appear in) to: * ''Danger Mouse'' (1981 TV series), a 1981 British animated television series * ''Danger Mouse'' (2015 TV series), a 2015 reboot of the British animated television series * Danger Mouse (musician) (born ...

'' * Executive toys *

Kim Wilde Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith, 18 November 1960) is an English pop singer, DJ and television presenter. She first saw success in 1981 with her debut single "Kids in America", which peaked at No. 2 in the UK. In 1983, she received the Brit Award f ...

(young female pop star) * Eric Bristow * '' Bullseye'' * Chocolate biscuits *

New Romantic The New Romantic movement was an underground subculture movement that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The movement emerged from the nightclub scene in London and Birmingham at venues such as Billy's and The Blitz. The New ...

(pop culture style) *

Pencil case A pencil case or pencil box is a container used to store pencils. A pencil case can also contain a variety of other stationery such as sharpeners, pens, glue sticks, erasers, scissors, rulers and calculators. Pencil cases can be made fro ...

: smelly rubbers, food stationery * Protect and Survive and ''

Threads Thread may refer to: Objects * Thread (yarn), a kind of thin yarn used for sewing ** Thread (unit of measurement), a cotton yarn measure * Screw thread, a helical ridge on a cylindrical fastener Arts and entertainment * ''Thread'' (film), 2016 ...

'' (originally aired in 1984) * '' Gregory's Girl'' /

Flashback commercial of 1981: Kit Kat - Pop Band (actually aired in 1984).

''I Love 1982'' - broadcast: 3 February 2001

Presented by Dave Lee Travis, Mike Read and Tommy Vance in TOTP set. Opening titles: "

Fantastic Day "Fantastic Day" is a song by British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released as the third and final single from their debut album '' Pelican West''. The song reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled ...

" by

Haircut 100 Haircut One Hundred (also Haircut 100) were a British new wave group formed in 1980 in Beckenham, London by Nick Heyward, Les Nemes and Graham Jones. In 1981 and 1982, the band scored four UK top 10 hit singles: " Favourite Shirts (Boy Meet ...

. Ending credits: " Poison Arrow" by ABC.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * '' The Young Ones'' * Hair styles: Mullet, Jheri curl * '' Rambo'' * Boy George * Deely Bobber * BMX bike / Kelloggs Frosties animated advert - Tony the Tiger on bike * Sandwich toaster / Breville Snack 'n' Sandwich Toaster animated advert - Crying sandwich in fridge (actually aired in 1981) * Musical Youth * ''

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' (or simply ''E.T.'') is a 1982 American science fiction film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. It tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, d ...

'' * School uniforms * '' Boys from the Blackstuff'' * Bubble gum * Bananarama * Alex Higgins * Rah-rah skirt *

Imagination Imagination is the production or simulation of novel objects, sensations, and ideas in the mind without any immediate input of the senses. Stefan Szczelkun characterises it as the forming of experiences in one's mind, which can be re-creations ...

''I Love 1983'' - broadcast: 10 February 2001

Presented by Roland Rat. Opening titles: " Karma Chameleon" by

Culture Club Culture Club are an English pop band formed in London in 1981. The band comprises Boy George (lead vocals), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), Mikey Craig (bass guitar) and formerly included Jon Moss (drums and percussion). Emerging in the New ...

. Ending credits: "

Calling Your Name "Calling Your Name" is the debut single by British singer Marilyn. The song was an international hit, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1983 and No. 3 in Australia in April 1984. The song was later included on the singer's 19 ...

" by Marilyn.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * '' Knight Rider'' * Cabbage Patch Kids * '' Flashdance'' * Public display of affection * Roland Rat / '' TV-am'' * Leg warmers * Wham! * Sloane Ranger * '' He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' * Keep fit * Break dancing *

Just Seventeen ''Just Seventeen'', often referred to as ''J-17'', was a fortnightly magazine aimed at teenage girls, published by Emap from October 1983 to April 2004. A special preview edition was given away free with sister magazine ''Smash Hits'' on 13 Octob ...

* '' Blockbusters'' (new TV gameshow aired on ITV) *

Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

''I Love 1984'' - broadcast: 17 February 2001

Presented by Holly Johnson. Opening titles: " Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Ending credits: " Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" by

Scritti Politti Scritti Politti are a British band, originally formed in 1977 in Leeds, England, by Welsh singer-songwriter Green Gartside. He is the only member of the band to have remained throughout the group's history. Beginning as a punk-inspired collect ...

.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * '' The A-Team'' * Nik Kershaw * Roller disco * '' Tucker's Luck'' *

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...

* Videotape / Video Nasties * Torvill and Dean * Trivial Pursuit * Paul Weller / The Style Council / Jazz pop / Sade * '' Robin of Sherwood'' * Dungeons & Dragons * Care Bears * The Smiths /

Morrissey Steven Patrick Morrissey (; born 22 May 1959), known professionally as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter. He came to prominence as the frontman and lyricist of rock band the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. Since then ...

* Transformers *

The Brat Pack The ''Brat Pack'' is a nickname given to a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in teen-oriented :Coming-of-age films, coming-of-age films in the 1980s. First mentioned in a 1985 New York (magazine), ''New York'' magazine artic ...

* Katharine Hamnett (Slogan T-shirts) * Frankie Goes to Hollywood

''I Love 1985'' - broadcast: 24 February 2001

Presented by

Grace Jones Grace Beverly Jones (born 19 May 1948) is a model, singer and actress. Born in Jamaica, she and her family moved to Syracuse, New York, when she was a teenager. Jones began her modelling career in New York state, then in Paris, working for ...

. Opening titles: " Take On Me" by

A-ha A-ha (usually stylised as ''a-''h''a''; ) is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars and vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars and vocals), and Morten Harket (lead vocals), the band ...

. Ending credits: " Let's Go Crazy" by

Prince and the Revolution The Revolution is an American band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979 by Prince, serving as his live band and later as his studio band. The band's sound incorporated rock, pop, R&B, funk, new wave and psychedelic elements. Along with ...

.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): *

Levi 501 Levi Strauss & Co. () is an American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's () brand of denim jeans. It was founded in May 1853 when German-Jewish immigrant Levi Strauss moved from Buttenheim, Bavaria, to San Francisco, California, to o ...

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, film producer, businessman, retired professional bodybuilder and politician who served as the 38th governor of California between 2003 and 2011. ''Time'' ...

* McDonald's (fast food chain which had arrived in Britain in 1974 but was peaking in popularity by 1985) *

Bruce Springsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originat ...

* '' My Beautiful Laundrette'' * "19" * Dr. Martens * Goth culture * '' Max Headroom'' * Spot creams * '' Miami Vice'' * Perfume * Prince * Amusement arcades * '' Spitting Image'' * ''

Live Aid Live Aid was a multi-venue benefit concert held on Saturday 13 July 1985, as well as a music-based fundraising initiative. The original event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise further funds for relief of the 1983–1985 fami ...

''I Love 1986'' - broadcast: 3 March 2001

Presented by Patsy Kensit. Opening titles: " Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles. Ending credits: " Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent" by

Gwen Guthrie Gwendolyn Guthrie (July 9, 1950 – February 3, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter and pianist who also sang backing vocals for Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Peter Tosh, and Madonna, among others, and who wrote songs made fa ...

.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * Samantha Fox * Essex girl * '' Moonlighting'' * Boxer shorts /

Nick Kamen Ivor Neville "Nick" Kamen (15 April 1962 – 4 May 2021) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and model. He was best known for "Turn It Up" from 1989, the singles "Each Time You Break My Heart" from 1986 and "I Promised Myself" from 1990, ...

* '' Crocodile Dundee'' * ''

Neighbours ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...

'' (Australian-based TV soap which was launched in its homeland in 1985 and first aired by the BBC in 1986) * Men's bedroom designs * Sigue Sigue Sputnik * Panini (stickers) * '' Absolute Beginners'' * ''

No Limits No Limits may refer to: Books *''No Limits: The Will to Succeed'', a 2008 biography of Michael Phelps Film, television, and video games *'' Need for Speed: No Limits'', a 2015 mobile racing game in the ''Need for Speed'' franchise * ''No Limits'' ...

'' /

Jenny Powell Jenny Powell (born 8 April 1968) is an English television and radio presenter. After appearing on '' No Limits'', she went on to present series such as ''Wheel of Fortune'', '' UP2U'', ''Gimme 5'', '' Live Talk'', ''Wordplay'' and '' Daybreak'' ...

* Power ballads * Big glasses / Timmy Mallett * Sunday Sport * Five Star

''I Love 1987'' - broadcast: 10 March 2001

Presented by

Richard E. Grant Richard E. Grant (born Richard Grant Esterhuysen; 5 May 1957) is a Swazi-English actor and presenter. He made his film debut as Withnail in the comedy ''Withnail and I'' (1987). Grant received critical acclaim for his role as Jack Hock in Marie ...

. Opening titles: "

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, ''Whitney'' (1987). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 2, 1987, by Arista Records. It was produ ...

" by Whitney Houston. Ending credits: "

Respectable Respectable may refer to: *Having significant social status * "Respectable" (Rolling Stones song), 1978 single * "Respectable" (Mel and Kim song), 1987 single *"Respectable", a 1960 single by The Isley Brothers, a 1965 album cover by the Yard ...

" by Mel and Kim.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * Terence Trent D'Arby * Shellsuit / Bumbags * ''

Going Live ''Going Live!'' was a British children's television series that aired on BBC1 from 26 September 1987 to 17 April 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Annabel Giles, Phil ...

'' * Nouvelle cuisine * Run DMC /

Beastie Boys Beastie Boys were an American rap rock group from New York City, formed in 1978. The group was composed of Mike D, Michael "Mike D" Diamond (vocals, drums), Adam Yauch, Adam "MCA" Yauch (vocals, bass), and Ad-Rock, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (voca ...

* '' Withnail and I'' *

Head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may ...

sports bags * '' Network 7'' * Puffball skirts * ''

Wall Street Wall Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It runs between Broadway in the west to South Street and the East River in the east. The term "Wall Street" has become a metonym for t ...

'' / Yuppies, * '' Thirtysomething'' * Pump trainers * '' Brookside'' (Channel 4 TV soap which was first launched in 1982 and enjoyed its peak in popularity around 1987) * Rick Astley

''I Love 1988'' - broadcast: 17 March 2001

Presented by Raphael and Leonardo of The Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. Opening titles: " Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean. Ending credits: " Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * Bros / Brother Beyond * Harry Enfield - Loadsamoney * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles * ''

This Morning This Morning may refer to: * ''This Morning'' (TV programme), a British daytime television programme * ''This Morning'' (radio program), a Canadian radio show which aired from 1997 to 2002 * '' CBS This Morning'', an American morning show, succe ...

'' * Florence Griffith-Joyner * Quiz machine - Give Us a Break * Second Summer of Love * '' Prisoner Cell Block H'' * Inflatables at football matches *

Viz Viz may refer to: *''viz.'', a synonym for “namely” * ''Viz'' (comics), a British adult comic magazine **'' Viz: The Game'', a computer game based on the comic *Viz Media, an American manga and anime distribution and entertainment company *"V ...

* Debbie Gibson /

Tiffany Tiffany may refer to: People * Tiffany (given name), list of people with this name * Tiffany (surname), list of people with this surname Known mononymously as "Tiffany": * Tiffany Darwish, (born 1971), an American singer, songwriter, actress kn ...

Sumo is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...

Bill and Ted ''Bill & Ted'' is an American science fiction comedy franchise created by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. It features William "Bill" S. Preston Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan, portrayed by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, respectively, two metalhea ...

* Car accessories: Garfield, Mooning Man * '' The Hit Man and Her''

''I Love 1989'' - broadcast: 24 March 2001

Presented by

Jason Donovan Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 mi ...

. Opening titles: " All Around the World" by Lisa Stansfield. Ending credits: " Days" by Kirsty MacColl.
The episode features (in the order shown in episode): * Den Watts (the demise of the popular character "Dirty Den" in

EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...

) *

Lycra Spandex, Lycra, or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a polyether-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia, US. The g ...

body *

(Australian TV soap star who made his name as a pop star in 1989) * Challenge Anneka (new TV series hosted by Anneka Rice) *

Mike Tyson Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, and later known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet", Tyson is cons ...

vs Frank Bruno * Decorating paint * Soul II Soul * Dancing flowers *

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...

* '' Shirley Valentine'' *

Crop circles A crop circle, crop formation, or corn circle is a pattern created by flattening a crop, usually a cereal. The term was first coined in the early 1980s by Colin Andrews. Crop circles have been described as all falling "within the range of the ...

Neneh Cherry Neneh Mariann Karlsson (born 10 March 1964), better known as Neneh Cherry, is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, occasional DJ and broadcaster. Her musical career started in London in the early 1980s, where she performed in a number of punk roc ...

* Game Boy / Tetris (the latest popular computer games) * Lambada * Bodyform / Tampax / Bodyform advert * Madchester (pop music and culture emerging in Manchester) Flashback commercial of 1989: Carling Black Label - Mission Impossible Squirrel.

Repeats

The series was repeated on BBC Two in 2002. In 2019, the same channel broadcast edited episodes lasting thirty minutes.

References

External links

* {{BBC programme Nostalgia television shows BBC Television shows 2001 British television series debuts 2001 British television series endings English-language television shows

Contributors

Episode guide

''I Love 1980'' - broadcast: 13 January 2001

''I Love 1981'' - broadcast: 20 January 2001

''I Love 1982'' - broadcast: 3 February 2001

''I Love 1983'' - broadcast: 10 February 2001

''I Love 1984'' - broadcast: 17 February 2001

''I Love 1985'' - broadcast: 24 February 2001

''I Love 1986'' - broadcast: 3 March 2001

''I Love 1987'' - broadcast: 10 March 2001

''I Love 1988'' - broadcast: 17 March 2001

''I Love 1989'' - broadcast: 24 March 2001

Repeats

See also

References

External links