More Forgotten TV Shows of the 80s

Amongst the forgotten 80s TV shows in today's Stuview TV video, we’ve got a swashbuckling Oliver Tobias, a very unlucky Simon Callow, a small, round orange chap in an unreliable car and rock star Sting in one of the most incomprehensible TV dramas ever. Let's see what long-forgotten television gems await.
If you have enjoyed this video, there are lots more just like it on the Stuview TV channel. From memories of 70s and 80s TV shows and classic British comedy, to forgotten nostalgic treasures and fun 70s/80s quiz games.
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Many thanks for watching!

[@AlanFleming7499]

I'm not having Bottle Boys as the worst sitcom of all-time when the BBC is still inflicting Mrs Brown's Boys on us. Truly truly awful in every way possible.

[@ken.f.c.1977]

"THATS NICE"

[@garytallowin6623]

There is also "Heil Honey i'm home"

[@TheHoldenmcgroin]

@@garytallowin6623 still not as bad as Mrs Browns Boys...

[@punkpanther6310]

Loved Chance in a Million, remember it well and often talk about it so not forgotten here.

[@africareigns]

All episodes on itvx

[@dawnyWestScotland]

Oh yes I’d forgotten about the “Gentle Touch” loved it! 💛

[@mucy2807]

I’m at work until 10. Then home, crack a cold one and enjoy this lovely walk down memory lane, of being a kid back then and having better TV as an escape. I wish I appreciated it more. Thank you Stu👍🏻❤️🫡

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure!

[@paulanderson7796]

It's still that Central TV ident that brings back eighties memories for me.

[@andrewridgway9835]

Loved Aubrey and Galloping Galaxies growing up in the 80’s. Good and innocent times 😊

[@AndrewLakeUK]

The theme to Aubrey gets stuck in my head from time to time.

[@charlottehardy822]

Aubrey was brilliant, loved it as a kid.

[@robertbrown3413]

Probably the reason why Only Fools & Horses laughed when Boyce's name was revealed as "Aubrey"

[@Houseofweird]

Thank you! You've taken me right back to my childhood! My kids are blown away by the idea that with only 3 (and later 4) channels to choose from, most of us just watched what was on, even if we weren't that interested! Without CGI etc, decent drama on telly was carried by good writing and acting. I would love to hear your take on my childhood favourites Citizen Smith, Home To Roost and The Frontline.

[@stuviewtv]

Citizen Smith is my favourite of those. Brilliantly written by the great John Sullivan.

[@Dirty_Hamble]

Gotta love Oliver Tobias! He was seemingly in everything in the 1970s. He then just sort of disappeared. 🤔

[@adelucas4824]

Did a lot of stage work then did mostly Swiss and German TV and films

[@Dirty_Hamble]

@@adelucas4824 Thank you! 👍

[@JC-sd3vh]

Loved Chance in a Million at the crazy stories, the way he spoke and downing pints in one.

[@grahamdrummond2412]

14 in 84, I'm another one who definitely remembers Chance in a Million, it was how odd/very posh he spoke, & did she not often end up in her skimpies for some reason ?

[@paulanderson7796]

3:26 Brenda Blethyn as librarian Alison Little in "Chance In A Million" was seriously fit. The theme song was brilliantly arranged and produced as well.

[@ZER0--]

She's now called Vera and wears a long coat.

[@christopherdean1326]

Yes, I'd forgotten how cute she was back then.

[@MrMittens1974]

Yes she was bloody gorgeous in her heyday. Certainly raised my boyish gander.

[@stephenbrennan4178]

I haven't thought of Aubrey in nearly 40 years, thanks so much for reminding us of it!!

[@stuviewtv]

You are so welcome!

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@stuviewtv Cat's eyes also remind me of Cagney & Lacey from the US.

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

Forgoton how much I loved the "Cats Eyes" theme!

[@roninhood1027]

Though I love this, it makes me sad for what we have lost.

[@johnwalters4792]

What 😮

[@sarahandrews4580]

And me!

[@Mscarole57]

Im with you😢

[@marspp]

Consider that it’s because of KZbin we haven’t lost it

[@nigelrhodes4330]

I had totally forgotten about "You must be the husband", I watched it here in Australia back in the 80's, I wish I could watch it again now.

[@DrPeterVenkman383]

Now I realise why my dad used to like watching Cats Eyes... Remember watching this every week as a kid. 🤣❤️

[@Weegie2]

I've not sang the theme tune to Bottle Boys in almost 40 years, still remember it word for word, so embarrassing. 😂😂

[@Joy-not-the-boy]

I loved You Must Be The Husband! That and Sweet Sixteen with Penelope Keith! Fab, thanks for the reminder.

[@patrickclaeys6512]

remember Hywell in ''Shelley'' most fondly

[@HenryWaltonJones]

Written by England manager Terry Veneables

[@A.FoxGuitarman]

@@HenryWaltonJones Nah...Terry wrote the Hazell books with Gordon Williams. He had nothing to do with Shelley which was CRAP!

[@ianmatthews3041]

Had never heard of Chance in a Million so had to find it on here! Wasn't disappointed with it! Callow brilliant great character in Chance! Vera was equally brilliant and a very attractive younger woman(not that she hasn't aged well) just cant picture Her without the Northumberland accent! Thanks for posting without it I would never have known about it!

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure!

[@luquest1848]

Omg.. Galloping Galaxies! Thank you

[@petercarrington948]

Thanks Stu for reminding me of ' Aubrey '. I had forgotten about this great programme!

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I didn't realize that I'd forgotten it before I watched this, and even now I only have very faint memories of it.

[@stuviewtv]

An absolute gem!

[@Paulscribbles]

Chance in a Million was my absolute favourite thing on telly!!! I had SUCH a crush on Brenda Blethyn 😍, and Simon Callow’s recurring phrase, “Oh, hump!” (to express displeasure or vexation) became part of our family vocabulary.

[@martinharris6469]

Surprised brush strokes wasn't on the list...I Loved bottle boys aswell 😂 another great video 👍🏻

[@geroffmilan3328]

🎵🎶"... because of youuuuuuu, These things I do..." 🎶🎵 Classic!

[@fus149hammer5]

​@@geroffmilan3328Get your hands off my bleeding Jaguar!😂

[@leebrown3645]

I used to enjoy Smuggler. Cracking tea time family entertainment. 👍

[@roseanneneville4349]

I loved Chance in a Million! Glad to hear I can find it on KZbin.

[@wisteela]

Galloping Galaxies is the one I've been trying to remember for years. I'd forgotten all about Aubrey.

[@paulmiddleton8487]

Oh defo remember galloping galaxies! Awesome 👌😁

[@awall1701]

Aubrey and Cats Eyes are the only shows that I remember from that list. In the 80s, I started cadets, so I was away at least 2 nights a week and most weekends then hanging out with my mates from cadets. so I didnt watch much television. I got the 'You treat this place like a hotel' line from my mum or her other favourite line used on me was, 'What's up? you ill, not going out?'. Again, thank you for another fun and enjoyable video.

[@stuviewtv]

Aubrey was one of my favourites back in the day. Glad you enjoyed the video. Many thanks!

[@geroffmilan3328]

Same 2 shows for me in this lineup, with Aubrey being the one I have the fondest memories of. I can't really recall anything about Cat's Eyes but I know I watched it & thought it was fairly serviceable. But we in Scotland had the legendary Taggart, so it's hard for other cop dramas to compete! Although Juliet Bravo was probably more contemporary & also enjoyable enough.

[@atthebridge]

I remember Artemis 81, a couple of bits of it anyway. I couldn't understand it, but then I was just a kid. But my dad couldn't understand it either, and he wasn't.

[@eugeneshadwell6596]

Oh, 'Smuggler', LOVED that show as a kid... yet I'd completely forgotten about it until now! Cheers, mate, and if I can offer you another 80's show that nobody seems to remember but me can I offer you 'Barriers'? The title sequence haunted me for years! 😉

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks for that! Another one for the list.

[@kins749]

I remember watching Chance in a Million with my parents, we all loved it.

[@StarvedForTime]

Bottle Boys and Galloping galaxies. Core memories unlocked. Chance in a Million was a banger. Really want to watch Artemis 81 now.

[@stephen3511]

Wow! What a great trip down memory lane 👍🏻👍🏻

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks!

[@mathewoakley2588]

I NEVER forgot Galloping Galaxies ... loved it as a kid. I remember Aubrey as well, which was weirdly used as an insult against one of the lads I was in Secondary School with ! Cat's Eyes was a favourite of my parents. Artemis 81 looks good

[@frankowalker4662]

We never missed an episode of Chance in a Million in our house. Brilliant TV.

[@London_Native]

I remember watching Aubrey when I was a kid. I forgotten all about it but as soon as I saw him it all came back! I remember CATS Eyes as well as my Mum watched it in the front room.

[@dawnyWestScotland]

A lot of these I don’t remember, loved Aubrey! 💙😆💙💙☀️

[@stuviewtv]

Aubrey was just brilliant!

[@mercmush]

Aubrey was greatly enjoyed by my brother and I. Plus we had a mate at school who looked just like Aubrey! Happy days and very fond memories.

[@JohnBurton-c8x]

Fantastic video. You've brought back a stack of memories watching this. I absolutely loved 'The One Game' back in the day. I'm going to have to find a copy of that to rewatch now!

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks!

[@leecormack2413]

Got all three seasons of Chance in a Million. Never tired of rewatching.

[@waynestockton8953]

Two of my favourite TV shows as a kid were Tripods and Me and My Girl

[@alisonjordan]

“Me and my Girl” was another wonderful Comedy 🎭 Starring Richard O’Sullivan, and the theme tune sung by Peter Skellern...

[@DrPeterVenkman383]

The daughter in Me & My Girl was one of my first teenage crushes..

[@richardm6332]

I remember some of these. Chance in a Million was the only one I regularly watched. Very funny it was, too.

[@lokizig]

I remember the gentle touch but loved Aubrey Wasnt really into comedies more of a Hill Street Blues girl Thanks Stu x

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure.

[@stuartdavidson162]

I remember seeing the episode of Aubrey twice where he goes to the doctors for relief from all the noise in his life where he was prescribed tablets that he put in his hears and blocked out the sound. On both occarions, the broadcaster must've thought there was an issue with the audio and put a comment on screen saying that there was an issue with the sound and not to adjust your set :D

[@thefrecklepuny]

I do remember Chance In A Million. A great forgotten and underrated sitcom. (Sounds like another similar channel😊). It's essentially a more grown up version of Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em.

[@michaelwebster8666]

Another great selection! I remember The Smuggler, Galloping Galaxies, Cat's Eyes and my fav from this video Chance in a Million 👍

[@daniellatheczarina2u915]

Anything with Robin Asquith in I never watched, lol. Chance in a Million was great!

[@frankbrodie5168]

Oh wow.. A young Gabrielle Glaister! "Bob!"

[@Britz4Gaza]

Oh Stu, you got me on these, the only one I remember is cats eyes lol, I was too busy working and going off to nightclubs in my early 20s. Thanks a million for everything you do though! Absolutely BRILLIANT!

[@stuviewtv]

That's great of you to say! Many thanks.

[@itsjohniley]

I remember Chance In A Million as I had to watch it when I could as my mum wasn't a fan of it. But she did enjoy watching C.A.T.S Eyes

[@tonycritcher3419]

I only remember Cats Eyes and Chance in a Million. The latter was my favourite, so funny!

[@soapmonkey6357]

As a kid I LOVED Galloping galaxies! Thanks for reminding me of this gem :-)

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure!

[@alexispaterson814]

I can remember Galloping Galaxies with Kenneth Williams. He also voiced the main character in Willow the Wisp I used to like the way he would say Evil Edna. Cats eyes was good. I can't remember any tv series after 85 as I had moved into my first flat and couldn't afford a TV

[@alexispaterson814]

I've just found Willow the Wisp on KZbin. I apologise Kenneth Williams voiced every character in the series.

[@lokizig]

I used to get called Evil Edna at work by one person When I sent him to a job he didn't want to go to 😁

[@geroffmilan3328]

Thanks for reminding me of Willow The Wisp 👍 Evil Edna used to scare the absolute 💩 out of me!

[@danyoutube7491]

I loved Will 'O the Wisp! I am surprised that I don't remember Galloping Galaxies, I don't think I'd ever seen it; I was born in '81 so would have thought I'd have come across it. I've always liked Kenneth Williams.

[@alisonjordan]

Hello Stu🙋‍♀️ Yes a very obscure TV 📺 trip down Memory Lane... Yes... I remember watching “Bottle Boys” and finding it quite funny, but then there were only three TV 📺 Channels, and I suppose we were not too choosy. I have vague memories of “You Must be the Husband” “Cats Eyes” and “Chance in a Million” but the rest passed me by... Another Situation Comedy 🎭 I remember was “Lovely Couple” starring Pauline Quirke. I can still recall the catchy theme tune. A quick google search, and I realised it was broadcast in 1979. Thanks again Stu...Already looking forward to the next video.📹

[@stuviewtv]

Hi Alison. Not sure I remember Lovely Couple. Thanks for mentioning it. I'll go and do some research on it.

[@DavidNettleton-l3r]

I remember bottle boys & chance in a million but didn't really watch them but I watched Aubrey & used to love watching cats eyes, thanks Stu for more great memories 😊😊

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure as always. Aubrey was one of my favourites. Still find it funny now!

[@musicandbooklover-p2o]

I remember Cat's Eyes, brilliant series and Bottle Boys seems faintly familiar Will be looking more shows up on KZbin in the morning. Thanks for the -as always - great video

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure! Many thanks for watching.

[@shaunw9270]

I think the only ones I remember were Aubrey and Cat's Eyes (& The Gentle Touch). I'm going to have a watch of Bottle Boys , Thanks !

[@PeterMackett]

My Brother has met Oliver Tobias several times as he is into World War Two re-enactments which my Brother does too, some of these shows i have never heard of!

[@stevestannard6004]

Great performance in Robin of Sherwood too.

[@stevewilson8467]

Jill Gascoine: oh my days..😍

[@thefrecklepuny]

Indeed. A very attractive woman.

[@DrRock2009]

Indeed! Also Diane Keen 😍

[@fus149hammer5]

She appeared opposite Robin Askwith in Confessions Of A Pop Performer. Sans kit......😘

[@2760ade]

Yes! Something incredibly sexy about that permanently arched eyebrow! I was quite young then, but she made me feel somewhat 'strange'!🤣

[@mrc2662]

@@DrRock2009great shout. Also: Belinda Lang , Glynis Barber, Jan Francis and the greatest of them all, Ms Jenny Agutter 😊

[@stephaniemurphy3443]

Thanks for the memories

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure as always!

[@Loehengrin]

I think I remember all of these, but as soon as you said "...most baffling drama ever I knew exactly what you meant 😂

[@susanscott8653]

I remember Aubrey and Smuggler. Oliver Tobias was also in Adventurer which was filmed in New Zealand.

[@anaccount8474]

Chance in a Million was a brilliant show. It was a great sitcom and a hilarious parody of a sitcom at the same time.

[@MarkFraserWeather]

Loved watching Galloping Galaxies and I'm sure I watched every episode.

[@barrietite495]

Was at a recording of You Must Be The Husband. TBT was being interviewed by a journalist played by Claire Toeman. He opened a can of beer and cut his finger on the ringpull. First-aider came out to put a plaster on it

[@Turnbull50]

I bought the full series of Chance in a million and thought it was brilliant.

[@martinh4982]

Artemis 81 is a work of pure genius. It wouldn't get made today. The writer - name escapes me - also wrote the 70s tv drama Penda's Fen. I recommend both.

[@carolebarker2195]

I believe the writer was David Rudkin. Spencer Banks was in Penda's Fen, of "Timeslip" fame. I vaguely remember watching Penda's Fen, would like to see it again, it was intriguing.

[@martinh4982]

@@carolebarker2195 Yes, that's him. I bought Penda's Fen on eBay a couple of years ago. Cex might have a copy lurking somewhere.

[@Graham_Phelps]

Sounds like Neil Gaiman's Good Omens.

[@richardspandley6387]

I had a cat whom I named Aubrey after the cartoon character. She (yes) lived to the age of 18.

[@stuviewtv]

Wonderful.

[@evelynwilson1566]

I remember the Galloping Galaxies theme tune but not the show😂. I also loved the theme tune for The Gentle Touch.

[@PontiacS]

Love "Chance In A Million". Discovered it on KZbin because of Brenda Blethyn. She is in One of my Fave Films, Mike Leigh's "Grown Ups", also available on the YT's.

[@colinwatt2956]

I have Artemis 81 on DVD, or I think I have. I brought it with me to Australia when I emigrated almost seven years ago. I am now going to have to check it is in the garage with my other DVD’s.

[@gerrimilner9448]

i remember aubrey . i did watch artamis 81, i was about 6, i liked the police and my mum had taken two tranquilizers, never had a clue what it was about, thanks for enlightening me

[@JanPhillips-w4u]

I only remember Chance in a Million, Cats Eyes and The Smuggler. I adored Oliver Tobias! Must have been partying hard during the Eighties. Great Selection Stu.

[@stuviewtv]

Oliver Tobias - heartthrob to so many!

[@TKs3DPrints]

you know i think i must have had a cracking 80s.. as i so do not remember anyone of these.. lol.. but in them days kids and teens went out and did stuff. and not babysat with tablets and computers and mobile phones...

[@benaerialsbedford]

They need to repeat "The Ghostbusters of East Finchley". Another forgotten gem of a sitcom that I don't think was ever released on DVD/Video.😢

[@TedCornish]

Bottle boys was like a worse on the buses

[@dorianleakey]

Why they dont repeat some of these is beyond me, they may not be that well recived, but its better than endless repeats of the same shows, over and over and over.

[@newsbender]

Why is obvious - they are far too un-PC by today's standards. Imagine all the complaints they would get from "modern" audiences.

[@dorianleakey]

@@newsbender they aren't un PC though.

[@newsbender]

@@dorianleakey have you watched an episode of Bottle Boys? The first ten seconds would cause today’s snowflakes to faint.

[@nigelsheppard625]

I remember Sting in Artemis 81, it was an utter shambles. It must've looked as good on paper as the Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour.

[@vulture3874]

Brenda Blethyn in 'the kit'. Inspirational.

[@BrianMurfitt]

Thanks Stuview, me too in my late teens and early 20s I was too busy gallivanting around town, bars,music, nightclubbing, like you do at that age! So most of these TV series I'd never heard of before? I remember Bottle Boys, it was hilarious, but I think it had a 70s bawdy humour and mindset, which didn't go down too well in the mid 80s. Sensibilities had changed there was more of a serious feminist/the lady's not for turning attitude to women in the 80s, a bit like today with Multiculturalism/race. Continuing on that theme, The Gentle Touch and Cats Eyes, were before it's time, three competent women and a black boss, PC aside the plots and storylines were excellent. I wished I'd known about Smuggler as I like period pieces and Lesley Dunlop. I don't know if you've included it in part 1?But Just Good Friends on BBC1 was a very funny sitcom and very indicative of the 80s, the pretensions, snobbery and competitive upward mobility of that decade. 📺 Brian 🤗

[@stuviewtv]

Just Good Friends has long been a favourite of mine. I think it's too well remembered to get included in a forgotten TV video but if I ever do a video on classic 80s sitcoms it will definitely be featured.

[@BrianMurfitt]

@@stuviewtv True it isn't a forgotten series, sorry. 😔

[@LadyNicola]

Yeap. We got Aubrey in New Zealand him & Morph were my favorites. 😊

[@DBIVUK]

Chance in a Million was a seriously good show, with an amazing cast for a Channel 4 sitcom. Tom Chance's unorthodox but consistent sentence structure is worth listening to.

[@tonycritcher3419]

I agree totally!

[@dawnyWestScotland]

Now I’m looking up “Bottle boys” here on KZbin 😜😆

[@john-hl5tq]

Great choises. Apart from Chance in a Million, i have either forgotten about or had never heard off any of them.

[@gcooper642]

I loved Galloping Galaxies. We had a b&w TV and I was delighted to find out as an adult that it is so colourful. I wish more episodes were available. Whenever I get a pebble stuck in my shoe I think of the alien who liked discomfort and wanted a pebble for her shoe when she arrived on board

[@johnklimcke8875]

I remember watching Aubrey back then but to be honest I can't remember many of the other shows. Always fascinating viewing your channel is stu. Keep up the good work 👏👏🍻

[@stuviewtv]

Cheers John!

[@helenmirrenthe2rd]

Jill gascoine one of my all time favs .R.I.P. loved the gentle touch and C.a.t.s eyes. In fact all of jills work even now. I still love.❤

[@Frozen-Explosion]

i still sing the aubrey theme tune in my head to this day, also the blocka boots tune.......

[@altosanon]

I loved The One Game - and bought it on DVD as soon as it came out. No one I know remembers it though!

[@Healthhazard43]

I still love Chance in a million and Rosalyn Landor had the most amazing eyes.

[@AnthonyAndrews0128]

I only remember Aubrey and Cat's Eyes. That was an odd time back then. Either the late 80s or early 90s. although I'd think the 80's. There were two shows (grown up) that I liked and both said they were coming back for a new series: still waiting. The taxi series where the company including drivers, were all women, and The House of Elliott. I didn't just watch kids shows and comedy in those days (or these days 🙃 )

[@huwjennings2695]

I enjoyed Galloping Galaxies, and still have a copy of the novelisation somewhere.

[@alanglasgowbassist]

Well that’s a first for me-I don’t remember ANY of these if I’m honest! Sting as a young actor-haha 😮! Great video Stu

[@stuviewtv]

Thanks Alan!

[@stephenpalmer9375]

get out of my head. I was hunting down Chance in a Million the other day. And CATS EYES (for some reason.. I think I had remembered The Gentle Touch.. and you know how these rabbit holes go..). But thankyou for reminding me about Aubrey - we used to hum that theme tune well past the run of the cartoon.

[@stuviewtv]

Still one of my favourite theme tunes now.

[@Andymercer-fb8vo]

CHANCE IN A MILLION AND AURBREY....AMAZING STUFF

[@WelshIron]

Theres a few new to me here but Chance in a Million is a massive favourite of mine, watched it when it was first aired and regularly enjoy the dvds now. Smuggler was great, a remember Bottle Boys as being very meh. Aubrey was great when coming home from school though. Great selection, thanks.

[@stuviewtv]

My pleasure!

[@TheGlassman63]

Bottle Boys also had top 1980's eye candy !!!!, Candy Davis 💋

[@keithyork8226]

….who later became a successful writer of dark thrillers under the pen name Mo Hayder. Sadly, she is no longer with us. 😢

[@fus149hammer5]

My God she was 🔥!

[@katewolfspirit6722]

@@keithyork8226 She was married to Gary Olsen from 2Point4Children

[@keithyork8226]

@@katewolfspirit6722 That’s correct

[@dametrot]

Awww remember most of these extremely fondly and I’m still completely obsessed with cats eyes and always will be , however Artemis 81 and the one game both ones I really don’t remember fascinating stuff, I do think a lot of these are a bit forgotten today because of the lack of repeats or commercial releases

[@Cantrip1957]

Artemis 81 was certainly cryptic!