• 18
    watchers
  • 108
    plays
  • 74
    collected
  • 1981-09-20T23:00:00Z on BBC Two
  • 30m
  • 3h (6 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • English
Best remembered for giving early exposure to the still little-known Rik Mayall, A Kick Up the Eighties had little other connection to the alternative comedy boom. The series' roots were much older, its format lifted from '60s satirical show The Frost Report (BBC, 1966-67), with former Nationwide (BBC, 1969-84) presenter and humorist Richard Stilgoe in the David Frost role. Each edition featured a series of sketches around a particular social theme (work, death, sex, television), threaded together by Stilgoe's lightly cynical commentary. When the series returned in 1984, with Robbie Coltrane in Stilgoe's place, it had taken on a more straightforward sketch show format, though retaining Turvey's tortuous investigations. Note: The poster is from an unrelated book cover. Fan Art is not of the cast, but of a UK covers band of the same name.

6 episodes

Series Premiere

1981-09-20T23:00:00Z

1x01 Death

Series Premiere

1x01 Death

  • 1981-09-20T23:00:00Z30m

What the well-dressed undertaker is wearing this autumn. How to look chic in a shroud. Extracts from A Worm's-Eye View of Britain and Debrett's Funeral Etiquette ... Plus the ten people you said you'd most like to cremate whilst still alive.

A Kick Up the Eighties puts the boot into kicking the bucket.

1981-09-27T23:00:00Z

1x02 Work

1x02 Work

  • 1981-09-27T23:00:00Z30m

Work - another British invention which has been taken over by the Japanese.

This week A Kick Up the Eighties gives you something to talk about in the dole queue.

1981-10-04T23:00:00Z

1x03 The Media

1x03 The Media

  • 1981-10-04T23:00:00Z30m

A group of young people, who depend on television for their livelihood, take a sympathetic and, at times, admiring look at their hardworking and often misunderstood employers. Including a special tribute to the Director-General's wife's cooking.

1981-10-11T23:00:00Z

1x04 Advice

1x04 Advice

  • 1981-10-11T23:00:00Z30m

If we took all the professional advice that's thrown at us, would we wind up wearing the same clothes, sitting in identical cars on our way to the same restaurant, stuck in a country lane on an AA recommended short cut?

This week A Kick Up the Eighties helps you to fill in those long winter evenings.

Season Finale

1981-10-26T00:00:00Z

1x06 Leisure

Season Finale

1x06 Leisure

  • 1981-10-26T00:00:00Z30m

Why not sit down in your favourite armchair, put your feet up and go to sleep - it's much better for you than watching television.

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