For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as Blackadder, Red Dwarf, Not the Nine O’Clock News, Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, and The Young Ones, to crime dramas such as The Professionals, Bergerac, Minder, Inspector Morse and Lovejoy, to sitcoms like Terry and June, To the Manor Born, ...
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This course will examine the context for TV production during the 1980s, considering the historical, social, cultural and political events that shaped the decade. It will explore the various influences that were reflected in the programming of the period, their relationship with the popular culture of the time and it will look at the legacies of some of the most popular shows broadcast. Each week we will screen an episode from one of the key series from the decade as a means of thinking through some of the key concerns relevant to the programme and to the 1980s more broadly and as a means of facilitating considered discussion.
What will we cover?
The relationship between television serials/programmes and the popular culture of the 1980s
The thematic concerns of the decade that range from tensions between tradition and modernity, shifting perceptions of gender roles and the political effects of the UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the American president Ronald Reagan.
The various genres that were prevalent in 1980s TV programming, such as science fiction, crime, comedy and fantasy
The exploration of the aesthetics or visual style of television programmes from the 1980s
The status of various programmes from the 1980s as ‘cult TV’
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Have an understanding of the history of various television series from the 1980s
Have a sense of the relationship between these series and the popular culture of 1980s Britain
Demonstrate familiarity with some of the key themes and concerns of the some of these 1980s TV series
Analyse and discuss the visual style of a number of key TV series from the 1980s
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for television and film.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
An introduction by the tutor, the screening of an entire episode from a selected series each week, and group discussion after the episode has been screened.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cult-tv-the-1980s2745134Cult TV: The 1980shttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/TV & media studies22851177158020971228511771580<p>For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as <em>Blackadder</em>, <em>Red Dwarf</em>, <em>Not the Nine O’Clock News</em>, <em>Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV</em>, and <em>The Young Ones</em>, to crime dramas such as <em>The Professionals</em>, <em>Bergerac</em>, <em>Minder</em>, <em>Inspector Morse</em> and <em>Lovejoy</em>, to sitcoms like <em>Terry and June</em>, <em>To the Manor Born</em>, <em>‘Allo,’Allo!</em> and <em>Sorry</em>, as well as comedy dramas such as <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Auf Wiedersehen, Pet</em>, alongside science fiction dramas such as the long-running <em>Doctor Who</em>, the 80s was a rich decade in terms of UK television production. But who could forget the popular US series of the decade too, shows such as <em>Dallas</em>, <em>Dynasty</em>, <em>Knots Landing</em>, <em>Hart to Hart</em> and a whole host of others that achieved significant viewing figures among UK audiences.</p><p>So, if you want to forget Thatcherism, poll tax riots, and the miners’ strike, but remember the New Romantics, Acid House and a whole host of what are now seen as ‘cult’ TV programmes, then put on your Vivienne Westwood pirate jacket and your baggy trousers and join me for four weeks of 80s nostalgia.</p>002745068Cult TV: The 1980s129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-04-28T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF306129129Cult TV: The 1980s10384129Paul Suttoncult-tv-the-1980s/hf306-2526<p>For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as <em>Blackadder</em>, <em>Red Dwarf</em>, <em>Not the Nine O’Clock News</em>, <em>Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV</em>, and <em>The Young Ones</em>, to crime dramas such as <em>The Professionals</em>, <em>Bergerac</em>, <em>Minder</em>, <em>Inspector Morse</em> and <em>Lovejoy</em>, to sitcoms like <em>Terry and June</em>, <em>To the Manor Born</em>, <em>‘Allo,’Allo!</em> and <em>Sorry</em>, as well as comedy dramas such as <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Auf Wiedersehen, Pet</em>, alongside science fiction dramas such as the long-running <em>Doctor Who</em>, the 80s was a rich decade in terms of UK television production. But who could forget the popular US series of the decade too, shows such as <em>Dallas</em>, <em>Dynasty</em>, <em>Knots Landing</em>, <em>Hart to Hart</em> and a whole host of others that achieved significant viewing figures among UK audiences.</p><p>So, if you want to forget Thatcherism, poll tax riots, and the miners’ strike, but remember the New Romantics, Acid House and a whole host of what are now seen as ‘cult’ TV programmes, then put on your Vivienne Westwood pirate jacket and your baggy trousers and join me for four weeks of 80s nostalgia.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-28 00:00:00<p>This course will examine the context for TV production during the 1980s, considering the historical, social, cultural and political events that shaped the decade. It will explore the various influences that were reflected in the programming of the period, their relationship with the popular culture of the time and it will look at the legacies of some of the most popular shows broadcast. Each week we will screen an episode from one of the key series from the decade as a means of thinking through some of the key concerns relevant to the programme and to the 1980s more broadly and as a means of facilitating considered discussion.</p><p>For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as <em>Blackadder</em>, <em>Red Dwarf</em>, <em>Not the Nine O’Clock News</em>, <em>Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV</em>, and <em>The Young Ones</em>, to crime dramas such as <em>The Professionals</em>, <em>Bergerac</em>, <em>Minder</em>, <em>Inspector Morse</em> and <em>Lovejoy</em>, to sitcoms like <em>Terry and June</em>, <em>To the Manor Born</em>, <em>‘Allo,’Allo!</em> and <em>Sorry</em>, as well as comedy dramas such as <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Auf Wiedersehen, Pet</em>, alongside science fiction dramas such as the long-running <em>Doctor Who</em>, the 80s was a rich decade in terms of UK television production. But who could forget the popular US series of the decade too, shows such as <em>Dallas</em>, <em>Dynasty</em>, <em>Knots Landing</em>, <em>Hart to Hart</em> and a whole host of others that achieved significant viewing figures among UK audiences.</p><p>So, if you want to forget Thatcherism, poll tax riots, and the miners’ strike, but remember the New Romantics, Acid House and a whole host of what are now seen as ‘cult’ TV programmes, then put on your Vivienne Westwood pirate jacket and your baggy trousers and join me for four weeks of 80s nostalgia.</p><ul><li>The relationship between television serials/programmes and the popular culture of the 1980s</li><li>The thematic concerns of the decade that range from tensions between tradition and modernity, shifting perceptions of gender roles and the political effects of the UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the American president Ronald Reagan.</li><li>The various genres that were prevalent in 1980s TV programming, such as science fiction, crime, comedy and fantasy</li><li>The exploration of the aesthetics or visual style of television programmes from the 1980s</li><li>The status of various programmes from the 1980s as ‘cult TV’</li></ul><ul><li>Have an understanding of the history of various television series from the 1980s</li><li>Have a sense of the relationship between these series and the popular culture of 1980s Britain</li><li>Demonstrate familiarity with some of the key themes and concerns of the some of these 1980s TV series</li><li>Analyse and discuss the visual style of a number of key TV series from the 1980s</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for television and film.</p><p text-align:start="">An introduction by the tutor, the screening of an entire episode from a selected series each week, and group discussion after the episode has been screened.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesTV & media studiesvirtual10312984HF306NONETue28/04/26 - 19/05/2614:00 - 16:0014:0016:004 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetPaul SuttonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-28T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities129129Cult TV: The 1980scult-tv-the-1980s/hf306-2526<p>For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as <em>Blackadder</em>, <em>Red Dwarf</em>, <em>Not the Nine O’Clock News</em>, <em>Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV</em>, and <em>The Young Ones</em>, to crime dramas such as <em>The Professionals</em>, <em>Bergerac</em>, <em>Minder</em>, <em>Inspector Morse</em> and <em>Lovejoy</em>, to sitcoms like <em>Terry and June</em>, <em>To the Manor Born</em>, <em>‘Allo,’Allo!</em> and <em>Sorry</em>, as well as comedy dramas such as <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Auf Wiedersehen, Pet</em>, alongside science fiction dramas such as the long-running <em>Doctor Who</em>, the 80s was a rich decade in terms of UK television production. But who could forget the popular US series of the decade too, shows such as <em>Dallas</em>, <em>Dynasty</em>, <em>Knots Landing</em>, <em>Hart to Hart</em> and a whole host of others that achieved significant viewing figures among UK audiences.</p><p>So, if you want to forget Thatcherism, poll tax riots, and the miners’ strike, but remember the New Romantics, Acid House and a whole host of what are now seen as ‘cult’ TV programmes, then put on your Vivienne Westwood pirate jacket and your baggy trousers and join me for four weeks of 80s nostalgia.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-28 00:00:00<p>This course will examine the context for TV production during the 1980s, considering the historical, social, cultural and political events that shaped the decade. It will explore the various influences that were reflected in the programming of the period, their relationship with the popular culture of the time and it will look at the legacies of some of the most popular shows broadcast. Each week we will screen an episode from one of the key series from the decade as a means of thinking through some of the key concerns relevant to the programme and to the 1980s more broadly and as a means of facilitating considered discussion.</p><p>For anyone growing up in or living through the 1980s there were plenty of series on TV to watch, despite the limited numbers of channels available at the time. From comedy classics such as <em>Blackadder</em>, <em>Red Dwarf</em>, <em>Not the Nine O’Clock News</em>, <em>Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV</em>, and <em>The Young Ones</em>, to crime dramas such as <em>The Professionals</em>, <em>Bergerac</em>, <em>Minder</em>, <em>Inspector Morse</em> and <em>Lovejoy</em>, to sitcoms like <em>Terry and June</em>, <em>To the Manor Born</em>, <em>‘Allo,’Allo!</em> and <em>Sorry</em>, as well as comedy dramas such as <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Auf Wiedersehen, Pet</em>, alongside science fiction dramas such as the long-running <em>Doctor Who</em>, the 80s was a rich decade in terms of UK television production. But who could forget the popular US series of the decade too, shows such as <em>Dallas</em>, <em>Dynasty</em>, <em>Knots Landing</em>, <em>Hart to Hart</em> and a whole host of others that achieved significant viewing figures among UK audiences.</p><p>So, if you want to forget Thatcherism, poll tax riots, and the miners’ strike, but remember the New Romantics, Acid House and a whole host of what are now seen as ‘cult’ TV programmes, then put on your Vivienne Westwood pirate jacket and your baggy trousers and join me for four weeks of 80s nostalgia.</p><ul><li>The relationship between television serials/programmes and the popular culture of the 1980s</li><li>The thematic concerns of the decade that range from tensions between tradition and modernity, shifting perceptions of gender roles and the political effects of the UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the American president Ronald Reagan.</li><li>The various genres that were prevalent in 1980s TV programming, such as science fiction, crime, comedy and fantasy</li><li>The exploration of the aesthetics or visual style of television programmes from the 1980s</li><li>The status of various programmes from the 1980s as ‘cult TV’</li></ul><ul><li>Have an understanding of the history of various television series from the 1980s</li><li>Have a sense of the relationship between these series and the popular culture of 1980s Britain</li><li>Demonstrate familiarity with some of the key themes and concerns of the some of these 1980s TV series</li><li>Analyse and discuss the visual style of a number of key TV series from the 1980s</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for television and film.</p><p text-align:start="">An introduction by the tutor, the screening of an entire episode from a selected series each week, and group discussion after the episode has been screened.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesTV & media studiesconfigurable
20971580TV & media studieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/tv-media-studies1/2/285/1177/1580/20971/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/TV & media studies
