With hundreds of channels and streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV and Disney+ at our fingertips, there's never been more TV shows to choose from.
Today, it's easier than ever to turn the TV or a device on to binge watch the latest series or revisit award-winning classics. But it's not unusual to reminisce about your favourite television shows from the past - and wish some would reappear on or screens, or even be rebooted.
But as the years go on, we start to forget details about them or find others have no idea what we're talking about. Last year on a Reddit thread, user Silly_Weather8332 posted 'What’s an obscure British TV show that only you seem to remember?' - and was flooded with over 3,500 comments, the MEN previously reported.
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At the time, the MEN took inspiration from the post and put the question to our readers. And we've decided to revisit your suggestions of forgotten or obscure TV shows of the past.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we selected a range of shows across the decades from your comments. But if you feel there is a programme we should have included, let us know in the comments section.
1. The Tripods
First broadcast in 1984, post-apocalyptic sci-fi The Tripods ran for two series and was based on John Christopher's The Tripods series of novels. According to the BBC, it had a cast of over 300, with names included Pamela Salem, John Woodvine, John Scott-Martin and John Shackley.
The series was set in 2089, with the concept that Earth has been conquered by an alien race known as the Masters using their giant Tripods. Reader Paula Edwards said: "The Tripods. Used to watch it with my Dad every Saturday."
2. Five Children and It
Based on E. Nesbit's children novel Five Children and It, in 1991 the BBC turned the story into a six-part television series. While playing in a sand pit, fives siblings discover a sand fairy, called The Psammead, which is thousands of years old and has the power to grant wishes.
In 2020, a Jacqueline Wilson book based on the original novel - Four Children and It - was also adapted into a film. Ella McBride said: "The Psammead! Loved it as a kid and nobody ever knows what I’m on about."
3. Maelstrom
Miniseries Maelstrom was first broadcast on the BBC in 1985 and was written by Michael J. Bird. The six-part series follows a young woman, Catherine, who travels to Norway to claim an inheritance but doesn't know why she was chosen as a beneficiary.
Caught in a storm of murder and terror, she soon finds her life in danger. Lisa Bricknell said: "There was something called Maelstrom (I think) in the 80s. Can’t remember much about it other than it was creepy, set in Norway (or somewhere like that) and there were loads of spooky baby dolls. Bizarre!"
Paula Kirkman commented: "Maelstrom. Would love to see it again and see whether it really was as weird/spooky as I remember." And Mel Jackson posted: "Maelstrom…. A BBC drama in 1985 …. A thrilller with scary dolls in it! Nobody else ever remembers watching it! But as a 12 year old it was etched in my mind as the scariest thing ever!"
4. Incredible Games
Incredible Games was a children's game show broadcast by the BBC between 1994 and 1995. Set in a fictional skyscraper, viewers watched contestants in their early teens perform a variety of tasks to earn levels to get to the penthouse for the main prize.
The series also featured a talking lift who was played by none other than David Walliams. Lyanne Johnson wrote: "Incredible games!!! Nobody ever remembers! David Walliams was the guy on the screen in the lift."
5. Sapphire & Steel
Supernatural series Sapphire & Steel ran from 1979 to 1982 on the ITV network. It starred David McCallum as Steel and Joanna Lumley as Sapphire, two detectives from another dimension who try to safeguard Earth from danger.
Only Sapphire and Steel can stop the events and restore natural order to the universe. Reader Peter Atherton suggested the series.
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6. The Brittas Empire
The Brittas Empire follows Gordon Brittas, manager of the Whitbury-Newtown Leisure Centre and ran for seven series. Aired on BBC between 1991 and 1997, viewers also saw Gordon's long-suffering wife Helen and staff putting up with all his silly ideas and constant chaos.
For years, talk of a revival has been speculated. MEN reader Danielle Sugden suggested the series.
7. Terror Towers
Often described as a 'spookier children's version' of The Crystal Maze, CITV's Terror Towers first hit our screens in 1994. Running until 1996, the show ran for two series and was presented by Steve Johnson.
Set in a haunted castle that comes to life, two teams of children undergo tasks in different rooms to win eyeballs. Lacey Alexandra Outram posted: "Some 90s kids programme where the contestants did challenges around some sort of spooky house and at the end they had to collect giant matching eyeballs from a pool of gunge, no idea what it was called and I’m now thinking I dreamt the whole thing x"
8. Through the Dragon's Eye
Through the Dragon's Eye was an educational BBC Look and Read production which was first aired in 1989. According to the BBC, the first episode followed Jenny, Scott and Amanda who mysteriously pass through a mural they've painted and find themselves in the magical land of Pelamar.
The show aired ten episodes in total. Sean Paul Vella posted: "Through The Dragons Eye. It was an educational show and really oversold the relevance of cricket bats during a fantasy adventure…" Kelly Ball also suggested the show.
9. Man O Man
Man O Man was a game show that aired on ITV and was hosted by Chris Tarrant. Running from 1996 to 1999, the concept was ten men trying to impress a female audience over a number of rounds, from impressions to chat-up lines and more.
After each event, the women in the audience would vote for their favourite, with those eliminated in the line-up being pushed into the swimming pool behind them. Lindsay Marie Tombs wrote: "Mid nineties game show called 'Man O Man'. Nobody seems to remember it whenever I mention it but it was awesome back in the day." Adrianne Day also suggested the 90s show.
10. Hickory House
Hickory House was a children's puppet series that saw household objects come to life. It aired 109 episodes between 1973 and 1977 and was aimed at pre-school aged children.
Broadcast by Granada Television, each programme was usually hosted by a pair of presenters. Lisa Nelson said: "Hickory House. Think it was late 70s. Humphrey Cushion was a character in it."
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11. The Ghosts of Motley Hall
The Ghosts of Motley Hall was broadcast on ITV between 1976 and 1978. Set in Motley Hall, built in 1577, the Granada Production followed five ghosts from different periods of history compelled to get along with each other.
In the series, they also try to keep the 20th century away from their doorstep to remain the sole occupants. Thomas Kennedy and Wayne Lockhart Snr both suggested The Ghosts of Motley Hall.
12. Stoppit and Tidyup
Stoppit and Tidyup ran for one series in the late eighties and was an animated cartoon series. Narrated by Sir Terry Wogan, it was screened on the BBC, with each episode running for around five minutes.
It followed protagonists Stoppit and Tidyup in the mythical land of Do As You're Told. MEN reader Wendy Goddard commented: "A cartoon called Stoppit and Tidyup, it was narrated by Terry Wogan. Loved it."
13. Only When I Laugh
Only When I Laugh, a Yorkshire Television production for ITV, ran from 1979 to 1982. It followed characters Roy Figgis, Norman Binns and Archie Glover who long-term residents of the NHS but never fail to get themselves into trouble.
There were nearly 30 episodes of the show aired over four series. Louise Woodward-Styles said: "I loved 'Only When I Laugh' when I was a little girl."
14. Mary, Mungo and Midge
Mary, Mungo and Midge was an animated children's series created by John Ryan. It first hit our screens on BBC in 1969.
The episodes followed the adventures of a little girl called Mary and her dog, Mungo, and her mouse, Midge. Readers Tracey Short and Krista Pelham both named this show.
15. When the Boat Comes In
Period drama When the Boat Comes In was produced by the BBC between 1976 and 1981. Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the two World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family between the 1920s and 1930s.
The series starred James Bolam as the lead. Debbie Dalgliesh said: "When The Boat Comes In? Another one with a great theme tune."
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
16. The Adventure Game
The Adventure Game was a BBC game show originally broadcast between 1980 and 1986. Each episode followed two celebrities and a member of the public travelling by spaceship to the planet Arg, performing challenges to locate crystals to travel home.
It ran for four series and celebrity appearances included Bonnie Langford, Noel Edmonds and Johnny Ball. Anna-Marie Brannan and Simon Granger both mentioned the children's show.
17. The Phoenix and the Carpet
Another E. Nesbit work adapted into a BBC series was The Phoenix and the Carpet, which follows four Edwardian children who acquire a phoenix and go on adventures. The six-part serial was first broadcast in 1997 and starred David Suchet as the Phoenix, as well as Hollyoaks' Jessica Fox and Miriam Margolyes.
In the first episode, a family buys an old carpet from a junkshop, which when unrolled reveals a large shiny egg which later falls into a fire and sees their adventures begin. Lisa Marie Towey and Joanne Hill suggested the show.
And Daisy Weight said: "The Phoenix and the Carpet, was on Sundays in the 90s. I loved it. No one ever remembers it."
18. Come Back, Lucy
Produced by ATV, Come Back, Lucy was based on a story written by author Pamela Sykes. The six episode series aired in 1978.
The story followed a bereaved Lucy who is sent to live with her cousins and makes a friend in Alice, who has been dead for over a hundred years. Robert Farrow said: "Come Back Lucy, a very creepy ITV children's series shown on Sundays around 1978."
19. Gran
Gran aired on the BBC and saw 13 episodes broadcast all together in the 1980s. The stop motion animation television series was narrated by Patricia Hayes and directed by Ivor Wood.
It followed two main character, Gran and her grandson, Jim, going on different adventures. Jo Sheffield said: "Gran. The theme tune went 'hello gran how are you? How do you feel today? I just came by to see if I could be of help in any way…' Loved it."
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