Remember these?
Every week we bring you recommendations of some great new TV shows to watch but there’s no denying the appeal of some old-school TV. With this in mind, I managed to dig up a TV guide from 20 years ago and it’s retro gold.
Lets start at 7am and work our way through a Saturday of TV that’s best described as eclectic. Before you ask, yes we are assuming that people have ‘the channels’ and we’ve marked what we’re going to watch in the TV guide.
How many of these do you remember?
The morning schedule
7.00 – X-Men on BBC1
The films had a hard time topping this show. The theme tune is lodged into my brain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IzSGvXc_PM
Clip via – AFinleyProductions
7.20 – Sonic the Hedgehog – Channel 4
Childhod flashbacks before your eyes here.
Lets take another look at that TV guide.
8.00 – Transworld Sport – Channel 4
Switching channels now and before Sky Sports News or the Internet, this was the best way to stay in touch with all the global sporting news while ‘Football Italia’ was the only show for football hipsters.
Best intro music ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHXfHFNlJ_w
10:20 – Sweet Valley High – BBC One
Maybe your sister wrestled control of the remote control away from you and switched the channel over?
Still though, nearly ever ’90s kid remembers this. Surprisingly, The Crystal Maze and Tintin aren’t on the schedule for this particular day. Now they were good shows!
10.45 – Animaniacs – Network Two
There are people in their thirties that can still recite this theme tune word-for-word. Heroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWnWwN1z_UM
The Afternoon/Evening
You’ve agreed that you’re not getting off the couch. What else is on?
11.30 pm – The Chart Show – UTV
Apart from Top 30 Hits on Network 2, this was the music bible for my own budding musical tastes.
12.34 – Sports Stadium – Network 2
Now the day has really started. 6 hours of sport on a Saturday = bliss. Do you remember these titles? No need to change the channel unless…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQPBjO6yXjo
10:45 – Grandstand – BBC1
…you fancy seeing Des Lynam on Grandstand instead. These two were sporting heaven.
The adverts
If you were flicking through the stations then this is what you would see. Some of these ads are incredibly nostalgic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubFzMPSC7ss
The Evening
5.25 You’ve Been Framed – UTV
A family classic with the sadly deceased Jeremy Beadle.
5.55 – The Shane Richie Experience – UTV
To be honest, I’ve never seen this show but it looks like I missed out on some experience. Ah 1995, when Boyzone ruled the world.
6.01 -Six-One News- RTE1
Here’s a sample of what the set looked like. Loads of flashbacks here.
6.30 – The Grip – Network 2
This clip is actually from ’94 but do we all remember Kev’ from the Toy Show? Here he is.
So what’s on Sky one then?
7.20 Pets Win Prizes – BBC
Oddly enough, Blind Date or Gladiators wasn’t being broadcast that evening so viewers were stuck with this. I have vague memories of this show.
7.40 – Columbo – UTV
Alternatively you could just turn over and watch your dad’s favourite show. It’s either this or Heartbeat. All dad’s loved Heartbeat.
7.57 – Lotto Draw – RTE
“Feck it, we didn’t win this week. I swear it’s rigged” – every Irish mam.
9.45 – Good Morning Vietnam – Channel 4
The evening film was an absolute classic that night. This scene still cracks me up.
10.00 – Tales from The Crypt/The X-Files – Sky One
Unsolved Mysteries was the show that really left a traumatic scar on my mind, more about that show here, but this double-bill was equally freaky.
10.25 Match of The Day – BBC
Lets be honest, there’s no better way to end a Saturday night in front of the TV. We all remember this golden moment that has just turned 20.
12.00 Close – RTE
What are you still doing up? Off to bed with you, mass is in the morning.
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