My 70's TV Childhood

Big John, Little John

Join me as I dig into the dusty archives to remember a US import that landed on UK screens in a very unusual way: Big John, Little John. This week, we explore this short-lived sitcom about a 40-year-old science teacher who accidentally drinks from the Fountain of Youth and keeps turning into his 12-year-old self. It was a show that flipped the classic "I wish I was a kid again" trope on its head, showing the hilarious chaos that ensues when you have no control over the change. We'll discuss its unique premise, the "Cousin Oliver effect" thanks to its young star Robbie Rist, and why this gently funny show, shown in the UK before the US, only lasted one season. It was a show that was perhaps too mature for kids, but not quite right for adults, yet it remains a fond memory for those of us who caught it after school in 1976. There's still time to get your questions in for our special listener-contributed Christmas quiz! Submit your best 70s TV trivia to quiz@my70stvchildhood.com [quiz@my70stvchildhood.com]. Take care,  Oliver Connect with us: * Blog: https://my70stvchildhood.com/ [https://my70stvchildhood.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood [https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/ [https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/] * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/home [https://twitter.com/home] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood [https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood] Get in touch! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1324933/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/olivercolling]

The Quiz # 57

Welcome to Quiz #57! This week, we're taking a trip down memory lane with a round all about classic 70s TV adverts in "Commercial Break." From secret lemonade drinkers to the best lager in the world, we're testing your memory of those iconic ads. What's in this episode: * Round 1: Commercial Break - questions about iconic 70s TV adverts * Round 2: Marathon/Fil Rouge - questions from previous podcast episodes * Round 3: Name That Tune - theme tunes from 1979 * Round 4: TV Times - general 70s TV trivia * Bonus Question Exciting News: There's still time to get your questions in for our special listener-contributed Christmas quiz! Submit your best 70s TV trivia to quiz@my70stvchildhood.com [quiz@my70stvchildhood.com]. Grab a pen and paper, settle in with your favourite beverage, and see how many you can get right! Send your score to: quiz@my70stvchildhood.com [quiz@my70stvchildhood.com] Connect with us: * Blog: https://my70stvchildhood.com/ [https://my70stvchildhood.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood [https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/ [https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/] * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/home [https://twitter.com/home] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood [https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood] Get in touch! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1324933/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/olivercolling]

Michael Bentine's Potty Time

Join me as I dig into the dusty archives of My 70's TV Childhood Towers to explore a little slice of eccentric brilliance: Michael Bentine's Potty Time. This unique episode explores a specific moment in television history when tiny wooden puppets, daft voices, and impossible chaos ruled the screen. From the mind of the "fourth Goon," Michael Bentine, this show brought a handmade charm and gentle surrealism that feels quintessentially British. We'll explore the history of the show, the man behind it, and why it still brings a fond smile to those who remember it. From the Battle of Trafalgar with cardboard waves to Christopher Columbus discovering the earth is round (and being told he's crazy), discover what families across Britain were watching on those dark winter afternoons. Whether it was the potties' wiggly legs, the constant explosions, or the silly voices, this show offered something for everyone, if you knew where to look. Do you remember the potty sheriff, the beefeaters at the Tower of London, or the potties' unique way of walking? These forgotten shows remind us how much television history gets lost in the mists of time. Take care,  Oliver 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7CY0y903b97y5SSMONZSCv] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/my-70s-tv-childhood/id1531062109] 🌐 Explore More: Blog & Episodes [https://www.my70stvchildhood.com/blog] 📧 Get in Touch: oliver@my70stvchildhood.com [oliver@my70stvchildhood.com] 📲 Follow My 70's TV Childhood: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/My70sTVChildhood/] | X / Twitter [https://twitter.com/70sTVChildhood] | Instagram | [https://www.instagram.com/70stvchildhood/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood] Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1324933/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/olivercolling]

The Quiz #56

Welcome to Quiz #56! This week, we're taking a look back at the terrifying public information films that haunted our childhoods in a round called "Remember, Remember." What's in this episode: * Round 1: Remember, Remember - questions about those infamous public information films * Round 2: Marathon/Fil Rouge - questions from previous podcast episodes * Round 3: Name That Tune - theme tunes from 1978 * Round 4: TV Times - general 70s TV trivia * Bonus Question Exciting News: We still need your questions for our special Christmas quiz! Submit your best 70s TV trivia to quiz@my70stvchildhood.com [quiz@my70stvchildhood.com] by November 30th. Grab a pen and paper, settle in with your favourite beverage, and see how many you can get right! Send your score to: quiz@my70stvchildhood.com [quiz@my70stvchildhood.com] Get in Touch * Blog: https://my70stvchildhood.com/ [https://my70stvchildhood.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood [https://www.facebook.com/my70stvchildhood] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/ [https://www.instagram.com/my70stvchildhood/] * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/home [https://twitter.com/home] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood [https://www.youtube.com/@my70stvchildhood] Get in touch! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1324933/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/olivercolling]

Rod Hull and That Bloody Bird

Join me as I dig into the dusty archives of My 70's TV Childhood Towers to explore one of the most popular but slightly bizarre double acts in British television: Rod Hull and Emu. If you were growing up in the 70s and early 80s, you'll almost certainly remember the bizarre sight of one man and an arm-length emu puppet tearing through TV studios, visiting school-holiday specials, wrestling chat-show hosts, and generally causing mayhem. Today we'll look at how the act started, why it resonated, the iconic moments, and how it all came to an abrupt and tragic end plus what it left behind. From their big break on The Royal Variety Show in 1972 to the infamous attack on Michael Parkinson, from Emu's Broadcasting Company on BBC to the pink windmill of Emu's World on ITV, discover how Rod Hull and Emu became one of the most memorable acts in British television history. Whether it was attacking the Queen Mother's flowers, rolling around on stage with Dickie Henderson, or causing chaos on Johnny Carson's show in America, this double act brought anarchic energy and slapstick comedy that defined children's television. Do you remember Billy Dainty, Barbara New as the tea lady, or Grotbags the green witch? These beloved characters remind us how much television history gets lost in the mists of time. Take care,  Oliver 🎧 Listen & Subscribe:  Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7CY0y903b97y5SSMONZSCv?si=56c56342c092407a] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/my-70s-tv-childhood/id1531062109] 🌐 Explore More:  Blog & Episodes [https://www.my70stvchildhood.com] 📧 Get in Touch:  oliver@my70stvchildhood.com 📲 Follow My 70’s TV Childhood: Don't forget to like, rate, and review me wherever you get your podcasts.  Get in touch! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1324933/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/olivercolling]