Puffballs and Grotbags

So lets face up to the fact that the 80's was devoid of a lot of things. Style being one of them.

Like the puffball skirt for example.

I remember attending a school disco in the late 80's wearing a friends white puffball and some strange puffy boots. I realised half way through the night when I glanced in a mirror that I looked like a cloud.

That wasn't really the look I was going for. And needless to say, its one 80's look I won't be resurrecting any time in the future.

But there is something we did well in the 80's. Kids TV. And we did it really well. Think Dangermouse, Batfink, Thundercats, He-man ... The list is pretty endless.

And it doesn't stop with cartoons. Roland Rat, Grotbags, Basil Brush are all brilliant examples of those characters and shows that kept us tuning in each night / week.

Which might explain why so many of them are still around today (I found a brilliant website today for any Roland Rat fans out there: http://www.ratfans.com/ ).

Right, off now to watch an episode of Dangermouse with my 7 year old....

Dogtanian - dogtastic!

 

Dogtanian and the Three Muskahounds

This classic cartoon was first aired in the UK in 1985 and followed the adventures of Dogtanion, sent to Paris to learn to become a muskateer for King Louis XIII's, and the three brave Muskahounds,  defending the King against the schemes of the  evil Cardinal Richelieu. As well as the action, we have a nice little love story between Dogtanion and Juliet (the Lady in waiting to the Queen). The cartoon ran for 26 episodes, with a pretty intricate plot.

And this just sums up what I love about 80's kids TV - a 19th century classic French novel,  taken and retold through dogs for an audience of 10 year olds who 20 odd years later will remember little about the plot, but will still be able to sing (or bark) the theme tune (go on, have a go! - words below to help).

One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always ready.

One for all and all for one, helping everybody.
One for all and all for one, it's a pretty story.
Sharing everything with fun. That's the way to be.

One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always steady.
One for all and all for one, helping everybody.
One for all and all for one. It sounds pretty corny.
But if you've got a problem chum, think how it could be.

They cross their hearts and pray. They cross their swords night and day,
They drink their beer and swear. They're faithful to their King.
No matter what you say, they're never far away,
They're always ready to fight or to sing.

One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always ready.
One for all and all for one, helping everybody.
One for all and all for one, it's a pretty story.
Sharing everything with fun. That's the way to be.

One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always steady.
One for all and all for one, helping everybody.
One for all and all for one. It sounds pretty corny.
But if you got a problem chum, think how it could be.

Jossie's Giants

Swapping their homework for footwork,
Kicking the ball till its dark,

Here go Jossy's Giants,
Footballs just a branch of science,
Head the ball, now Jossy calls . . .
Jossy's Giants!

Dependable, Reliant
Put your faith in Jossy's Giants
Get stuck in, we're gonna win . . .
Jossy's Giants!

Daredevils taking their chances,
burning the candle both ends
Girls are just a distraction
But Jossy wants more soccer action
Bring them here so the girls can cheer for...
Jossy's Giants.

This makes me happy

Look at this classic collection of 80's cartoons set to a classic 80's tune - if you are thirty something and don't feel happy watching this then I'll be amazed :)

M*A*S*H*

I never watched this (slightly too young :) ), but remember it being BIG when I was young - if you watched it, let me know what you loved about it.