Confession! I do not grow up in the UK, however, it was fun to compare my experiences with someone that did in the 1980’s. Peter Nuttall opens this fun journey back in time to recalling the cartoons and TV shows he enjoyed, and a few that were truly forgettable. I don’t recall “Thunder Cats” or “Bullseye,” but was subjected to 1987’s “He-man.” I preferred spending Saturday mornings with “SuperFriends” and “Garfied.”
As far as sweets, i did visit the local party store for Bazooka gum, and candy cigarettes. I don’t remember Foam Shrimp, Candy Watches or Turkish Delight , although, Nuttall makes them seem so appetizing. We did have jawbreakers, which I had on occasion, despite the warnings from my dentist. At least they still offer Charms, Pixy Stix, and Mallo Cups in the retro candy aisle. Whatever happened to rock candy?
I think the US/UK toys seemed to overlap quite a bit. We did play the electric game Simon and Speak and Spell, although, I preferred my hand held Texas Instruments Spelling B, and of course, Mattel’s Football and Baseball games that could be played with or without the sound on. I never had a Teddy Ruxpin, but again, full confession, I did punch a hole in my Stretch Armstrong to see what was inside.
In addition to these fun categories, the author covers school holidays, the home, arcade games, general food, and fashion. Good heavens, did I make a few mixed tapes back in the day, recording my favorite songs off the radio. I can also recall my dad shelling out big money for the first VCR that hit the market, where the top popped up to insert the VHS tape, equipped with a wired remote.
This is a fun trip down memory lane.
By: Peter Nuttall
Narrated by: Peter McGiffen
Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 05-10-23
Publisher: Peter Nuttall