I can’t remember the first TV programme I watched but I recall that as a nine-year-old when I watched TV in a friend’s house and it was to do with the 1960 Rome Olympics. It was not until some time after when my parents acquired their own TV. It was deemed to be a luxury that many couldn’t afford and it was then normal to rent sets. Televisions were black and while and confined to BBC and ITV. Colour TVs did not appear until I was in my twenties.

As I was soon to come out of childhood, whilst there were several children’s programs on offer, most passed me by although I do recall watching “Bill and Ben”, “Andy Pandy” and “Blue Peter”. Two early favourites were “The Lone Ranger” and “Robin Hood” and along with my friend we enacted some of their adventures. Later came “Doctor Who” and I became fascinated with the idea of time travel and resisting baddies such as the Daleks. One favourite from the early days was “Grandstand”, presented by David Coleman, as it switched between various sports (although I was never taken with horse racing). I continued to watch sport, in particular football, rugby, cricket and athletics. The American influence was big, notably Westerns, with my favourites being “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza”. Quiz shows were in their infancy but “Double You Money” and “Take Your Pick” stood out. Comedy also featured. While not a great fan of “Till death does us part” and “Steptoe and Son”, these two series stood out as did the comedians: Arthur Haynes, Harry Worth and Eric Sykes. I had a passing interest in music programs: “Juke Box Jury”, “Ready Steady Go” and “Top of the Pops”. One entertainment programme that I can recall watched by my family was “Sunday Night at the London Palladium”, hosted by Bruce Forsyth. On a more serious, later note came “Tomorrow’s World” due to my interest in science and satirical programs such as “The Frost Report”, linked to my political interests. I was especially drawn by “The Fugitive” and with its hero, Richard Kimball, and his attempts at evading re-capture and finding his wife’s real killer. Other TV programmes I recall watching as a teen included: “The Avengers” (I liked Emma Peel), “Dad’s Army” (I find funnier now than then), “Coronation Street” (my first soap) and “Batman”.

I hope readers will spare me this indulgence, in-between posting stuff of a more serious sort, as I reflect on a time that is long past. Things have moved on greatly, including my watching hardly any TV these days. Looking back, it could be seen as harmless fun and educational. To an extent it was, but building on the accusation of growing “square eyes”, there is the thought that it has been used as an instrument for brainwashing. But the above are the programs that spring to mind when I hark back to my youth (I daresay there will be others). I wonder what were the memories of readers who are around my age (feel free to add your thoughts in the comments)?