70’s & 80’s sitcoms still as iconic as ever

If quotes like ‘Good morning Charlie, good morning angels’ and ‘I’m Starsky. He’s Hutch’ give you a big feeling of nostalgia then you’re not alone. Starsky and Hutch became heartthrobs to millions around the country, fighting crime in their trademark red Ford Gran Torino with its white stripe, and now top the True Entertainment poll for people’s favourite TV characters from the 70’s and 80’s.

Alongside Starsky and Hutch, Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, with Max the butler and Freeway the dog, were screen icons in Hart to Hart which this year marks its 40^th anniversary of coming to our screens. New insights reveal today that 84% Brits still love the US TV classic shows from the 70’s and 80’s.

All of these favourite TV shows started with a pilot, with fresh-faced unknown characters, most of whom went on to become national treasures. But, how many of us can remember seeing Huggy Bear first strut down the street or hearing John Forsythe summon Charlie’s Angels for the first time? Well now, we have the rare chance to go back in time and gather around the television and revive your childhood memories by savouring the original pilot films once again.

Aston spoke with Andrew Collins, writer and broadcaster to discuss just how the characters and the TV shows became so iconic, and remain so loved to this day. He can offer a unique insight into the process of writing a good pilot and reveal some of those series that actually failed at the first attempt.