My discovery of pop music didn’t happen until the mid 1980’s. Although I can clearly remember watching KISS, Marc Bolan and Slade on “Ready To Roll”. Until pop music came along to hold me hostage to indie music and three minute jingle jangle songs TV ruled. The 1980’s were possible the best decade for TV, although we are now back in another golden age.
In 1981 we were still getting the majority of TV shows from the mother country. Slightly forgotten about now, but “Smuggler” was class. A little bit of boys own adventure. Suspenseful TV. Each 30 minute episode ending on a cliff hanger. “Smuggler” starred Oliver Tobias and a very pretty Lesley Dunlop. For children and young adulst 1980’s television treated the view with some intelligence The final series of “Smuggler” was “Adventurer” and filmed in New Zealand in 1987. I can remember that creating a bit of fuss in the country at the time as it was quite a big thing to have an overseas TV series being filmed here.
My memories of viewing “Smuggler” are also strongly associated with being a teenager in the 1980’s. Of watching “Smuggler” at 5.30pm. My brother coming home from football practice. Coal fires warming the living room and the security of mum cooking tea for the family.
