The list of great British TV shows that have come and gone over the years is endless, packed with classic comedy and legendary game shows of times gone by. Apart from a rare few, however, most are solidly resigned to the past, despite the impact that they could still have today. Here are three past British shows that could still have something to offer now.
Tomorrow’s World
The quintessential showcase of all the latest wonders and marvels of technology, the Tomorrow’s World show ended in 2003, arguably around some of the biggest tech landmarks in history. It was one of the first places that the British public ever saw such common items like CDs, ATMs and even mobile phones all the way back in 1979.
We’re now in a world where every element of life is high-tech. We can talk to our fridges, have music recommended to us by AI, and even the average online casino site is packed with all manner of advanced technology like top-level encryption and VR and AR tech in their games, taking something like Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt as an example. Having a show able to properly present and explain new technology could be vital in a world of worry and misinformation.
The Crystal Maze
Out of all of the game shows and challenge shows out there, nothing quite compared to The Crystal Maze. There were plenty of shows with trivia quizzes, and quite a few with physical challenges, but nothing else pushed the logic and problem-solving to the forefront. That’s of course not even mentioning the absolutely wonderful cheese and enthusiasm of original host Richard O’Brien.
The recent revival hosted by Richard Ayoade did well for a while, although it was dropped after ratings fell. A reskin and a reformat could still work again, although in many cases it is more that we need something like Crystal Maze out there. STEM topics are thought to be more important for the future than ever, and a show promoting logic, reasoning, and critical thinking has to be a net positive for us.
The Money Programme
This is a slightly unusual pick, as there are plenty of other shows out there discussing business and economics. What many forget, however, is that The Money Programme is likely the longest-running business show in the world at this point, despite going off-air in 2010, and set a high bar for its type of journalism.
There may not be so much place for it in the original format anymore, but it is easy to envision a new, updated version tackling modern business norms. For example, the confusing world of cryptocurrency exploding often features dubious claims and competing narratives. Letting the public have a more even-handed and well-researched view of this would do wonders for money literacy at a time when it’s more needed than ever.
None of these shows should come without major changes, of course, and each has its own reason for going away. With that said, each still has something unique to bring and with a bit of love, each could come back stronger.