Yahoo News 21 TV shows we all rushed home from school to watch growing up
It flies by every year, but the summer holidays are almost over. September is almost upon us and in the coming days, many children across the country will be starting a new academic year. So much has changed since older generations were at school, from fashion trends to technology and the TV shows we loved to watch.
These days, there are so many programmes at our fingertips, thanks to streaming services like Apple TV, Netflix and Disney+. Kids in school today don't have to worry about rushing home from school to catch an episode of their favourite show - let alone tape it on VHS to catch-up on.
Over the years, some of our favourite childhood shows have continued or are regularly repeated on TV. However, other shows may only be remembered by people from your generation, while others have been rebooted decades on, the ECHO previously reported.
We previously took a look back at 17 loved TV shows we rushed home from school to watch - past and present - but we've since added to our list. From shows which catered specifically to younger audiences to ones our parents let us watch, these are bound to bring back some memories.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive. We chose 21 shows from across the decades that readers said they rushed home to watch in our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group. You can see more in our list below.
21. The Beverly Hillbillies
This TV show was a classic for children growing up in the 1960s. Running for nine series from 1962 until 1971, The Beverly Hillbillies followed a stereotypical "hillbilly" family - the Clampetts - in America who moved to Beverly Hills and adapted to culture there.
The sitcom starred the likes of Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan. Many will also remember the popular 1993 film adaptation.
20. Blue Peter
Our list wouldn't be complete without a mention of Blue Peter. The first ever episode of Blue Peter aired on BBC in 1958 and from there has welcomed dozens of hosts and even more guests.
The longest running children's programme in the world, through the years we've seen everything from competitions to challenges, celebrity guests and more. And at one point, we've all wanted to win a Blue Peter badge.
19. Crackerjack
Airing between the 1950s and 1980s, a number of generations will remember rushing home to catch Crackerjack on their screens. Initially airing on BBC, shows were broadcast in front of a live audience and showcased a variety of entertainment, from comedy to singers and more.
The first show aired in 1955, with the last being 40 years ago in 1984. However, the show was briefly revived in 2020 with new hosts, Sam and Mark.
18. Mister Ed
An American TV show, many children who grew up in the 1960s will remember, is Mister Ed. Running for a few series from 1961 to 1966, the show followed the misadventures of a talking horse and his owner.
The show was inspired by a number of short stories by Walter R. Brooks. First appearing on CBS in America, the show starred Allan Lane, Alan Young and Connie Hines.
17. Peyton Place
Decades ago, kids would rush home from school to catch an episode of American soap Peyton Place. Airing between 1964 and 1969, it was based on a book of the same name by Grace Metalious that was first published in the 1950s.
Starring Dorothy Malone and Mia Farrow, the show followed the scandal of those who lived in the town. The show was said to have been inspired by the success of UK soap Coronation Street.
16. Rentaghost
Children's comedy show Rentaghost followed a firm of ghosts who hired out other spirits to complete tasks. Broadcast on BBC, the show ran for almost a decade from 1976 to 1984.
Created and written by Bob Block, over 50 episodes aired during its life on our screens. Starring Anthony Jackson, Michael Darbyshire, Michael Staniforth and more, it later became available to re-watch on BritBox.
15. The Tomorrow People
Sci-fi drama The Tomorrow People was also a favourite of children in the 1970s. Airing on ITV from 1973 to 1979, the series followed children and teens who would "break out" and develop new powers.
Created by Roger Price, the original series starred Nicholas Young, Elizabeth Adare and Mike Holoway. An American reboot of the show also aired for one series back in 2013.
14. Grange Hill
Famous in Liverpool and beyond, children's drama Grange Hill was loved by generations. Created by Phil Redmond and made by Liverpool company Lime Pictures, although set in North London, the series ran from 1978 until 2008.
For three decades, the show followed the lives of those behind the Grange Hill school gates. It was famed for its gritty and contemporary storylines which kept teenage fans gripped to the screens every week.
13. Little House on the Prairie
An adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's series of Little House books, children of the 70s and 80s will remember watching Little House on the Prairie every week. A historic drama, the show followed the lives of the Ingalls family living on a farm in the late 1800s.
The American show starred Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon, as well as seeing celebrity appearances from the likes of Johnny Cash. The show ended back in 1983.
12. The Adventures of William Tell
It was back in the 1950s that children across the UK were introduced to The Adventures of William Tell. Only airing for one series, the show depicted the legend of William Tell who, as the story goes, shot an apple off of his son's head and lead the rebellion to free Switzerland.
The show came to ITV in 1958. The lead was played by actor Conrad Phillips.
11. My Parents are Aliens
One for the younger generations - sitcom My Parents are Aliens was a staple for thousands growing up in the 00s. Shown on CITV and ITV, the show followed three orphaned children whose new foster parents were, as you could guess, aliens.
The popular show is still remembered by many and aired from 1999 until 2006. It starred Charlotte Francis and Tony Gardner.
10. Newsround
Still running to this day, children will remember heading home to catch Newsround on BBC before enjoying their other favourite programmes and having tea. Originally called John Craven's Newsround before his departure in 1989, Newsround first aired back in 1972.
Over 50 years on, it has been part of many children's memories. The programme shares news specifically aimed at children.
9. The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
In the mid-60s, children also rushed home from school to catch an episode of The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Loosely based on the novel by Daniel Defoe, the show aired for one season in 1965.
Across 13 episodes, the adventure drama was originally in French-German and dubbed, with Robert Hoffmann playing the title lead. More adaptations of the story have been made throughout the years.
8. The Young Doctors
Many families are still fans of Australian soaps Home and Away and Neighbours. But years ago, The Young Doctors was also a hit.
The show aired from 1976 until 1983. The show followed the lives and relationships of hospital staff working at the fictional Albert Memorial Hospital.
7. Crossroads
A generation will also remember British soap Crossroads. On our screen from 1964, the programme followed the owner, their family and staff working at a fictional hotel in the Midlands.
Shown on ITV, it starred Noele Gordon and John Bentley. It was briefly revived in the 80s, before concluding in 1988.
6. The Flintstones
The Flintstones have been loved across the generations since the cartoon first aired in 1960s. Over the series, children got to know the modern Stone Age family who lived in Bedrock.
Through the years, we've seen film adaptations, spin-off shows and merchandise of all kinds of Fred, Wilma and Pebbles Flintstone, as well as other characters. As for the original cartoon, that only aired for a few years in the 60s.
5. Gilligan's Island
American programme Gilligan's Island is also fondly remembered. The American sitcom, created by Sherwood Schwartz, followed people from different walks of life who had been cast away to an unknown island.
The first episode aired in 1964 and the last was three years later in 1967. Cast members included Bob Denver and Alan Hale Jr.
4. The Sullivans
An Australian period drama, many will remember the days The Sullivans were on our screens. The show told the story of a family living in Melbourne and their post-war life.
The show ran for seven years from 1976 until 1983. It starred Lorraine Bayly and Paul Cronin.
3. Bill and Ben
Originally known just at the Flower Pot Men, BBC's Bill and Ben have been known across the generations. The show originally aired in the 1950s and told stories of two little men made of flower pots.
The show has been regularly repeated on our screens through the decades. But younger generations will remember the colourful reboot coming to our screens in the early 00s.
2. Andy Pandy
A British classic, Andy Pandy came to the BBC in 1950. Known through the generations, its final episode aired 20 years later in 1970.
A marionette doll, lead character Andy lived in a picnic basket and had other toys as friends. The show is still talked about fondly today.
1. The Adventures of Robin Hood
The tales of Robin Hood have been told for decades, but certain generations will remember the loved 1950s series The Adventures of Robin Hood. The lead was played by Richard Greene and told the story of the outlaw and his band of men in Sherwood Forest.
The first episode hit screens in 1955. But by the turn of the decade, children said goodbye to the popular show.
