Rather like the music thread in this sub-forum, I thought it would be interesting to place each season in the context of what else was popular on TV and what shows we remember with fondness. I happen to have a reference book which includes monthly TV ratings from the mid 50s to the early 90s so I thought it would be fun to include the monthly Top 20 which coincided with transmission of the story we're currently engaged with. So let's go back to the TV hits of September 1980.

1) Morecambe and Wise Show - 16.4m
2) Coronation Street - 15.6m
3) Cowboys - 15.3m
4) Just Liz - 14.7m
5) The Professionals 14.1m
6) Keep It In The Family - 13.9m
7) Generation Game - 13.7m
8) Coronation Street - 13.5m
9) Blankety Blank - 13.3m
10) On Her Majesty's Secret Service - 12.8m
11) Crossroads - 12.6m
12) Hart of the Yard - 12.2m
13) Crossroads - 11.7m
14) Give Us A Clue - 11.3m
15) Yes Minister - 11.3m
16) That Lucky Touch - 11.3m
17) Terry and June - 11.0m
18) Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World - 10.7m
19) Play Your Cards Right - 10.5m
20) Crossroads - 10.4m

Out of that lot, I do remember with particular fondness Arthur C Clarke at 7pm on ITV on a weeknight - you'll never see the like again! I have it on DVD and it still stands up well - investigations into the unexplained such as Yeti, UFOs etc. The Professionals was another favourite - can't remember if it was on a Friday or a Saturday night. I've caught the odd repeat on ITV4 - fairly fun but not enticing enough to consider on DVD. Play Your Cards Right I always enjoyed too - the game itself was good enough, but Brucie made it for me - legend! Generation Game with Larry Grayson just didn't appeal without Brucie.

ITV ruled the roost back then with 16 out of that Top 20.