Big hair, bigger laughs, and a lot of shoulder pads — welcome to the 1980s, when British comedy was going through a glorious identity crisis. The old guard were still holding court on the BBC, but a new wave of chaos was breaking through: anarchic, political, surreal, and occasionally, just plain weird.

If you were around, you probably remember watching these shows live (and possibly arguing over who got to record them on VHS). If not, you’ve almost certainly seen them on UK Gold at 2am or quoted them without even realising.

So, let’s see how well you actually remember your 1980s sitcoms and comedy shows. Ten questions. No prizes. Just bragging rights — and the satisfaction of knowing you could out-quiz your dad.

(We're doing this the old-fashioned way. Answers at the bottom. NO CHEATING!)

1.

In Only Fools and Horses, what was the name of Del Boy and Rodney’s company on their three-wheeled van?

A) Peckham Traders

B) Trotters Independent Traders

C) Nelson Mandela House Movers

D) The Hooky Emporium

2.

Which 1980s sitcom featured a character called Mrs Overall, famous for her macaroons and dodgy entrances?

A) Are You Being Served?

B) Acorn Antiques

C) The House of Eliott

D) French and Saunders

3.

Who shared a flat in The Young Ones?

A) Rik, Vyvyan, Neil, and Mike

B) Rick, Mick, Keith, and Colin

C) Viv, Nigel, Rik, and Dave

D) Pete, Denzil, Colin, and Neil

4.

Which 1980s sitcom featured the catchphrase, ‘the first rule of comedy, you must have reality.’

A) Duty Free

B) Hi-de-Hi!

C) Seaside Special

D) It Ain’t Half Hot Mum

5.

Which sketch show helped launch the careers of Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and Emma Thompson?

A) Not the Nine O’Clock News

B) A Bit of Fry and Laurie

C) French and Saunders

D) The Comic Strip Presents

6.

In Blackadder Goes Forth, what’s Captain Darling’s first name?

A) James

B) Charles

C) Kevin

D) He doesn’t have one.

7.

What was the name of the Liverpool family who made ends meet by “creative” means in Bread?

A) Gallagher

B) O’Reilly

C) Boswell

D) McCartney

8.

Which 1980s comedy series was set in wartime France and featured the line “Good moaning”?

A) Dad’s Army

B) All Creatures Great and Small

C) ’Allo ’Allo!

D) Duty Free

9.

What was the name of Rik Mayall’s character in The New Statesman?

A) Alan Partridge

B) Alan B’Stard

C) Dave Hedgehog

D) Sir Richard Arrogant

10.

Which alternative comedy show introduced many future stars and featured live performances from bands like Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners?

A) The Young Ones

B) Saturday Live

C) The Tube

D) The Comic Strip Presents

Answers:

1 b - Trotters Independent Traders

2 b - Acorn Antiques

3 a - Rik, Vyvyan, Neil, and Mike

4 b - Hi-de-Hi

5 b - A Bit of Fry and Laurie

6 c - Kevin

7 c - Boswell

8 c - 'Allo 'Allo

9 b - Alan B'Stard

10 a - The Young Ones

🎉 How Did You Do?

• 8–10 correct: You’re basically a walking VHS collection.

• 5–7 correct: Respectable — clearly a fan of both custard pies and social commentary.

• 0–4 correct: Oh dear. Get yourself to BBC iPlayer or ITVX immediately. You’ve got some homework to do.

The 1980s were a fascinating decade for comedy. The alternative scene was exploding — giving us The Young Ones, The Comic Strip, and A Bit of Fry and Laurie — while mainstream telly still delivered comfort in the form of Bread, ’Allo ’Allo! and Hi-de-Hi!.

It was a decade that managed to balance chaos with charm, anarchy with affection. And most importantly, it gave us a generation of comedians who would go on to shape British comedy for decades to come.

Your Turn

How did you score? And which 1980s comedy would you most like to see make a comeback (without the dodgy perms)? Let me know.

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