13 July 2020
The most bodacious shows set in the 1980s to stream right now
The 80s were all about revolution – everything was big, bold and colourful, from big hair and bigger shoulder pads, to lumo leotards and sweatbands. And that makes the bygone era perfect as an instantly recognisable setting for TV shows.
Not sure what the fuss is about? Stream these series that take inspiration from 40 years ago.
And for the Gen Zers who haven’t seen or heard the word “bodacious” before, check out this gnarly video. Keanu Reeves is in it. You’ve heard of him, right? Duh.
1
Stranger Things (Netflix)
The sci-fi tween series has been a hit from the word go and its three seasons (to date) have been a magical ride of wonder, not least because of the paranormal, supernatural and downright weird storylines, but also because the kids are living in the 80s. No cellphones, no hoverboards, no outlandish sneakers from Kanye West that look like they’re part of an astronaut’s jumpsuit.
Instead, the kids are having good, wholesome sci-fi fun as they battle monsters in the Upside Down alternate universe (Season 1), a mysterious tentacled creature terrorising their town (Season 2), and teen angst after closing the gateway to Upside Down (Season 3). Grab those BMX bicycles and your striped jerseys – it’s time for 80s sci-fi fun!
2
Glow (Netflix)
The world of professional wrestling is make-believe. Sure, they get bumps and bruises from their moves (those mostly aren’t fake) and it’s a billion-dollar business with fans around the world. But pro wrestling has taken a long road to get here, especially for women who used to be eye candy and nothing more.
This dramedy centres on the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling (GLOW) as they go about taking over the entertainment business, one pinfall at a time. It’s based on a true story, with loads of the actual real-life GLOW wrestlers working either as consultants or having cameos.
PS: Ex-WWE superstar Chavo Guerrero Jr was hired as a training consultant to train the actresses – his uncle Mando trained the original GLOW wrestlers.
3
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp (Netflix)
This spin-off series from the 2001 movie, which is supposed to play out as a prequel, has an all-star cast (there’s everyone from Bradley Cooper and Elizabeth Banks, to Amy Poehler, David Hyde Pearce and Weird Al Yankovic). It parodies teen sex comedies like the American Pie film franchise.
It’s set at Camp Firewood and the teens (yip, adult actors are playing teens) are hormonal time bombs that are about to explode. It’s rude and crude and somewhat lewd, but it’ll bring back memories of cheap laughs at dirty jokes.
4
Narcos: Mexico (Netflix)
This spin-off series from Narcos (which told the story of Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar) continues through the 80s and zooms in on the infamous Guadalajara Cartel, who’re taking billions of dollars of narcotics across the Mexico-US border.
There’s almost nothing law enforcement agencies can do on either side because as it turns out, murdering cops is so worth the trouble it could bring you when you’re hiding $10 million worth of cocaine in your car seat and you’re skipping the border to California.
5
The Deuce (Showmax)
Seasons 1 and 2 set the scene in the 70s, and Season 3 barges into the ’80s as New York experiences a tidal wave of liberation and freedom. But we’re not talking in the hippie kind of way of fighting the establishment. We’re talkingadult movies and drugs taking centre-stage in this adults-only series.
It follows twins Vincent and Frankie Martino (both played by James Franco) as they front for the mob and their dealings with sex worker Eileen (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who’s putting her business brain to good use. It’s eye-opening and sobering when you realise that this all played out in real life.
6
True Detective (Showmax)
Like American Horror Story, this anthology series time hops, and Season 3 is the one we’re focusing on. It has three time hops itself (1980, 1990 and 2015) but the most important is the first – because that’s when the murder victims (two little kids) are last seen alive.
Through the years, the effect that their deaths had on the two investigating detectives (Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff) will have you not just sympathising, but thanking your lucky stars you’re not a detective. Chilling, thrilling, dramatic and intense – everything you want in a psychological drama.
