Controversially: That Was the Year That Was
Season 1
2023 • 10 Episodes
Episodes
1. 1976
September 23, 2023
Bill Grundy met the sweary Sex Pistols, and a pile of bricks outraged the art world.
2. 1983
September 30, 2023
A deep dive into '83 when two 007s vied for box office success, pop star Boy George made a splash, Diana, Princess of Wales upstaged her husband, and Shergar was seized.
3. 1979
October 7, 2023
Jan Leeming narrates a look back at key events in TV, film, showbusiness and politics, including Monty Python causing a storm of protest with Biblical parody The Life of Brian, while The Kenny Everett Video Show upset moral campaigner Mary Whitehouse.
4. 1974
January 9, 2024
A look back at outrageous events of 1974, replaying the most controversial moments in TV, cinema, music, showbiz and politics, including film The Exorcist, TV's Tiswas and the three-day working week.
5. 1984
January 13, 2024
The year of 'video nasties', Frankie Goes to Hollywood's outrageous hit, PM Margaret Thatcher's year-long battle with striking coal miners, and US President Reagan's misguided joke about bombing Russia.
6. 1986
January 20, 2024
Shockingly moments in 1986 - from celebrity scandal and sporting skulduggery to bare bottoms on TV - featuring Grange Hill's drugs storyline, Maradona's 'Hand of God' and EastEnders' gay couple.
7. 1988
January 28, 2024
Jan Leeming narrates the multiple headlines of 1988, when NWA created the blueprint for gangsta rap, Edwina Curry caused a storm in an egg-cup, and anti-gay Section 28 became UK law.
8. 1972
February 4, 2024
A look at the shocking news, showbiz and politics of 1972: the year of Chuck Berry's My Ding-a-Ling, the film A Clockwork Orange, TV's Love Thy Neighbour and an ever-vigilant Mary Whitehouse.
9. 1990
February 11, 2024
We rewind to 1990 to replay shocking and controversial moments in TV, music, showbiz, and politics - including Madonna's bondage fest ban on MTV, Poll Tax riots and Milli Vanilli's mime act.
10. 1968
February 18, 2024
Archive highlights of the year the assassination of Presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy stunned a disbelieving world, the Beatles dabbled in mysticism, and musical Hair let it all hang out.