Series 1 poster
10 episodes

Controversially: That Was the Year That Was - Series 1

First aired Sep 23, 2023Season 1

Browse all 10 episodes in this season, including available images, air dates, runtimes, ratings and episode summaries from TMDB.

Episodes

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Episode 1

1976

NR
Sep 23, 2023

Bill Grundy met the sweary Sex Pistols, and a pile of bricks outraged the art world.

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Episode 2

1983

NR
Sep 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.

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Episode 3

1979

NR
Oct 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.

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Episode 4

1974

NR
Jan 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.

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Episode 5

1984

NR
Jan 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.

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Episode 6

1986

NR
Jan 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.

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Episode 7

1988

NR
Jan 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.

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Episode 8

1972

NR
Feb 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.

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Episode 9

1990

NR
Feb 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.

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Episode 10

1968

NR
Feb 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.