What 80s TV Reruns Teach Us (Besides Big Hair Advice)

Grab your scrunchies and dust off your leg warmers, pouf the hair because if you were, like me, much younger in the eighties, this blog may make you laugh, cry and give you something to think about… 

 

I've sometimes found myself watching a host of 80s TV reruns lately whilst doing frivolous activities like the ironing: Magnum PI, Murder She Wrote, Knight Rider and Mr Fixit, Macgyver. And I can assure you, it's more than just a nostalgic trip. It's a masterclass in fashion choices, questionable plot devices, cringeworthy acting, and surprisingly and more importantly, a few life lessons. 

 

Let me address the oversized, oversprayed, overhuge elephant in the room – the hair. Oh, the hair! From the gravity-defying locks of Dynasty to the perfectly feathered mullets of MacGyver, it’s a wonder anyone could actually 'act' - the sheer volume of hair must’ve made acting a weighty profession. And the shoulder pads! Every woman on The Golden Girls looked like she was ready to tackle the nearest, hottest rugby player. And we all followed suit. Including me and my eyes are rolling at myself. 

 

Then there were the technological marvels. Remember the size of the car phones in Miami Vice? They weren't called 'bricks' for nothing. The envy of so many of us - the computers! If a character on Family Ties needed to do research, it involved a green screen, a lot of beeping, and what appeared to be dial-up internet that took longer than actually walking to the library and using an encyclopedia. But we all wanted an oversized monster in our homes. It's a stark reminder of how far we've come with our mobile phones and laptops, and how utterly patient people must have been back then. 

 

But beyond the sartorial and technological quirks, there’s a surprising amount to learn from these blasts from the past. 

 

80s TV had some of the best theme songs. They had power and they had meaning. I can remember, "Thank you for being a friend..." Does that now make me a Golden Girl? These opening songs set the mood, tone and expectation of what was coming onto the screen and remind us that a strong opening makes a lasting impression. Do we do the same now? Do you start as you mean to finish - strong and determined? 

 

Do you value observation and taking your time before making an important decision? Before Wikipedia and Google, the art of solving mysteries was by talking and strategising with other like-minded people. Communication was key. Watch an episode Murder, She Wrote, and watch how Jessica Fletcher does just this (after she happened to stumble upon a dead body of course). How many of us use pen and paper to problem solve? Do we physically write down what we see and can do? Research shows that handwriting creates more elaborate and widespread connectivity between different brain regions, which is crucial for memory formation and encoding new information. Maybe it's time for getting back to basics.  

 

There was an unwavering bond between the four ladies in The Golden Girls, as well as in the wholesome chaos of the Keatons in Family Ties. These shows consistently emphasised the power of relationships as they were the cornerstone of every plotline. Friendship and family were important and there is the reminder that even with all the big hair and shoulder pads, connection is what truly matters. Do you connect with family, friends and/ or business partners to make a difference? Are you intentional in what you do in those relationships? It is, on occasion, difficult to put yourself ‘out there’ and in the firing line but often the rewards make it worthwhile. 

 

Values and principles of honesty, integrity, helpfulness, genuineness and support which seem to be the essence of these shows are not like big hair and shoulderpads, out of fashion. They are still intrinsic to us and people do respond to them. Many people yearn for the ‘good old days’ because these values were more apparent. If we espouse these values, they will stay in fashion. All is not lost (okay, maybe the legwarmers need to stay lost) but the heart of who we are and how we can ‘be better’ is not. 

 

So, the next time you're channel surfing and stumble upon a rerun of Magnum P.I. or Cheers, don't just scoff at the dated outfits. Take a moment to appreciate the storytelling, the simpler times, and perhaps, the unintentional life lessons embedded within those episodes. 

 

And on that happy note, I’m off to watch Magnum in his tight shorts and wild shirts… 

 

Next time: On a more serious note, why coaching will save your business (and your mind)!nly be shown when viewing the full post. Click on this text to edit it.