The 1980s Supermarket - Season 1
Season 1
Episodes
Episode 1
A nostalgic trip back to the 1980s, where it was dog eat dog for Britain's supermarkets, with big brands devouring smaller chains. Dr Chris Clarke discovers the secret of how potato waffles keep their shape. A Marks and Spencer product developer reveals how in 1980, she started selling off un-eaten ready-made sandwiches from an in-store café to shoppers in the aisles.
Episode 2
In the era of leg warmers, we were infatuated with diets and exercise. We reveal how supermarkets launched diet-ready meals, and we look at 80s fad diets. Plus, a home interior revolution!
Episode 3
This time it's the late 80s and it's a tale of two shopping baskets - the yuppies are splashing the cash on high-end food and hard-up millions are buying budget basics.
We tell the story of how ice cream giant Walls catered for any budget when they launched their cheap but sophisticated ice cream dessert Viennetta. And food scientist Dr Chris Clarke reveals the magic behind Ice Magic – the mysterious chocolate source that turned to a solid as soon as it touched your ice cream.
We uncover the plethora of posh products that hit the supermarket shelves in the late 80s, including Chardonnay and sundried tomatoes. And TV chef Rustie Lee shows us what can be done with them when she whips up a treat in the kitchen.
Budget Britain of the 80s goes under the microscope when we revisit value convenience range Happy Shopper and discover the famous name they employed in their advertisement to help them take on the supermarket big boys.
We reveal how the superstores started selling the latest must-have gadgets – from Sony Walkmans and VHS players to Casio watches and ZX Spectrums. We then let Rustie loose on two other iconic gadgets from the 80s – a Breville toasted sandwich maker and a SodaStream, as she rustles up a tuna crunch melt and a cola ice cream float.
We tell the story of Britain went crackers for a cuppa as coffee outsold tea for the first time in our supermarkets. Our experts reminisce over the iconic Nescafé Gold Blend adverts and Dr Chris reveals how instant freeze-dried coffee is made.
Recently Updated Shows
Wednesday
Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.
EastEnders
Set in the East End of London, the show focuses on the tensions between love and family with stories ranging from hard-hitting social issues, to personal, human tragedies. And there's plenty of funny moments too.
Classic characters old and new across thousands of episodes have shared a drink in The Queen Vic, shed tears of despair or joy, sat on Arthur's bench in the Square... and at some point or other they probably crossed paths with Ian Beale.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Belly Conklin is about to turn 16, and she's headed to her favorite place in the world, Cousins Beach, to spend the summer with her family and the Fishers. Belly's grown up a lot over the past year, and she has a feeling that this summer is going to be different than all the summers before.
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch
There are some places on earth where the land just seems different, and Blind Frog Ranch in eastern Utah is one of those places. Locals say the land is cursed. That it's trying to hold on to something. From Aztec treasure to caverns of gold and silver to lost Mormon mines, legends surround Duane Ollinger's 160-acre ranch in Utah's Uintah Basin. But Duane isn't concerned with the lore. After discovering a system of seven underground caves that run through his property, he is singularly focused on finding what's hidden in them - no matter what the cost.
American Pickers
This isn't your grandmother's antiquing. The American Pickers are on a mission to recycle America, even if it means diving into countless piles of grimy junk or getting chased off a gun-wielding homeowner's land. Hitting back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers earn a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person's trash into another's treasure. The show follows the team as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories. If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, this show may change your mind – and teach you a thing or two about American history along the way.