If you want a vivid example of how much attitudes to greed have changed in Britain, look no further than the game show Bullseye.
It first appeared in 1982, when Thatcherism looked like being a one term blip and long before Gordon Gekko had declared greed good.
And so competitors duly showed the sort of risk aversion and self-restraint that seems unimaginable in today’s Wazzawonga era.
Devotees will recall that the money moment of the show came at the start of the final, bonus round.
At that point, the winners of the competition proper were given the opportunity to gamble what they had won so far for a shot at the night’s star prize, tantalisingly hidden between the (doubtless polyester) curtain.
In effect, this usually meant risking a motley collection of cheap household goods and cuddly toys for a chance to win a ‘dream holiday’ or, if it was a special night, a speedboat or a custard coloured Mini Metro.
A no brainer of course for the casino class of 2010.
But for the sober citizens of 1982 it always proved a right old dilemma, with the majority ultimately plumping to stick and head home with their toasters and teddies safely banked.
This verdict was usually articulated via one out of a set series of platitudes such as ‘we’ve had a lovely day, Jim…’ or ‘we’d like to give the others a chance’ (for if they passed on the gamble, the opportunity moved to the runner-up team).
And I’m sure most of them actually meant it too.
So, as Nick n’ Dave attempt to reintroduce lost notions of fairness, frugality and self-sacrifice to Bloated Britain, perhaps they could do worse than invoke the Bullseye spirit of ‘82.
‘I’ve had a lovely time at United, Sir Alex, and I don’t need any more’…
‘I think I’d like to give the other bankers a chance, Mervyn…’
You never know, it could prove contagious.
And if it does, the new boys could go back to the well to draw the defining political slogan their new alliance is groping for:
Coalition Britain.
Super. Smashing. Good.
