The "Junior TVTimes": Remembering the Look-In Era

For any teenager growing up in the 1970s and 80s, the weekly trip to the newsagent wasn't complete without picking up a copy of Look-in. Billed as the "Junior TVTimes," it was the ultimate glossy guide to everything cool on the small screen, and for many of us between the ages of 15 and 17, it was the definitive soundtrack and storyboard to our adolescence.

A Pop Culture Powerhouse

Seeing the cover of Issue Number 5, priced at just 5p, brings back the vibrant, saturated colors of the era. It wasn't just a magazine; it was a window into a world of stardom that felt both exciting and strangely accessible.

• The Cover Stars: This specific issue features a young, soulful Michael Jackson of the Jackson 5, capturing the peak of their global popularity. The magazine excelled at providing high-quality "color pin-ups" that would inevitably end up blu-tacked to bedroom walls.
• The Content Mix: It masterfully blended music, television, and sports. Whether it was a feature on football legend Derek Dougan or a picture story about The Kids from 47A, there was something to cater to every teenage interest.
• The Prizes: Who could forget the legendary competitions? The chance to "Win a Raleigh Chopper!" was the ultimate dream for any 70s teen, representing the height of cool on two wheels.

The Art of the Comic Strip

One of the most unique aspects of Look-in was its use of serialized comic strips to tell the stories of real-life celebrities and TV shows. These weren't your typical superhero stories; they were beautifully illustrated dramatizations of the lives of pop stars like ABBA or the adventures of characters from shows like The Tomorrow People or On the Buses.

The artwork was often exceptional, bridging the gap between traditional children's comics and more adult magazines. It gave the magazine a sophisticated feel that appealed to that mid-to-late teen demographic who felt they had outgrown The Beano but weren't quite ready for the music press like NME.

A Weekly Connection

In the days before the internet and 24-hour entertainment news, Look-in was our primary source of connection. It told us what was coming up on ITV, gave us the lyrics to the latest hits, and provided posters of our idols—be it Donny Osmond in his beige suit or the latest football stars.

It was a ritual: checking the newsagent's shelf every week, flipping through to see who the centerfold was, and carefully reading every "Boffins' Corner" or fashion tip. For those two or three years in our mid-teens, Look-in wasn't just a magazine; it was a weekly update on the world we wanted to be a part of.

The End of an Era

While Look-in eventually ceased publication in the early 90s, its impact on British pop culture remains. It captured a specific, innocent, yet vibrant time in television and music history. Looking back at those covers today, we don't just see celebrities; we see our younger selves, Raleigh Choppers, and the colorful, glossy excitement of being a teenager in a world before digital.