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1980s Now

1980s Now

Author: Will Padilla | 80s Now

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1980s Now is a weekly examination of the importance of 80s pop culture and its continued influence today. We demonstrate that nostalgia alone doesn’t account for the contemporary fascination with our favorite decade. Instead, we share personal experiences and interview experts--including icons from 80s music, movies and TV--to demonstrate the “era of greed” bore the greatest moments in movies, music, television and sports. The show is equally entertaining and informative. (80s is aka '80s.)
372 Episodes
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In a special interview, Will speaks with Mark Mendenhall aka Gen X Dad about his media empire Gen X Talks. Over the last several years, Mark has cultivated a tremendous following by discussing everything (and anything) from his unique Gen X point of view. 0:00 - Introduction0:52 - InterviewFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowGet our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales of the 1980s at Amazon.Check out Gen X Talks at https://genxtalks.com.
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:15 - Bigfoot is in Ohio. Will Jon follow?17:55 - Timothy Chalamet could use some Bugs Bunny32:15 - The Brady Bunch house is now a landmark42:45 - The hardest arcade games are from the 1980s1:02:20 - A Wonder Years star has an interesting palate1:11:25 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snow
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:55 - Robert Carradine has died.5:40 - Did you play TAG: The Assassination Game?10:24 - Has Revenge of the Nerds Been Erased?20:20 - Science says Gen X is the most emotionally durable generation ever37:00 - A Last Starfighter sequel is finally coming46:04 - 80s cereal mascots battle a milk monster54:45 - Is the new Faces of Death real?1:07:45 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snow
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:25 - Racier than Hooters7:25 - Hooters is becoming family friendly12:05 - Hooters can discriminate against men16:15 - Who invented Buffalo chicken wings?19:30 - Can a boneless wing be a breast?25:15 - Can a boneless wing have bones?27:15 - RuPaul drags audience back to the 80s34:05 - Read our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!35:20 - Zelda Turns 40, but Nintendo Hasn’t Wished Her a Happy Birthday49:23 - Kate Bush’s "Wuthering Heights" is a hit again1:09:40 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snow
In a special interview, Will speaks with Wyatt Bloom, the co-founder and host of Rediscover the 80s. Together with his childhood friend, the late Jason Gross, Wyatt built a portal to the 80s, that reminisces about the decade through various lenses via countless articles, a handful of podcasts, and more. Will and Wyatt the power of nostalgia, and perhaps more succinctly the power of what we leave behind.0:00 - Introduction1:28 - InterviewFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowGet our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales of the 1980s at Amazon.Visit Rediscover the 80s at https://www.rediscoverthe80s.com/.
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction3:20 - Jaws 4: The Shark That Roared14:15 - The source of Jaw's roar23:00 - The Princess Bride musical31:00 - Review: Bigfoot! a New Musical40:50 - Animated Stranger Things: Tales from '8552:00 - Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots the movie 1:03:21 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
In a special interview, Will speaks with Tamara Dever, author of The Ultimate Mix Tape, a series of music trivia books. Tami has just published The Day We Found Yesterday, another unique tribute to the 80s music. Endorsed by MTV legend Martha Quinn, The Day We Found Yesterday is a vibrant, intergenerational story that celebrates connection, creativity, and the power of the past to shape our present. Although it was (supposedly) written for children, it is a thrilling way for Gen Xers to revisit the greatest decade for music. It includes over 500 clever, visual ’80s music references and illustrated celebrity cameos sure to delight GenXers.0:00 - Introduction1:10 - InterviewFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowGet our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales of the 1980s at Amazon.Get your copy of The Day We Found Yesterday at https://www.yesterdaybook.com/.Learn more about Tami's other 80s books at www.totallycool80s.com.
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction5:50 - New York’s Longest-Running Play is also it’s “worst”13:50 - Bigfoot! The Musical was spotted on Broadway19:00 - The Cure Wins their first Grammys25:00 - Does Steven Spielberg deserve his Grammy?28:50 - McDonald’s has brought back an iconic 80s Happy Meal toy38:00 - The first Happy Meal movie tie-in was Star Trek44:40 - What happened to the Klingons look?53:50 - How 1984 changed Super Bowl commercials forever1:03:40 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:25 - He-Man Teaser for the Teaser Trailer7:40 - He-Man Teaser Trailer33:45 - Strange (Made-Up) He-Man Characters39:35 - The He-Man Effect51:10 - Interesting He-Man Lore58:30 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowGet the The He-Man Effect by Brian "Box" Brown.Read our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction3:45 - Ruling in Salt-N-Pepa lawsuit14:40 - Galaxy’s Edge is headed to a longer time ago31:54 - Melora Hardin couldn’t dance in Dirty Dancing38:50 - Eric Stolz treated Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) “very badly”47:44 - The Terminator made Gen Xer more wary of AI54:45 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Goodbye, Pop Culture

Goodbye, Pop Culture

2026-01-2033:09

Will is joined by experts who specialize in both psychology and pop culture (Ben Taitz, Colt Blunt, and Charlene McPherson) to chat about the emotional impact of losing your favorite show.Our Guests' Links:More about Ben Taitz>>>https://tinyurl.com/54x6v2xxPsychology for Geeks>>> https://www.psychologyforgeeks.com/home.Colt Blunt's Books>>>https://tinyurl.com/bdj84enjDebbie's Dream Foundation>>>https://debbiesdream.org/Charlene McPherson>>>https://www.nat20therapy.com/Our Links:Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction4:15 - Star Search is back13:30 - MTV is back—sort of22:15 - Billy Joel is back—sort of28:20 - Monchhichi is back—apparently it never left37:15 - What if Stranger Things had secret finale?45:35 - Michael J. Fox didn’t want to imitate Michael Jackson52:25 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowCheck out Gen X Talks here: https://genxtalks.com/Get your MTV at MTV Rewind here: https://wantmymtv.vercel.app/Read our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction5:00 - Chevy Chase documentary is "hard to watch"16:45 - Terry Gilliam slams TV's Time Bandits again29:45 - Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular injured a heroic staff member38:25 - The new Marty Supreme is set in the 50s is scored with 80s music46:00 - No spoilers! Is our interest in spoilers generational?1:18:00 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowGet Life Goes On: The Lessons We Learned from Eighties Music.Read our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
The HBO Guide

The HBO Guide

2025-12-3001:10:33

Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction3:30 - The searchable HBO guide database20:35 - James Cameron CPRed a rat to protect The Abyss29:25 - Cameron is rebooting The Terminator33:00 - Mad Max director supports AI filmaking43:20 - Fortnite's obscure obcenity slip57:05 - The fate of the new Muppet Show is in your hands1:07:55 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction4:52 - Joe Pesci was afraid to do Home Alone stunt15:20 - Name the 80s Christmas movie25:45 - Eddie Van Halen’s virtuoso guitar solos anticipated a modern problem37:34 - The Terminator is back with a new retro video game44:55 - How Rob Reiner's surprise love changed Harry Met Sally58:10 - Can men and women be friends?1:11:40 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!Check out The Long Rewind at https://dustinmorrow.com/the-long-rewind/.
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction6:15 - Gwen Stefani Stole an 80s Christmas Song19:25 - Frosty the Snowman had 3 secret families30:40 - Ethan Hawke saw Robin Williams' struggles in the 80s38:00 - Will Stranger Things use time travel?50:00 - Is Gen X the greatest generation?1:10:25 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!Check out Gen X Journeys at https://genxjourneys.net/.
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction3:35 - Macaulay Culkin has a pitch for a Home Alone sequel12:20 - Did John Hughes copy Home Alone from another film?18:25 - A $9 million Superman comic was found in an attic23:10 - The copies of the Declaration of Independence found in 198531:12 - Will's kid wrote a Supergirl comic book that was just published37:11 - Cheap Trick’s At Budokan wasn’t49:45 - Working Girl the Musical is hoping for Broadway59:15 - Purple Rain the Musical is hoping for Broadway1:02:41 - New live-action He-Man will be "modern"1:15:40 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!Check out Chatting Tracks at https://www.chattingtracks.com/.
On Septempber 27, 1986, The United Way of Greater Cleveland held Balloonfest. The organizers' goal was to set a world record for the simultaneous release of small helium-filled balloons. They hoped the event would improve Cleveland’s image. On that afternoon, the skies above Public Square were filled with nearly 1.5 million balloons, which were inflated by a corps of volunteers. By some accounts, however, the event that was intended to raise the standing of the city, quickly turned into a disaster. This is the true tale of Balloonfest.0:00 - Introduction5:19 - WKRP's Turkeys Away9:56 - Cleveland's Ballonfest 8658:35 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction4:00 - Is Will Byers a pawn of Vecna?18:10 - The cancelled The Escape from New York video game24:35 - Miss Piggy solo movie in development33:12 - Eddie Murphy’s got serious at the 1988 Oscars37:28 - Three movies Eddie Murphy regrets not starring in41:45 - UK is about to limit ticket sales to their original face value1:01:34 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction5:15 - Two unrelated Road House sequels14:15 - Two unrelated Bond sequels in 198325:15 - New Buck Rogers movie27:40 - Two unrelated Buck Rogers properties33:35 - New  Doja Cat track samples Knight Rider40:25 - 35-Year Old rap streak broken46:40 - Check out Kwamé's new album53:40 - New 1982 Tron collectibles59:35 - Wrap Up and Thank YouFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snowRead our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
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Comments (2)

Alexander Huang

Love this podcast! Loved hearing about Tom Higgenson's memories of the 80s. They discussed his solo project (Million Miler, from Humans Were Here).

Mar 29th
Reply

Stephanie Hellemeyer

1980s Now is reminiscent about the greatest decade. Listen to Tom Higgenson as he discussed his new solo project Million Miler on his Humans Were Here record label. Find out what sitcom is getting a reboot.

Mar 18th
Reply