Everything 80s

We live in an era where talent competition shows are a dime a dozen on TV. But in the early 80s, that wasn't exactly the case. Star Search was going to change all that, and in the process, it would change TV forever... Today, we go back to 1983 to revisit the launch and success of the talent show that has origins going back to the early days of radio. Not only did it feature one of the most famous late-night sidekicks of all time as host, but it also gave us the first look at many future stars, long before they became household names.  Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s

With his bright pink goggles and trademark thick glasses, Eddie the Eagle was hard to miss when he hit the ski jump at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.  But it was a miracle he even got there. After sleeping in his car and scrounging garbage cans for food, the journey of Eddie the Eagle was the opposite of his ski jumps: it was a massive uphill battle.  But his perseverance and determination could not be stopped, and the man officially known as Michael David Edwards would soon be given a new nickname, becoming an overnight celebrity in the process... The Breakfast Club Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

Death, taxes, and the Soviets defeating everyone in international hockey games. Heading into the 1980s, those were the three guarantees in life. A "miracle on ice" seemed like something that only existed in a fairytale.  For the 1980 Winter Olympics, the American hockey team didn't have a big pool to draw from, and the team would be made up of young, amateur hockey players. There were no expectations, and the team was intended to survive more than thrive. But then something happened... this blue-collar team was not just holding their own--they were actually winning, and in the process, had captured the hearts of the entire country. This setup a showdown with the powerhouse Soviet team, a game the Soviets saw as a formality as they marched towards the gold medal and their fifth straight Olympic championship... The Breakfast Club movie review: Patreon.com/80s  

In the 1980s, the world of entertainment seemed smaller; it was all about movies, network TV, and music. Today, pop culture is much more fragmented, and there are a ton of ways for brands and celebrities to get more exposure.  That really wasn't an option in the 80s, and for those who may have conquered the big and small screens, the next way to get more fame was in the world of music--and that gave us some truly unique celebrity albums. From professional sports teams to professional wrestling, sitcom stars and action heroes, it seemed like everyone was trying to enter the Billboard charts. Today, we look back on some of those unique offerings, but also some genuinely talented celebrities who put out quality music.  Spotify playlist:  1980s Celebrity Albums Get the first look at new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

How had things got so boring...? This was the question NASA was trying to answer after interest in the space program had dwindled.  But they did find a solution: the 25th Space Shuttle launch would feature the first civilian in space,  a teacher, set to board the Space Shuttle Challenger. On January 28th, 1986, millions of people watched in shock as the Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after lift off. Today, we look back at the events leading up to the accident, the warnings that were there, and the impact this event had on a generation of kids.  Get access to new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up in the 80s, you remember how big television events felt. You knew that everyone was watching the same thing as you, and at the same time. But which shows and events were the biggest of the 1980s? Today, we look back at some of the highest-rated and most-watched TV shows of the decade. We take a quick look at some major sporting events before moving on to the sitcoms, dramas, miniseries, presidential debates, and the biggest TV movie of all time. But it wasn't just the network shows that captured our attention--and ratings--but there were also two major events that the whole world tuned in for... Live Aid Runaways: get the book available on Amazon or wherever books are sold Get early access to new podcast episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s 

The end of 2025 saw the tragic passing of Rob Reiner. Today, we look back on his incredible contributions to the world of film and television, specifically in the 1980s. From 1984 to the end of the decade, Rob Reiner went on a golden run that gave us some of the best movies of not just the 1980s--but ever. And, at the same time, he changed film forever by reinventing some film genres, taking them to levels never seen before. In the 1980s, Rob Reiner created some era-defining, generational films, and he still had time to help bring us one of the biggest sitcoms in television history... Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

As the dust settled after the Great Video Game Crash of 1983, a new console emerged ready to take the world of video games to a whole new level. But the Nintendo Entertainment System wouldn't be the only console that made a mark on the 1980s... The NES had gotten there first and had taken a stranglehold on the market, but another Japanese company was about to enter our homes. It began as the Mark 3, but in 1986, after some design changes and a new name, the Sega Master System was ready to hit North America. Boasting better graphics, colors, and accessories, the high-tech Master System seemed like a step up from the NES -- but had Nintendo left room for anyone else...? Gremlins movie review: Patreon.com/80s  

Welcome to the Everything 80s, year-in-review special. This is the episode where we look back at everything 80-related over the last 12 months. And, as usual, there was quite a bit. In this special, we look at several movies, songs, and people that turned 40 in 2025. We look at several 1980s movies that are getting reboots or sequels, some 1980s-based movies that hit the big screen, and the return--and final season--of the iconic show that's been like a love letter to the 80s. We also look at some notable people with connections to the 80s that we lost over the last year.  And then I turn the show over to you to take a look at who you all are, where you're listening from, and your favorite episodes and 1980s topics from the last year. Gremlins movie review: Patreon.com/80s

It's Christmas Eve, so we're rewinding the VHS tape to revisit 10 iconic 1980s TV Christmas specials.  In this remastered edition of one of my previous shows, we dive back into the golden age of holiday programming, when we were all watching the same things at the same time. Highlights of this episode include a few comic strips that came to the small screen, a few Christmas offerings from Jim Henson (including the one that appears to have influenced a future Pixar film), and a certain Saturday morning performer making his prime-time debut. This list includes a few classics, some you may have forgotten about, and some that may be brand-new to you. But they were all a big part of the holiday season during the 1980s. Support the podcast and get bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s

Welcome to the annual Everything 80s Christmas special! There really was nothing like the holiday season during the 1980s, and today, we'll take a look back at: The knock-off versions of some of the big toys of the 80s that began to appear on toy shelves A unique new holiday catalog that combined several iconic 1980s brands and TV shows The holiday versions of some of our favorite breakfast cereals A lesser-known, but unique TV Christmas special that combined two of the biggest network stars of the decade So, sit back, relax, and let's journey back to the holiday season during the 1980s Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

What began as a simple doll sold at craft fairs in the 1970s soon became one of the biggest toy fads in history. After beggning their life as "doll babies," the soft and playable dolls went through some more changes before becoming the Cabbage Patch Kids. And their release in 1983 couldn't have been timed out better, as, coming out of the Great Video Game Crash, there was a return to simple, more traditional toys. But then something happened... The growing popularity, combined with a very short supply, led to one of the biggest toy crazes of all time. Heading into the holiday season of 1983, utter chaos emerged in retail, and toy stores everywhere... Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s  

She-Ra: Princess of Power wasn't just a He-Man spinoff, but a standalone character with her own persona, legacy, and mythology. She was a bold experiment by Mattel and Filmation to crack into multiple toy markets at the same time, while also growing the He-Man brand.  From breaking the "Smurfette principle" to its unique introduction, She-Ra quickly became a defining 1980s brand.  Today, we look back at the creation, launch, and success of what ended up being a relatively short-lived toy and 1980s cartoon that still managed to make a huge dent in 1980s pop culture.  50% off your first month on Patreon.com/80s: codeword: MARTY Give the gift of the 1980s: Patreon.com/80s/gift

Over the years, there's been a steady return to traditional media. From vinyl albums to 4K Blu-ray, people want to hold--and own--the content they love. There's also been a return to traditional film.  Our digital, streaming age is incredible, but sometimes it can feel like something is missing. And if you're a fan of 1980s movies, that means seeing these films we love, the way they were meant to be seen.  Traditional film, such as 35mm and 70mm, is making a comeback as real film provides a richer, more organic movie-watching experience compared to digital projection.  To look deeper into this, I took a trip to an independent cinema to talk to a true film projectionist and learn about the movies we grew up watching, and the theatres we watched them in.    The Hyland Cinema: hylandcinema.com The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

When it was released in the summer of 2016, not only did Stranger Things become a pop culture phenomenon, but it was also a true love letter to the 1980s. Today, we look back at the creation, success, and impact of an era-defining show that introduced 1980s culture to a whole new generation. In this episode, we'll look at: The struggles the Duffer brothers went through to get the show made The specific premise they used that combined two 1980s icons The real-life CIA experiments that led to the creation of Eleven The 1980s movies that influenced the show How Stranger Things became one of the crown jewels for Netflix How Stranger Things may have led to a resurgence of 1980s-based movies and TV shows The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's time to head back to Bayside as we look at the creation, launch, and success of an era-defining show: Saved by the Bell. But the true origins of Saved by the Bell not only go back to 1986; it started as a completely different show.  From there, the show went through many changes, including a new cast, bouncing from NBC to the Disney Channel, and then from prime time to its eventual home on Saturday mornings. However, back at this point in the 80s, the launch of a live-action show to air during Saturday morning cartoons was seen as a gigantic risk.  Fortunately, a generation of kids who were growing up quickly soon fell in love with Zack, Kelly, Lisa, Jessie, Slater, and Screech.  Get an ad-free, first look at brand new episodes: Patreon.com/80s

Where do you even start when compiling a list of the greatest TV shows of the 1980s? Well, today, this won't come from my opinion but a combination of rankings by Variety, Rolling Stone, and the Writers Guild of America. By combining the expertise of staff, television actors, creators, showrunners, writers, directors,  producers, and critics, these outlets have compiled their own lists of the 100 best TV shows of all time.  I've gone through them and found 20 shows with connections to the 1980s, and in this episode, we'll look at those shows to see which ones are considered the very best of the decade. Support the show and get the first look at new episodes: Patreon.com/80s  

The big day has finally arrived; it's Halloween in the 1980s. Your costume is set, your pillowcase is ready, and you've strategically planned your trick-or-treating route. But before you get to the big night, you still have to get through the day. Welcome to The Everything 80s Halloween Special. Today, we walk through a typical Halloween day during the 1980s. We start the day at school before catching a quick dinner at the fast food place that did Halloween as well as anyone in the 80s. With time to kill before heading out to trick-or-treat, you have time to watch some cartoons, but we'll look at a few unsuspecting ones that were caught up in the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.  Finally, it's time to head door-to-door, and you're looking for the best candy possible. But which candy was the most popular at Halloween during the 1980s? We'll look at the top choices for each year, along with the one that is the most popular overall (along with the one considered the worst...). And before the day is finished, there is still time to watch some Prime Time TV, and we'll look back at the Halloween episodes of some popular sitcoms.  Bonus Audio Content: Patreon.com/80s

In 1986, Clifford Stoll -- originally a Berkley Lab astronomer -- had become the manager of their computer department. One day, he noticed something, a small accounting glitch that seemed insignificant, but would become the first great Cold War hacking story. One tiny clue led Clifford Stoll on a real-life digital spy chase that included West Germany, the KGB, and the most top-secret, classified information on earth. In an era of dial-up phone lines and dot matrix printers, computer security wasn't given much priority, but this event would lead to the dawn of modern cybersecurity. Rambo movie review: Patreon.com/80s

The 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics ended up being a historic one when it came to stats and records on the field. But this series would be famous for a much more serious reason: The Loma Prieta earthquake. On October 14th, 1989, the highly anticipated cross-town series had created a buzz throughout the Bay Area. This was the first cross-town series in more than 3 decades. But on October 17th, just before game 3, everything changed forever... This is a look back at what has been dubbed "the World Series earthquake," an event witnessed by millions of people watching the live broadcast. At first, those watching -- and those in attendance -- weren't quite sure of the magnitude of the quake. But, in the coming days, everyone learned how deadly serious it was.  Listen to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s