Everything 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  

The summer of 1985 will forever be known for Live Aid, the charity benefit concert that defined 1980s pop culture. But a few months later came Farm Aid '85, another massive musical event with a very different mission.   This time, the spotlight turned to America's farmers as some of the biggest names in Rock and Country -- Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young -- came together to raise awareness for a growing rural crisis.  Inspired by an offhand comment by the legendary Bob Dylan, the concert came together in just 6 weeks. But unlike Live Aid, Farm Aid kept going, evolving over the decades, still happening to this day.  Today, we look back at how Farm Aid began, the challenges it addressed, and the changes it helped create. And the event itself also gave us some of the most historic moments in 1980s music history... Get early access to new episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

Before the 1980s, Disney kept its animated classics in the mythical "vault." The only way to see them was through theatrical re-releases, but it could take years for your favorites to hit the big screen. But when home video began to take off in the 1980s, Disney had to reinvent this strategy for a new era. Today, we look at how the Disney Vault revolutionized home video, and how, if Disney had had their way, home video would have never existed in the first place... But by creating scarcity, the company created huge demand, and it changed the home video market forever.  If you grew up with Disney movies only on VHS for "the last time," or being told your favorite movie was being "put back in the vault," this episode will take you back to a time when owning a Disney classic was like possessing your own treasure.  Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

Growing up in the 1980s, commercial breaks weren't just interruptions--they were cultural events we all experienced together. In this episode, we look back on the golden age of 1980s TV commercials while also exploring the broader history of advertising.  We'll trace how advertising evolved from radio jingles to early television spots, and how those traditions carried into the big-budget, pop culture-driven campaigns of the 1980s.  In this episode, we'll also break down some of the most iconic commercials of all time, including Apple, the burger wars, and the impact of the King of Pop. We also explore how MTV influenced the ads of the 1980s, along with the massive impact of some 1980s commercial jingles -- some of which may still be stuck in your head to this day... Special guest: Cynthia Meyers - profcynthiameyers.com Cynthia's book: A Word From Our Sponsor

In 1983, Coleco launched the Adam--a bold attempt to turn its hit ColecoVision video game console into a full-fledged home computer. By this point in the 80s, Coleco had made a huge dent in the video game market, and, at the same time, was behind one of the biggest toy crazes in history. With all their success--and deep pockets--was Coleco ready to take on the big PC players like Apple, IBM, and Commodore? What Coleco released ended up becoming one of the most infamous product failures of the entire 1980s. It's the story that includes leather shoes, Pong, and Full House, and it's a look at how cruel the world of 1980s technology could really be.  Karate Kid movie review: Patreon.com/80s  

If you grew up watching Wheel of Fortune, you probably read the title of this episode the same way the audience would call it out during the show's opening.  That's the cultural impact Wheel of Fortune had; it's the game show that goes back to the mid-70s but really rose to prominence in the 1980s. Not only did the format change in the 80s, but the show made the big move from daytime to the evening. The 1980s are also when the world first met Pat Sajak and Vanna White. So grab some consonants and a vowel as we dive into the history of one of the most popular game shows in history: Wheel of Fortune.  Get access to new shows early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s  

The Care Bears weren't just colorful, stuffed animals--they were one of the biggest cultural and business success stories of the 1980s.  From a simple sketch to the eureka moment of their final creation, the story of the Care Bears is a testament to how to launch a child's brand with surgical precision.  When they finally hit shelves in 1983, it didn't take long for the Care Bears to become a pop culture phenomenon. With their very specific and strategic rollout, the Care Bears were hard to ignore. Today, we look back at the history of a defining 1980s brand, the brand that may have been the gold standard in how to promote a kids' toy. Not only did the Care Bears become a billion-dollar brand, but they also beat Disney at their own game, and may have also led to the death of a beloved cartoon character... Karate Kid movie review: Patreon.com/80s

When it came out in the summer of 1983, War Games was seen as a fun, summertime popcorn movie. But was the premise of this film starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy more realistic than we realized? Welcome to a free preview of the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast, which you can find at Patreon.com/80s. In this episode, we look back on the movie that was a bit of a surprise hit and went on to become a 1980s classic. But, at the same time, War Games raised some serious questions--questions that even went all the way to the White House... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Even though part of it was considered the Bronze Age, the comic books of the 1980s were like a golden age for kids who grew up during that time. It was the decade that saw massive changes to how comics were distributed, but also a time that saw a significant shift in how comic book stories were told.  The big two--Marvel and DC--were still on top, but something was changing... an independent boom was taking place, and underground and indie comic books were blazing their own trail. And there was one specific creation that would go on to become one of the biggest pop culture phenomenons of all time... So let's go back to the decade when you could spend all day in the comic book store. A time that not only saw the end of the Bronze Age of comic books--but the introduction of a brand new, Modern Age. Special guest: Alex Grand: comicbookhistorians.com  Alex's book: Understanding Superhero Comic Books Get the first look at new episodes early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It could not have come out at a better time...When the Happy Meal was first launched at the end of the 1970s, it entered the 1980s as the perfect merchandising vehicle. Not only did the Happy Meal give us some of the most beloved toys and promotions of the decade, but it also ushered in a whole new era for McDonald's. This is a look back at one of the most famous fast food items in history, an item with humble origins that quickly became a fast food juggernaut.  We'll look back at the creation, launch, and the success of the childhood favorite,  some of those favorite Happy Meal toys and promotions, then a deep dive into the psychology that made the Happy Meal irresistible to kids.  It's the story that includes breakfast cereals, Boss Hogg, French chefs, and, most importantly: Ronald Reagan... Get early access to new episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It was a Sunday night like any other. But for those living in Chicago, it would be a night they would not soon forget. For those tuning in to WGN-TV, their broadcast was interrupted by the most unlikely of people, one of the most popular characters of the 1980s: Max Headroom. Why did Max Headroom, or what appeared to be Max Headroom, now appear on their screens? Just as soon as this TV hijacking had begun, the screen went blank and normal programming resumed. But just two hours later--it happened again. This time it was WTTW. But during this broadcast interruption, things got much more disturbing... Today, we look back at one of the most bizarre unsolved mysteries of the 1980s: The Max Headroom Incident. Weird Science movie review: Patreon.com/80s

Today, we delve into the fascinating--and somewhat controversial--creation of the movie rating that changed Hollywood forever: PG-13.  Born out of the wave of 1980s blockbuster movies that pushed the boundaries of family entertainment, PG-13 was the solution to a rapidly growing problem: there was no middle ground between PG and R-rated movies.  We'll look back at some of the 1980s movies that led to a call for change, and the two specific movies that pushed it over the edge--two movies connected to Steven Spielberg. And it would be Spielberg himself who led the charge for a brand new rating, a rating that would change movies as we know them, and usher in a whole new era for how Hollywood made and marketed movies.  Weird Science movie review: Patreon.com/80s

The 1980s were a time of tremendous innovation and creation. It's the decade that gave us the Walkman, the PC, the Space Shuttle, the Compact Disc, and a wave of groundbreaking inventions that helped shape the world we live in today. But not everything from the 1980s could be a hit. In this episode, we'll take a look at several inventions from the 1980s that were ambitious, revolutionary--but complete flops... If you like retro tech or 1980s pop culture, this episode is a blend of both.  From forgotten gadgets, computers, video games, and even some food items, these failures help tell the story of one of the most innovative and transformative decades in history.  Get early access to new episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s      

Today, we look back at the unforgettable life and legacy of the great John Candy, one of the most beloved comedians of all time. And it was during the 1980s when he really rose to global fame.  From his early days on SCTV to iconic movie roles like Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, Home Alone, and Uncle Buck, John Candy delivered humor and heart in a way few other performers could do. In this episode, we'll explore: His groundbreaking work on SCTV and his influence on sketch comedy His first big breakout movie role The many standout appearances in many legendary 80s movies His collaborations with some other generational performers, including Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and Dan Aykroyd  His lasting impact on film, pop culture, and Canada The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

By the summer of 1985, we had reached the halfway point of the decade. And when it came to all things pop culture, the summer of '85 may have been the decade's peak. Today, we look back on the movies, music, and innovations that made this summer one to remember. It's the summer that also included one of the biggest events of our time and a gigantic blunder that was 100 years in the making. Whether you were hanging out at home or hitting up the mall--a place that had become more crowded than ever--the summer of 1985 would be one for the ages.  The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

On July 3rd, 1985, came the movie that would not only be the standout film of the year, but also one of the standouts for the entire decade: Back to the Future. It's the 1980s movie that blew many people's minds, quickly becoming an iconic film during an era of many legendary movies.  Today, we look back on 40 years of Back to the Future. We'll cover the creation, release, the impact, and the legacy of the film that many call the perfect movie.  Special Guest: Brad Gilmore, author of Back From the Future: A Celebration of the Greatest Time Travel Story Ever Told The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s