History of the 90s

In May 1999, Owen Hart, the youngest member of Canada’s first family of wrestling, was at Kansas City's Kemper Arena to compete in the pay-per-view event “Over The Edge.” Owen was set to enter the wrestling ring by descending from the rafters on a wire attached to a harness as his alter ego The Blue Blazer. But something went horribly wrong. On this episode of History of the 90s we explore the life and tragic death of Owen “The Rocket” Hart. GUEST INFO: Kevin Michie, Associate Producer and Reporter at Sportsnet. Twitter/X: @Kevinmichie SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Pulp Fiction to Forrest Gump, 1994 was an incredible year for cinema. New and veteran directors pushed boundaries while making movies that filled theatres. On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at some of the best movies of 1994 to see whether they still hold up today. Show contact: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1994, the world’s first CGI generated animated show debuted on ABC and YTV and in the process changed the course of animation history. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the creation of Reboot, a groundbreaking kids show set inside a computer. Guests: Jacob Weldon and Raquel Lin, the creators of the limited documentary series, Reboot Rewind. It will premiere on Telus Optik TV video-on-demand and the Telus STORYHIVE YouTube channel in mid-2024. www.youtube.com/@RebootRewindDoc Show contact: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February 1999 a woman and two teenagers disappeared while on a sightseeing trip at the majestic Yosemite Park. A massive search ended four weeks later when their burned out car was discovered by a hiker. Police tracked down several suspects and put them behind bars on unrelated charges, assuring the public that the people responsible for the brutal murders were in jail. Then in July 1999 a fourth woman was murdered near the park. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the case of the Yosemite Park Killer. Show contact: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Guest info: Dennis McDougal, newspaper journalist and author of many books including The Yosemite Murders. His latest book is Operation White Rabbit: LSD, the DEA, and the Fate of the Acid King. www.dennismcdougal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1991, the first ever Lollapalooza festival brought a seven act, nine hour alternative music spectacle to 23 cities across North America Lollapalooza was the hottest event of the summer and it set the blueprint for traveling music festivals that would dominate the rest of the decade. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the traveling summer music festival from Lollapalooza to Lilith Fair. Show contact: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1990s are considered one of the most successful and volatile eras in the history of the comic book industry. A speculator fueled boom, epic storylines and publisher marketing gimmicks led to a massive bubble that eventually burst and nearly destroyed the entire industry. On this episode we look back at the causes and the implications of the 90s comic book boom and bust. Guest: Jason Sacks, comic book historian and author of many books including American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s Show contact info: Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1994 was a year when peace seemed possible. Nelson Mandela took office in South Africa and Israel began withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. But in 1994 we also witnesses a horrible genocide that destroyed a small African country. Meanwhile in North America we were captivated by a string of sensational crimes that ranged from ridiculous to horrific. On this episode of History of the 90s we are taking look back at those stories and several others as we count down the most memorable news events of 1994. Show contact info: Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June 1990, a US federal judge ruled that the 2 Live Crew album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” was obscene and police could arrest anyone in South Florida who tried to sell it. It was the first time any album in the US had been deemed obscene and it led to an epic battle between the controversial rappers and the justice system. On this episode we look back at the great rap censorship scare of 1990. Show contact info: Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few people who embody the 1990s more than Anna Nicole Smith. The Texas beauty rose to fame after an appearance in Playboy magazine lead to a high profile modelling contract with the Guess fashion brand. And in the midst of it all she made headlines for marrying an 89 year old oil tycoon. But fame was fleeting for Smith who struggled with a dangerous drug addiction that would eventually lead to her tragic death. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1990s all areas of British culture underwent a massive re-birth. A new wave of pop music swept the nation, the film industry was booming, the fashion world was alive with fresh new talent and a group of non-conformist Young British Artists was taking the art world by storm. Even a younger, cooler Prime Minister had moved in to 10 Downing Street. Over the next two episodes we’re looking back at the era of Brit Pop and Cool Britannia. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Guest Info: Daniel Rachel, 90s musician turned award-winning author. His book is called: Don’t Look Back in Anger: The Rise and Fall of Cool Britannia Told by Those Who Were There. www.danielrachel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s we’re looking back at the golden age of Sketch Comedy. During the 1990s television networks realized that sketch comedy was cheaper and easier to make than sitcoms leading to a flood of edgy and hilarious shows like Kids in the Hall, MadTV and Mr. Show. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Guest Info: Jason Klamm, Comedian and Author of We’re Not Worthy: From In Living Color to Mr. Show, How ‘90s Sketch TV Changed the Face of Comedy www.jasonklamm.com Nick Marx, Associate Professor of Media Studies at Colorado State University and author of Sketch Comedy: Identity, Reflexivity, and American Television X (formerly Twitter): @marxnick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1995, a lengthy legal nightmare came to a dramatic conclusion for Guy Paul Morin. Nearly a decade earlier, the Queensville, Ontario man became the prime suspect in the kidnapping and murder of his 9-year-old neighbour Christine Jessop, because police thought he was weird. In this episode of History of the 90s, Kathy Kenzora brings you the conclusion of one of Canada’s most notorious wrongful convictions. Guest info: Kirk Makin, former justice reporter for The Globe and Mail and author of Redrum The Innocent. Makin has also served as Co-President of Innocence Canada. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1995, a lengthy legal nightmare came to a dramatic conclusion for Guy Paul Morin. Nearly a decade earlier, the Queensville, Ontario man became the prime suspect in the kidnapping and murder of his 9-year-old neighbour Christine Jessop, because police thought he was weird. On this episode of History of the 90s, Kathy Kenzora looks back at one of Canada’s most notorious wrongful convictions. Guest info: Kirk Makin, former justice reporter for The Globe and Mail and author of Redrum The Innocent. Makin has also served as Co-President of Innocence Canada. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the start of the 1990s music videos were like blockbuster Hollywood movies, with big budgets and anticipated release dates. So when an artist’s video caused controversy it was big news. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at some of the most controversial music videos of the 1990s. Show contact info: X (formerly Twitter): @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at an unprecedented legal battle that put heavy metal on trial in the summer of 1990. British heavy metal icons Judas Priest spent three weeks in a Nevada courtroom defending their music after they were accused of experimenting with subliminal messages that caused two young men to form a suicide pack. GUEST INFO: David Van Taylor is an Emmy nominated Showrunner/Director who creates non-fiction television and audio content. His 1992 film about the Judas Priest lawsuit is called Dream Deceivers and is available on Apple TV, Ovid.tv and Amazon (DVD) Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the rise of video game violence. Games like Doom and Mortal Kombat brought a new level of blood and gore, and they captivated players like never before. They also caused moral panic for parents and politicians who were shocked by the violence. Guest contact info: Alyse Knorr, associate professor of English at Regis University, co-editor of Switchback Books, and co-producer of the Sweetbitter podcast. She is the author of several books including Goldeneye 007 and Super Mario Bros. 3 which are both for Boss Fight Books. Twitter: @alyseknorr www.alyseknorr.com Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the abduction and murder of two-year-old James Bulger, a crime so shocking that it continues to reverberate more than 30 years later. James was lured away from his mom at a shopping mall near Liverpool, England by two 10-year-old boys who tortured and killed the toddler. They became the youngest people in the UK to be convicted of first degree murder. This episode contains details that may not but suitable for all listeners. Guest info: David James Smith, journalist and author of The Sleep of Reason: The James Bulger Case www.davidjamessmith.net Twitter: @davidjamessmit5 Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Cameron’s epic movie Titanic captured the hearts of millions and changed just how big a blockbuster could actually be. After opening in December 1997 the movie stayed at number 1 for 15 weeks in a row and became such a massive cultural phenomenon that it didn’t close in theatres until nearly one year later in October 1998. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the making of Cameron’s juggernaut and explores the controversial question, could Jack have fit on the door with Rose. Guest Info: Jessi Cruickshank, host of the podcast Phone a Friend Instagram: @jessicruickshank Facebook: @jessicruickshank www.jessicruickshank.com Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the life and career of three of the best comedians of our generation. John Candy, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman all died in the 1990s and in their absence each one left us with a trove of material that will keep us laughing for decades to come. Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today marks 25 years since Spiceworld was hit with a band-splitting jolt when Ginger Spice officially dropped the bomb that her Girl Power days were over. The announcement on May 31, 1998, by Gerri Halliwell sent shockwaves worldwide just days before the Spice Girls were to begin a mega-hyped North American tour. Gerri was considered the guru of the band’s Girl Power philosophy….so we thought this would be a great opportunity to revisit an issue we did at the beginning of season one all about Girl Power. We’ll be back in two weeks with brand new material….until then….I hope you enjoy the episode. Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices