What are your memories of 1986? Depending on your age, they may be quite vivid. Or you may only remember bits and pieces. But how do you sum up a year that had many amazing moments, but also some terrible setbacks? If you had to describe the year 1986, it may be one step forward, two steps back. Today, we look back on all the great movies, TV shows, technology, sports, and music that 1986 gave us--and it sure was a humdinger. But, unfortunately, this was the year that contained two of the worst ...
Sep 07, 2022•35 min
Whether you grew up in the 80s or not, MTV has probably impacted you at some point. Even though the all-music channel debuted way back in 1981, it continues to influence pop culture to this day. This is a look back on a risky idea that went on to define the entire 1980s and changed the way we consume music. In this episode, we'll look back at the origins of MTV (that involves New Zealand and The Monkees), the immediate impact it made, the rise of giant stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson, and...
Aug 31, 2022•36 min
What stores do you remember best from your childhood? If you're Canadian, one such store may be Zellers--which looks to be making a comeback--but you no doubt have your own favorites. However, this episode is about so much more than a classic Canadian store; it's about how many of our retail favorites are no longer with us. It's about the changing retail landscape that is drastically different than the way we remember it. This show is a look back on the stores that made us, the rise and fall of ...
Aug 24, 2022•28 min
Are you old enough to remember Halley's Comet? If you are, I'm sure you remember what a big deal its return was in 1986. For kids of the 80s, it was astounding to be able to see something that last appeared in 1910. And if you were of a certain age, there's a chance you'll get to see it again, as Halley's Comet will make its return in 2061. But the story of Halley's Comet is about much more than just a comet. This was a look at ourselves and the astonishing progress we had made by the mid--80s. ...
Aug 17, 2022•30 min
What's your favorite video game ever? Quite often, they're the beloved games from our childhood. If you grew up in the 1980s, some of the classics probably come to mind. The 80s was a golden age of video games, and it gave us some of the most iconic--and important--video games ever created. The advancement in video games from 1980 to 1989 was truly night and day. The games at the end of the decade were virtually unrecognizable compared to those from the beginning. But it's sometimes those simple...
Aug 10, 2022•22 min
What does a superhero look like to you? Your image may come from the pages of a comic book or a movie screen. But what if there was a real-life superhero that existed among us? That's what Terry Fox was. If this is the first time you're hearing this name, this is a look back at a person who, in 1980, would run across Canada on one leg to raise money and awareness for cancer research. This is the astonishing story of not only a mind-boggling physical feat but a genuine hero in every sense of the ...
Aug 03, 2022•27 min
On February 10th, 1976, the only banned episode of Sesame Street ever, was aired. This episode featured Margeret Hamilton reprising her role as the iconic Wicked Witch of the West. The episode created such a backlash that Sesame Street and the Children's Television Workshop were forced to pull the episode. Going into the 80s and 90s, the legend of this episode began to grow, and it would become one of the most famous pieces of lost media in history. For nearly half a century, it remained locked ...
Jul 27, 2022•29 min
The 1980s gave rise to the summer blockbuster. Before then, the summer wasn't seen as an effective time to release movies. That definitely changed, and this was mainly thanks to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. But which summer had the best movies? In this look back at one of my favorite episodes ever, I rank every 1980s summer to see which one was the very best. How does 1985 compare to the juggernaut that was 1989? Which summer was the real dark horse with a ton of classic offerings? Which s...
Jul 20, 2022•25 min
The 1980s ushered in a new era of cartoons, toys, and action figures the likes we had never seen before. But what made this era so different? And why did we love the toys that we did? What makes for a good toy? Is it functionality? Backstory? Interaction? Marketing? Or the fact our friends had them? This is also a look at the government deregulation, trade embargos, capitalism, and even war that had a major influence on one of the biggest eras of toys ever. Special Guest: Dan Larson from Toy Gal...
Jul 13, 2022•29 min
After an epic four hours of Stranger Things: Volume 2, it's time to recap episodes 8 and 9 and then wrap up what was a truly remarkable season. For both episodes, we will break down the plot, and look at all the themes, observations, and 1980s references. We look ahead to what may be in store for the 5th season, and how season 4 could not have come at a better time for Netflix. Chrissy, this is for you... Support the show at Patreon.com/80s Check out the 1980s-based book, " Tommy and the Cosmic ...
Jul 06, 2022•33 min
People sure were scared of the devil back in the 80s. As the fear of Satanic cults grew, one simple role-playing game became the spokesperson for all the evils facing youth: Dungeons and Dragons. How did this game that appealed to creative people become blamed for so many terrible events? This is a look back on the rise of Dungeons and Dragons and the fear that swept through the nation. A game that was played by a niche community was now on network news and fear and hysteria were being pumped in...
Jun 22, 2022•28 min
Was 1985 the best year of the decade? If it's not, then it's pretty damn close. In this review of 1985, we'll look back on all the notable movies, TV shows, cartoons, technology, music, sports, and world events that made up a pretty astounding year. 1985 is also the year of one of the biggest marketing disasters in history, some of the most significant films of the decade, and a new source of entertainment that would change the lives of kids forever. To me, it's the best year of the decade; but ...
Jun 15, 2022•28 min
You may not know the name Rax, but they played a significant role in the fast-food game during the 80s--and you've no doubt seen their influence in the industry to this day. The company goes back to the 1960s but rose to prominence during the 80s. In the 80s, they started to add a huge amount of items, changed their decor, and aimed to be the "champagne of fast-food restaurants." Heading into the late 80s, the company was in financial trouble and the restaurant that was "fast food for adults" wo...
Jun 08, 2022•24 min
Whoa nelly, this has been a doozy. I'm going to recap everything that went on during Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 4. We will do a plot summary breakdown of what transpired over the last 7 episodes, explore some of the deep themes used this season, look at the movies that influenced it (one horror movie, specifically), look at the importance of music during this season, and uncover all the Easter eggs and 1980s references I could find! Spoiler warnings if you haven't seen season 4 yet Suppo...
Jun 01, 2022•21 min
It's almost here... After nearly three years, Stranger Things is back with its highly anticipated fourth season--and it couldn't come at a better time for Netflix. In this preview show, we'll do a recap of season 3, discuss everything we know about the plot and production, do a trailer breakdown, discuss theories, and look at another great commercial crossover. Season 4 promises to be bigger, better, scarier, longer, and WAY more expensive than the other seasons--and I hope you're as excited as ...
May 25, 2022•29 min
When Crocodile Dundee was released in 1986, it caught everyone by surprise. The movie from Down Under starring an actor no one knew became a monster hit. This is a look back on the Crocodile Dundee franchise and the man behind the croc: Paul Hogan. Hogan's story is a true rags-to-riches tale and how he went from Australian celebrity to worldwide star. We look at how this film came together, why no one expected it to be a hit, Paul Hogan's rise to fame, the sequels, the surprising film role that ...
May 18, 2022•24 min
Before there was the Chernobyl disaster, there was Three Mile Island. This is an accident that appears to be a lot more serious than you may realize. What appeared to be just a "close call" could have actually been catastrophic. This is a look back at the story of the first nuclear accident; all the misinformation that eroded the public's trust; coverup; Jane Fonda; whistleblowing, and the aftermath that was felt for years. If you want to support the show--and get access to the Everything 80s Mo...
May 11, 2022•23 min
How is it possible that the greatest toy store we've ever known could end up bankrupt? No, it's not just because of the internet (though that does play a role). The once-dominant toy store would face many setbacks that resulted in its closure. In this episode, we look back on the history of the iconic store, how it shaped the childhoods of millions, helped create a lot of pop culture as we know it, and then faced a very sad demise. This is also a look at how in the year 2000, things could have t...
May 04, 2022•23 min
Before there was Red Bull, Monster, or 5-Hour Energy Shots, there was the original energy drink: Jolt Cola. If you grew up like me, you may remember Jolt Cola being kind of mythical. This drink apparently had enough caffeine to take down a horse and we all heard urban legends of the kid who died drinking it. It turns out Jolt didn't actually have that much caffeine. What it did have was the opposite approach to the diet cola movement that was taking place. This is the look back on how the "bad b...
Apr 20, 2022•25 min
If you were alive in the 1980s, you definitely went to K-Mart at some point. The store had everything and was a huge part of our lives. But how did the company go from retail giant to almost nothing? As of the time of this recording, there are only three K-marts left. This is a look back on the rise and fall of a giant company with a history that goes all the way back to 1899. If you want to support this show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Podcast--check out Patreon.com/80s to learn...
Apr 13, 2022•24 min
Even if you're not a wrestling fan, you can't deny the massive influence it has had a pop culture. This influence was never more prominent than it was in the 1980s. This is the story of the very first WrestleMania and the massive risk Vince McMahon took in creating it. The story of WrestleMania is as much the story of the early days of the (then) WWF, the changing landscape of entertainment, cable TV, MTV, and a new phenomenon named Hulk Hogan. Support the Show: Patreon.com/80s Show Notes: The S...
Apr 06, 2022•26 min
If you're from the UK, and of a certain age, you probably remember the Late Late Breakfast Show incident of 1986. Even if you've never heard of this--it's a pretty crazy story. The Late Late Breakfast Show was a variety show aired on the BBC in the early 80s. It was kind of like the early days of David Letterman. One feature on the show involved putting regular citizens into death-defying, movie-level stunts. You can obviously see where this is going, and the tragedy that happened in 1986 would ...
Mar 30, 2022•22 min
*Takes deep breath* OK, this may not go over well but here is my countdown of what I believe are some of the most overrated movies of the 1980s. I need to point out that these are not bad movies--not at all. They are in fact really, really good movies, I just find them to be more on the overrated side than the all-time classic side. We've got 7 choices to look at which include a classic coming-of-age tale, a beloved action movie, and a technological marvel, just to name a few. Speaking of movies...
Mar 23, 2022•24 min
1984 is more than just George Orwell, it's a huge year when it comes to all things pop culture. Some of the best movies and TV shows of not just the 80s--but of all time--debuted in 1984. We also look back at the music, technology, and major sporting events that went into this pretty remarkable year. We'll also touch on the whole 1984, Orwellian connection, and take a quick look at some other things that were going on in the world. If you're interested in supporting the show--and getting access ...
Mar 16, 2022•26 min
The L.A. Lakers of the 80s may be the decade-defining team during an era of decade-defining teams. This is a look back at a true sports dynasty and the one year which may be the best of all time: 1986-87. This is also a look at how the Lakers brand of "Showtime basketball" would change the way we watched sports. The Lakers took basketball from simply a game to a full entertainment experience. Even if you don't like sports, this is an interesting look back on a period of sports we may never see a...
Mar 09, 2022•24 min
What do you get when you combine, teenagers, dangerous rides, alcohol, and New Jersey? You get Action Park: the most dangerous amusement park of all time. This is a look back on the notoriously famous park and how it came to be. We look at how safety was not a concern in the design of the attractions and why it could be a genuinely dangerous place to visit. There is also violence, fraud, and a lot of injuries. This episode also explores how Action Park was the personification for many 1980s atti...
Mar 02, 2022•23 min
The 1980s were a golden age of breakfast cereals. The decade ushered in a whole new era of breakfast options that probably couldn't even be considered real food--but we loved it (even if our mothers hated them). I'm going to count down what I believe are the ten best cereals of the decade. Some of these came out before the 80s but became as much a part of our morning breakfast routine as reading the back of the box. Some came out for a short period in the 80s and were never seen again. Hopefully...
Feb 23, 2022•25 min
If you grew up in the U.K. in the 80s, you definitely know of SuperTed. But even if you're not from the U.K, there's a good chance you saw this cartoon at some point. This is a look back on a bedtime story that became a hit cartoon show seen in over 120 different countries. It's a story that has connections to Harry Potter, The Beatles, Disney, and Welsh pride. It's also an incredible tale of sticking to your guns and not giving in to giant corporate interests. Show Notes: SuperTed If you want t...
Feb 16, 2022•22 min
It's almost Valentine's Day and I thought we'd take a look back on the movie that created the modern rom-com: When Harry Met Sally. It's not that rom-coms didn't exist before, but this film perfected the format. It was also a monster hit and caught movie studios completely off guard with how lucrative this genre could be. This is a look back on the plot of the movie, how it came together, its lasting influence, and a bunch of amazing behind-the-scenes facts. So enjoy this look back on a genre-de...
Feb 09, 2022•19 min
Space Camp is a movie from 1986 about kids visiting NASA who accidentally get launched into space on the Space Shuttle, and have to figure out how to stay alive. It was released on June 6th, 1986, and if you know your history, you know what happened just four months earlier. 20th Century Fox now had the nightmare of trying to market a movie about kids having to stay alive onboard a Space Shuttle just months after a national tragedy. This is a look back on a movie that should have been a huge hit...
Feb 02, 2022•19 min
