1980s Now

Latest Episodes:

Interview: Author Skye McDonald (UPDATED) Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Kat reveals how Will and Jon's recent "boys-only" episode helped her learn something about herself. Plus, we get her thoughts on the Top 10 Sexiest Men of the 1980s (per MsMojo). Then, Will chats with author Skye McDonald about her latest romance novel "The Not So Nice Girl." Set in the summer of 1986, it will transport you to a time of mixtapes, pastries, and first love.

Introduction - :25

Interview - 24:00

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

Become a patron at www.patreon.com/1980snow.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

More about Skye McDonald: https://authorskyemcdonald.com/

Get "The Not So Nice Girl": https://bit.ly/44fvg2B

Meet Skye at an upcoming event: https://authorskyemcdonald.com/

Fictional 1980s Male Role Models Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Will and Jon discuss current 1980s news including updates on sequels to fan favorite 80s films (Conan, Terminator, Ghostbusters and others) and how Dana Carvey snubbed Robin Williams.

Then, with the Kat away (literally), Will and Jon review Watch Mojo's list of the ten sexiest women of the 80s. And later, the pair shares the fictional male characters that shaped them into the men they are today.

Introduction - :25

Announcements - 4:20

*Listen for our chat with author Skye McDonald later this week.

Top 10 Sexiest Women of the 80s - 6:40

1980s News - 26:14

Fictional Male Role Models - 52:30

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:22:16

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

80s True Crime: Cabbage Patch Kids Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 1980s news including how to anger Harrison Ford, Deckard is/isn't a replicant, and AI is "demonic."

Then, Will shares the dark, true story about the origin of the popular, riot-inducing toy from the 1980s, the Cabbage Patch Kids. Although Xavier Roberts' signature appears on each doll, he may not be their father.

Introduction - :25

Announcements: 2:45

*Get the updated 10th anniversary big box edition of "Firefly the Game" here.

1980s News - 6:00

Clip of "Back to You" by The Lightning Kids - 34:45

*Find the The Lightning Kids on Instagram.

80s True Crime: Cabbage Patch Kids - 35:45

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:25:10

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

Sax Solos in 80s Music Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 80s news including Jeff Bridges tells iconic video game joke, John Mellencamp tells audience to STFU, and Little Mermaid gets review bombed.

Once featured in nearly every 80s song, the trio traces the controversial of sax solos in music to determine where they went. Will challenges Kat and Jon to identify the iconic 80s sax solo. And you determine the most popular 80s sax solo.

Introduction - :25

Announcements: 3:15

1980s News - 5:30

Sax Solos in 1980s Hit Music - 32:00

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:21:25

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

References

“Where Did All the Saxophones Go?” Kelsey McKinney (2017)

https://theoutline.com/post/1409/saxophones-in-american-pop-music-history

“Where Have All the Saxophones Gone? Tracing 65 Years of Saxophone Solos in Top 40 Music” by Brian Wansink, PhD (March 2023)

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4444239

“The Saxophone” by Stephen Cottrell (2012)

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt32bj5f

“Why Adolphe Sax's Musical Invention Wasn't Taken Seriously” by Lily Rothman (November 2015)

https://time.com/4101405/adolphe-sax-saxophone-history/

“The True Story of The Lost Boys' Sax Man” by Germain Lussier (April 2020)

https://gizmodo.com/the-true-story-of-the-lost-boys-sax-man-1842774832

Jedi's Not So Special 40th May 29, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 80s news including Carrie Fisher gets her star, Michael J. Fox is fine with a "Back to the Future" reboot, and Prince defeats Warhol in court.

Then, on the 40th anniversary of "Return of the Jedi," the trio discusses how George Lucas changed the beloved film. And, more importantly, how dare he? Our hosts question whether a director has the moral right to change a film once released--and whether the types of changes made a move post-premiere may justify them. What do you think?

Introduction - :25

1980s News - 2:45

Why/How Did Lucas Change Jedi - 26:50

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:14:50

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

References

https://www.etonline.com/star-wars-special-edition-george-lucas-explains-changes-for-trilogys-1997-re-release-flashback

https://fee.org/articles/fans-rebel-against-george-lucas-s-ip-empire/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC77wKPoaPw&ab_channel=MouskovichFilmTrailers

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1988/02/28/lucas-and-spielberg-in-defense-of-artists-rights/90f4ee29-d742-4b22-8834-e11b94ba40b3/

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/the-star-wars-george-lucas-doesnt-want-you-to-see/379184/

https://www.cbr.com/return-of-the-jedi-changes-george-lucas/

Radio in the 80s May 15, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 80s news including a new Dolly Parton album of 80s covers, the "Beetlejuice" sequel finally has a release date, and the how the 1988 WGA strike gave us the worst season of "Star Trek."

Then, the trio discusses how radio in the 80s affected their lives throughout that decade, and why "kids today" won't have the same experience.

Introduction - :25

Announcements - 4:20

*We're off next week, because Will will be busy at Motor City Comic Con. Go to www.motorcitycomiccon.com for more information. And then stop by and say hello to Will.

1980s News - 6:00

Radio in the 80s and Now - 37:22

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:10:12

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

Interview: Larry "the Duck" Dunn May 12, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon share some memories of the role radio played in their youths. Then, Will chats with Larry "the Duck" Dunn, who was an on-air host and music director of the legendary radio station WLIR throughout most of the 1980s. Now, Larry can be heard mornings on Sirius/XM's First Wave channel 33 on Mondays through Fridays and on most Saturdays. Larry also plays 80s host on The 80s Cruise. Visit www.the80scruise.com to learn how to join him and other 1980s icons in February 2024.

Introduction - :25

Interview - 14:17

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

80s Proms Then and Now May 08, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 80s news including a new action thriller set in the 1980s, Duran Duran may release a holiday album, and the "Ghostbusters" rule for selling a haunted house.

Then, the trio shares memories from their 1980s prom, including the 80s-themed prom/fundraiser Kat and Will were a part of last weekened.

Introduction - :25

Announcements - 3:24

*Join us on Facebook or Youtube this week, May 10, at 8pm Eastern as we record a live podcast.

*Listen for our interview with Larry "The Duck" Dunn later this week.

1980s News - 6:00

1980s Proms Then and Now - 48:37

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:27:00

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

1980s News: Ghostbusters, Michael J. Fox, Indiana Jones and More May 01, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon catch up on a number of current 80s news stories. News items and time codes below.

Introduction - :25

Dreamkid released a new single - 7:23

De-aging Indiana Jones - 12:10

John Williams' process - 19:50

Truth about the Nike movie "Air" - 23:30

Cary Elwes still against reboot - 36:54

Michael J. Fox new documentary -45:55

Ghostbusters' sequel cast news - 51:00

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:02:00

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.

Listen to Dreamkid's new single "Street Lights" here: https://hypeddit.com/dreamkid/streetlights

Support Valerie Perrine here: https://gofund.me/5920bccd

Greatest 80s TV Show Themes Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Will, Kat and Jon discuss current 80s news including (some of) The Muppets are back, the original Wilhelm Scream has been found, and a piece of Star Trek history returns. Then, Will challenges Kat and Jon (and you) to identify 10 of the greatest 1980s TV show themes from a few clues and a ridiculously short audio clip. This episode was recorded while streaming live on Facebook and YouTube. Follow us on those platforms to join us next time.

Introduction - :25

1980s News - 4:55

Greatest 80s TV Show Themes - 33:30

Wrap-Up & Your Feedback - 1:21:00

For the many ways to support the show, visit www.1980snow.com/support.

For more episodes of 1980s Now and information about the show visit www.1980snow.com

Learn more about Jon's podcast and Youtube channel at www.GenXGrownup.com.

Email us at will@1980snow.com or kat@1980snow.com.