Everything 80s

Latest Episodes:

Captain Power: Commercialism and Controversy Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

At least they still had Barbie… But when the excitement for He-Man started to cool off, toy giant Mattel needed something to fill the void. They needed something modern, interactive, and able to take advantage of new toy technology.

Enter Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future. Combined with a TV program of the same name, the innovative toys let you fire "lasers" at the show while getting hit in return. It was like Duck Hunt meets RoboCop; a futuristic dream come true. Sounds like the coolest thing ever, and the perfect new toy franchise–but a world of controversy soon emerged…

-Bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s

The Pizza Wars of the 80s Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Bread, sauce, and cheese. That’s all pizza really is, but how did the simple food you love become the focus of a massive, multi-billion-dollar battle? Today, we journey back to the Pizza Wars of the 80s, when Pizza Hut, Little Ceasars, and Dominos took every measure possible to capture our taste buds (with a few others joining the pizza party…)

Advertising budgets skyrocketed, media reach was more substantial than ever before, and competition was high. So let’s look back at a slice of history when the 80s became a battleground with every company trying to grab the biggest piece of the pie.

-Support the show and get bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s

ALF: From Melmac to Pop Culture Phenomenon Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

There are certain defining images that represent the entire 1980s--and right at the top of that list is ALF. With origins beginning in 1984, this is a look back on the beloved character, its creator, and the show that became a true pop culture phenomenon.

The story of ALF has a bit of everything; connections to the Simpsons and Seinfeld; legal changes to network TV; some of the greatest merchandising the decade would ever see--and genuine nostalgia.

The E80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

The 1981 Attack on Ronald Reagan Mar 29, 2023

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It seemed like any other ordinary presidential appearance, but when Ronald Reagan left the Washington Hilton on March 30th, 1981, the world almost drastically changed forever in just 1.7 seconds.

This is a look back on a moment of genuine heroism, the bizarre motive behind the assassination attempt on the President, and how one inch could have made this an entirely different story...

-The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Jem and the Holograms: Perms, Products & Profits Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

What do you get when you combine Transformers, Marvel, MTV, and a LOT of neon? You get Jem and the Holograms; a defining 1980s toy, cartoon, and franchise.

When it debuted in 1985, the cartoon show caught on quickly, as did the subsequent toy line. And none of this was by accident. Built on the back of already successful properties like G.I. Joe, and Transformers, Jem and the Holograms followed the formula, but with its own unique twist. So journey back with me to a time of glitter, neon, rock music, and some very stealthy marketing…

The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

HBO, Showtime & the Rise of Cable TV Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

It felt like it happened overnight... we went from just a few TV channels to a seemingly endless amount. So, what exactly led to the rapid growth of cable television in the 1980s and a time when our TVs changed forever?

HBO and Showtime set the stage and as we entered the 80s, new channels like Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, ESPN, and CNN quickly became popular. The cable revolution of the 80s gave us many beloved children's shows, technological advancements, and some good ol' government deregulations. So don't touch that dial; this is a story that includes The Shining, green slime, and even the Soviet Union...

The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

M*A*S*H: The Biggest Finale in TV History Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Do you remember where you were on the night of February 28th, 1983? If you had access to a TV, there’s a pretty good chance you had it tuned to CBS. This was the night of the series finale of M*A*S*H and a landmark moment in the history of television.

What happened that night from a viewership standpoint had never been seen before–or since. This is a look back on the single episode that became a cultural touchpoint, a watershed moment in television, and achieved rating numbers never thought possible.

-Support the show and get access to The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Andre the Giant Mar 01, 2023

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We've all grown up with stories and fairytales filled with heroes, dragons, and monsters. And then there are giants. Giants seem to be a thing of myth, but if you grew up in the 1980s, you saw one of these myths come to life: Andre the Giant.

This is a look back on the remarkable life of the "8th Wonder of the World" and how he forever changed the landscape of professional wrestling. But this isn't just a wrestling story; it's also how Andre Roussimoff became a massive part of 1980s pop culture including an appearance in one of the most beloved movies ever...

The Princess Bride Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

Was LaserDisc too Ahead of Its Time? Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

It just wasn’t meant to be… LaserVision–or LaserDisc as we know it–was the third competitor in the home video format war during the 80s.

But despite being a technological marvel with advanced picture and sound, LaserDisc just couldn't compete with VHS and Beta during the golden age of video. Today we look back on a pioneering form of video technology--with roots going all the way back to the 1950s--that is actually still with us to this day...

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Calvin and Hobbes: The Story of the Beloved Comic Strip Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

If you grew up in the 80s, the newspaper comics may have been a big part of your daily routine. And one of the most beloved ones ever debuted on November 18th, 1985: Calvin and Hobbes.

But the story of Calvin and Hobbes was much more than just a comic strip; it was an insightful storytelling masterclass that seamlessly incorporated many philosophical ideas. It's also a lesson in never compromising, as its creator, Bill Watterson, refused to give in to corporate interests.

-Support the show and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s