Everything 80s

Latest Episodes:

The MTV Generation Begins Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

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 the controversies that have been a part of the channel since it first launched.

If you're interested in supporting the show, you can check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

The Stores We Loved & the Changing Face of Retail Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

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 mall culture, and the life-long power of brands. Ultimately, this episode is about how powerful nostalgia is, and why giant corporations continue to bank on its undeniable impact.

If you want to support this show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--you can head over to Patreon.com/80s to learn more

Halley's Comet: The "Twice-in-a-Lifetime" Event Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

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. Compared to 1910, 1986 was like living in a future no one could have predicted. Halley's Comet marked our progress, our technological advancements, but also, our setbacks, as its return would be sandwiched right between two of the worst disasters of the 20th Century.

If you're interested in supporting this show--and getting access to more content--you can check out Patreon.com/80s to find out more.

The 10 Best Video Games of the 1980s Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

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 games that have stayed with us.

So, ready player 1, because In this episode, I'm counting down the ten best video games of the 1980s.

If you want to support the show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--you can check out Patreon.com/80s to find out all about it.

The Incredible Life & Legacy of Terry Fox Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

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 word.

You can learn more about the Terry Fox Foundation by visiting: Terryfox.org

If you're interested in supporting this show, you can check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

The Wicked Witch Gets Sesame Street Banned Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

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 away until just recently when it was leaked online. This is a look back on that infamous episode, and the character that still freaked out children a good forty years after the Wizard of Oz was first released.

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

Rewind: Which Summer Had the Best Movies? Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

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 summer is maybe not as good as we remember?

The 1980s changed summer movies forever, and the effects are still being felt to this day.

If you want some more 1980s movie content, you can check out the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast over at Patreon.com/80s

The Toys of the 80s With Dan Larson Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

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 Galaxy

Support the Show: Patreon.com/80s

Stranger Things Season 4: The Final Recap Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

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 Champions"

The Dungeons & Dragons Scare of the 1980s Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

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 into every living room in the country. Why was D&D singled out? And did it become the scapegoat because of negligent parenting...

If you want to support this show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--you can head over to Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

Show Notes: Dungeons and Dragons.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected