Episodes
Titanic was called the 'Ship of Dreams,' and for oceanographer Robert Ballard, his dream had always been to find the most famous shipwreck of them all. Today, we travel back to September 1985 and revisit an event many thought would never happen. The discovery of The Titanic made headlines around the world, but was there more going on beneath the surface than we realized? Was the search for the legendary ship just a coverup for a top-secret, Cold War mission...? Bonus audio content:...
Published 05/01/24
It all came from a dream... In the summer of 1986, a new movie hit theatres. It mixed science-fiction and adventure and when it came to computer-generated imagery; it was quite ahead of its time. This is a look back at Flight of the Navigator, a movie that many see as an underrated sci-fi gem, but had a big influence on the future of movie-making. It combined cutting-edge tech with practical effects and even featured a pretty recognizable voice... Because of some extremely tough competition,...
Published 04/24/24
Published 04/24/24
What if there was a show so significant it could put an end to war? This was the approach taken by Jim Henson when he laid the foundation for Fraggle Rock. Henson didn't want to create some ordinary show, but a program that showed us the importance of taking care of ourselves, our environment, and each other. Besides being colorful, musical, and fun--the new show might just change the world... What we got was one of the most unique kids' shows of all time. A show that quickly spread around...
Published 04/17/24
If you grew up during the 80s, you probably had a collection of VHS tapes. From new movie releases to your tapes with all your favorite TV shows or music videos, home video was a cornerstone of our entertainment. And all of that almost never happened... If things had gone differently, home recording would have been illegal and the VCR as we know it may have been banned for good. This is the story of the Betamax Case, which pitted the movie studios against Sony and the new machine the studios...
Published 04/10/24
It may seem hard to believe, but as of the year of this recording, the album releases from 1984 are now forty years old. But these are no ordinary albums, as this is a year that gave us some of the most iconic--and important--albums ever made. Today we look back at 10 significant releases that not only changed the course of music but led to astonishing sales numbers worldwide. The Everything 80s Movie Club: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 04/03/24
In the summer of 2006, a young Calgary woman was on top of the world. She had a supportive family, amazing friends and a great job. But life as she knew it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the night on August 6, 2006. In this episode, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details of a violent attack- a story that’s every woman’s worst fear. www.calgarycrimestoppers.org - reference case #...
Published 03/30/24
Where were you the night of November 21st, 1980? If you were like the majority of the public, you were huddled around your TV waiting to find out the answer to one of the biggest questions in television history: Who Shot J.R.? The 'Who Shot J.R.' episode of Dallas was so big that it spread well beyond North America, becoming part of the public discourse for countries around the world. This is a look back on one of the most astonishing TV events of the 20th century, and the massive...
Published 03/27/24
How can one decade have so many different aesthetics associated with it? Well, this is the 1980s; an era when big, bright, and bold choices dominated our fashion. Today, we look back on the styles, clothing items, and individuals that helped create the look of the 80s. Support the show and get access to bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 03/20/24
If you know what follows the words, "I don't know..." it means you grew up with one of the most creative, bizarre, and beloved kids' shows of all time. You Can't Do That on Television started as a low-budget program in Ottawa, Canada, before being picked up by a newer, kids-only cable channel in the US: Nickelodeon. The show was different than anything they had previously aired, and not only was it instrumental in the channel's success, but it had a massive impact on pop culture still felt to...
Published 03/13/24
We're three years into a new decade, and here comes the year that--when it comes to pop culture--is about to turn everything on its head... It's the year that gave us the biggest movie of the decade, the debut of some of the best TV shows ever, and some of the greatest albums and singles of the 80s. But if that wasn't enough, 1982 is also about to give us what may be the biggest album of all time... Welcome to Rewind and an all-new version of my look back at the music, movies, TV shows, tech,...
Published 03/06/24
For years, a computer was something only used by governments, corporations, or hobbyists. They didn't have any practical appeal to the average person. But that all changed going into the 1980s. Computers like the Apple 2 and the TRS-80 made some strong headway, but it was in 1981 when IBM helped to fully launch the personal computer revolution. This is the story of the IBM PC 5150: a machine for the masses. With a lower price point, and better usability, the concept of a PC in a home or small...
Published 02/28/24
"Two turntables and a microphone. That's all it took to change the world..." These were the words spoken in 2009 by Eminem as he inducted Run-DMC into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. It was a fitting tribute to the group from Hollis, Queens, that not only took hip-hop to new heights but changed the music industry--and pop culture--in the process. This is the story of Run-DMC, the group that crashed down walls, cut through floors, busted through ceilings, and knocked down doors... Support the...
Published 02/21/24
It's Valentine's Day, and what better way to celebrate than to look back on a beloved 1980s romantic drama: Dirty Dancing. Despite being a timeless hit, it's a miracle that Dirty Dancing ever reached theatres. Between shooting difficulties and real-life tension between its stars, this was the movie very few people believed in--and it was projected to go straight to video bins. But what happened next shocked everyone... Thanks to word-of-mouth, the film took off like wildfire and soon became a...
Published 02/14/24
They couldn't all be hits... During an era that gave us some of the biggest shows in television history, there were others less fortunate. Because of all the big established shows, limited networks, and limited timeslots, there just wasn't room for everyone. This is a look back at 10 forgotten TV shows from the 80s; some of which were quite good, but for various reasons, just couldn't last. A half-alien/half-girl, an ancient character living in our modern world, and a few new Knight Rider...
Published 02/07/24
What began as a brief segment during the third Muppet movie soon became one of the most beloved children's shows of the entire 1980s. The Muppet Babies was not only a uniquely creative show but one that took a different path than many of the other cartoons dominating the networks. With an assist from some Hollywood heavyweights, the Muppet Babies quickly became a hit--both critically, and ratings-wise. Loved by kids, and parents, this award-winning cartoon featured great music and some...
Published 01/31/24
What do you get when you combine Star Wars, rock music, Disneyland, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Wookies? You get Halyx, a real-life, science-fiction rock band created by Disney for the summer of 1981. This is a look back on the unique, somewhat bizarre, but incredibly creative project that brought together some tremendous talent. The band was short-lived but remains a perfect snapshot of pop culture in the early 80s. Bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn more...
Published 01/24/24
A hamburger is a pretty simple thing, and it's always been a huge part of fast food culture. But in the 80s, the humble burger found itself at the center of a multi, multi-billion dollar battle. This is a look back on the 1980s Burger Wars that pitted McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and A&W in an all-out battle for our tastebuds, our loyalty, and our wallets. Little did these companies know how much they would shape the industry for decades to come--and even shape pop culture...
Published 01/17/24
With its humble beginnings in the Bronx, Breaking quickly spread through the five boroughs of New York, across the country, and eventually, worldwide. This is the history of breaking and how it, and hip-hop, grew side-by-side to become global phenomenons. From beats to battles, it's a look at the unique art form, and the early performers, that took breaking from underground to the mainstream. -Support the show and get bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn more...
Published 01/10/24
My Pet Monster came out of an interesting era. It was a time when there was a move away from video games and a return to more traditional toys like dolls and stuffed animals. Combine this with a focus on gross-out products and it set the stage for a pretty unique, but beloved toy and cartoon series. This is a look back on My Pet Monster, the brand that didn't take the traditional route as other 1980s toys, but still managed to carve out its own piece of 1980s pop culture nostalgia Bonus 1980s...
Published 01/03/24
Well, that sure was a doozy... By the time 1981 came to a close, it seemed like we had experienced a bit of everything; astounding technological achievements, two near tragedies, and an event that captured the interest of the entire world. And when it came to young people, there was something new. Something that changed how we consumed media--and it also changed pop culture forever... This is an all-new look back on the movies, TV shows, music, tech, video games, and sports that made up a...
Published 12/27/23
Turn on the fireplace channel, grab a cup of 'nog, and settle in for a nice winter's podcast as we travel back to the holiday season during the 1980s. We'll look back on things like the Sears Wishbook, holiday movies, forgotten TV specials, and even the experience of heading to the mall to find that perfect gift. Then I turn the show over to you to hear from a few listeners about their favorite holiday traditions and memories while growing up in the 80s. It's a honey of a show, Clark... The...
Published 12/20/23
Narrowing down the very best movies of the 1980s seems like a tall task--and why just nine of them? Well, these aren't my rambling musings but are the movies from the 80s that made the American Film Institute's Top 100 List. So which 1980s movies made the cut and appear on this prestigious list? Some may seem obvious, some may surprise you, and some end up in the conversation for the greatest of all time. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn...
Published 12/13/23
Is there a more definitive 1980s TV show than Miami Vice? The drama starring Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas is not only one of the most notable shows of the entire 1980s--but one of the most influential. Today we look back on the show that not only had a massive impact on pop culture but forever changed the way that TV was made. Bonus 1980s Content: Patreon.com/80s Artwork: Janet Cordahi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 12/06/23
How do you stand out during a decade that gave us some of the most iconic toy brands and franchises of all time? Especially considering that some of those franchises continue to appear in our movie theatres to this day. This was the challenge for the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, or M.A.S.K., a toy and cartoon series that had to balance being familiar, but still unique. Today we look back on the toyline from Kenner that despite all the competition, still managed to carve out its own little...
Published 11/29/23