Everything 80s

1985 was quickly becoming one of the most competitive years in the history of animation, setting the stage for future 80s nostalgia. There were so many classic 80s cartoons released in 1985-- including a unique new series called ThunderCats--that it was going to be difficult to stand out. But fortunately, the production company behind the new show knew a thing or two about capturing the attention of kids, as they had been doing it during the holidays for decades. But now, they were moving to after-school and Saturday morning cartoons. From the studio that brought us beloved Christmas classics like Rudolph and Frosty came the story of a race of humanoid feline superheroes. With characters like Lion-O and Snarf, and a very popular line of toys from LJN, the ThunderCats quickly became a new breed in children's entertainment, a standout 1980s cartoon, and a pop culture phenomenon. Check out new shows early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

There are only a handful of broadcasts in the history of television that became must-see, cultural events. The ABC movie, 'The Day After', from 1983, is one of them. In the early 80s, as fear of Nuclear War ramped up, ABC planned to air a Sunday night movie that dealt with what nuclear war would really look like. In November 1983, this kicked off a firestorm of attention--both good and bad--that resulted in one of the biggest viewing audiences in TV history. This is a look back on the movie that not only terrified the public, but became a watershed moment in the history of the Cold War... Check out new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

Are you ready to head back to the greatest decade ever and the ultimate nostalgia hit? The Everything 80s Podcast is your weekly time machine to revisit 1980s movies, 80s TV shows, 80s music, toys, sports, tech, and everything else that defined 1980s pop culture. From the Cola Wars to Cabbage Patch Kids and Tetris to Teddy Ruxpin, you'll get a deep dive into all the stories that represent an entire generation. Whether you lived it or just missed it, The Everything 80s Podcast is ready to take you back in time to rediscover the decade of big trends, big dreams, and even bigger hair. Subscribe and follow along because remember: where we're going, we don't need roads...

It was a time of high tension, fierce back-and-forth, and a relentless pursuit to dominate the world--and that was just between Coke and Pepsi. When you throw the Cold War into the mix, not only do you get a tumultuous time period, but the Cola Wars ramped up to another level. For Pepsi, a way to compete against Coke was to gain a foothold in the Soviet Union. And that's exactly what they did--but little did anyone know just how big they would become in the USSR. This is a look back at Pepsi's remarkable growth in the Soviet Union in the 80s, the continuous battle against Coca-Cola, and then one of the most remarkable business deals in history. Had Pepsi, for a short while, actually become a military power... War Games movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

What may seem like a novelty video game accessory from the 1980s actually has a much deeper backstory. The Nintendo Power Glove, a game controller you wore on your arm, came out in 1989, but its roots go back to the 1970s. Before it was the "baddest" accessory around, the Power Glove started out as the Data Glove, a high-end instrument used by scientists, MIT, and even NASA. What began as a $10,000 instrument for a new world called "Virtual Reality" eventually entered the consumer market. Did the data glove have more novel applications? Could this unique device even become a toy...? But to make it a toy, a redesign and a MUCH lower price point were both critical, and that meant a lot of compromises in both materials and functionality. Even though the Power Glove was launched with a huge boom, did the at-home gaming experience live up to the hype...? War Games movie review: Patreon.com/80s

From the beaches of California in the 1960s to the empty swimming pools of the 70s, the two board-based niche hobbies had really grown in popularity. But the 1980s took it to a whole new level--literally and figuratively. Not only were surfing and skateboarding growing in popularity during the 80s, but they were beginning to have a major impact on music, fashion, movies, TV shows, and a lot of youth culture. The two activities--specifically skateboarding--were becoming an identity as much as an activity. Today, we revisit the origins, growth, and impact of surfing and skateboarding, some of the groundbreaking figures, and how the two sports quickly influenced all aspects of pop culture in the 80s. War Games movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

Hard-hitting, intense, and sometimes difficult to watch--but it was can't-miss TV. This was the world of After-School specials in the 1980s. After being created by ABC in the 1970s, the after-school special continued to rise to prominence in the 1980s, where it became a television institution for an entire generation of kids. From its unique origins and the numerous awards to the breakout performances of actors who later became major stars, the ABC After-School Special left a lasting impact on television history. Get access to new shows early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It may seem like you were just watching some of these shows yesterday, but they are now, somehow, forty years old. Today, we look back on the TV shows of 1985, a year that gave us some of the very best of the decade. They include several beloved animated classics, a few era-defining sitcoms, and one of the biggest action-adventure shows of the decade. Extended episode covering 8 additional shows: Patreon.com/80s

It's 1984, and Apple Computers and its founder are on top of the world. Not only has Steve Jobs created one of the most remarkable machines of the 20th century, but he's also launched it in a way that will cause a ripple effect through society to be felt for years to come. And less than a year later, it would all come crashing down. Steve Jobs was a groundbreaking visionary, but he wasn't always the easiest to work for. As 1984 came to a close, something big was about to happen at Apple Computers... This is a look back at not just the creation and growth of Apple Computers, but the remarkable moment in the mid-80s, when its founder was forced out of the company he helped create... Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It was a decade of prolific creation, an era when the Master of Horror delivered some of his greatest works ever. Today, we look back at all the iconic and groundbreaking novels Stephen King released in the 1980s. We then switch over to the world of movies and TV shows associated with many of his famous books. It was a decade that gave us some of his most frightening stories ever, along with several movies that have gone on to become some of the greatest in film history. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

The 1980s was a changing time not only for McDonald's but for the entire fast food industry. Competition had become cutthroat--and that was just for burgers. But now, the Pizza industry, led by the big three; Pizza Hut, Dominoes, and Little Cesasers, has grown at an astonishing rate. McDonald's had found success with a few new items, but one new burger turned out to be a pretty big flop. They needed something to get back on track, improve their night-time dining, and maybe divert some of that traffic away from the Big Three and back to the Golden Arches. Maybe they could beat Big Pizza at their own game. This set the stage for McDonald's pizza; a huge swing in the late 80s that has origins going back to 1986. But "McPizza" wasn't the success McDonald's had hoped for. This is the story of the rise and fall of McDonald's pizza. Short Circuit Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

The story of Mr. T is as much the story of the 1980s as during a rapidly changing time of pop culture, he touched all aspects of entertainment. The big screen, the small screen, radio, home video, and even our toy shelves; in the 1980s, he was everywhere. From his early days as a bouncer, to protecting some of the most famous people in the world, this larger-than-life figure soon became one of the most recognizable people of the time. He was born Laurence Tureaud, but the world would soon get to know him as Mr. T, a man who became a true Icon in every sense of the word. Mr. T (Extended Edition): Patreon.com/80s

As the clock counted down on December 31st, 1989, it brought one of the most remarkable decades of the 20th Century to a close. A decade that--when it came to pop culture--may have been one of the most significant in history. Today, we look back on all the movies, TV shows, music, sports, tech, and video games that made up an extraordinary year. The 1980s were about to come to an end--but the decade was definitely going out with a bang. This is 1989: the year that changed pop culture forever... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It was a gigantic risk... a brand-new character and product line set to launch alongside some of the most popular toy brands in history. How would this new character--that no one knew anything about--be able to stand out in an increasingly crowded toy market? One way it would stand out was physically as a new era in toys was about to begin. But it was more than just the toy line, as a new animated series would also help skyrocket this character to popularity and sales figures never thought possible... So let's go back to the early 1980s to witness the creation, launch, and success of one of the most popular toy brands of all time. It was 30 months that changed the 80s... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast:Patreon.com/80s

As we close out Black History Month, today we look back at 10 of the most groundbreaking Black sitcoms of the 80s. These shows not only helped define the decade but also had a huge impact on pop culture and changed television forever. These ten shows (plus a few forgotten ones) include some spin-offs of other popular sitcoms, a few break-out stars, and some of the highest-rated TV shows in history. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

If you were around in the late 80s, he seemed impossible to miss... An anthropomorphic cartoon camel that quickly became one of the defining spokes characters of the decade--but one that came with endless controversy. This is a look back on the creation, popularity, and backlash of Joe Camel. It's also the story of the state of the tobacco industry coming out of the 1970s and heading into the 1980s. The story of Joe Camel goes all the way back to 1913, and we'll take a trip through the entire 20th century to look at the rocky history of cigarette advertising, taking us into the 80s, and one of the most memorable brand mascots of all time... Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

Not everything could be a hit... Even though the 1980s gave us some of the best video games of all time, there were others that just slipped by the wayside--and some of them deserve better than that. Today we will look back at ten forgotten video games covering the big three systems: The Atari 2600, The NES, and the Sega Master System. Since there are so many games that didn't even make a dent, we'll look at ones that are relatively well-known but didn't necessarily achieve breakout status. Some of these games include a creation by George Lucas, the video game version of a very notable product spokesperson, and Sega's answer to Mario. And we'll even throw in a few duds just for good measure... Tron Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

It was just supposed to be a regular safety test... but in the early morning hours of April 26th, 1986, something went terribly wrong... For those opposed to nuclear energy, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident was the nightmare scenario. But it took a while for the rest of the world to even find out. By the time they did, the effects of the explosion had spread shockingly far--and fast. Today we look back on the accident that was a disaster in the making, all the fallout, and how the Soviets downplayed it. And as bad as Chernobly was--could it have been even worse...? Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

I've got a bad feeling about this... that was the thought that crept into people's minds back in November 1978. They were about ten minutes into the Star Wars Holiday Special--and it wasn't exactly what they had hoped for... Despite how bizarre the special was, one segment was universally praised; an animated feature called 'The Story of the Faithful Wookie.' Seven years later, Star Wars would once again return to the small screen in animated form for The Ewoks cartoon, and Star Wars: Droids. But this time, Star Wars was on Saturday morning cartoons. This is a look back at everything that went into the two short-lived series, the live-action Ewoks movies, the influence that came from The Faithful Wookie, and the state of the Star Wars franchise in the mid-80s. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's a battle that's been going on for well over a century featuring two of the biggest brands of all time. But in the 1980s--the war really heated up... Today we look back on the battle between Coke and Pepsi during a transformative time for not just the two colas, but for society in general. It's the story that involves some of the most iconic commercials of all time, a nationwide taste test challenge (that may have been unfair), a whole new generation, and the King of Pop. The Cola Wars of the 80s also include a war within a war, as the diet cola market (thanks to the shady approval of one of the most controversial food additives in history) grew bigger than ever. It's the story of cocaine, brand identity, buying a feeling, the incredible importance of being "cool," and one of the biggest corporate blunders in history... and it all played out during the 1980s. Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

No matter how many times you've seen it--you've probably never seen the whole thing... This is a deep dive into the original Back to the Future to cover specific moments, Easter eggs, and many hidden things that may not be obvious. This episode is also an experimental one as it's a hybrid watch-along. If you're able to put the movie on, I'll be sharing the specific time stamps of the moments and scenes we're covering. So when I share the specific time, you can pause me, jump to that point in the movie, and then unpause me to check out what I'm discussing. If you are only able to listen, no problem as I'll still describe the exact moments and scenes we're covering here today. There may be a few hidden Easter eggs that are obvious, but also many brand-new moments you'll see for the very first time... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's the toy and cartoon that may best define the entire 1980s, a toy that goes back to the 1960s but re-created for a new era. This is the complete history of G.I. Joe, and in this episode we look at: The two fashion dolls from the 1950s that helped inspire it Why two simple words were so important in its initial success The impact of the Vietnam War and oil embargoes How Star Wars walked so G.I. Joe could run The changing era of government regulations and advertising to children How the cartoon series became must-see TV for kids of the 80s How G.I. Joe became the perfect brand during one the most explosive periods in the history of toys and cartoons Get early access to new episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It's been more than 35 years since the 80s ended, but the decade continues to be with us as much as ever--especially when it comes to our entertainment. In this year-in-review special, we look back at all the 1980s-related movies, TV shows, Netflix series, and documentaries that came out in 2024. And there was a lot... Unfortunately, over these last 12 months, we also lost many people with connections to the 1980s, and we look back at some of those notable names. To finish, we look back on the podcast itself, including where you're all listening from and your favorite episodes over the last year. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

By 1987, Jim Henson had already provided us with so much great entertainment from all his remarkable creations--including some pretty wonderful Christmas specials. But his best was yet to come... this is a look back on A Muppet Family Christmas that first aired on ABC on December 16th, 1987. We'll look back at one of the best holiday specials of the decade and why it came from a period when everything to do with the Muppets was firing on all cylinders. This show was the ultimate crossover, but some legal issues did emerge and if you weren't watching on that night back in 1987, you probably never saw the true, original special... Check out the latest movie review at Patreon.com: Santa Claus: The Movie

It's time for a very 80s Christmas as we travel back to revisit the holiday season during the 1980s. In this episode, we look back at the holiday movie that was a surprise hit and then the story of a beloved TV special that didn't come from the 80s--but was adopted as our own. Next, we look back at the creation of a modern classic Christmas song and finish with the unlikely story of a group of children that managed to dethrone John Lennon... So warm up the cider and toss another Yule log on the fire; it's time to travel back to Christmas in the 80s. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Some of the all-time great TV Christmas specials go all the way back to the 1960s. But it's easy to forget how many memorable ones came from the 80s. Today we look back at ten of the best specials the 80s had to offer. Some of those shows include: Two separate specials based on a few of the hottest fads of the decade A sadsack comic strip character (not the one you're thinking of...) A powerful brother/sister duo teaming up for a holiday special The return of a beloved icon after 30 years A Christmas special with one of the most bizarre collection of guest stars you'll ever see Get access to new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up in the 80s, you grew up in the era of physical media. Our videotape collections allowed us to watch our favorite movies and TV shows over and over, allowing us to develop a deep appreciation for the things we loved. But how did we get here, and how did it all end up changing so drastically? Today we not only revisit the origins of the VCR itself but look at the VHS/Betamax format wars of the 80s and the worthy third competitor: Laserdisc. We also look at the growth of home video, the time when the VCR was under attack by Hollywood, and the progression of the VCR to DVD, Blu-Ray, and then streaming. This episode is also a look at how physical media has become a bit of an endangered species, but why it still has an important place in our modern world. Planes, Trains & Automobiles movie review: Patreon.com/80s

It seems funny to think, but in the early 80s, a gigantic industry almost came to a grinding halt... Video games--and arcades--had grown so quickly, and on such a wide scale, that many began to ask if it was ok for our kids to be playing them so much. This is when video games and arcades became under attack as parents, watch groups, and entire cities started to crack down on them. From the U.K. to Canada, to America, regulations began to be put in place to limit young people from even stepping foot into an arcade. The attack on video games even went all the way to the Supreme Court, and a generation of kids didn't realize how close they got to losing something they loved--forever... Movie Review: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

In late 1985, Disney had just set the record for the most helium balloons ever released. As a way to kick off their 1986 United Way campaign, the city of Cleveland thought breaking this record would be a great way to draw attention to the fundraising event. But the balloon release didn't exactly go as planned... This is a look back at Balloonfest '86 when an impending storm caused 1.5 million balloons to play havoc with traffic, waterways, and an airport. Besides spreading all the way to Canada, the balloons also caused issues during a search for two missing boaters on Lake Erie. Balloonfest '86 became pretty infamous, but was it really the "deadly disaster" that various outlets have reported it to be...? The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

On September 22, 1982, a new show debuted on NBC. It felt like a throwback to the family sitcoms of yesteryear, but, at the same time, felt like a big risk... The early 1980s seemed to be a time when the family sitcom had disappeared. Primetime TV at the time was all about dramas, and the popular sitcoms were shows like M.A.S.H and Three's Company. The new NBC show came out to little fanfare and barely had an audience in its first season. It was the same thing for the second season. But in the third season, things were about to explode... Thanks to a renewed interest in family sitcoms--not to mention its young breakout star from Canada--primetime network TV was about to change forever. Full House, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Home Improvement--they might not have ever happened if it wasn't for this show... Get early and ad-free access to new episodes: Patreon.com/80s

It's a year that, thanks to George Orwell, had been in the public consciousness for decades. But when it finally came around, 1984 ended up being memorable for many different reasons... Today, we look back on the movies, TV shows, cartoons, music, tech, and sports that made up a pretty remarkable year. It's a year that featured some of the biggest movies of the decade, an era-defning album, a few beloved cartoon shows, and one of the biggest sports spectacles of the 20th Century. But Orwell's dystopian vision did make an appearnace--it just happened to be in one of the most important commercials in the history of advertising. Let's go back four decades and revisit 1984... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Welcome to the Everything 80s Halloween Spooktacular! Today, we travel back to revisit Halloween in the 80s and take a look at three things: The first is one of the goriest and most violent video games ever made up to that point. Then we look at five forgotten horror movies from the 80s and finish with the history of a certain Mistress of the Dark... So grab some candy corn, light the pumpkin (or cultivated winter squash of your choosing), and enjoy the Everything 80s Halloween Special. Early and ad-free episodes plus the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's just not the Halloween season without them... Today, we go back to witness the creation and release of everyone's favorite breakfast monsters. it's a story that goes back to the early days of cereal, the silent film era, the monsters of the 60s, and their release in the '70s. But it was during the 1980s that Monster Cereals continued to grow in popularity. It was also during the '80s that the Monster Cereals experienced some of their biggest changes--both physically and to the Monster lineup. This is the story of Frankenberry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry--plus two others that you may or may not remember... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

The Brits had taken over music and pop culture in the 1960s, and then--to a lesser extent--they did it again in the early 80s. But now, it was time for the Aussies to take over... This is a look back on the 1980s Aussie invasion, a time when the Land Down Under heavily influenced radio, record stores, TVs, and movie theatres in North America, and around the world... Whether you played knifey-spoony before or not, it was hard not to be aware of the Australian influence. From Kylie Minogue to Midnight Oil, and Paul Hogan to Yahoo Serious, the Aussies made a big impact on 1980s pop culture. Book: Beyond the Film: The Making of VHS Favorites From the Video Store Era The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's the decade that gave us some of the most beloved cartoon shows of all time. Some of those cartoons became huge franchises that continue to be a part of our modern entertainment. But not everything could be a hit. Today we look back on 10 of those forgotten cartoons (plus a few bonus ones). Hopefully there are a bunch here you remember, but there are also some great deep cuts and some true blasts from the past. These are cartoons that could have been huge, but whether it was bad time slots--or all the competition--just weren't able to break through. Some of them include a Voltron alternative, NBC's Saturday morning answer to MTV, characters that also started out as greeting cards, and a big swing by the company best known for bringing us beloved Christmas specials. Field of Dreams movie review: Patreon.com/80s

"So we go into NBC, we tell them we've got an idea for a show about nothing." "Exactly" "They say what's your show about? I say nothing." "There you go" "I think you may have something here..." This is the conversation that takes place between Jerry and George in a Seinfeld episode from season 4 called "The Pitch." It was the fictionalized version of the real process that led Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David to create one of the biggest and most successful shows in television history. Today we travel back to 1988 to witness the origins, creation, and everything that went into the launch of the very first episode of Seinfeld, a pilot dubbed "The Seinfeld Chronicles" that first aired on July 5th, 1989. It was a pilot that seemed dead in the water as the network, test audiences, and even some of the cast didn't think it had a chance of success. But little did everyone know what this tiny show about nothing would eventually become... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

Here's an idea: 5 robot lions that turn into a super robot. Sounds pretty simple and straightforward, doesn't it? But the story of how Voltron came to be was much more complicated. It's a story that begins in Japan, involves multiple anime shows, and then goes through the ardous process of being transformed for a North American kids audience. It's the show that caught everyone off guard when it became a surprise hit. This hit quickly spread worldwide, and the giant robot soon became a cornerstone of 1980s pop culture. This is the history of...Voltron. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up in the 80s, there's a good chance that the very first computer you ever used or owned was a Commodore 64. And this is because it's the machine that changed home computing forever... Today we look back on the history of the Commodore 64. It was the machine intended to be for the masses. A machine that was not only practical and usable, but above all: affordable. The C64 is the computer that also changed the gaming industry forever, and quickly went on to become one of the most succesful--and best-selling--personal computers in history. Get access to new episodes early and ad-free along with The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

What do you get when you combine Pong, the Disneyland Tiki Birds, and a coyote? You get the foundations for one of the most beloved children's restaurants ever. Today, we look back on the history of Chuck E. Cheese, a restaurant that has had a tumultuous existence, but was always the ultimate birthday destination. We'll look back on its origins, the various names it went through, the success, competition, downfall, and resurgance. We'll also take a look at Chuck E. Cheese himself, a spokescharacter with a more detailed--and emotional--backstory than you might realize... Support the show and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

With a Beetlejuice sequel finally about to hit theatres, we revisit the original 1980s classic by traveling back to 1988. It was a movie that many weren't too sure of--including some of its cast. Today we look back on the making of Beetlejuice, how the original version was going to look quite different from the version we know, and how the movie almost went by an entirely different name... It was a film that one of its stars believed would ruin everyone's career, but it ended up becoming a cultural touchstone spreading into all aspects of pop culture. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

"Ford to City: Drop Dead..." These are the words that appeared on the cover of The Daily News in 1975. Financially, New York was hanging by a thread and the city appealed to President Gerald Ford for some federal help. As the 70s came to an end, and the 1980s began, it felt like a make-or-break decade for the city that never sleeps. Today, we look back on a tumultuous decade for the Big Apple and how it started to turn the corner. But a lot of amazing things came out of NYC in the 80s, and we also look back on the music scene, Broadway, and a lot of beloved 1980s movies set in Manhattan. Special Guest: Greg Young (The Bowery Boys History Podcast) National Lampoon's Vacation Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

When you think back on the video game consoles of the 80s, I'm sure Atari, Nintendo, and Sega immediately come to mind--but there are many others... The early 80s gave us an explosion of new video game consoles as many companies wanted a piece of the white-hot home video game market--but little did they know what was waiting for them in 1983... Today, we look back on some video game systems that came and went quickly, others that got caught up in all the competition, and a few that even gave Atari a run for its money. The NeverEnding Story movie review: Patreon.com/80s

As a new decade began, the late-night sketch comedy show found itself hanging in the balance. The start of the 80s represented a time of massive transition for Saturday Night Live and the show underwent some major changes. The 1980s became a make-or-break period for the late-night institution. Today we look back on this tumultuous time for SNL, how it managed to turn the corner, and then brought us some of the best performers, writers, and sketches in the history of the show. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It seems weird to think, but there was a time when Hollywood didn't look favorably at comic book and superhero movies. The original Superman from 1978 had been successful, but for comic book films, the 80s seemed like a string of flop after flop. This all changed in 1989. Tim Burton's Batman was a project ten years in the making that no one believed in. Not only was Batman facing a giant uphill battle to get made, but the casting of the Caped Crusader created one of the biggest fan backlashes ever. Despite all the challenges, Batman hit theatres--but then it had to compete during one of the biggest summers in movie history... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It's been exactly 40 years since one of the most important Summer Olympics in the history of the modern Games. The Summer Olympics were coming off two less-than-ideal previous editions and very few cities even wanted to host. Add to this a Soviet-led boycott, and the 84 Summer Games faced serious uncertainty. However, the Los Angeles Summer Games changed everything about the Olympics as we knew them. The technology, the presentation, the broadcast, and the corporate sponsorships transformed the Olympic games into the ones we're familiar with today. But let's not forget the events. The 84 Summer Games gave us some astonishing sporting moments, drama, and history-making athletes and performances. It was one of the first big sporting memories for a new generation of kids, led to one of the biggest marketing blunders ever, and even inspired one of the most beloved sitcoms of the entire 1980s... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

What do you get when you combine Nerf with the Garbage Pail Kids? You get Madballs, one of the most memorable toys of the 1980s. Madballs came out during a time when a big segment of the toy industry followed the motto, "If it's gross or smells, it sells." Madballs continued with that formula of gross-out humor and quickly made a dent in the toy market (and on heads...) Today we look back on the creation, launch, and remarkable success of Madballs, along with the controversy that resulted in them getting banned in some schools. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

When does performance art go too far? How long do you suspend disbelief before you start asking yourself whether what you are seeing is actually real? Or is that the whole point... When it comes to performance art, there may be no better performer ever than Andy Kaufman. And in the 1980s, he took his unique brand of comedy to a wider audience than ever before. Most people knew him from Taxi, but an even wider audience would know him from two shocking network television moments--one that even happened on live TV... Let's go back and witness the chaos created by Andy Kaufman in the 80s. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

1987 was a good one. So was 1989. But summertime at the movies may not get much better than the magical summer of 1984. Today, we travel back exactly 40 years to one of the defining summers of the entire 1980s. The summer of '84 gave us blockbuster after blockbuster and fully cemented the summer movie season as one of the most important of the year. A huge sequel, a coming-of-age classic, a new horror favorite, and a supernatural comedy are just some of the era-defining films that came out. It's the summer that gave us some of the most beloved movies of not just the 80s--but ever. And there's one day in particular that may be the most significant of the decade when it comes to two all-time 1980s classics... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

After the phenomenal success of Sesame Street and then The Muppet Show, it seemed as if things couldn't get much better. But as the 1980s began, Jim Henson was just getting started... Two groundbreaking films, new Muppet movies, and one of the most beloved children's series of all time--these are just some of the amazing creations by Jim Henson in the 80s. But it goes even deeper: countless TV specials, a Sesame Street movie, a cherished cartoon show, and even a few holiday favorites. For Henson, the 1980s were a decade of prolific creation, and we were the lucky ones who got to experience his unique form of magic. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

As the NES and Sega Master System were dominating the 1980s video game market, something interesting was happening in Japan. Something ahead of its time. Something revolutionary... The dream of a 16-bit system felt like it was years and years away, but, in 1987--it happened. It took a few more years, but the system that began as the PC Engine in Japan eventually hit North America. But now, it had a new look and a new name: the TurboGrafx-16. This is a look back on the system that ushered in the fourth generation of video gaming, changed how video games looked and sounded, and had a huge influence on the future of gaming. Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s