Everything 80s

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...

It probably should have never happened. But as Muhammad Ali made his way to the ring on the night of December 11th, 1981, no one knew what to expect. A year prior, Ali faced off against Larry Holmes in a fight that was not only hard to watch but resulted in Ali's trainer stopping the fight. That should have been it--but Ali didn't want to go out like that. This led to the 'Drama in the Bahamas,' M...

If you're checking out this podcast about the 1980s, there's also a good chance that the movies of Steven Spielberg probably had a major impact on you. Between directing, writing, and producing; Steven Spielberg was involved with 24 different movies throughout the 1980s. Many of those are not just some of the best films of the decade--but ever. Today, we look back on all of Steven Spielberg's work...

Hold on, something doesn't seem right here... Did you have that same reaction back in 1988 the first time you got to play Super Mario Brothers 2? For a new generation familiar with the original Mario Brothers game for the NES, the follow-up felt like quite a departure. But there was a reason for this, and today, we look back on the story behind the creation of Super Mario Bros. 2. An early version...

Have you ever dreamt about traveling back in time? Well, I got to experience that when I visited one of the last fully functioning video rental stores--and you're coming along for the trip. Today, I'm in Southwestern Ontario to visit Jumbo Video, a video store that's continued to run since the late 80s. We meet the owners who have been there since day one, learn more about the days when video rent...

It's Spooky Season, and what better way to pay tribute to it than to look back on the definitive 1980s horror movie franchise: Friday the 13th. Freddy and Michael Myers were big in the 1980s, but when it came to dominating the silver screen: it was all about Jason. Today, we look back on the movies that, except for two years, had a new release for every other year in the 80s. It's a look back on h...

Well, that sure escalated quickly... What started out as a new marketing campaign to sell more dried fruit, quickly grew into a bona fide pop culture phenomenon. This is the story of The California Raisins, the Claymation hit from the 80s that not only sold a lot of raisins but became a moneymaking sensation in the process. Toys, albums, and TV specials: let's look back at how The California Raisi...

Some were epic. Others were devastating. But they were all unforgettable... There is no better way to sum up the big sporting moments of the 1980s. Today we look back on ten of the biggest moments in sports that best define the decade. Joy, upsets, and heartbreak; in the 80s we witnessed moments that transcended sports. From basketball and hockey to soccer, tennis, baseball--and numerous Olympic g...

You may have thought that 8-track faded away in the 70s along with disco and bell bottoms. But in actuality, 8-track continued into the 80s—and well into the 80s, lasting much longer than many people realize. This is the story of the final days of 8-track, the music format that was able to hang in there because of cars, toys, and a certain record and tape club. Cassette tapes would eventually rule...

What do you get when you combine customer feedback cards, a phone hotline, and a free newsletter? You get Nintendo Power Magazine, the must-have companion to the NES. But this magazine did more than just help us beat Zelda 2. It also served as a strategic form of marketing to not only advertise upcoming games but also gather invaluable customer insights in the process. Today, it's the story of Nin...

It should have been impossible... Based on the limits of broadcast and satellite technology in 1985, it was a miracle that Live Aid even happened. But what took place on Saturday, July 13, was nothing short of astounding; Bob Geldof's benefit concert featuring the biggest musical acts in the world, held in two countries, and beamed around the world. This is the story of Live Aid, the event from 19...

The 1980s weren't exactly a golden age for Disney animated features. Maybe a new cartoon film based on a series of books could usher in an exciting new era of Disney animation. That film was The Black Cauldron; a movie that took a long time to make, cost a fortune, and created a lot of backlash. And it almost sunk Disney animation for good... Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s  

Headbands, legwarmers, and spandex... In the 1980s, these things started to appear everywhere. It was a time when fitness, aerobics, and health clubs began to take center stage. Activities that used to be more niche--like aerobics and bodybuilding--quickly became mainstream. Today we look back on the fitness explosion of the 80s, the people (and celebrities) that helped make it popular, and the te...

The 1980s gave us an explosion of new cartoon shows. But with so many new shows and characters, someone had to voice them all. It was even better if you could have the same person perform multiple voices. If you don't know the name Frank Welker--but grew up in the 80s--you've definitely heard his voice. This is a look back on the incredible career of the man who was the voice of the 80s, and is in...

If they were people, they'd officially be over the hill... Today we look back on 12 classic albums that are somehow forty years old now. These are the albums of 1983, a genuinely astonishing time for music. And this list is the epitome of a mixed bag; classic rock, pop, new wave, and multiple forms of heavy metal. it's a year that will go down in music history. 1983 is also the year that featured...

Which path will you choose? That was the question that faced millions of kids during the 1980s. The Choose Your Own Adventure books felt like part story/part game, but every time you picked one up: it was always different. This is a look back on the unique books, their phenomenal success, and some brilliant marketing that led to the sale of hundreds of millions of copies. And it all began with a b...

No one was safe... If the greatest player the game had ever seen could be traded, it meant every athlete in every sport could also be moved. For many in Canada, this was also a 'where were you when' moment. This is a look back at the summer of 1988 and the shocking National Hockey League trade that took Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. It's the trade that shocked a...

It seemed like a 'whatever could go wrong, did go wrong' situation... as passengers in Montreal boarded their plane on July 23rd, 1983, little did they know they were about to become part of one of the most astonishing events in aviation history. This is a look back on Air Canada Flight 143, a remarkable flight that combined mathematical errors, heroic bravery, and many 'what if?' scenarios... Bon...

It was the sequel that was never meant to be... Coming off the phenomenal success of Back to the Future, there was no choice but to create a follow-up. This, however, presented a lot of problems but ultimately resulted in one of the greatest trilogies of all time. Welcome to a free sample of the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast found over at Patreon.com/80s. Today we look back at the movie that...

As the 1970s finally came to a close, it was time for a brand new decade. Hopefully, this would be one full of hope, joy, prosperity, and technological advancements that would not only entertain us but make our lives easier. This is a look back on the year 1980 and all the big pop culture moments that took place; including the music, movies, TV shows, technology, and sports. But, there was still p...

When Return of the Jedi hit theatres in May 1983, there was a bittersweet feeling connected to it. Yes, there was enormous hype for the third and final installment in the Star Wars saga. But, as far as we knew it at the time, this was the very end of Star Wars. Let's look back on the movie that signified the end of one chapter but also marked the beginning of a whole new era... Special guest: Fred...

Entering the second half of the 80s, the PC was gaining prominence in our homes. But so too was an unwelcome guest... As homes and schools were being filled with IBMs and Commodore 64s, two brothers had created software that would take the world by storm--but in all the wrong ways. This is the story of the 'Brain' computer virus; a rude awakening to how vulnerable our technology really was. The Ev...

In part 1 of this two-part series, we met the Ninja Turtles, their creators, and witnessed the launch of the comic book. At the end of part 1, we left off with the Ninja Turtles about to hit it big with the cartoon series. Today, we travel back to witness Turtlemania running wild... This is a look back on one of the biggest toy booms of all time and the rapid growth of one of the most successful f...

It's the early 80s and two young artists are struggling to find their place in the world of comic books. But then, one night, everything would change forever... Welcome to part 1 of the history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In the first episode of a two-part series, we'll travel back to revisit the origins of the comic book series, learn about the creators, and witness the rapid rise of TMN...

A brand new decade was underway--but it began with a truly catastrophic event. Today, we travel back to May 1980 and the devastating eruption of Mount St. Helens that took place in the Pacific Northwest. From a geological standpoint, it was a historic eruption that decimated the area and displayed the incredible power of nature. But, if not for some scientists, could have been much deadlier... Bon...