Dave and Cheryl and the 90s

Before we had celebrity gossip and viral videos accessible to us 24 hours a day on the internet, we had Entertainment Tonight. ET, as us kids used to call it, was the place to see behind the scenes of movies and music videos, find out which celebrities were dating each other, fashion critique and movie reviews. It had many competitors over the years, but Entertainment Tonight was the original.

John Grisham was king of the legal thriller at both the bookstore and the multiplex in the 1990s. He transitioned from practicing law to being a celebrity writer who topped the bestseller lists year after year. Several of his books were even adapted into films starring the likes of Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon. A one man industry, he wrote stories of intrigue and suspense, all set in h...

The Kennedys are considered by many to be American royalty. While they dominated the 1960s and 70s many of them continued to be noteworthy through the 90s. From Ted’s historic run in the senate to the sudden and unexpected death of JFK Jr, the family maintained its commitment to public service while experiencing family tragedies.

She was everyone's favorite goth teen who became the face (and haircut) of Generation X. After living with her family in a cult, Winona Ryder tom-boyed her way into mainstream Hollywood success.

They weren’t there just to save your soul, televangelists in the 90s also wanted your money. From financial woes to sex scandals, the ones who preached morality, had some very questionable conduct. These tv preachers opened bible colleges and even a theme park while living lavish lives of excess. Some even went to jail!

Dolly Parton was beloved. In our first emergency podcast we discuss how she became iconic both through spectacular talent and drive as well as her enormous heart and generosity. From the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee to the bright lights of Hollywood Dolly was a force of nature; always herself and always unapologetic. Join us in remembering her, her roots, and her legacy of kindness.

We kick off our series exploring the films of the 1990s with a look at the movies that defined 1990, a year caught between the blockbuster mentality of the ’80s and the looming independent film movement that would soon reshape American cinema. This is where our journey through the films of the 1990s begins.

Matt and Ben, Ben and Matt, there was not a more iconic duo in Hollywood in the 90s. From their shared childhood in Boston to their shared Oscar for screenwriting, the two have been involved in each other's lives and careers for decades. As a bonus, we talk about how Good Will Hunting helped Dave navigate the streets of Boston (and Cambridge, apparently) at a time before Google Maps.

Back when "I'll meet you at the mall" was all the directions anyone needed. We're hopping on the escalator back to the '90s, the glorious high-water mark of the American shopping mall, with a quick detour to Canada for New York Fries poutine. From doorbuster brawls and Glamour Shots makeovers to the grand opening of the Mall of America, it truly was the decade of the Mallrat. I love the smell of c...

Choosing your favorite Baldwin brother is like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor. Whether Alec, William, Stephen or Daniel, there’s a sibling to suit every taste. They look alike, they sound alike, sometimes they even act alike but only one has an Oscar nomination and multiple violent  incidents with paparazzi. And one is the father in law to Justin Bieber.

It’s easier to win Trivial Pursuit when you’ve lived through the trivia. On Dave and Cheryl and the 90s, Dave and Cheryl play Trivial Pursuit, 90s edition. Well, we don’t really play, but we answer questions in the Viewing category which includes movies, tv and celebrities. We’ve definitely already covered many of the topics in our previous episodes. 

He was known as both the King of Pop and Wacko Jacko, but whatever he was called, he left a legacy of music and dance that captivated the world. A child star who went on to try and recapture his lost youth, he surrounded himself with children and created his own personal theme park. From rumors about his changing appearance and tabloid stories about him and his chimp Bubbles to his legal issues, h...

Olympic athletes spend much of their youth perfecting their sports and some come away triumphant while others disappoint. From world records to terrorist attacks and even a notorious physical assault, the Olympics during the 90s were never dull.

Meryl Streep is unquestionably the most acclaimed actress of her generation. A woman known for her command of many accents, she never stopped stretching her skills. Comedies, musicals or action films, she did everything and excelled at it all. 

Bravo was cable’s artsy elder sibling—tv’s first channel dedicated to the performing arts; opera, ballet, jazz and indie film. Listen as Dave pines for lost afternoons of subtitled melodrama, Inside the Actors Studio, and Queer Eye makeovers, all while chronicling the slow, inevitable coup by reality TV: one table flip at a time. Sometimes things were just better in the 90’s

People have been standing in front of others telling jokes since the beginning of time, but not as much as they did in the 90s. Stand-up comedians were all over our tvs and on the big screen. In this week’s episode of Dave and Cheryl and the 90s we talk about who they were and the various places we found them.

Barbara Walters was the first female national evening news anchor in America and for decades after she was the preeminent interviewer of the rich, famous and influential. She inspired generations of female journalists that came up behind her but she wasn’t without her own controversies and missteps. On Dave and Cheryl and the 90s we talk about her breaking the glass ceiling while also holding her...

On our first year two episode, we’re joined by Chicago writer Andy Frye who talks to us about alternative music in the 90s and his book 90 Days in the 90s.

We made it through our first year of being podcasters and what better way to celebrate than by reexamining all of our subjects via clips from The Simpsons! The Simpsons were in their heyday during the 90s and referenced nearly every culturally significant person, place or thing. As a bonus: we also talk about the Epstein Files!

In this episode, we spotlight Steven Spielberg’s extraordinary 1990s run. From the technological achievements of Jurassic Park to the harrowing historical power of Schindler's List, Spielberg proved he could dominate both the box office and the Oscars in the very same year. We also examine his rise as a prolific producer and co-founder of DreamWorks Pictures, a move that reshaped Hollywood’s p...

They were on the runways and in magazines but also became household names. Supermodels in the 90s were more than models, they were personalities, influencers and entrepreneurs. “I won’t get out of bed for less than $10000” gave them notoriety. From iconic music videos to tv and movies, the supermodels of the 1990s were more than a pretty face.

He is America’s dad and our generation’s Jimmy Stewart. Tom Hanks has had a distinguished career filled with both artistic and financial successes, all without any notable controversies. On Dave and Cheryl and the 90s podcast we talk about how he went from cross dressing tv star to double Oscar winner.

Do you hate Mondays? Love lasagne? Enjoy kicking dogs off tables and sleeping in?  Then you’ll love Garfield, the orange ornery cat. From newspaper funny pages to book treasuries to his own tv show, Garfield was everyone’s favorite disgruntled cartoon cat.

Julia Roberts used her talent and megawatt smile to become the biggest multi–million-dollar actress of her generation. In this episode, we trace her journey from early breakout roles to rom-com royalty, where her on-screen love stories often mirrored a personal life splashed across headlines. From her literal Runaway Bride era to the performance that earned her Oscar gold, we explore how Roberts p...

Why were 90s brand mascots obsessed with “attitude”? We explore why brands embraced bold, exaggerated characters with “youth appeal”and how figures like Sonic the Hedgehog, the Taco Bell Chihuahua, and Chester Cheetah shaped the decade’s marketing style. Join us as we break down their cultural impact both in America and abroad. It’ll be totally radical dude!