The Latchkey Kids

Ahh, who can forget the brilliant musical stylings of 1980s pop legend Tommy Tutone, right? What's that? You don't remember Tommy Tutone? Well, you definitely remember his one humongous hit song (HINT: it's a phone number!). In this (repeat) episode, Aaron and Dr. Amy count down — and sing! — your favorite one-hit wonder songs of the 80s. Come with us and sing along.

Just like roller rinks were nightclubs for 13-year-olds, the mall was THE place to be for teenagers in the 1980s. The fashions, the music, the sweet smell of Cinnabon saturating the air-conditioned atmosphere. And if you were lucky, you could catch a live show of Tiffany and/or Debbie Gibson at your local mall. Were they sisters? Please enjoy this very special (REPEAT) episode devotee to mall cult...

Unless you are a perfect angel like Dr. Amy, you knew that "I'm about to get in trouble" feeling when you were a kid. The sinking pit in your stomach, the wild and desperate ideas to undo what's been done, and then the very worst of possible consequences: hearing your poor mother tell you how disappointed she is in your behavior. In this week's episode, Aaron relives a few of his greatest hits of...

The dark lighting, the throbbing beats, the licorice ropes ... were roller rinks really just "nightclubs for 13-year-olds?" Also, how Amy and Aaron spent their summers sucking down juice box slushies and swimming in bathtub-temperature pool water at the Mesa YMCA ... on this week's episode of The Latchkey Kids. 

Don't have a cow about this totally tubular list of 80s slang and catchphrases, righteous betties and boy toys. Only a bogus dweeb wouldn't find this list to be most bitchin', bodacious and legit. Duh!

From single-handedly rescuing Saturday Night Live to star turns in some of the biggest movie hits of the decade, comedian and actor Eddie Murphy owned the 1980s. But what did the REAL Mister Rogers think of Eddie's humor? Join us for a fun fact-filled look back at the brilliant career of one of the 80s' biggest stars. 

Did you go to summer camp as a kid? Did you learn riflery, archery, and how to make friendship bracelets? Or did you — like Aaron — learn how to smoke cigarettes? Are you now married to your summer camp boy/girlfriend? Also, is it true that daddy longlegs spiders could kill you with their venom if they only had bigger mouths? 🤔

Do you remember your first VCR? The awesome power that came with the ability to rewind, pause and fast forward? When Aaron and Dr. Amy were first introduced to the mind-blowing concept of the neighborhood video store, they knew what to do — watch "Howard the Duck" and "The Neverending Story" on loop for an entire weekend. Get your popcorn and listen to episode 47. 

Parachute pants, Swatch watches, plastic bracelets, Guess jeans ... what were some of your favorite fashion trends of the 1980s? There's a good chance Aaron and Dr. Amy discuss them here on Episode 46. 

"I Want My MTV!" shouted rock icons like Sting, David Bowie, Pat Benatar, and Mick Jagger, in an effort to convince American teenagers to demand their parents get cable TV. And it worked! For decades, the original music channel entertained us with one amazing music video after another, thrilling us with brilliant innovation while shortening our collective attention span at the same time. 

The thunderous drumline, the crazy outfits, the sultry saxophones ... what's not to love about marching band, people?! Except for the ungodly early practice times and the overbearing band directors, it's a helluva lot of fun — as Aaron will tell us all about in this week's episode. 

What does it take to live your life by the Girl Scout Law? Only to be "honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout." That's it! So simple! Let's get started, shall we?

Get your popcorn and slip on your aviator sunglasses, people! It's time for Dr. Amy (call sign "Little Orphan Amy") and Aaron (call sign "Sparklepuss") to whisk you into the heavens on the wings of an F-14 Tomcat, headed straight down the Highway to the Danger Zone with our bomber jackets, beautiful hair, and endless supply of bubble gum. This episode is GUARANTEED to get you hyped for the new sma...

In part two of our deep dive into 1980s cinematic delights from the mind of Stephen King, we look at two VERY different movies — the classic coming-of-age tale "Stand By Me," known for it's bangin' soundtrack and future-star-studded cast of young actors, and "Pet Semetary," a story so dark that even King himself wondered if he'd gone too far. 

What's your favorite Stephen King movie? Is it the one about the killer Saint Bernard who spends two hours trying to murder two people stuck inside a Ford Pinto? Or maybe the classic Stanley Kubrick masterpiece about the isolated mountain hotel that has many dark secrets to keep. Learn all the backstory, Easter eggs and fun facts about "Cujo" and "The Shining" on Episode 40.

The year 1985 had the best of everything. It was the year "Back to the Future" came out. It was the year parachute pants became a craze with teenage boys all over the country. And it had some of the biggest music moments of the 1980s. From Madonna to Tears for Fears to "We Are the World," let's explore the auditory delights of 1985.

Sing it with us! "Big Mac — Filet-O-Fish — Quarter Pounder — French Fries! — Icy Coke — Thick Shakes — Sundaes and Apple Pies!" The fact that you still remember all the words to that very 1980s commercial jingle stands as a testament to the ubiquitousness of American fast food. Let's dig in to episode 38 ...

We hope you brought your appetite to this week's episode of The Latchkey Kids because it's time to eat! Pull up a chair and loosen your belt as Aaron and Dr. Amy take you away on a culinary journey through the 1980s, featuring hot fudge sundaes, tabletop Ms. Pac-Man, sawdust on the floor, and possibly animatronic mice. 

Tune in to Episode 36 for a Latchkey Kids True Confession from Aaron about how he cheated at Rubik's Cube in 1981 and made everyone think he was a genius when actually he is kind of an idiot. Also, hear how Amy used to leave her Lite Brite plugged in all night for use as a night light, creating a hazardous fire danger for the whole entire house!

Did you ever try to seduce your first love at a water park, like Aaron did (using the irresistible combination of licorice ropes and Dr. Pepper)? Did you ever try the Cannonball Loop at "Class Action Park" in New Jersey? Did you see Pink Floyd perform at Big Surf in Tempe, Arizona in 1972? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are in truly rare company ... and episode 35 is for you!

Join Aaron and Dr. Amy this week as they launch themselves from rickety swingsets, burn their skin off on hot metal slides, and crack their skulls open falling off the monkey bars. Because (old man voice) back in our day, if the playground didn't send you to the emergency room, you weren't playing hard enough!

RULE #1 of the family road trip: DO NOT make dad pull this car over. RULE #2: DO NOT feed the dog French fries in the back seat. It's time to load up the family wagon, boys and girls, as Aaron and Dr. Amy take us for a ride on the open road. Can you tell Dr. Amy to stay on her side of the back seat, PLEASE?!

Put on your puffy vest, slide into your DeLorean, and pop some Huey Lewis and the News into the cassette player because we are going back ... TO THE FUTURE! Join Dr. Amy and brother Aaron for a deep dive into possibly the most 1980s movie ever made. And remember — where we're going, we don't need roads. 

The Drummonds, the Seavers, the Keatons, the Huxtables ... if you could choose one 1980s TV sitcom family to grow up with, which one would it be? Hear Dr. Amy's surprise answer to that burning question — and take a drink every time Aaron mentions Punky Brewster getting stuck inside a refrigerator — all on this week's episode of The Latchkey Kids. 

People! How much does Dr. Amy LOVE LOVE LOVE the classic 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?" So much that she quoted it in her doctoral dissertation! She really did. It's in the acknowledgements, on page 7 — copy and paste this link to check it out: bit.ly/3HR1jds