1980s Now
1980s Now is a weekly examination of the importance of 80s pop culture and its continued influence today. We demonstrate that nostalgia alone doesn’t account for the contemporary fascination with our favorite decade. Instead, we share personal experiences and interview experts--including icons from 80s music, movies and TV--to demonstrate the “era of greed” bore the greatest moments in movies, music, television and sports. The show is equally entertaining and informative. (80s is aka '80s.)
Has Bigfoot Been Captured? | Miami Vice | Little Shop
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:44 - Continuity errors as content
14:28 - Little Shop of Horrors
25:55 - Miami Vice '85
34:45 - Capturing Bigfoot
49:00 - Wrap-Up and Thank You
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Mockbuster with Anthony Frith | From 80s Phenom to Today
In a special interview, Will chats director Anthony Frith about his upcoming documentary Mockbuster. A once-promising Australian filmmaker, Anthony lands a final shot at glory with Hollywood’s kings of B-movie schlock, the Asylum, the studio behind Sharknado. Tasked with directing a lost-world dinosaur film in suburban Adelaide on a six-day shoot and a shoestring budget, he also turns the camera on himself, filming a behind-the-scenes documentary as the chaos unfolds. Between demanding LA execs, a bewildered cast, and his own creeping self-doubt, both productions push their first-time director to the brink. Mockbuster is a hilarious and unexpectedly tender do...
Superman & Supergirl | Bread from Mummy
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:40 - New Supergirl is cut from the same cloth as the greatest Superman
12:45 - Turmoil in the Toybox: The (Parody Horror) Movie
28:00 - McDonald’s is serving up lava again
42:30 - From King Tut to King Torte, the 5,000-year-old bread
53:00 - Want to hold Luke's hand? That costs $1 million
1:00:00 - Wrap-Up and Thank You
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Su...
Disclosure Day Psyop | Jonathan Spielberg? | Stolen Legos
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
6:05 - Is Disclosure Day a psyop?
24:35 - Who is Jonathan Spielberg?
38:55 - Knight Rider's KITT was framed
45:30 - Jem and the Holograms is getting a live-action reboot (again)
51:20 - Star Wars stolen Lego lawsuit
1:01:55 - Wrap-Up and Thank You
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The Real Big Trouble in Little China | 80s Classic
In a special interview, Will chats with Gary Goldman, the screenwriter of 1986's cult classic Big Trouble in Little China. The setting of Gary's original story was very different than what we saw onscreen. Is there a future for this tale of ancient Chinese mysticism set in the Old West?
Over the last several decades, Gary has written, produced, and otherwise improved a number of successful Hollywood films, including Total Recall, Minority Report and Basic Instinct. He’s worked for every major film studio and collaborated on projects with directors Steven Spielberg, Paul Verhoven, John Carpenter, James Ca...
Stuck in the '80s with Steve Spears
In a special interview, Will chats with Steve "Spearsy" Spears, the host of the first (and longest running) 80s podcast Stuck in the '80s. Steve has just published a book of that same name chronicling 20 years of interviews he conducted on his show. The conversations are a fascinating look at many of our favorites from the decade, including rock stars, actors and at least two VJays. Plus, Steve shares personal anecdotes that connect him to his celebrity guests.
0:00 - Introduction
0:27 - Interview
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<...80s He-Man, Beastie Boys, and Bill Joel
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:35 - FBI ripped off the Beastie Boys
12:55 - New music from Beastie Boys' Mike D
16:45 - Gen X parent fails their child: Who's Weird AL?
24:15 - Easter Egg in Steam Controller
33:05 - He-Man's collectible popcorn bucket
47:45 - Beware this He-Man mockbuster
53:40 - Billy Joel biopic without his music
57:35 - Letters from You
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Bringing Our 80s Toys Back
In a special interview, Will chats with Jonathan Cathey, Founder and CEO of The Loyal Subjects, one of the fastest-growing independent toy companies in the U.S. If you've ever wished the best parts of the toy aisle from the 80s could make a comeback, Jonathan is the guy making it happen. He's helped revive beloved brands like M.A.S.K., Jem and the Holograms, Popples, My Pet Monster, and more, bringing them back for longtime fans while introducing them to a whole new generation. An accomplished artist and musician, Jonathan had planned to pursue a career in...
80s News: WKRP, Knight Rider, and Prince
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:50 - Rocky statue is gonna fly now
16:15 - WKRP is back on the air (sort of)
23:20 - Trump Dances to “Gay Anthem”—will a lawsuit follow?
37:50 - Prince is charting like it’s 1984
48:35 - Knight Rider rides again in documentary
59:45 - Wrap Up and Thank You
Get Knight Rider: Declassified.
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Street Fighter, Piranha and Hippos in the 80s (and Now)
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:57 - Really hungry hippos terrorize Colombia
15:35 - Hungry Hungry Hippos: The Game
19:05 - Hungry: The Hungry Hippo Horror Movie
21:35 - Why did we think Piranhas were a threat?
24:30 - Piranha: The Movie (1978)
30:05 - Asian Carp: The Real Piranhas
38:50 - Street Fighter: The Movie
43:00 - Street Fighter: The Video Game
50:20 - Gen X Goes to Outer Space
54:10 - Did you...
Dungeon Crawl at the 80s Mall
In a special interview, Will chats with author Jendia Gammon about her newest book. It's the latest in the Choose Your Own Adventure book series: Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall. Jendia is a Nebula and three-time BSFA Awards finalist author of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and thriller novels and short stories. She also conducts workshops and participates in panels on creative writing for conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con and Star Wars Celebration.
0:00 - Introduction
1:38 - Interview
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The Influence of 80s Music
In a special interview, Will chats with Mario Toscano (Back to the 80s), Jim Butler (Children of the 80s), and Eric Shoars about the continued influence of 80s music in our lives. We also talk about Eric's new book Life Goes On, which is a collection of essays by Gen Xers that examines this topic.
0:00 - Introduction
1:24 - Interview
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Check out Back to the 80s with Mario: https://www.fm80...
VHS Comeback | Sherlock in the 80s
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:25 - Run your own video rental store
13:45 - Name the 80s movie from the fake title
20:10 - Physical video is having its vinyl moment
34:20 - Some 1980s VHS tapes are worth plenty
42:20 -Young Sherlock is topping streaming charts
47:40 - Sherlock Holmes and the Caset of the Expired Copyright
55:20 - Sherlock in the 1980s
1:05:25 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Talking Gen X with Mark Mendenhall
In a special interview, Will speaks with Mark Mendenhall aka Gen X Dad about his media empire Gen X Talks. Over the last several years, Mark has cultivated a tremendous following by discussing everything (and anything) from his unique Gen X point of view.
0:00 - Introduction
0:52 - Interview
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Get our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales of the 1980s at Amazon.
Check out Gen X Talks at...
Hardest 80s Arcade Games?
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
2:15 - Bigfoot is in Ohio. Will Jon follow?
17:55 - Timothy Chalamet could use some Bugs Bunny
32:15 - The Brady Bunch house is now a landmark
42:45 - The hardest arcade games are from the 1980s
1:02:20 - A Wonder Years star has an interesting palate
1:11:25 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Cancelled Nerds, Starfighter Sequels, and New Faces of Death
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
2:55 - Robert Carradine has died.
5:40 - Did you play TAG: The Assassination Game?
10:24 - Has Revenge of the Nerds Been Erased?
20:20 - Science says Gen X is the most emotionally durable generation ever
37:00 - A Last Starfighter sequel is finally coming
46:04 - 80s cereal mascots battle a milk monster
54:45 - Is the new Faces of Death real?
1:07:45 - Wrap Up and Thank You<...
Hooters, Zelda and Chicken Wing Lawsuit
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - Racier than Hooters
7:25 - Hooters is becoming family friendly
12:05 - Hooters can discriminate against men
16:15 - Who invented Buffalo chicken wings?
19:30 - Can a boneless wing be a breast?
25:15 - Can a boneless wing have bones?
27:15 - RuPaul drags audience back to the 80s
34:05 - Read our new book Totally Bogus (But True) Tales from the 1980s!
35:20 - Zelda Turns 40...
Nostalgia Power with Wyatt Bloom
In a special interview, Will speaks with Wyatt Bloom, the co-founder and host of Rediscover the 80s. Together with his childhood friend, the late Jason Gross, Wyatt built a portal to the 80s, that reminisces about the decade through various lenses via countless articles, a handful of podcasts, and more. Will and Wyatt the power of nostalgia, and perhaps more succinctly the power of what we leave behind.
0:00 - Introduction
1:28 - Interview
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Jaws 4, Princess Bride, and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:20 - Jaws 4: The Shark That Roared
14:15 - The source of Jaw's roar
23:00 - The Princess Bride musical
31:00 - Review: Bigfoot! a New Musical
40:50 - Animated Stranger Things: Tales from '85
52:00 - Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots the movie
1:03:21 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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80s Trivia with Tamara Dever
In a special interview, Will speaks with Tamara Dever, author of The Ultimate Mix Tape, a series of music trivia books. Tami has just published The Day We Found Yesterday, another unique tribute to the 80s music. Endorsed by MTV legend Martha Quinn, The Day We Found Yesterday is a vibrant, intergenerational story that celebrates connection, creativity, and the power of the past to shape our present. Although it was (supposedly) written for children, it is a thrilling way for Gen Xers to revisit the greatest decade for music. It includes over 500 clever, visual ’80s music references and illustrated ce...
Changeables, Klingons, and the Worst Play
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:50 - New York’s Longest-Running Play is also it’s “worst”
13:50 - Bigfoot! The Musical was spotted on Broadway
19:00 - The Cure Wins their first Grammys
25:00 - Does Steven Spielberg deserve his Grammy?
28:50 - McDonald’s has brought back an iconic 80s Happy Meal toy
38:00 - The first Happy Meal movie tie-in was Star Trek
44:40 - What happened to the Klingons look?
53:50 - How 1984 c...
He-Man Trailer Has the Power
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - He-Man Teaser for the Teaser Trailer
7:40 - He-Man Teaser Trailer
33:45 - Strange (Made-Up) He-Man Characters
39:35 - The He-Man Effect
51:10 - Interesting He-Man Lore
58:30 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Get the The He-Man Effect by Brian "Box" Brown.
Read...
Original Star Wars, Salt-N-Pepa, Terminator and More
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:45 - Ruling in Salt-N-Pepa lawsuit
14:40 - Galaxy’s Edge is headed to a longer time ago
31:54 - Melora Hardin couldn’t dance in Dirty Dancing
38:50 - Eric Stolz treated Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) “very badly”
47:44 - The Terminator made Gen Xer more wary of AI
54:45 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Goodbye, Pop Culture
Will is joined by experts who specialize in both psychology and pop culture (Ben Taitz, Colt Blunt, and Charlene McPherson) to chat about the emotional impact of losing your favorite show.
Our Guests' Links:
More about Ben Taitz>>>https://tinyurl.com/54x6v2xx
Psychology for Geeks>>> https://www.psychologyforgeeks.com/home.
Colt Blunt's Books>>>https://tinyurl.com/bdj84enj
Debbie's Dream Foundation>>>https://debbiesdream.org/
Charlene McPherson>>>https://www.nat20therapy.com/
Our Links:
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Star Search, Billy Joel and MTV Are Back!
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:15 - Star Search is back
13:30 - MTV is back—sort of
22:15 - Billy Joel is back—sort of
28:20 - Monchhichi is back—apparently it never left
37:15 - What if Stranger Things had secret finale?
45:35 - Michael J. Fox didn’t want to imitate Michael Jackson
52:25 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Subscribe to our Y...
Indiana Jones, Chevy Chase, and Marty Supreme
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:00 - Chevy Chase documentary is "hard to watch"
16:45 - Terry Gilliam slams TV's Time Bandits again
29:45 - Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular injured a heroic staff member
38:25 - The new Marty Supreme is set in the 50s is scored with 80s music
46:00 - No spoilers! Is our interest in spoilers generational?
1:18:00 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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The HBO Guide
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:30 - The searchable HBO guide database
20:35 - James Cameron CPRed a rat to protect The Abyss
29:25 - Cameron is rebooting The Terminator
33:00 - Mad Max director supports AI filmaking
43:20 - Fortnite's obscure obcenity slip
57:05 - The fate of the new Muppet Show is in your hands
1:07:55 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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...
Harry Met Sally: Can Men and Women Be Friends?
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:52 - Joe Pesci was afraid to do Home Alone stunt
15:20 - Name the 80s Christmas movie
25:45 - Eddie Van Halen’s virtuoso guitar solos anticipated a modern problem
37:34 - The Terminator is back with a new retro video game
44:55 - How Rob Reiner's surprise love changed Harry Met Sally
58:10 - Can men and women be friends?
1:11:40 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Gwen Stole Our 80s Christmas
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
6:15 - Gwen Stefani Stole an 80s Christmas Song
19:25 - Frosty the Snowman had 3 secret families
30:40 - Ethan Hawke saw Robin Williams' struggles in the 80s
38:00 - Will Stranger Things use time travel?
50:00 - Is Gen X the greatest generation?
1:10:25 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Supergirl, Home Alone Sequel, and Cheap Trick
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:35 - Macaulay Culkin has a pitch for a Home Alone sequel
12:20 - Did John Hughes copy Home Alone from another film?
18:25 - A $9 million Superman comic was found in an attic
23:10 - The copies of the Declaration of Independence found in 1985
31:12 - Will's kid wrote a Supergirl comic book that was just published
37:11 - Cheap Trick’s At Budokan wasn’t
49:45 - Working Girl the Musi...
Balloonfest '86: Tragedy or Triumph?
On Septempber 27, 1986, The United Way of Greater Cleveland held Balloonfest. The organizers' goal was to set a world record for the simultaneous release of small helium-filled balloons. They hoped the event would improve Cleveland’s image. On that afternoon, the skies above Public Square were filled with nearly 1.5 million balloons, which were inflated by a corps of volunteers. By some accounts, however, the event that was intended to raise the standing of the city, quickly turned into a disaster. This is the true tale of Balloonfest.
0:00 - Introduction
5:19 - WKRP's Turkeys Away
9:56 - Cl...
Stranger Things, Eddie Murphy and Miss Piggy
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:00 - Is Will Byers a pawn of Vecna?
18:10 - The cancelled The Escape from New York video game
24:35 - Miss Piggy solo movie in development
33:12 - Eddie Murphy’s got serious at the 1988 Oscars
37:28 - Three movies Eddie Murphy regrets not starring in
41:45 - UK is about to limit ticket sales to their original face value
1:01:34 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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New Road House, Buck Rogers and Kwamé
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:15 - Two unrelated Road House sequels
14:15 - Two unrelated Bond sequels in 1983
25:15 - New Buck Rogers movie
27:40 - Two unrelated Buck Rogers properties
33:35 - New Doja Cat track samples Knight Rider
40:25 - 35-Year Old rap streak broken
46:40 - Check out Kwamé's new album
53:40 - New 1982 Tron collectibles
59:35 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Bringin' the 80s Funk with Chris Commisso
In a special interview, Will speaks with singer, songwriter, and producer, Chris Commisso. Chris' crafts tracks that are both unique to his sensibilities and yet authentic to the 1980s-era funk that inspires him. His nostalgic lyrics are wittier versions of our unvoiced desires to return to our youths. Follow the links below to learn more about Chris and hear his music.
0:00 - Introduction
1:30 - Interview
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Get our new book Totally...
You Can't Afford The Jim Henson Auction
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:15 - Back to the Future's Delorean injured Michael J. Fox
10:41 - Apologizing to people from your past
13:28 - Michael J. Fox met Eric Stolz for the fist time
17:35 - The Jim Henson Company is auctioning off our youths
39:30 - What collectible would you buy, if you could?
32:35 - Is Last Rites the most boring ghost story?
43:20 - Suzanne Somers’ widower created a bot of the de...
MTV Is Out, Retro Theme Parks Are In
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
5:30 - MTV cuts music in UK
17:15 - Waiting for Bill & Ted 4
27:50 - Retro theme park is coming
41:00 - Stranger Things finale will be satisfying
49:00 - The Lost Boys music has released a song
58:55 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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Read our new...
Tron: Ares - Gen X Review
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
3:15 - Something Wicked Has Come to Disney+
12:45 - Zelda Williams Asks Fans to Stop Sending Her AI Robin Williams
24:15 - Prime Video UK Disarmed James Bond
37:23 - Tron: Ares - Non-Spoiler Review
51:25 - Tron: Ares - Spoiler-Filled Review
1:24:00 - Wrap Up and Thank You
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What Angela Lansbury Can Teach Us
In a special interview, Will chats with Lily Hirsch about her new book Nowhere to Go but Up: What Angela Lansbury Can Teach Us about Living a Big Life." In it, Lily weaves the history of the star's most memorable roles within each chapter while exploring her approach to life. Plus, discover new insights into Murder, She Wrote thanks to new research materials and interviews with some of the show's primary players.
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - Interview
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80s Horror Movies Continue to Inspire
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:
0:00 - Introduction
4:50 - Mysterious box art for the Atari 2600 game Challenge
8:30 - Its connection to A Nightmare on Elm Street
13:38 - Challenge game play is not Ghostbusters
16:15 - The Cooper-Tawain Pitfall knockoff
19:25 - Netflix's Haunted House is full of 80s homages
25:42 - Poltergeist haunted house at Unviersal Hollywood
29:12 - Keenan Thompson is rebooting Sleepaway Camp
39:40 - A new Halloween video game is coming to consoles<...
Genre-Swapping Movies
Will chats with Dustin Morrow, film expert and host of The Long Rewind, about 80s movies that switched genres. Consider Alien to Aliens and Evil Dead to Evil Dead II. Is this a strategy new reboots should employ?
0:00 - Introduction
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Find out more about Dustin and The Long Rewind here.
Get our new book Totally Bogus (But True) at Amazon.
