Everything 80s

What if there was a show so significant it could put an end to war? This was the approach taken by Jim Henson when he laid the foundation for Fraggle Rock. Henson didn't want to create some ordinary show, but a program that showed us the importance of taking care of ourselves, our environment, and each other. Besides being colorful, musical, and fun--the new show might just change the world... What we got was one of the most unique kids' shows of all time. A show that quickly spread around the globe and changed how television was made. Not only was it beloved by kids, but Fraggle Rock also became cable TV pioneers. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up during the 80s, you probably had a collection of VHS tapes. From new movie releases to your tapes with all your favorite TV shows or music videos, home video was a cornerstone of our entertainment. And all of that almost never happened... If things had gone differently, home recording would have been illegal and the VCR as we know it may have been banned for good. This is the story of the Betamax Case, which pitted the movie studios against Sony and the new machine the studios saw as violating copyright laws. It's the story that goes back to the early days of the VCR, back-and-forth legal decisions, and then a drawn-out case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. As 1984 began, the future of our home entertainment hung in the balance, but an unexpected witness came in to help save the day for the VCR... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

It may seem hard to believe, but as of the year of this recording, the album releases from 1984 are now forty years old. But these are no ordinary albums, as this is a year that gave us some of the most iconic--and important--albums ever made. Today we look back at 10 significant releases that not only changed the course of music but led to astonishing sales numbers worldwide. The Everything 80s Movie Club: Patreon.com/80s

Where were you the night of November 21st, 1980? If you were like the majority of the public, you were huddled around your TV waiting to find out the answer to one of the biggest questions in television history: Who Shot J.R.? The 'Who Shot J.R.' episode of Dallas was so big that it spread well beyond North America, becoming part of the public discourse for countries around the world. This is a look back on one of the most astonishing TV events of the 20th century, and the massive speculation around one of the biggest cliffhangers ever. And when the big night finally came, the viewing audience hit numbers many didn't think was even possible... Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s

How can one decade have so many different aesthetics associated with it? Well, this is the 1980s; an era when big, bright, and bold choices dominated our fashion. Today, we look back on the styles, clothing items, and individuals that helped create the look of the 80s. Support the show and get access to bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s

If you know what follows the words, "I don't know..." it means you grew up with one of the most creative, bizarre, and beloved kids' shows of all time. You Can't Do That on Television started as a low-budget program in Ottawa, Canada, before being picked up by a newer, kids-only cable channel in the US: Nickelodeon. The show was different than anything they had previously aired, and not only was it instrumental in the channel's success, but it had a massive impact on pop culture still felt to this day. The Everything 80s Movie Club: Patreon.com/80s

We're three years into a new decade, and here comes the year that--when it comes to pop culture--is about to turn everything on its head... It's the year that gave us the biggest movie of the decade, the debut of some of the best TV shows ever, and some of the greatest albums and singles of the 80s. But if that wasn't enough, 1982 is also about to give us what may be the biggest album of all time... Welcome to Rewind and an all-new version of my look back at the music, movies, TV shows, tech, video games, and sports from a remarkable year: 1982. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

For years, a computer was something only used by governments, corporations, or hobbyists. They didn't have any practical appeal to the average person. But that all changed going into the 1980s. Computers like the Apple 2 and the TRS-80 made some strong headway, but it was in 1981 when IBM helped to fully launch the personal computer revolution. This is the story of the IBM PC 5150: a machine for the masses. With a lower price point, and better usability, the concept of a PC in a home or small business finally made sense--and a new era in tech began... The Everything 80s Movie Club: Patreon.com/80s

"Two turntables and a microphone. That's all it took to change the world..." These were the words spoken in 2009 by Eminem as he inducted Run-DMC into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. It was a fitting tribute to the group from Hollis, Queens, that not only took hip-hop to new heights but changed the music industry--and pop culture--in the process. This is the story of Run-DMC, the group that crashed down walls, cut through floors, busted through ceilings, and knocked down doors... Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

It's Valentine's Day, and what better way to celebrate than to look back on a beloved 1980s romantic drama: Dirty Dancing. Despite being a timeless hit, it's a miracle that Dirty Dancing ever reached theatres. Between shooting difficulties and real-life tension between its stars, this was the movie very few people believed in--and it was projected to go straight to video bins. But what happened next shocked everyone... Thanks to word-of-mouth, the film took off like wildfire and soon became a worldwide hit. The soundtrack dominated the charts, and the home video release smashed records. The low-budget movie that dozens of studios passed on was now a pop culture phenomenon... Support the show and get bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s