Everything 80s

10 Iconic Albums From 1986 That Just Turned 40 01.07.2026 32分

Was 1986 one of the biggest years for music ever? If it wasn't, it sure was close, as it's the year that gave us a defining heavy metal album, two defining hip-hop albums, a pop standout, and one of the last albums from a jazz legend. But there was so much more: two breakaway solo artists, two huge soundtracks, and the era-defining album that gave us two of the biggest songs of all time. 1986 had a bit of everything, and all of these albums are now officially 40 years old... Spotify Playlist: 1986 Albums Aliens Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

The Legend of Zelda: The History of the Golden Game 24.06.2026 40分

Before "Zelda" became a household name, it began as "Adventure Mario," a game that started out as giant sketches on long pieces of draft paper. But things quickly changed... This new video game would be nothing like Super Mario Bros. It would be a vast and seemingly limitless world. A world based around a legend, and a world filled with fantasy and adventure -- a world based on the childhood of its creator. Today, we go back to 1986 to witness the origins of The Legend of Zelda, a game originally developed for the Nintendo Famicom in Japan. But the Famicom eventually became the NES, and the Legend of Zelda became the creation that changed the history of video games forever... Get the first look at new episodes early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

The 1980s Bubblegum Wars 17.06.2026 46分

VHS and Beta weren't the only ones trying to capture our loyalty in the 1980s; the same thing was happening in the world of... bubblegum. Heading into the 80s, bubblegum -- an industry that didn't even really exist five years earlier -- turned into a full-on battleground. The target? Kids everywhere... But now, led by the Big Three bubblegum brands, variety stores everywhere were about to get filled with many competitors -- all looking for their piece of the market. From companies that went back more than a hundred years, to new players with origins in baseball dugouts, the 1980s Bubblegum Wars came about at the perfect time, as bold flavors, ads, and Saturday morning cartoons made simple bubblegum a billion-dollar industry. Check out new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

The Hand of God Touches World Cup '86 10.06.2026 37分

Before the first ball was even kicked, World Cup '86 had faced a massive uphill battle. A change of venue, a struggling economy, and then a massive earthquake set to derail what was one of the most anticipated World Cups of all time. But World Cup 1986 eventually kicked off, and now, all eyes were on the greatest football in the world -- and specifically, Argentina and their phenom, Diego Maradona. What kind of brilliance and on-field dramatics would take place in Mexico in 1986? When Argentina and England faced off on June 22nd, 1986, it was not only a tense matchup between two countries in conflict, but the game was about to produce two of the most famous moments in the history of sports... Get the first listen to new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

Hockey, Mulroney & Bryan Adams: Canada in the 80s 03.06.2026 56分

In this episode, we look at some notable Canadian events and people from the 1980s, but this show is all about the world of pop culture. And when it comes to 1980s pop culture, Canada contributed a lot more than you may realize. From the music, movies, TV shows, kids' shows, and massive celebrities, Canada was at the forefront of 1980s pop culture. From Saturday morning cartoons, chart topping songs, and one of the greatest athletes who has ever lived, the story of Canada in the 80s is the story of the country that helped shape the decade as we know it. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

10 1980s Kids' Shows You May Have Forgotten 27.05.2026 38分

Not every kids' show from the 1980s could be an era-defining and long-lasting one. Some, for various reasons, just couldn't break through. But that doesn't mean they weren't any good. Today, we look back at ten live-action 1980s kids' shows that just weren't able to reach the heights of shows like Fraggle Rock or You Can't Do That on Television. Some of these shows may ring a bell, some may be brand new to you, but hopefully, there are a few on this list that you loved but had forgotten all about. Police Academy movie review: Patreon.com/80s

How Nickelodeon Rewrote the Rules of Kids' TV 20.05.2026 53分

From an experiment in the 1970s to a global phenomenon, the story of Nickelodeon is one that includes Walter Cronkite, satellites, and some simple hand puppets. But it was in the 1980s when the kids-only network really took off. With a new leader and a new direction, Nickelodeon would soon reach more homes than ever, all because of a low-budget sketch comedy show from Canada. A show that would make every kid know what follows the phrase, "I don't know..." But in the 80s, things behind the scenes at Nickelodeon were still rocky. It would take an entire rebrand and a specific kids' game show that would turn the network's fortunes and make it the dominant force in cable television. -- The Book: Becoming Nickelodeon: How the First Network for Kids Went From Green Vegetables to Green Slime in the 1980s by Jason McFiggins Available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback

The 1980s Stand-Up Comedy Boom: Part Deux 13.05.2026 40分

In part one, we looked at the origins of stand-up comedy and its evolution through the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Then, as we head into the 1980s, some big things happen. A strike, mainstream exposure, and the rise of comedy clubs everywhere took the industry from smoky clubs to a major part of mainstream entertainment. Today, we look at several of the breakout comedians -- including a few controversial ones -- who not only defined the 1980s but also became some of the biggest stars in the history of entertainment. Then, we look at how the stand-up comedians of the 80s became the go-to choices by the networks to star in some of the most popular sitcoms and talk shows of all time. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

The Stand-Up Comedy Boom of the 1980s: Part One 06.05.2026 37分

From small, smoky nightclubs to prime time TV and Hollywood, stand-up comedy has gone through many iterations over more than a century. But it was in the 1980s when a true comedy boom took place. In part one of this two-part episode, we look back at the origins of stand-up comedy, going back to the days of Vaudeville, and then into the 50s and 60s when people like Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball began to entertain millions. Then, through the 60s and into the 70s, comedians like Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor took stand-up to the next level. But then, heading into the 80s, everything changes; the opening of some famous clubs, a comedy strike, and some of the most famous names of our time are about to take stand-up comedy to levels never seen before. Subscribe to the Everything 80s Podcast so you don't miss out on Part two, where we look at some of those specific comedians that helped shape the 80s, the rise of sitcoms based around stand-ups, and how the comedy explosion spread throughout North America

Pac-Man Fever Takes Over the 1980s 29.04.2026 50分

Pac-Man was a solution to a major problem. That problem? The video game industry mainly attracted teenage males; no one else was really setting foot in arcades. Game designer Toru Iwatani believed he had created the right idea to change all that. Not only did he change the world of video games, but his creation ended up creating an absolute pop culture phenomenon. Pac-Man was such a hit when it first hit arcades in late 1980 that it turned the entire entertainment industry on its head. The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com

Hulk Hogan and the Rise of Hulkamania in the 80s 22.04.2026 1時間 2分

Before he was Hulk Hogan, he was Terry Gene Bollea. And before Hulkamania ran wild in the 1980s, he was carefully crafting the character that would not only change the world of professional wrestling but also break through into mainstream pop culture. His later years would not be without their controversy, but in the 80s, he was like a real-life superhero for a new generation of kids. Today, we look back on Hulk Hogan in the 1980s; from bodyslamming Andre the Giant to the Rock n' Wrestling Connection and even prime time TV -- he managed to touch all areas of entertainment. Support the show and get bonus audio content: Patreon.com/80s

WrestleMania 3: The Biggest Event in Wrestling History (or Was It...?) 15.04.2026 57分

It was billed as the biggest event and the biggest matchup in the history of professional wrestling. Held at the Pontiac Silverdome, WrestleMania 3 not only became historic from a wrestling perspective, but also set a new world indoor attendance record. And it was all built on the back of Andre the Giant vs Hulk Hogan. A match that, even up to the day of the event, was still up in the air as to who would win. Would Andre pass the torch to recognize Hogan as the new face of the business going forward? A lot was riding on WrestleMania 3, but on that night back in March 1987, history was truly made. Hulk Hogan would pull off the seemingly impossible, and a record crowd of 93,173 was there to see it happen. But was that historic number actually a myth...? Get the first look at new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

ET: The Movie That Stayed at Number One for 11 Years 08.04.2026 52分

Steven Spielberg was extremely nervous... this was the most personal project he had ever created, and he wondered if he had made a huge mistake. That project was E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, a movie that, at its core, is about a child dealing with divorce and loneliness. The movie had come together well, but was anyone going to see it, especially since it featured unknown actors, and no one had any idea what the alien even looked like? Not only did people show up, but they showed up in historic numbers. ET not only touched an entire generation, but quickly became the most successful movie in history. A title it would hold for more than a decade. Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

10 Pranks & Hoaxes That Fooled the Entire 1980s 01.04.2026 44分

Before the internet could fact-check anything, the 1980s were a golden age for famous hoaxes, pranks, and April Fool's jokes. And a lot of people fell for them. Today, we look back at 10 notable 1980s pranks and hoaxes that range from very amusing all the way to ones that created sheer panic. They include April Fool's day pranks involving three different iconic landmarks, one of the biggest sporting pranks of all time, one of the first internet hoaxes, and a fake natural disaster that set off a real-life panic... Terminator movie review: patreon.com/80s

Exxon Valdez: The Neverending Damage 25.03.2026 44分

It should have been just another regular journey... but in the early morning hours of March 24th, 1989, the Exxon Valdez was about to embark on a fateful voyage This is a look back on the accident that not only decimated the Alaskan coastline and its wildlife but also led to a two-decade-long court battle -- a battle that led to sweeping changes, and historic fines... Terminator movie review: Patreon.com/80s

29 Things You Missed in Back to the Future 2 18.03.2026 40分

It had been an agonizing four long years... but finally came one of the most highly anticipated sequels of all time. After Back to the Future became a massive hit in the summer of 1985, everyone wanted to see what would happen next. In November 1989, we finally found out. It was the movie that not only gave us a glimpse into the future, but, in a rare move, actually took us back into the original movie. But no matter how many times you've watched Back to the Future 2--have you really seen the whole thing...? This is a deep dive into all the hidden moments and easter eggs in the movie. This episode is also a hybrid watch-along, as I'll be pointing out the time stamps to all the moments we're covering so you can see them yourself. Special Extended Edition of this episode: Patreon.com/80s

The Rise & Fall of Radio Shack 11.03.2026 51分

Before Amazon, before Best Buy, there was Radio Shack--and in the 1980s, it was your one-stop shop for all things electronics. Today, we look at the origins of the company--which go back to the early 19th century--then witness its rise through the 60s and into the 70s, culminating in its presence in every mall in North America in the 80s. But despite being such a prominent part of the retail landscape, Radio Shack couldn't stay on top forever in a rapidly changing world. From the CB Radio craze to the rise of the TRS-80, Radio Shack was not just at the forefront of the PC revolution, but was a cultural touchstone of 1980s consumer culture. Check out the old catalogs: radioshackcatalogs.com Support the show and get bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s

When Cassette Tapes Ruled the 80s 04.03.2026 52分

Cassette tapes defined 1980s music. Not only did they give rise to the Walkman and Boombox, but also the art of making a mix tape. Today, we look back on the creation that not only changed music and tech but also pop culture itself. From recording music off the radio and copying tapes--to the panic that faced the industry--analog audio quickly became the most important music format of the 80s. With origins going back to the 1960s, it didn't look like the compact cassette was going to hang on, until the Phillips company made a decision that would change the industry forever... Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

How Star Search Changed TV Forever 25.02.2026 45分

We live in an era where talent competition shows are a dime a dozen on TV. But in the early 80s, that wasn't exactly the case. Star Search was going to change all that, and in the process, it would change TV forever... Today, we go back to 1983 to revisit the launch and success of the talent show that has origins going back to the early days of radio. Not only did it feature one of the most famous late-night sidekicks of all time as host, but it also gave us the first look at many future stars, long before they became household names. Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s

Eddie the Eagle: The Remarkable Story of a True Underdog 18.02.2026 31分

With his bright pink goggles and trademark thick glasses, Eddie the Eagle was hard to miss when he hit the ski jump at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. But it was a miracle he even got there. After sleeping in his car and scrounging garbage cans for food, the journey of Eddie the Eagle was the opposite of his ski jumps: it was a massive uphill battle. But his perseverance and determination could not be stopped, and the man officially known as Michael David Edwards would soon be given a new nickname, becoming an overnight celebrity in the process... The Breakfast Club Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s