Everything 80s

When Crocodile Dundee was released in 1986, it caught everyone by surprise. The movie from Down Under starring an actor no one knew became a monster hit. This is a look back on the Crocodile Dundee franchise and the man behind the croc: Paul Hogan. Hogan's story is a true rags-to-riches tale and how he went from Australian celebrity to worldwide star. We look at how this film came together, why no one expected it to be a hit, Paul Hogan's rise to fame, the sequels, the surprising film role that Hogan turned down, and the ultimate crossover movie that never came to be. If you want to support this show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--you can consider supporting me at Patreon.com/80s. Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya...

Before there was the Chernobyl disaster, there was Three Mile Island. This is an accident that appears to be a lot more serious than you may realize. What appeared to be just a "close call" could have actually been catastrophic. This is a look back at the story of the first nuclear accident; all the misinformation that eroded the public's trust; coverup; Jane Fonda; whistleblowing, and the aftermath that was felt for years. If you want to support the show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--head over to Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

How is it possible that the greatest toy store we've ever known could end up bankrupt? No, it's not just because of the internet (though that does play a role). The once-dominant toy store would face many setbacks that resulted in its closure. In this episode, we look back on the history of the iconic store, how it shaped the childhoods of millions, helped create a lot of pop culture as we know it, and then faced a very sad demise. This is also a look at how in the year 2000, things could have turned out very different regarding a certain gigantic online store. This episode also features some economics, Geoffrey the Giraffe, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Show Notes: Toys "R" Us Support the show: Patreon.com/80s

Before there was Red Bull, Monster, or 5-Hour Energy Shots, there was the original energy drink: Jolt Cola. If you grew up like me, you may remember Jolt Cola being kind of mythical. This drink apparently had enough caffeine to take down a horse and we all heard urban legends of the kid who died drinking it. It turns out Jolt didn't actually have that much caffeine. What it did have was the opposite approach to the diet cola movement that was taking place. This is the look back on how the "bad boy of cola" entered an ultra-competitive market, the demographic it went after, how it never intended to compete with Coke or Pepsi, and how it defied all industry expectations to last over three decades. If you're interested in supporting this show--and getting access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast--you can check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

If you were alive in the 1980s, you definitely went to K-Mart at some point. The store had everything and was a huge part of our lives. But how did the company go from retail giant to almost nothing? As of the time of this recording, there are only three K-marts left. This is a look back on the rise and fall of a giant company with a history that goes all the way back to 1899. If you want to support this show--and get access to the Everything 80s Movie Podcast--check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more. Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya... Show Notes: The Rise and Fall of Kmart

Even if you're not a wrestling fan, you can't deny the massive influence it has had a pop culture. This influence was never more prominent than it was in the 1980s. This is the story of the very first WrestleMania and the massive risk Vince McMahon took in creating it. The story of WrestleMania is as much the story of the early days of the (then) WWF, the changing landscape of entertainment, cable TV, MTV, and a new phenomenon named Hulk Hogan. Support the Show: Patreon.com/80s Show Notes: The Story of WrestleMania

If you're from the UK, and of a certain age, you probably remember the Late Late Breakfast Show incident of 1986. Even if you've never heard of this--it's a pretty crazy story. The Late Late Breakfast Show was a variety show aired on the BBC in the early 80s. It was kind of like the early days of David Letterman. One feature on the show involved putting regular citizens into death-defying, movie-level stunts. You can obviously see where this is going, and the tragedy that happened in 1986 would lead to reform in broadcasting still followed to this day. Disclaimer: there are a few situations in this episode you may find disturbing. If you're interested in supporting this show--and getting access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Club--you can check out Patreon.com/80s. Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya. Show Notes: The Late Late Breakfast Show Incident

*Takes deep breath* OK, this may not go over well but here is my countdown of what I believe are some of the most overrated movies of the 1980s. I need to point out that these are not bad movies--not at all. They are in fact really, really good movies, I just find them to be more on the overrated side than the all-time classic side. We've got 7 choices to look at which include a classic coming-of-age tale, a beloved action movie, and a technological marvel, just to name a few. Speaking of movies, if you want to get access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Club--and support the show at the same time--check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more

1984 is more than just George Orwell, it's a huge year when it comes to all things pop culture. Some of the best movies and TV shows of not just the 80s--but of all time--debuted in 1984. We also look back at the music, technology, and major sporting events that went into this pretty remarkable year. We'll also touch on the whole 1984, Orwellian connection, and take a quick look at some other things that were going on in the world. If you're interested in supporting the show--and getting access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Show--you can check out Patreon.com/80s to learn more.

The L.A. Lakers of the 80s may be the decade-defining team during an era of decade-defining teams. This is a look back at a true sports dynasty and the one year which may be the best of all time: 1986-87. This is also a look at how the Lakers brand of "Showtime basketball" would change the way we watched sports. The Lakers took basketball from simply a game to a full entertainment experience. Even if you don't like sports, this is an interesting look back on a period of sports we may never see again. If you're interested in supporting the show--and getting access to the Everything 80s Movie Review Club--please check out Patreon.com/80s. Show Notes: The Showtime Lakers