Everything 80s
From the underground clubs to sold-out arenas worldwide, the 1980s marked the explosive growth of Heavy Metal. But it was much more than loud music, as the Heavy Metal of the 80s caused a cultural shift--especially with the youth. It's the decade that also brought us a wide range of metal styles; from Thrash to Glam, the genre was now bursting into the mainstream. Today, we look at not just the rise of Heavy Metal during the 80s, but also its impact on youth culture and society, how it was blamed for the Satanic Panic, and some of the bands that were instrumental in its rapid growth. ...
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In the mid-1980s, a Soviet engineer created a simple puzzle game he called Tetris. What was made for fun quickly spread throughout the USSR, and little did he know, but he had created something that would ignite a global frenzy that would include major companies like Nintendo and Atari. But that was just part of the story, as the battle for the rights to Tetris would spread beyond the Iron Curtain. It's a story that includes an international licensing war, Cold War espionage, lawsuits, shady business deals, and the highest levels of the Soviet government. This all resulted in...
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The Late-Night Talk Show scene of the 1980s was a smaller space than today, but it was even more powerful. It was an era filled with drama, ratings wars, and legendary hosts. From Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show to the rise of David Letterman, it was a defining era in 1980s television history. Today, we look at the origins of the late-night talk show, the creation of the format that is still followed to this day, then the rise of the Tonight Show. Then, we'll look at the Johnny Carson era, which spanned three decades, that quickly made him one of the most powerful people on television....
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Let's go back 40 years and revisit 10 of the best albums of 1985, a year that was a landmark one in the history of music. From synthpop, hip-hop, metal, and classic rock, 1985 quickly became a standout year for 1980s music. From the chart-topping success of 'Brothers in Arms' by Dire Straits, to the radio dominating 'Songs From the Big Chair' by Tears For Fears, today, we look back on the albums and songs that defined a generation, became a huge part of 1980s pop culture, and also helped to drive MTV. These albums also include a new 17-year-old future hip hop icon, the debut album by one of...
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1985 was quickly becoming one of the most competitive years in the history of animation, setting the stage for future 80s nostalgia. There were so many classic 80s cartoons released in 1985-- including a unique new series called ThunderCats--that it was going to be difficult to stand out. But fortunately, the production company behind the new show knew a thing or two about capturing the attention of kids, as they had been doing it during the holidays for decades. But now, they were moving to after-school and Saturday morning cartoons. From the studio that brought us beloved Christmas...
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There are only a handful of broadcasts in the history of television that became must-see, cultural events. The ABC movie, 'The Day After', from 1983, is one of them. In the early 80s, as fear of Nuclear War ramped up, ABC planned to air a Sunday night movie that dealt with what nuclear war would really look like. In November 1983, this kicked off a firestorm of attention--both good and bad--that resulted in one of the biggest viewing audiences in TV history. This is a look back on the movie that not only terrified the public, but became a watershed moment in the history of the Cold War... ...
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Are you ready to head back to the greatest decade ever and the ultimate nostalgia hit? The Everything 80s Podcast is your weekly time machine to revisit 1980s movies, 80s TV shows, 80s music, toys, sports, tech, and everything else that defined 1980s pop culture. From the Cola Wars to Cabbage Patch Kids and Tetris to Teddy Ruxpin, you'll get a deep dive into all the stories that represent an entire generation. Whether you lived it or just missed it, The Everything 80s Podcast is ready to take you back in time to rediscover the decade of big trends, big dreams, and even bigger hair. ...
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It was a time of high tension, fierce back-and-forth, and a relentless pursuit to dominate the world--and that was just between Coke and Pepsi. When you throw the Cold War into the mix, not only do you get a tumultuous time period, but the Cola Wars ramped up to another level. For Pepsi, a way to compete against Coke was to gain a foothold in the Soviet Union. And that's exactly what they did--but little did anyone know just how big they would become in the USSR. This is a look back at Pepsi's remarkable growth in the Soviet Union in the 80s, the continuous battle against Coca-Cola, and...
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What may seem like a novelty video game accessory from the 1980s actually has a much deeper backstory. The Nintendo Power Glove, a game controller you wore on your arm, came out in 1989, but its roots go back to the 1970s. Before it was the "baddest" accessory around, the Power Glove started out as the Data Glove, a high-end instrument used by scientists, MIT, and even NASA. What began as a $10,000 instrument for a new world called "Virtual Reality" eventually entered the consumer market. Did the data glove have more novel applications? Could this unique device even become a toy...? But to...
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From the beaches of California in the 1960s to the empty swimming pools of the 70s, the two board-based niche hobbies had really grown in popularity. But the 1980s took it to a whole new level--literally and figuratively. Not only were surfing and skateboarding growing in popularity during the 80s, but they were beginning to have a major impact on music, fashion, movies, TV shows, and a lot of youth culture. The two activities--specifically skateboarding--were becoming an identity as much as an activity. Today, we revisit the origins, growth, and impact of surfing and...
info_outlineIt was just supposed to be a regular safety test... but in the early morning hours of April 26th, 1986, something went terribly wrong...
For those opposed to nuclear energy, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident was the nightmare scenario. But it took a while for the rest of the world to even find out.
By the time they did, the effects of the explosion had spread shockingly far--and fast. Today we look back on the accident that was a disaster in the making, all the fallout, and how the Soviets downplayed it. And as bad as Chernobly was--could it have been even worse...?
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