Everything 80s

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

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

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

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

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

In the 1980s, the world of entertainment seemed smaller; it was all about movies, network TV, and music. Today, pop culture is much more fragmented, and there are a ton of ways for brands and celebrities to get more exposure. That really wasn't an option in the 80s, and for those who may have conquered the big and small screens, the next way to get more fame was in the world of music--and that gave us some truly unique celebrity albums. From professional sports teams to professional wrestling, sitcom stars and action heroes, it seemed like everyone was trying to enter the Billboard charts. Today, we look back on some of those unique offerings, but also some genuinely talented celebrities who put out quality music. Spotify playlist: 1980s Celebrity Albums Get the first look at new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up in the 80s, you remember how big television events felt. You knew that everyone was watching the same thing as you, and at the same time. But which shows and events were the biggest of the 1980s? Today, we look back at some of the highest-rated and most-watched TV shows of the decade. We take a quick look at some major sporting events before moving on to the sitcoms, dramas, miniseries, presidential debates, and the biggest TV movie of all time. But it wasn't just the network shows that captured our attention--and ratings--but there were also two major events that the whole world tuned in for... Live Aid Runaways: get the book available on Amazon or wherever books are sold Get early access to new podcast episodes, ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

As the dust settled after the Great Video Game Crash of 1983, a new console emerged ready to take the world of video games to a whole new level. But the Nintendo Entertainment System wouldn't be the only console that made a mark on the 1980s... The NES had gotten there first and had taken a stranglehold on the market, but another Japanese company was about to enter our homes. It began as the Mark 3, but in 1986, after some design changes and a new name, the Sega Master System was ready to hit North America. Boasting better graphics, colors, and accessories, the high-tech Master System seemed like a step up from the NES -- but had Nintendo left room for anyone else...? Gremlins movie review: Patreon.com/80s