Welcome to 80's City

Long before the endless laundry list channels currently available through Direct TV packages and whatnot, the broadcast airwaves were ruled by 3 major names in household television, ABC, CBS and NBC. Though 80′s imagery is iconized by television shows such as Miami Vice, Magnum PI and The A-Team, the decade made a much larger contribution to the TV/entertainment news industry than a few hit shows with loud colors. The 80′s were a turning point in terms of the way people watch TV and the programming available to consumers. Three major developments have shaped viewer demand, with wide-spanning repercussions for facets of today’s marketplace.1. The Launch of CNN Cable Network News, as it is known in full, debuted on June 1, 1980, under the leadership of Ted Turner, providing the first ever constant 24-hour cycle of news coverage, not to mention the first exclusively news channel in the country. Today’s television landscape features many imitators, with major networks now providing their own spin-off 24-hour news channels, but CNN was the first to show the world as it spins in real time. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's TV, 80's news and issues // Comments Off

One of the greatest sports rivalries that ever took place during the 1980′s was Magic vs. Bird. These two will always be considered two of the best basketball players ever. The rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird actually started in the 1979 NCAA basketball tournament where Magic’s Michigan State team beat Bird’s Indiana State team 75-64 in the last college game for the both of them.

Magic Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 draft, while Larry Bird was 6th overall to the Boston Celtics in the 1978 draft. The Lakers [Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized // Comments Off

It’s no coincidence that the term “fashion victim” originated in the 1980s. Women sported linebacker-sized shoulder pads and big, over-permed hair. Men too. Tom Selleck’s poodly Magnum P.I. look caused lots of guys to get perms and wear Hawaiian shirts. That, along with the sock-free loafer look from Miami Vice, made for a chilly winter in most parts of the country.

For women, workout gear chic was the worst trend of the decade, pairing huge shirts and sweatshirts with leggings and, yes, leg warmers. As if to say, Must keep the calf muscles warm, I’m dancing [Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized // Comments Off

Clothes from the 80s are back in style in a big way. It seems like all the trends from 20 years ago are making their way back to popularity. The trend started with younger people. Now though, all ages are sporting skinny jeans, leggings and bright neon clothes, to name a few of the many clothing items popular today.One popular style is legwarmers, though these are seen more on young girls and even babies. These are most commonly referred to as baby legs for the tiniest wearers.Jeggings are a new trend combining two 80s styles, skinny jeans and leggings. They have become one of the latest fashion trends. Strappy sandals are another hot item right now. These shoes have lots of straps and usually come up around the ankles.Some accessory styles from the 80s making a comeback are large jewelry and flat top style, colorful sunglasses. Earrings and necklaces in oversize pieces are the current trend for women. Sunglasses with plastic frames ranging in color from white to black and everything in between are hot right now, along with aviator style glasses. One trend that does not seem to have caught back on is shoulder pads. Let’s hope that style stays in the 80s.

Tags: Uncategorized // Comments Off

The 1980′s are often either abhorred or romanticized, depending on your perspective, as a time of relatively lax moral conduct, little thought towards political correctness and a hard-partying counter culture fueled by the widespread importation of cocaine into the United States. For those who wan’t to know precisely what the era of U.S. history in question entailed and the significant impact on and consequences for the individuals involved, Cocaine Cowboys, a 2006 documentary, centers around real life events, actual footage and first accounts, and can help to paint a clear picture of precisely the scale of the pandemic. Both educational and entertaining, the subject matter is certainly of cultural value, but be warned, the following films contain dialogue and imagery that may be disturbing to some and is not appropriate for individuals under the age of 18.Directed by Billy Corben, the film hones its focus in on Miami, referred to some as the Capital of the Caribbean, the city that quickly became the epicenter of cocaine importation in the United States. From the early days in which cocaine was brought in with relative ease resulting in few complications to the violent drug wars that plagued the city streets as conflicts arose amid power struggles, Miami quickly became a tropical Wild West, as bodies and cash stacked up at alarmingly similar rates. Cocaine Cowboys gives an inside look from the people involved in the illicit drug trade including those responsible for killings and high ranking members of the drug trade who helped to craft plans for importation. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's movies // Comments Off

In a time when “Wii” was just something little kids said on the swing, “Playstations” were filled with crayons and coloring books and talking about your “X-box” could probably land you time out, youth around the country still found a way to enjoy themselves without having to actually set foot outside. Thanks largely to original Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Gameboy, the handheld phenomenon, the 1980′s saw kids spend a lot more time hanging out with not just their real friends but their virtual friends as well, including the likes of the Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, and Zelda. From classic arcade games that haven’t changed to the humble beginnings of the biggest game franchises the industry, here’s a look at some lasting titles that originated in the 80′s.

1. Pac-Man Take a slice out of a cheese wheel and you have arguably the most iconic symbol of the 80′s. Still available in most arcades and bars around the country, game play is brilliantly simple enough for both society’s youngest minds and inebriated young adults to master. First released in the middle of 1980, Pac-Man finally set the date soon after, with Ms. Pac-Man completing (in a Jerry Maguire sense of the word) the popular couple in 1981.
2. Super Mario Brothers What’s the solution to an evil lizard’s tyrannical rule? Why Italian plumbers, of course. With levels, power-ups and villains reminiscent of a 1970′s music festival, America’s young people quickly became addicted to Super Mario Brothers, much like the organic substances creators may have been under the influence of. Subsequent years have seen successful spin-offs, such as Mario Kart, Mario 64, Mario Party, Super Mario Galaxy and The Incredible Luigi guess which one’s made up? poor little green guy. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's games // Comments Off

The 1980′s saw three presidents, though Jimmy Carter was only around for his final year in the Oval Office and George H.W. Bush barely got into the White House before the 90′s clock came calling. The 80′s were dominated by the policies of one president in particular, the two-termed 40^th President of the United States Ronald Reagan, who held nation’s highest position from 1981-1989. The growth and economic expansion we experienced throughout the 80′s, especially by comparison the “shrinkage” we’ve seen in recent years, is just another reason why the 80′s were the most awesome 10 years in world history, leaving the 1990′s with impossibly big shoes to fill (though speaking of shrinkage, between Seinfeld, presidential sex scandals and pogs, the 90′s did post a valiant effort). While the prosperity America came to enjoy may have not been completely a result of Reagan’s efforts, probably influenced by the cyclical nature of global markets as well, why look a gift horse in the mouth? Here are the pillars of “Reaganomics,” as the president’s economic platform came to be known, that at least did not get in the way of, if not set the stage for financial upturn:

1. Reduce government spending This one makes enough sense. After all, less spending leads to less borrowing from foreign sources and ultimately lower national debt.
2. Reduce income and capital gains marginal taxes Lowering taxes on income and capital gains, means the government gets less money, but it also means the working American keeps more money, particularly those in higher tax brackets. This results in more discretionary income, ultimately stimulating more financial transactions and boosting GDP. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's news and issues // Comments Off

Once you get past the unintentional comedy that naturally stems from the decade’s outlandish outfits and hairstyles, the 1980′s actually gave us a lot of crack-up comedies and memorable funnymen we can’t stop quoting today. Here’s a look at the decade’s best:

1. Caddyshack (1980) Kicking off the decade in khakis and golf shoes, Caddyshack’s combined comedy team of Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray made one of the hardest sports to watch on TV erupt with laughter on the big screen.
2. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) Before they went to Vegas, Europe or even had the family over for Christmas, the Griswold’s just went on vacation. On their cross country trek to Wally World, amid dead relative hood ornaments and scantily-clad hotel swimmers, the Griswold family comes together in their first of many adventures to follow.
3. Revenge of the Nerds (1984) “Clap your hands everybody, everybody clap your hands, it’s Lambda Lambda Lambda and Omega Mu”… Banning together to form their own fraternity, collegiate nerds try to stand up to the jock fraternity Alpha Beta and their constant torture, while fighting an uphill battle against the opposite sex as well, in an beer-guzzling battle of brains over brawn. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's movies // Comments Off

From big hair to man-makeup, the 80′s will forever live in infamy as a decade that changed the face of music, characterized by all night parties up and down the Sunset Strip. Of course, who could help but cut loose with the one of a kind jams rocking 24/7 on the radio. Often imitated but never replaced, the 80′s were a time of big ballads and synthesizers, giving us tunes one can’t help but hum throughout the workday. Here’s a look at three classics that shaped a generation:Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Poison) While people under 25 might know lead singer Bret Michaels from his quest for love on VH1, the slightly older crowd best remembers him for strutting his headband behind a microphone (and perhaps an on-screen appearance with Pam Anderson you won’t find on IMDb). This 1980′s power ballad foreshadows Michaels’ love search as it explores the difficulty with relationships and finding the right special someone.Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) Most people think Thriller when they recount MJ’s greatest achievements, this track from the Thriller album is arguably Jackson’s crowning song. Many fans mistake the song as homage to tennis great Billie Jean King, as Jackson was an avid fan of the sport, but the song actually recounts his encounters with groupies, which makes sense if you look at the lyrics. Not only was this a great beat in its own right, but many of today’s artists have cited the song as inspiration for their more current work. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's music // Comments Off

Now a full two decades past the 80′s unfortunate end, we can truly get a sense of great 1980′s movie moments and where their authentic place in time. Here is a look at the most influentially iconic movies of the time period and the moments we will never forget.

1. E.T. (1982) There are quite simply very few gestures in the history of cinema more easily recognizable than E.T.’s finger to finger touch, accompanied by the simple phrase “E.T. phone home.” The glowing image of the floating bike silhouette against the bright full moon is one of the most often alluded to images in the movie industry and still serves as part of the logo for film production company Amblin Entertainment. Heck, everything from this movie is memorable. Shockingly, Skittles passed up a chance to be E.T.’s favorite candy snack, instead Reece’s Pieces famously stepped in and secured its spot in the minds of millions of viewers. [Read more →]

Tags: 80's movies // Comments Off