Can you name one song, one tv show and one movie that to you just screams "This is what the 80's is all about!!!!"?
For tv, I would have to say "Family Ties". Firstly because it only ran during the 80's (82 to 89), but mostly it portrayed a realistic family by which I mena not cheesy (Cosby show) or dysfunctional (Roseanne). It didn't need to pander to it's audience, instead it remained inteligent, even handed and most importantly consistantly funny. Funny to think now that Alex, Mallory and Jennifer would be parents now, I wonder if the generation gap causes them the same problems it caused their parents?
Song - Video killed the radio star. This was right on the cusp of the 80's, and I know some people consider it to be 70's, but to me it's all 80's becuase of all the electronica that's going on.
Movies - Top Gun. I personally hate the film, but you don't get much more 80's than this. Big engines, big ego's, big hair, big power ballads. So much macho bull plop in one film.
Posted by Chris the CandyFanMan (Member # 3197) on :
TV: I'd have to go with Miami Vice. You've got the fashions, you've got synthesized themes, money flowing everywhere, life's one long party--it's all touching the heart of what we hold dear.
SONG: "I'd Stop the World." An ultimate new wave classic that brings together the best of 80s sounds into one groovy mix.
MOVIE: Ferris Bueller. The 80s were about going as far as the horizon went and maybe further. Ferris defines excess and the need to not worry about what the naysayers would say.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
I think Miami Vice too...for all the exact same reasons that Chris said.
Song: Beat it-Michael Jackson
Movie: Valley Girl, cause of the clothes, and E.T.-because it was the movie that was the biggest deal on the planet when I think 80's.
Posted by eightieschick (Member # 4385) on :
TV- Miami Vice, simply for the clothes.
Song-I would have to say anything by Def Leppard because they were one of the biggest acts of the 80's
Movie- The Back to the Future movies-'nuf said
Posted by Jessie the Sunflower Goddess (Member # 1877) on :
Good topic Stitchy!
For TV I would have to say................CHEERS. It had all of that combination of fun and comedy that always makes me think '80s! It was one of the first sitcoms that I can remember that actually pushed the buck and opened up the road for Seinfeld and Friends. One episode that sticks out was when Carla's mother was "dying". It was so funny to see comedy like that and get away from the Leave it to Beaver type sitcoms.
Song--It has just gotta be THRILLER! I think because of the video! It was the longest video ever played on MTV yada yada yada! Really Michael Jackson himself was the quintessential '80s pop icon that with the white glove and red leather really defined what 80s pop music was.
Movie---I gotta go with my favorite SIXTEEN CANDLES!!! There is nothing like lovin from Jake Ryan!!!!!!!!
Posted by rocksteadyflamethrower (Member # 1065) on :
TV Show-I agree with those who mention "Miami Vice".
Song-"In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. It just carries that mystique of excitement and danger that could be felt throughout the 80s.
Movie-Any of John Hughes' 80s pieces. He defined the teenage experience for the 80s and his films hold relevance even today. Even now you can find high schoolers that relate to "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".
Sincerely,
John Kilduff
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Great Topic Stitch!
For TV - I would agree with everyone that Miami Vice is an excellent choice, but my favorite from the 80's was 21 Jump Street. This teen-oriented police series focused on four youthful officers who were members of a special unit that fought crime in the schools. Hanson, Penhall, Hoffs, and Ioki passed as students, and went undercover every week in high schools to deal with drug trafficking, extortion, school gangs, teenage prostitution, murders, and other problems. The building in which the special unit was based was an abandoned chapel at 21 Jump Street, hence the show's title. Captain Jenko, an eccentric non-conformist, was the original supervisor of the group. He was killed by a drunk hit-and-run driver which added creed to the show.
Song & Movie- "Melt With You" By Modern English. It came from my favorite 80's movie "Valley Girl" and it was my theme song during the 80's. This song and movie instantly take you back to the language, style, fashion, and atmosphere that truly was the 80's. Like who didn't want to meet a cool chick named Julie at a bitchin' Val Costume Party. I know you had to deal with a jerk ex-boyfriend named Tommy and her "not too cool" friends, but it was all Tripendicular in the end wasn't it?.....queue song!
Posted by The Mouse Avenger (Member # 4406) on :
TV Show: Care Bears. The 80's was, IMO, the golden age of animation...
Song: 1999. Doesn't that keyboard riff just scream 80's to you?
Movie: The Great Mouse Detective. A loverly representation of what the 80's really was...a happy, simpler time. A time when men were humanoid rock musicians, & new wave was crashing on the beach of...well, you get the point. ^^;;
Posted by Stitch (Member # 2895) on :
Mousey, I thought you might have picked "Danger Mouse" as your tv show.
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
TV---Miami Vice
Song---1999 (the lyrics themselves describe a big parts of the 80s: everything in excess)
Movie--The Breakfast Club
Posted by The Mouse Avenger (Member # 4406) on :
You picked 1999, too? Sweet! Posted by The Mouse Avenger (Member # 4406) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stitch: Mousey, I thought you might have picked "Danger Mouse" as your tv show.
Now that's one 80's thing I haven't heard of too much...
Posted by jimpickens (Member # 5801) on :
Moviewise Scarface that movie is the epitome of the 80s sex, drugs, money, power and decandence. TV shows Married with Chidren different from most of the family sitcoms of that era. Music Motley Crue sums up the whole party til you drop literaly attitude of the 80s.
Posted by DEE1980 (Member # 5766) on :
SHOW: "Mr. Belvedere"
SONG: "Hangin Tough" new kids on the block"
MOVIE: "Sixteen Candles"
Posted by Canyoudigit The Sequel (Member # 4506) on :
TV show: Falty Towers
Song: Ghost Town - The Specials
Movie: Mean Time
Posted by HeadRusch (Member # 3755) on :
TV Show - Miami Vice...seriously when Season 1 came out on DVD I hadn't seen the show since probably the late 80's, and there is SO much freaky 80's culture in just the first season it literally blows the mind.
TV SHOW RUNNERS UP: LA Law, St. Elsewhere, and USA Networks NIGHT FLIGHT. You want a freaky 80's timecapsule, watch Night Flight.
SONG: Anything with a synthesizer...from Thomas Dolby to Adam Ant to Art of Noize. For 80's IN a song try "BoomTown" by David and David. Too many to list. Party at Ground Zero by FishBone! Of course, DEVO.
MOVIE: If someone asked me to show them what the 80's were like in Film, I'd probably show them LOST BOYS, The Breakfast Club, MANHUNTER, TRON, the first Nightmare on Elm Street....and I'd toss in Commando to round it all out.
Posted by jdocster04 (Member # 5752) on :
TV: Family ties
Song: Don't you forget about me
Movie: Breakfast Club
Posted by SammyHain Made The Devil Do It (Member # 3150) on :
TV: Miami Vice
Song: I Melt With You & I Ran
Movie: Valley Girl
Posted by timbawundakin (Member # 6603) on :
Id have to Say Blockbuster the game show for school kids. Reminds me of running home after school to watch it before goin out on my BMX....... oh happy days. That and Blankety Blank,Dangermouse,Dynasty and Sons And Daughters. Posted by jimpickens (Member # 5801) on :
Fast Times at Ridgemont High The Last American Virgin the most accurate look poke at teen life in the 80s, Spring Break, Get Crazy, and Up The Creek sex drugs and rock & roll what the early and mid 80s were about. Miami Vice the one show to truly define the 80s. Metallica the band synonymous with the the thrash metal scene of the 80s. Bookwise Mack Bolan, Able Team,Phoenix Force, and SOB Soldiers Of Barrabass who didn't read these action novels at one time or another.
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