The Battle for Tetris: How a Soviet Game Took Over the 1980s
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 a final showdown right as the Soviet Union was about to collapse... Was all of this worth it for a simple game of falling blocks? It turns out, it would be, as Tetris was about to become one of the most popular and successful video games of all time... Predator movie review: Patreon.com/80s
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The 1980s Late-Night Talk Show Wars
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. Could anyone give Johnny a run for his money? Many would try and fail, but a former weatherman from Indiana was about to give it his best shot. The late-night talk show battles of the 80s would continue, which included Johnny's battle and falling out with a legendary comedian, the battle to take over the Tonight Show, and the actor and comedian from Cleveland, who would also change late-night forever... Predator movie review: Patreon.com/80s
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10 Iconic 1980s Albums That Just Turned 40
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 the biggest artists of all time, and the standout album that, 37 years later, was brought back into the mainstream by Stranger Things... Spotify Playlist: The Best of 1985
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ThunderCats, Ho! The Rise of an 80s Cartoon Phenomenon
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 classics like Rudolph and Frosty came the story of a race of humanoid feline superheroes. With characters like Lion-O and Snarf, and a very popular line of toys from LJN, the ThunderCats quickly became a new breed in children's entertainment, a standout 1980s cartoon, and a pop culture phenomenon. Check out new shows early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s
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Did a 1980s TV Movie Save the World...?
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... Check out new episodes early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s
The Everything 80s Podcast is your DeLorean ready to take you back in time to revisit 80s movies, 80s TV shows, and 80s music, along with the toys, sports, tech, and everything else you loved about 1980s pop culture.
Canada - english