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80s Top 5… Nostalgic Gadgets – Guest Post by Cass Brooks

Posted on April 12, 2013 Categories Words

Our gadgets are so heavily relied upon in 2013, it is easy to forget that a lot of our favorites, the Xbox360 and Smart phones, actually had their humble beginnings in the 1980′s. We now have mobile casino games, Facebook and our digital photos at our fingertips, but there was a time when we had to manually rewind our VHS videos and untangle our favorite tapes. A time when our gadgets may not have been so readily available, but they were just as fun!

So here are my favourite gadgets from our childhood!

5. Sony Walkman (1980)

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With the introduction of the Sony Walkman into the limelight, we all began donning our roller skates and creating mix tapes for the boy at school. This was the first mainstream portable music gadget, much like our ipods today and its popularity has certainly matched that of our MP3 players. In total, throughout the life span of the walkman, Sony sold over 200 million units and everyone from Michael Jackson to Prince had theirs on display, you didn’t want to be seen without one!

 

4. Commodore 64 (1982)

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We may all want the latest tablet or net book, for how portable they are, but the 1980′s were all about the performance and less about the look – enter the Commodore 64 – the 80′s answer to the iMac. Initially the Commodore 64 was sold with 64KB of Memory, with sound and graphics quality that was greater than the other big players, IBM for one.

One of the reasons the Commodore 64 became such a loved personal computer was its affordability. It was originally sold at $565, which was cheap compared to other computers of the 80′s, mainly because computers were seen a just gadgets for the office and not the home. This was also the first computer to be sold in other shops from just electronics stores.

 

3. Video Home System (VHS) Player (1985)

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It would be difficult to think of a time when we couldn’t watch our favourite films wherever we are, on whatever platform we choose, but there was a time when there was only one option for watching film on our own, at home and that was the VHS Player. Some of the most loved films of all time were made in the 80′s, like Jaws, Back to the Future and Rambo, to name just a couple! So when they were released on VHS, you would spend hours watching the film, rewinding back to the beginning – oh yes, this was the era of waiting for things to rewind, and then watching the film again!

The licenses for VHS films was also slightly less stringent than they are today, so they could create the video tapes at a reduced cost, making them a lot more widespread. The quality of a VHS tape would be about 333×480 in today’s standard.

 

2. Nintendo NES (1986)

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Mario, Zelda and Sonic the Hedgehog are all names we recognise today, that had their birth with the launch of the 80′s most loved gaming console. The Nintendo NES was the precursor to all of our consoles we use today and definitely laid the way for the Wii and the Xbox. The NES revolutionized the home gaming industry and created a similar style that we know and love today.

The Nintendo NES was released in the US with a price tag of $250 and in the 80′s you didn’t just pay for the console, oh no, you got a total of 18 games for free with your purchase. During the course of its lifetime it would sell more than 60 million units, bring to life some games still played today and start a retro gaming revolution seen in many countries around the globe.

 

1. Mr Frosty Slush Maker (Throughout the 1980′s)

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I wanted to end with a classic 80′s toy/gadget, as this era holds some of the best. If you haven’t heard of Mr Frosty before, then he was a snowman who made deliciously, brightly coloured slushys for us by crushing ice in his hat! He was mostly popular throughout Europe. I still remember the advertisement today and this is one gadget you can still buy in 2013. Much like the popular the popular Soda Stream of the 1990′s, kids and adults alike went crazy for this little snowman, making him one of the best selling toys of the 1980′s.

For a slice of nostalgia, then head over to Amazon where they are still available to buy!

 

 

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80s Music – Guest DJ Karen Booth

Posted on April 3, 2013 Categories Videos

Karen Booth, author of Bring Me Back, is our guest DJ today! She has chosen two songs for Double  Play Wednesday that tie in with her new book… how do they fit in? You’ll have to check out the book to find out!

First up is the one and only Duran Duran with Save a Prayer.

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Guest Post by Karen Booth, Author of Bring Me Back

Posted on April 1, 2013 Categories Videos, Words

Big thanks to Jenna for hosting me on the blog this week. She graciously offered to let me write a piece I’ve been wanting to write, about the 80s one-hit wonders who should have been so much more (in my estimation, at least). So, I scoured the list of the decade’s one-hit wonders and after breathing a sigh of relief that The Communards and Pia Zadora only had one chance to leave their mark on the musical landscape, I came up with my list—the artist and their wonder of a one-hit.

 

Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come On Eileen” (1983)

What an adorable group of Brits Dexy’s were, and fabulous musicians to boot. When researching this song, I discovered that the inspiration for the title came from the 1960s soul song “A Man Like Me”. No mention of the fact that Bananarama totally stole Dexy’s look for the “Cruel Summer” video.

 

Modern English “I Melt With You” (1982)

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Movies, Marketing and Nostalgia – Guest Post by Mara Fuchs

Posted on March 4, 2013 Categories Words

Ahnold, Transformers, Battleship, Smurfs, Tacky Horror Movies and Neon. Quickly, what do they have in common? If you answered the 80s, congratulations, you’re old enough to remember. But you might not realize just how many of us are in the same boat as you are. A good chunk of the people using the internet today, certainly quite a few of those using it to read blogs, grew up in the 80s and early 90s and remember all those things above. Now in their late twenties or thirties they are usually financially independent, employed and quite a few have families of their own.

Hollywood knows this, and it knows just how ‘big’ a lot of things were in the 80s. Master Chief or any other dime-a-dozen action hero can’t hold a candle to Mario and today’s over-the-top action stars can’t compete with the likes of Stallone, Schwarzenegger and company. This is because in the 80s, back before the advent of the Internet, things were a lot slower to catch on and had a good fifteen minutes of fame allotted  to them rather than the meager seconds of today. They had time to grow and settle into our minds. Today, we look back at those things through rose-tinted glasses and there isn’t anything that movie makers seem to love more than a dose of nostalgia.

Come to think of it, this is why all of the above are getting remakes, reboots and a lot of screen time. Transformers, Battleship and the Smurfs all got motion pictures in the last decade, neon featured disproportionately in a lot of aughties movies like Drive, Hot Tub Time Machine or Tron and the trend seems to be accentuating. JJ Abrams’ Super 8 is the perfect example of the type of soft-focus, nostalgia-driven property that tries oh-so-hard to be exactly what you remember 80s movies to be. It is a perfect mash-up of Stand By Me, E.T., Close Encounters and other late 70s, early 80s gems that marked the childhood of the current adult generation – JJ Abrams included. Though the movie gets updated to current technology and up-to-speed cinematographic devices (see: lens flare), the love for its  roots is ever-present, and it is by no means the only one.

80s-style horror is back, often with a tongue-in-cheek twist or as a remake. And The Governator himself is now making his return to the big screen to the sound of trumpets and gunfire. Nostalgia-driven movies and TV programming are becoming the norm rather than the exception and, like Super 8, even original properties  are now firmly based in our collective pop heritage. A good example of the latter is Wreck-It Ralph, last year’s animated sensation that bridged generations through its videogame centric theme but 80s accoutrements. ParaNorman, another animated movie that draws heavily from the 80s takes a more original approach, exploiting nostalgia through its formulaic plot, but flipping it and exploring more grown-up themes, in tune with its now adult audience.

One thing is certain. Nostalgia sells and we are going to keep seeing our past exploited, rehashed and visually recycled. Hopefully, in the meanwhile we are going to see some good movies conjured out of our collective heritage.

 

Mara Fuchs is a big movie buff with a soft spot for the early 80s. She now lives abroad but still manages to catch up with her favourite series and movies thanks to streaming services like Charter Cable EPIX. Catch up with her on Google+ or Facebook.

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80s Movies – What Happened to the Movie Theme Song?

Posted on October 5, 2012 Categories Videos, Words

Tagg writes for CableTV.com. He typically writes about technology and entertainment. When he’s not writing or watching the latest sporting event, he’s an avid golfer. You can follow her on Twitter @CableTV.

 

One of the most pleasant, and unexpected, surprises this year is “The Hunger Games” exquisite score. Ranging from wistfully subdued to darkly intense, the film’s soundscapes perfectly capture the spirit of the story. This type of memorable soundtrack is an increasingly rare occurrence these days. Sure, we still have sweeping scores for films like “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter,” but what about theme songs for the less-than-epic films?

Back in the ’80s, directors like John Hughes understood the power of movie music. With just a few notes, these potent theme songs transported movie-goers back to a mood or moment within the film. These anthems reinforced the rhythm of the film, creating a balanced harmony between the two Medias.

So, where are today’s poignant movie theme songs? The most memorable theme song I can think of within the past few years is Celine Dion’s sappy “My Heart Will Go On” for “Titanic.” That was fifteen years ago. How can it be that Hollywood hasn’t been able to marry another memorable movie and theme song since then?

Perhaps this lack of unforgettable movie theme songs is by design. Maybe directors and producers believe theme songs prematurely date a film or that an “Eye of the Tiger” type anthem will detract from the movie’s overall storyline or message. Whatever the reason for the lack of agreement been film and song, today’s directors need to take a cue from the past:

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80s TV – 4 Classic 80s Sitcoms That Should Make a Comeback

Posted on October 2, 2012 Categories Pictures, Words

This week I’ll be featuring posts about the wonderful world of 80s TV and Movies! I have two great guest posters lined up, including this excellent look at 80s sitcoms by Stephanie Caldwell!

4 Classic 80s Sitcoms That Should Make a Comeback

After seeing Bob Dylan aka Jimmy Fallon’s hilarious rendition of “Charles in Charge” this summer, I found myself feeling a bit nostalgic. We had some pretty amazing sitcoms in the 1980s. From “Charles in Charge” and “Who’s the Boss” to “Alf” and “Perfect Strangers,” the family sitcom ruled the airwaves in the ’80s. The shows taught lessons, encouraged family bonding, and made you want to be a better person. Now, our popular TV families revolve around the delusional realities of the Kardashians and “Real Housewives.”

Instead of looking forward to the the new fall television season, I escaped into my nostalgia and came up with four ’80s sitcoms that should save us all by making a comeback:

 

“Cheers” (1982-1993)

Who doesn’t want to go where everybody knows your name? The kooky cast of “Cheers” made Americans feel as if the bar was their local watering hole, too. The ensemble had someone that everyone could relate to; a womanizer (Ted Danson) a quirky academic (Kelsey Grammer) a “regular” with spousal problems (George Wendt), an aging friend (Nicholas Colasanto), young blood (Woody Harrelson), a studious yet attractive female (Shelley Long) and a fiery brunette with great curves and relationship woes (Kirstie Alley). Unlike many sitcoms today, the show didn’t try to be something it wasn’t and that is what made it so great. It was just a bunch of friends at a bar dealing with life’s many issues and giving you a friendly greeting when you showed up.

2012 comeback show: “HOWE’S” a show about a run-down local watering hole beloved by its regular clientele and run by Rebecca Howe’s younger daughter who has to deal with over-the-top Woody Junior; who’s come to town to purchase the bar and turn it into a hot spot.

 

“Family Ties” (1982-1989)

“Family Ties” successfully turned the tables on the typical parent vs. child relationship. No longer were we watching Cleaveresque parents trying to control their rebellious children. In the Keaton household, it was the children who were the conservatives. Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) showed adolescents everywhere that it was actually hip to be a square despite your parents’ appealing hippie attitudes. While Alex was clearly the star of the show, all the characters were so well developed that you felt like you were a part of the family whether you sided with conservative Alex, airheaded Mallory (Justine Bateman), politically neutral tomboy Jennifer (Tina Yothers) or the free spirited heads of the household (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney.) Somehow the show managed to be political without preaching; an art now seemingly lost on American television.

2012 comeback show: “Vote for Alex.” With Michael J. Fox’s son now making headlines with his uncanny resemblance to his father the two, (along with Michael’s real-life wife and “Family Ties” on screen girlfriend Tracy Pollan), would be perfect stars for the new comeback show where Alex Sr. runs as the republican candidate for president as his libertarian son struggles to get on board with the campaign.

 

“Growing Pains” (1985-1992)

Sometimes watching the opening credits to see which family member hung back was just as fun as watching the show! The combination of relevant, cutting edge plot lines and fun, relatable characters made it one of the most popular sitcoms of the late ’80s. Like most ’80s sitcoms, the title rang very true to the show’s core as the audience literally watched not only the children grow but alsowatched Mr. and Mrs. Seaver struggle with growing older. Because of that, teens and adults learned valuable lessons from the show and it created a platform to discuss tough issues—like when Carol’s (Tracey Gold) well-liked boyfriend Sandy (Matthew Perry) died as a result of a drunk driving accident. Televisions turned off and serious family conversations started.

In an effort to create buzz, controversy or an overabundance of humor, the majority of American prime time television went from encouraging a strong family unit to mocking it.

2012 comeback show: Did I mention I also miss “The Golden Girls?” The “Growing Pains” comeback spin-off “Growing Solo” features Mr. Seaver, a geriatric widower, in his retirement condo in Florida living the dream much like his son Mike Seaver did back in the ’80s.But, unbeknownst to the kids, the behavior is just an act to bring his family closer to him as he is still mourning the loss of Mrs. Seaver. With Kirk Cameron’s new real-life conservative attitude, the cameo role reversal would make for some classic TV.

 

“The Cosby Show” (1984-1992)

Who didn’t love the Huxtables? “The Cosby Show” not only kicked-off a great night of ’80s TV but it was also one of the first shows to showcase an affluent African American family dealing with the everyday issues of a family unit—covering everything from teen pregnancy to learning disabilities. Because of Bill Cosby’s dedication to education in his personal life, the show was always teaching life lessons while still remaining light, fun, and uncontroversial. When Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam), the “baby” of the Huxtable clan, reached her awkward and turbulent adolescent years, the show introduced a very young Raven-Symone` as Olivia—Cosby’s quick-witted granddaughter who single-handedly brought new life and a new set of lessons to the show. If Cosby’s sweaters didn’t hook you, she was impossible to resist!

2012 comeback show: A spin-off following the life of Olivia would be “So Raven.” Wait a minute…..

 

A good ’80s sitcom comeback is just what American television needs right now. I know I’d love to escape into Alex P. Keaton’s political campaign when the pending 2013 campaign mudslinging takes over.

What ’80s comebacks would you like to see?

 

Stephanie Caldwell is from Salt Lake City and writes for CableTV.com. She enjoys watching current TV shows, but loves the occasional jump back in time to the 80s.

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