My dream list of topics and guests for a 3rd "I Love The 80s" (Feedback, please!) (1 Viewer)

I've tried posting this to several 80s message boards I'm a part of, and it's gotten minimal response. I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you, the HTF crew, instead. I invested a lot of time and work in this, and I would appreciate all feedback, good, bad and constructive.

Assistance provided by: Zen Butler, Joe McCabe, Michael Hein, Eric L, Joe Wilmore, Marque D, JonZ, Kevin Hewell, Danny Tse and from the 80s Movies Rewind, Obscurus Lupa and StevenHW:

First things first...The 3rd "I Love The 80s" would have a shoot-the-works gimmick, and that would be 2 hours per year spread over the course of 10 weeknights. I know most people couldn't stand that much, but when you see the topics I (with the assistance of several friends and books) came up with, you'll see why I'm using this gimmick.

Without further ado, here's the list (edited of political and religious topics...E-mail or PM me for the unexpurgated version):

1980: "Raging Bull", "Fame" (the movie), "The Apple", "Knots Landing", "Used Cars", The J. Geils Band's song and video "Love Stinks", the birth of CNN, John Wayne Gacy, "Dressed To Kill", "Altered States", "The Shining", "Shogun", Dr. Pepper's "Wouldn't You Like To Be A Pepper, Too?" campaign, Christopher Cross, Joy Division, "The Gods Must Be Crazy", "Little Darlings", John Lennon's death, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, "Ordinary People", "Coal Miner's Daughter", "Lou Grant", Mount St. Helens, The fire at the MGM Grand, "The Elephant Man", Sugar Ray Leonard, the revived popularity of Andy Warhol, "Pink Lady And Jeff", "Times Square", "Can't Stop The Music", "Somewhere In Time", Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel's "Games Without Frontiers", "The Fog", "The Exterminator", David Bowie's "Ashes To Ashes", "Popeye", Willie Nelson's song "On The Road Again", George Benson, "Foxes", The Sex Pistols' movie "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle", "Forbidden Zone", Under-Roos, "Cruising", "Breaking Glass", "Centipede", Seka (hey, they discussed the genre of porn in the first one...Why not go for an actual porn star this time out?), "Gloria", "Nightline", "Thundarr The Barbarian"

1981: "An American Werewolf In London", "SCTV Network 90", "Cannonball Run", "Hill Street Blues", The Gap Band, Rush, "Body Heat", "Escape From New York", "S.O.B", "The Howling", "Pennies From Heaven", Patient Zero, "Simon & Simon", "Heavy Metal", "Elephant Parts", "You Can't Do That On Television", herpes, Barbara Walters and "What kind of a tree would you be?", The first Charles Manson TV interview, Claus Von Bulow, "URGH! A Music War!", Kid Creole And The Coconuts, "History Of The World, Part I", "Falcon Crest", "The Great Space Coaster", "Scanners", "Chariots Of Fire", Al Jarreau, Stephanie Mills, Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes", "Excalibur", "Private Lessons", The Who's "Face Dances", The Broadway musical "Cats", Juice Newton, Smokey Robinson's "Being With You", "Foreigner 4", Grace Jones, Rula Lenska's Alberto VO5 commercials, "Ms. 45", "Nighthawks", "Gimme A Break!", "Night Flight", The Pointer Sisters' song "Slow Hand", The first IBM PC, "Stars On 45", The Manhattan Transfer, "The Great Muppet Caper", "Polyester" and the usage of "Odorama" cards, mud wrestling

1982: Iron Maiden, "48 HRS", "Victor/Victoria", Michael McDonald, "The Last American Virgin", "Night Shift", "Blade Runner", "First Blood", "TRON", The Clash, "My Favorite Year", USA Today, TAG, Quarterflash,, Toto, "Late Night With David Letterman", "Newhart", Motorhead, "Night Of 100 Stars", Adam Ant, Talk Talk, Yazoo, George Thorogood And The Destroyers, "Gandhi", mini-TVs, Coca-Cola buys Columbia Pictures, Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing", The Pulitzer divorce, The Bijan designer pistol, "Cat People", "Heathcliff", "Diner", Videodiscs, "The Pirate Movie", "St. Elsewhere", "Class Of 1984", ABC's song and video "The Look Of Love", Jerry Lewis loses it on a live MDA telethon, The Human League, "The Thing", "The Last Unicorn", The Motels, "Zapped!", "Voyagers!", "Death Wish II", The English Beat, "Eating Raoul", Afrika Bambaata And The Soulsonic Force, "Vice Squad", The Alan Parsons Project

1983: "Trading Places", "Blue Thunder", "The Hunger", "Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life", Madness, The Tubes, "The Man With Two Brains", "Strange Brew", "The King Of Comedy", Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's "Say Say Say", "Terms Of Endearment", "A Christmas Story", "The Winds Of War", "Mr. Mom", Robin Williams, "The Right Stuff", "Sudden Impact", the final episode of "M*A*S*H", Herbie Hancock's "Rockit", Shannon's "Let The Music Play", Stevie Nicks, The first space shuttle, Pia Zadora, "Not Necessarily The News", the revival of "Vanity Fair", "Thicke Of The Night", Frank Sinatra and the South Korean blackjack dealer, "Videodrome", "Scarecrow And Mrs. King", Malcolm McLaren's song and video "Buffalo Gals", "Dragon's Lair", Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On", Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone", "Doctor Detroit", Sally Ride becomes the first woman in space, "Private School", The Kinks' "Come Dancing", The Violent Femmes, Patti Austin & James Ingram's "Baby, Come To Me", Ingram and Michael McDonald's "Yah Mo B There" "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!", "Spy Hunter", "Superman III", "Anna To The Infinite Power", Nagel paintings, "Mr. Wizard's World", "Rock & Rule", "Entertainment Tonight", "IRS Records' The Cutting Edge", "Faerie Tale Theatre"

1984: "Body Double", Sparks, "Amadeus", "Streets Of Fire", "Romancing The Stone", "Blame It On Rio", "Ghostbusters", "Police Academy", "The Muppets Take Manhattan", Teena Marie, "The Woman In Red", the Bob Dylan song "Jokerman", "Crimes Of Passion", "Fear City", Sheena Easton, "Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense", "Electric Dreams", "The Snorks", "Hard To Hold", "Johnny Dangerously", "The Last Starfighter", The Mayflower Madam, Murray Head's "One Night In Bangkok", Romeo Void, "Repo Man", "Highway To Heaven", "Tales From The Darkside", FedEx and John Moschitta, Julian Lennon, "Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom", "The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension", Amstel Light, "Lace", "Pryor's Place", "Press Your Luck", Michael Eisner joins the Walt Disney Company, "Something About Amelia", Laura Branigan's "Self Control", "Voltron", "Mama's Family", The Apple "1984" commercial, Face To Face (80s pop group that performed "10-9-8" and "Under The Gun"), ninja bikes, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, "The Wild Life", "It's Your Move", "Against All Odds", "The Neverending Story", "The Hitchhiker", "Kids Incorporated"

1985: "Krush Groove", "The Legend Of Billie Jean", "Moonlighting", Paul Hardcastle, "Desperately Seeking Susan", "...Better Off Dead", "Witness", "The Last Dragon", "A View To A Kill", "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome", "To Live And Die In L.A", David Lee Roth, "The Color Purple", "The Sure Thing", "Perfect", M.U.S.C.L.E figures, "Rocky IV", "Amazing Stories", a-ha's "Take On Me", "After Hours", "Into The Night", "The Return Of The Living Dead", ATMs, "Puttin' On The Hits", Bronski Beat, The Rolling Stones' video "Harlem Shuffle", Scritti Politti, "Year Of The Dragon", Kate Bush, Mary Jane Girls, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers' video "Don't Come Around Here No More", "The Toxic Avenger", Animotion's "Obsession", "Commando", The Power Station, Sade, "Mask", "Re-Animator", "Lost In America", The Night Stalker, "Faces Of Death", "Love Connection", "Mike Hammer", The Dire Straits video "Money For Nothing", "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird", "Fright Night", "Vision Quest", "Hunter", "Brewster's Millions", Emo Phillips

1986: The Hartman-Carvey rebirth of "Saturday Night Live", "Night Court", "Cobra", "Reform School Girls", "Platoon", "An American Tail", "9 1/2 Weeks", "Short Circuit", "Sledge Hammer!", "Blue Velvet", Nu Shooz, Anita Baker, "One Crazy Summer", "Back To School", Oingo Boingo, The Pet Shop Boys, "Ruthless People", "Down & Out In Beverly Hills", Lionel Richie's "Dancing On The Ceiling", "Aliens", "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home", "Highlander", Steven Wright, "Iron Eagle", "Manhunter", "The Money Pit", The Statue Of Liberty's birthday restoration, Belinda Carlisle, Earrings/Pierced Ears/Right Ear Wrong, Jermaine Stewart, "The Color Of Money", "Children Of A Lesser God", Cyndi Lauper's song and video "True Colors", Stacey Q, Siouxsie And The Banshees, "Running Scared", "Little Shop Of Horrors", Steve Winwood, Bruce Hornsby And The Range, "Something Wild", "Chiller", Ted Turner colorizing classic movies, Haley's Comet, Wacky Packages, Duran Duran's "Notorious", Laurie Anderson, Chernobyl, pegging pants, "Witchboard", The revival of The Monkees

1987: The Latin Freestyle movement, "Lethal Weapon", "Can't Buy Me Love", "Angel Heart", Fleetwood Mac's song and video "Big Love", "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Spaceballs", "Alvin And The Chipmunks", The Chipmunk Adventure", "Adventures In Babysitting", "The Untouchables", "Mannequin", the first "Leisure Suit Larry" game, "The Equalizer", "Square One TV", "The Monster Squad", "The Real Ghostbusters", "Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn", Slayer, Living In A Box, Dame Edna Everage, "Harry And The Hendersons", "Full Metal Jacket", "Spenser: For Hire", Domino's Pizza/"30 Minutes Or It's Free" policy, Sisters Of Mercy, "Good Morning, Vietnam", "Beverly Hills Cop 2", "Moonstruck", "Hellraiser", "Near Dark", The creation of WCW, "Blind Date", Midnight Oil, New Order, The first condom commercials to air on network television, "Les Miserables", "*batteries not included", "Innerspace", "Summer School", "Out Of This World", Atlantic Starr, "The Running Man", "Planes, Trains & Automobiles", "Light Of Day", "The Golden Girls", "Kate & Allie", "Eddie Murphy Raw", "Amerika", "Muppet Babies"

1988: "Die Hard", "Working Girl", Taylor Dayne, Was (Not Was), "Crossing Delancey", "Scrooged", "The Naked Gun", "The Accused", Lita Ford, "Elvira: Mistress Of The Dark" (the person and the movie), "Married To The Mob", "The Morton Downey Jr. Show", "N.A.R.C", Amaretto Di Saronno, Jane Wiedlin's song and video "Rush Hour", Jams, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Ministry, The Jets, "Michael Jackson's Mooonwalker", "Action Jackson", "Murder, She Wrote", "China Beach", "Alien Nation", "They Live", Pink Floyd's video "Learning To Fly", "Tapeheads", "Twins", "Red Heat", Buster Poindexter, plutonium pacemakers, medical waste on Long Island, "Wiseguy", "Bloom County", the Stephen King novel/Brian DePalma movie "Carrie" becomes a Broadway musical, Michael Jackson's video "Liberian Girl", Hall & Oates' song and video "Downtown Life", "Midnight Run", "She's Having A Baby", Vixen, "Colors", Jim "Ernest" Varney, "Tanner '88", Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine's "1-2-3", George Harrison's "I've Got My Mind Set On You", "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", The Monsters Of Rock Tour, "Casual Sex?", "Big Top Pee-Wee", Sam Kinison

1989: "The Little Mermaid", "Batman", "Earth Girls Are Easy", "UHF", "Road House", "Just Say Julie", Billy Joel's hit "We Didn't Start The Fire", Martika, "Back To The Future, Part 2", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show", Rebecca Schaeffer's death, ponytails on guys, "Glory", "A Current Affair", "Hard Copy", "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade", "Little Monsters", Bonnie Raitt, The Traveling Wilburys, Neil Young's video "This Note's For You", Elvis Costello's comeback with "Veronica", "The Famous Teddy Z", "Super Mario Bros. 3", "The Wizard", Kim Basinger buys a town in Georgia, "The Dream Team", "Black Rain", Mike + The Mechanics' song and video "The Living Years", SPY Magazine, "Garfield & Friends", "G.L.O.W", "C.O.P.S", "Dream A Little Dream", "1st And 10", Boy Meets Girl, "It's Garry Shandling's Show", "The Abyss", "The 'Burbs", Penn & Teller, "Drugstore Cowboy", Love & Rockets, Neneh Cherry, "Reading Rainbow", "Star Search", "Sea Of Love", The final episodes of "Miami Vice", The final episodes of "Dynasty", The final episodes of "Family Ties", "Parenthood"

My dream guest list is equally go-for-broke. If it'll go for 2 hours, I want it packed.

Here goes nothing (DEEP BREATH):

The Commentator Dream List:

Veterans of previous “I Love…” programs:

-Hal Sparks
-Michael Ian Black
-Mo Rocca
-Loni Love
-Donal Logue
-Rich Eisen
-Luis Guzman
-Mo Collins
-Debra Wilson
-Andrew “Dice” Clay
-Soleil Moon Frye
-Cheryl Hines
-Ice-T
-Ron Jeremy
-Juliette Lewis
-Mary Lou Retton
-Lionel Richie
-Henry Rollins
-Stuart Scott
-Dee Snider
-Joel Stein
-”Weird” Al Yankovic
-Doug E. Fresh
-Sebastian Bach
-Ellen Cleghorne
-Rachael Harris
-Bret Michaels
-Rachel Quaintance
-David Lee Roth
-Fisher Stevens
-Steve Whitmire as Kermit The Frog
-The Donnas
-Curtis Armstrong
-The Black Eyed Peas
-Lesley Boone
-Bil Dwyer
-Jon Cryer
-Sheila E.
-Corey Feldman
-Lita Ford
-Samantha Fox
-Boy George
-Debbie Gibson
-Godfrey
-Gilbert Gottfried
-Chris Jericho
-Cyndi Lauper
-Hall & Oates
-Virginia Madsen
-Rosanna Arquette
-John Mayer
-Daryl McDaniels
-Penelope Ann Miller
-Mandy Moore
-Bronson Pinchot
-Joan Van Ark
-Jenna Von Oy
-Gedde Watanabe
-Simon Doonan
-Greg Fitzsimmons
-Colin Mochrie
-Greg Proops
-Craig Ferguson
-Scott Ian
-Kylie Minogue
-Trey Parker
-Daphne Zuniga
-Peter Wolf
-Pink
-Chuck Woolery
-Keith David
-George Lopez
-Dana Delany
-Lea Thompson
-Christopher Atkins
-Mark McGrath
-Lisa Lisa
-Vince Neil
-Rob Zombie
-Jason Mraz
-Anita Pointer
-Toni Basil
-Dave Mustaine
-Appolonia
-Jillian Barbiere
-Beth Littleford
-Brian Unger
-Annabelle Gurwitch
-Jane Seymour
-Penn & Teller
-Flavor Flav
-Paula Jai Parker
-Richard Jeni
-Rob Paulsen
-Ben Stein

New commentators for “I Love The 80s Again” (Dream List):

-Ann Coulter
-Monique Marvez
-Nicole Parker
-Tress MacNeille
-Michael J. Nelson
-Paul Vogt
-Felecia Michaels
-Al Jourgenson
-Holly Body
-Ginger Lynn Allen
-Kathleen Wilhoite
-Sherri Stoner
-Jodi Benson
-Lisa Whelchel
-Harry Anderson
-Cathy Moriarty
-Irene Cara
-Catherine Mary Stewart
-Keith Gordon
-Kim Carnes
-Jeff Altman
-Robin Johnson
-David Naughton
-Christine McGlade
-Rick Moranis
-Dave Thomas
-Andrea Martin
-Dom De Luise
-Veronica Hamel
-James B. Sikking
-Geddy Lee
-Kid Creole
-Robert Foxworth
-Bruce Dickinson
-Nicko McBain
-Annette O’Toole
-Lesley Ann Warren
-Michael McDonald
-Michael Keaton
-Rindy Ross
-Howie Mandel
-Peter Scolari
-Lemmy Kilmister
-Alison Moyet
-Mary Hart
-George Thorogood
-Julie Brown
-Eric Idle
-Fee Waybill
-Peter Billingsley
-Herbie Hancock
-Rich Hall
-Bruce Boxleitner
-Kathleen Turner
-Ron Mael
-Russell Mael
-The Go-Gos
-Michelle Johnson
-Michael Winslow
-Kelly Le Brock
-Emo Phillips
-Debora Iyall
-Lara Jill Miller
-John Moschitta
-Phoebe Cates
-Teena Marie
-Laurie Sargent
-Helen Slater
-Paul Hardcastle
-Taimak
-Dean Stockwell
-Margaret Avery
-Vicki Lawrence
-Martika
-Jimmy Somerville
-Kate Bush
-Mary Jane Girls
-Duran Duran
-Roxana Zal
-Michael Des Barres
-Barbara Crampton
-Ari Meyers
-Victoria Jackson
-Kevin Nealon
-David Rasche
-John Smith
-Valerie Day
-Anita Baker
-The Pet Shop Boys
-Dean Cameron
-Steven Wright
-Jason Gedrick
-Clancy Brown
-Siouxsie Sioux
-Darlanne Fluegel
-Ellen Greene
-Richard Moll
-Markie Post
-Mickey Rourke
-Gioia Bruno
-Traci Wolfe
-Patrick Dempsey
-Brent Spiner
-Marina Sirtis
-Edward Woodward
-Beverly Leech
-Joe Howard
-Bruce Campbell
-Robert Smith
-Doug Bradley
-Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage
-R. Lee Ermey
-Jenette Goldstein
-Maureen Flannigan
-Joe Alaskey
-Paul Gleason
-Nora Dunn
-Taylor Dayne
-Amy Irving
-Leslie Nielsen
-Leo Rossi
-Cassandra Peterson as Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark
-Carl Weathers
-David Johansen
-Charles Grodin
-Tiffany Million
-Jerry Hall
-Frank McRae
-Maury Povich
-Terry Murphy
-Fred Savage
-Paul Fusco as ALF
-Ted Nugent
-Steve Antin
-G.W Bailey
-Willem Dafoe
-Catherine O'Hara
-Fred Dryer
-Stepfanie Kramer
-Ed O'Ross
-Leslie Easterbrook
-Pat Benatar
-Bill Pullman
-Billy Drago
-Kate Capshaw
-William Sanderson
-Michael McKean
-Kerry King
-Elizabeth Daily
-Allyce Beasley
-Samantha Newark
-LeVar Burton
-John Laroquette
-Sylvia Kristel
-Gordon Gano
-Sean Young
-Martha Byrne
-George Merrill
-Shannon Rubicam
-David Leisure
-Phil Oakey
-Afrika Bambaata
-Joe Queenan
-Tom Hulce
-Seka
-Jessica Harper
-Teresa Ganzel

Of course, there's no way this'll happen, unless someone at VH1 is reading.

Anyway, being as I'm only 21, I might've misplaced or forgotten some items. Include assistance along these lines in your feedback if you want.

I figured I could post it here (because it has movies, music, TV, news events, toys, clothing, food and other things, it couldn't fit in one category).

Note: Some of these topics may already have been covered on the first 2 "I Love The 80s".

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

If you can read this, you don't need glasses.

John,

While I appreciate the list /Read:massive amount of information/ you have put together, I think you have way to much time on your hands.

I thought I loved the 80's, but I will now bow to you.

BTW: Sorry you didn't get any of the responses you were looking for....:frowning:

Have they mentioned the "Members Only" jacket yet??

Wow John ....You type a lot!

The 80s were great....can't remember the details but they were great!

1984 Whodini's "Friends"

1988 "Colors" film had quite an impact.
N.W.A's "Straight outta Compton"
Public Enemy- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back


to name a few

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Danny, if I remember correctly, the "Members Only" jacket was covered on the first "I Love The 80s".

Zen, it was a similar case with N.W.A and Public Enemy, both of whom were covered on the first one, too. Thanks for mentioning "Colors"...I'll add it to the list, if that's okay.

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Keep it coming.

1983 - Dragon's Lair. If you were in an arcade in 1983, you knew this game. Love it or hate it.

Thanks for bringing up "Dragon's Lair", Joe.

I added it to the list.

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Feedback still wanted...Keep it coming.

"1983 - Dragon's Lair. If you were in an arcade in 1983, you knew this game. Love it or hate it."

Hated it!

B

Apple's 1984 SuperBowl commercial

1986 - Chernobyl

1988 Bobby McFerrin's Don't Worry Be Happy

Thanks for the tips, Michael.

I took 2 of your suggestions and added them to the list. I didn't add "Don't Worry, Be Happy", since I believe it was covered on either of the first 2 "I Love The 80s".

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Keep the feedback coming!

How about the man standing in the way of a column of tanks at Tiananmen Square in 1989?



One of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century, according to Time magazine.

I'm not quite sure about how that stacks up with forum rules about political discussion. I'll consider adding it to the Master List, though, Danny.

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Feed me, Seymour!

1984 was the year some people heaved a sigh of relief and said George Orwell's dark vision of the future was wrong.

The Eurhythmics (its late at night, can't remember how to spell it) and Tina Turner both sang about it.

Man you've got WAY too much time on your hands (seriously).

Anyway, what about the first and now classic Air Jordan's?

Music of the 80's!:

Pet Shop Boys - Actually 1987 with songs like "What have I done to deserve this?" and "It's a Sin".

Any 80's list is not complete w/o them.

Did anyone mention Pac-Man? I couldn't find it in the list.

Shane, the reason why I included the Pet Shop Boys in the 1986 listing is because that year (I believe) they released the album (whose name I forget...I used to have it on tape but I threw it out while doing some cleaning) that included "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)", "West End Girls" and "Suburbia".

Jeff, the reason why I didn't mention Pac-Man is because if I'm not mistaken, they covered it on the first "I Love The 80s".

Alf, I think they already mentioned Air Jordans on the first "I Love The 80s". If not, I'm not quite sure what year they came out (I'm 21, after all), so could someone here help me with the year?

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

Keep the feedback rolling.

..

A good question, indeed...

Well, Anton, I felt corrupted at a young age...The ages of 6-7 to be precise. It was 1989 and I had entered elementary school where I had become a sort of a punching bag (verbally and occasionally physically) for the other kids. I didn't have that many friends during my elementary school days (the majority of which occured in the 90s) and once I exited elementary school, life got worse and worse. I had a seizure, got beaten up, lost my father, did time in a youth hospital and switched schools 4 times in 3 years. I started listening to 80s music around this time (I'd been watching 80s movies right from the decade), starting with a CD of 80s dance tunes and moving on from there. I gradually became a major 80s fan and a writer for several websites where I could share my love of the decade.

The 80s represented an innoncence and whimsy I'll never be able to get back. I had to grow old at a young age, and I prefer the culture of my younger days (even though due to my age, I couldn't see or hear most of it.)

Sincerely,

John Kilduff...

I hope that clears some things up.