Podcast Episodes

Saved by the Bell: From Indiana to Bayside

It's time to head back to Bayside as we look at the creation, launch, and success of an era-defining show: Saved by the Bell.

But the true origins of Saved by the Bell not only go back to 1986; it st…

Published on 8 hours ago

The 20 Greatest TV Shows of the 1980s

Where do you even start when compiling a list of the greatest TV shows of the 1980s? Well, today, this won't come from my opinion but a combination of rankings by Variety, Rolling Stone, and the Writ…

Published on 1 week ago

Halloween in the 1980s

The big day has finally arrived; it's Halloween in the 1980s. Your costume is set, your pillowcase is ready, and you've strategically planned your trick-or-treating route. But before you get to the b…

Published on 2 weeks ago

The 75-Cent Mystery: How a Tiny Error Exposed a Cold War Spy

In 1986, Clifford Stoll -- originally a Berkley Lab astronomer -- had become the manager of their computer department. One day, he noticed something, a small accounting glitch that seemed insignifica…

Published on 3 weeks ago

The 1989 World Series Earthquake

The 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics ended up being a historic one when it came to stats and records on the field. But this series would be famous for a mu…

Published on 4 weeks ago

Farm Aid '85: The 1980s Concert That Rocked the Heartland

The summer of 1985 will forever be known for Live Aid, the charity benefit concert that defined 1980s pop culture. But a few months later came Farm Aid '85, another massive musical event with a very …

Published on 1 month ago

How the Disney Vault Changed Home Video Forever

Before the 1980s, Disney kept its animated classics in the mythical "vault." The only way to see them was through theatrical re-releases, but it could take years for your favorites to hit the big scr…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

The Golden Age of 1980s TV Commercials

Growing up in the 1980s, commercial breaks weren't just interruptions--they were cultural events we all experienced together. In this episode, we look back on the golden age of 1980s TV commercials w…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

The Coleco Adam: The 1983 Home Computer Disaster

In 1983, Coleco launched the Adam--a bold attempt to turn its hit ColecoVision video game console into a full-fledged home computer.

By this point in the 80s, Coleco had made a huge dent in the video…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Wheel of Fortune: From Daytime to Prime Time Juggernaut

If you grew up watching Wheel of Fortune, you probably read the title of this episode the same way the audience would call it out during the show's opening. 

That's the cultural impact Wheel of Fortu…

Published on 2 months ago