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Television Culture - Back to the Eighties

Famous 80s Cars

May 5th 2008 08:47

Magnum PI Ferrari (308 GTB)

The 80's had the flashiest cars of all time.
They were in the movies, on the TV, in video games, and in our dreams.

Gullwing doors, racing vents, targa tops, huge spoilers.

Yes, every over-the-top design was put into action.

EVERYONE had their favorite.
Was it a Ferrari Testarossa? The Back to the Future Delorean? KITT?

Heres a few gems:

Ferrari Testarossa

911 Turbo

Trans-Am Firebird

Lamborghini Countach

A-Team's GMC G-SeriesVan

80's Batmobile

KITT

'88 Corvette

IROC-Z Camaro

Delorean

"The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California. Less than a hundred were made. My father spent three years restoring this car. It is his love. It is his passion.."

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Posted By: Jarrah - Category: Movies, Television, Culture, Fashion

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

April 9th 2008 02:18

Martial arts and Ninja mania swept the world during the 80’s due to the popularity of Kung Fu Theater and ninja movies (American Ninja etc.). The Karate Kid became a blockbuster hit film, and raised interest in the arts. The cartoon characters Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became a widely mass-marketed pop culture phenomenon in the late 1980s.

It was probably the biggest pop culture explosion I’ve witnessed in my whole life. Overnight, the Turtles were HUGE. I mean HUGE.
I was the prime age, so the bomb fell directly on me. Yes, I had turtle-mania.

The cartoons managed to successfully combine a combination of goofy comedy, trendy lingo, cool attitudes and ninja moves.

For a short period, you couldn’t walk the streets without seeing Turtles apparel of some kind, or hear a kid yell ‘cowabunga!’

I remember all the hype about the violence (so much so that it was changed to Hero Turtles in the U.K.) and news stories about kids getting lost in the sewer systems.

I also remember everyone fashioning their own ninja weapons. Bo-staff’s, nun-chucks, katana blades – you know, the coolest things in the world.

They also successfully managed to separate each Turtle into his own little stereotype character.

There was Leonardo
The leader, the sensible thinker.
He is honourable and strict.
He wears blue and uses katana swords
He is named after Leonardo Da Vinci.

Then there was his counterpart – Raphael.
He is arrogant, aggressive, anti-social and rude.
He is, however, intensely loyal and a fierce fighter.
He wears red and uses Sai.
He is named after Raphael Santi.

Donatello is the brilliant scientist, inventor, engineer, and technological genius.
He is perhaps the least violent Turtle, preferring to use his intellect to solve conflicts.
He wears a purple and wields the bo staff.
He is named after the sculptor Donatello.

Michaelangelo is the easy-going surfer/skater dude.
Adventurous, fun and outgoing.
He wears orange and uses nun-chucks.
He is named after Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Then there was also Master Splinter, April O’Neil, Shredder and my personal favourite – Casey Jones.

Originally created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman as somewhat of a joke, they never could’ve imagined that the Turtles would explode like they did.

It even managed to spawn 3 live action movies. The first one was a dark and mostly serious affair about a crime wave in late 80’s New York, and as far as 80’s-early 90’s kid’s movies got, I think it still holds up very well – great score also.

Fortunately, the Turtles have made somewhat of resurgence. And although the new animated movie looked great style wise, the story left a little to be desired, but at least kids of today are fighting the powers of evil once again – ninja style.

Who’s your favourite turtle?
I’m a Raph man myself. What a legend.

‘Cricket? Nobody understands cricket! You gotta know what a crumpet is to understand cricket!’

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The Wonder Years

March 21st 2008 01:18

While it still had its cheesy moments, the Wonder Years was a huge step away from the norm of the 80’s.

The day to day struggles of Kevin Arnold was universal, no matter what decade you lived in, or what language you spoke, infact I think it was one of the greatest shows ever made.

The amazing thing about the show is how well it still holds up today. I recently watched seasons 4 through 6, and while there were obviously a few shockers, the Wonder Years still packs a punch.

Dwayne is a great standout that gives the show a little comedy relief, but also shows great depth in the later episodes – a great example is when his best friend comes back from Nam (Dwayne was originally supposed to go with him).

There was his super-geek friend Paul Pfeiffer, who eventually became a better basketballer than Kevin, much to his dismay.

Then of course there was Winnie Cooper. Winnie was the all-wholesome girl next door that everyone had a crush on since they were little kids.
It’s funny how harsh Winnie is on replay – but, so is Kevin. I guess it was more realistic than I remembered.

Do you remember when they went to the lake for summer and Kevin met Cara?

What about when he had to paint the dragon on his car for his job at the Chinese restaurant.

Do you remember when Karen left home?

Or any of the number of times Becky Slater punched out Kevin?

One of the distinct aspects was the most famous narrative voice-over a show ever had.

Brilliant lines that have been ripped off constantly since:
Narrator: I’d really had enough of Paul.
Kevin: I’ve really had enough of you Paul!

The soundtrack was second to none in terms of television, and spawned several album volumes.

Jack Arnold is an absolute classic, and my favourite character. While he plays the heartless and hard-working Dad most of the time – when he does show his softer side, it’s all the more effective.

There’s a great scene is the famous “Madeline’ story arc where Kevin comes home from Paul Pfeiffer’s party after seeing the all-alluring siren Winnie Cooper with her new boyfriend. He curses out Winnie, dumps Madeline and storms out.
He accidently stumbles upon Jack in the garage.
- Remember this is from the tough-as-nails Korean War vet that spent the last 5 years yelling and grumbling at his family.

(Not verbatim)
Jack: ‘How are things going?’
Kevin: ‘Okay’
Jack: ‘...with Winnie I mean’
Kevin: ‘Well, things are pretty much over with us now.’
Jack: ‘I guess it must hurt a lot, doesn’t it?’
Kevin: ‘I guess so...’
Jack: ‘Wish I could say it gets easier.’
Cue music.
Kevin: ‘Can we go inside’
Jack embraces his son and they go inside.
Jack: ‘You just hang in there now’

You don’t get character development like that anymore.

The scene:

Also, someone was kind enough to upload this entire pivotal episode.
So you can go watch ‘Denial’ and its prelude episode ‘Heartbreak' HERE

Jets jacket, green lawns, highschool lockers, droning teachers. All these things made Wonder Years what it was.

“Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers; the next day you're gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.”

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Posted By: Jarrah - Category: Television, Culture

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80’s Teen Idols

March 18th 2008 23:21

The 80’s WAS the era for teen idols.
Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Scott Baio, Jon Bon Jovi, Johnny Depp, Ralph Machio...
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