Everything 80s

We live in an era where talent competition shows are a dime a dozen on TV. But in the early 80s, that wasn't exactly the case. Star Search was going to change all that, and in the process, it would change TV forever...
Today, we go back to 1983 to revisit the launch and success of the talent show that has origins going back to the early days of radio.
Not only did it feature one of the most famous late-night sidekicks of all time as host, but it also gave us the first look at many future stars, long before they became household names. 
Bonus 1980s audio content: Patreon.com/80s

With his bright pink goggles and trademark thick glasses, Eddie the Eagle was hard to miss when he hit the ski jump at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. 
But it was a miracle he even got there. After sleeping in his car and scrounging garbage cans for food, the journey of Eddie the Eagle was the opposite of his ski jumps: it was a massive uphill battle. 
But his perseverance and determination could not be stopped, and the man officially known as Michael David Edwards would soon be given a new nickname, becoming an overnight celebrity in the process...
The Breakfast Club Movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

Death, taxes, and the Soviets defeating everyone in international hockey games. Heading into the 1980s, those were the three guarantees in life. A "miracle on ice" seemed like something that only existed in a fairytale. 
For the 1980 Winter Olympics, the American hockey team didn't have a big pool to draw from, and the team would be made up of young, amateur hockey players. There were no expectations, and the team was intended to survive more than thrive.
But then something happened... this blue-collar team was not just holding their own--they were actually winning, and in the process, had captured the hearts of the entire country.
This setup a showdown with the powerhouse Soviet team, a game the Soviets saw as a formality as they marched towards the gold medal and their fifth straight Olympic championship...
The Breakfast Club movie review: Patreon.com/80s

In the 1980s, the world of entertainment seemed smaller; it was all about movies, network TV, and music. Today, pop culture is much more fragmented, and there are a ton of ways for brands and celebrities to get more exposure. 
That really wasn't an option in the 80s, and for those who may have conquered the big and small screens, the next way to get more fame was in the world of music--and that gave us some truly unique celebrity albums.
From professional sports teams to professional wrestling, sitcom stars and action heroes, it seemed like everyone was trying to enter the Billboard charts. Today, we look back on some of those unique offerings, but also some genuinely talented celebrities who put out quality music. 
Spotify playlist:  1980s Celebrity Albums
Get the first look at new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

How had things got so boring...? This was the question NASA was trying to answer after interest in the space program had dwindled. 
But they did find a solution: the 25th Space Shuttle launch would feature the first civilian in space,  a teacher, set to board the Space Shuttle Challenger.
On January 28th, 1986, millions of people watched in shock as the Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after lift off. Today, we look back at the events leading up to the accident, the warnings that were there, and the impact this event had on a generation of kids. 
Get access to new episodes, early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s