TBT

'One of the Boys' was one of many shows to be canceled in 1982.

When Nathan Lane, Dana Carvey, and Mickey Rooney Teamed Up for “One of the Worst TV Shows Ever"

'One of the Boys' had Dana Carvey, Mickey Rooney, Nathan Lane, and Meg Ryan. It also had no ratings.

Head Gear: When the '80s Went Wild for Deely Bobbers

Few gag gifts broadcasted their nonsense better than Deely Bobbers, the headband-mounted antennae that briefly swept the country in the early 1980s.

Suzanne Somers created a mini-empire from the ThighMaster.

When the ThighMaster Got a Leg Up on the Fitness Industry

In the shark-infested world of 1990s infomercials, where pitchmen like Tony Little and Chuck Norris hawked all manner of fitness products costing hundreds of do

Anthony Andrews and Jeremy Irons in 'Brideshead Revisited' (1981).

British Invasion: When 'Brideshead Revisited' Was Declared the 'Best Series Ever Seen on American TV'

America's current TV golden age might very well have been foreshadowed by 'Brideshead Revisited,' a highly celebrated adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel.

The Sega Genesis helped introduce '90s gamers to online communications.

When '90s Gamers Tuned In to the Sega Channel

Streaming entertainment may seem like a very 2000s ambition, but embers of it began stirring all the way back in 1993, when video game giant Sega announced the

When Christopher Walken Danced to 'Weapon of Choice'

Get the history behind Christopher Walken's dance moves in the 2001 music video 'Weapon of Choice.'

'Titanic' was expected to drown at the box office.

When 'Titanic' Was Expected to Be a Huge Flop

James Cameron's $200 million gamble was nearly sunk by irate crew members, bad word-of-mouth, and chowder spiked with PCP.

With one phone call to Moviefone, movie lovers could find out what was playing at local theaters.

'Dick Clark on Crack': How Mr. Moviefone Gave a Voice to Moviegoers

In the old days, you sometimes had to just show up to a movie theater and hope something good was playing. Then Moviefone changed everything.

The Game Genie became a thorn in Nintendo's side.

Cheaters Always Win: When the Game Genie Made Beating Nintendo Games Easy

In 1990, a new third-party device for the Nintendo Entertainment System promised players invincibility, unlimited ammo, and other perks for practically any game they owned. It was not a wish Nintendo planned on granting.

Elmo went before Congress to make a case for music education.

Mr. Monster Goes to Washington: When Elmo Testified in Front of Congress

The beloved 'Sesame Street' star went to Capitol Hill 20 years ago and became the first non-human to ever testify in front of Congress.

The Club capitalized on America's obsession with safety and security.

When the Club Frustrated Car Thieves and Drivers Alike

The affordable anti-theft device popular in the 1990s locked onto steering wheels and was said to prevent thieves from driving away. The problem? It sometimes prevented actual owners from doing the same.

PaRappa the Rapper unlocked everyone's inner rap artist.

You Gotta Believe: How PaRappa the Rapper Took Music Video Games to Another Level

Rhythm-loving dog PaRappa the Rapper was a surprise hit for the Sony PlayStation in 1996. But he was almost a rapping shrimp.

Dan Quayle in 1999 and Elijah Wood in 2004.

When Dan Quayle and 12-Year-Old Elijah Wood Starred in a 1994 Super Bowl Commercial

It probably wasn’t a coincidence that Dan Quayle, who famously misspelled ‘potato,’ started shilling for potato chips.

Keanu Reeves moments after discovering he will never be able to remove Babes in Toyland from YouTube.

The Keanu Reeves Christmas Movie He'd Rather You Forget

In 1986, Keanu Reeves starred in a three-hour made-for-television adaptation of the operetta 'Babes in Toyland.' One critic declared he "looked understandably embarrassed each time he is required to join in another dreary song."

'Vanning' was a popular pastime in the 1970s.

'Shaggin' Wagons': A Rolling History of Van Murals

In the 1970s, counterculture types customized their vans with captain's chairs, waterbeds, and elaborate fantasy airbrushing that was clearly inspired by whatever it was they were inhaling.

Revisiting the Hulk Hands Craze of 2003

When Toy Biz released foam Hulk Hands in 2003, kids went into a violent frenzy. "He punched walls," one mother said of her son's behavior. "He punched furniture. He punched me. And when his 4-year-old friend, Lydia Cole, arrived, he punched her.”

Howard Johnson's was a beacon for hungry travelers.

When Howard Johnson's Was America's Home Away From Home

In the 1950s, families didn't flock to McDonald's or Friendly's. They headed for Howard Johnson's, which lured them in with a bright orange roof, 28 flavors of ice cream, and French chefs preparing classic American food.

Iron Maiden perform at London's Wembley Arena in 1993.

Raising Hell: How Iron Maiden Mounted the Bloodiest Heavy Metal Concert Ever

In 1993, Iron Maiden teamed with macabre magician Simon Drake to put on a horror heavy metal concert that left some members of the audience feeling faint.

Professional boxer and culinary enthusiast George Foreman in 2001.

Knockout: When Famed Boxer George Foreman Traded His Gloves for a Grill and Sold the Sizzle

When George Foreman was approached to become a pitchman for a low-fat grill in 1994, he had a quick answer: No.

Geraldo Rivera courted controversy with his talk show. He also enjoyed boating.

When Geraldo Rivera Had His Nose Broken on Live TV

In 1988, talk show host Geraldo Rivera got caught in the middle of a heated and racially-motivated argument on the set of his show. One flying chair later, his nose was in pieces.

Hell On Heels: How Madonna's Shoe Mishap Scandalized the 1984 MTV VMAs

Madonna wasn't yet a household name when she opened the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards by humping the stage, leading some people—including her own management team—to believe her career was over.

Too Hot for MTV: When Cher's Backside Caused a Major Backlash In 1989

In 1989, Cher was back with a new album and a new look—one that prompted viewers, and even the U.S. Navy, to worry she was displaying too much of her cheeky side.

deberarr/iStock via Getty Images (Background); kata716/iStock via Getty Images (Monkey). Photo collage courtesy of Ken Ossea, Jr.

When Comic Books Sold Live Monkeys

Kids thought they were buying an adorable little pet when they ordered a monkey from their favorite comic book. What they got was a wild animal that pooped everywhere and attacked their mothers' bridge clubs.

Vladimir Sukhachev/iStock via Getty Images Plus

When Mousercise Brought Aerobics to the Disney Channel

'Mousercise' encouraged kids to get off the couch and get moving, even though Mickey Mouse sometimes had trouble keeping up.

PREV NEXT