TBT

Dr. Demento makes a live appearance in Los Angeles in 2014.

When Dr. Demento Ruled the Airwaves

Radio personality Dr. Demento spent four decades curating weird novelty songs for an enraptured audience—including a young "Weird" Al Yankovic.

David Manning had nothing but praise for Sony movies.

Remembering David Manning, Sony's Fictional Film Critic

In 2001, Sony was accused of enlisting a fake movie critic to rave about films like Rob Schneider's 'The Animal.' But was Manning really a figment of someone's imagination?

Henry Winkler—and a shark (not pictured)—prepares to make pop culture history on Happy Days.

When Fonzie Jumped the Shark on Happy Days

Fonzie accepting a dare from a beach bum launched the fifth season of 'Happy Days' in 1977. Years later, it launched a phrase that swept the country.

Kenner's Misguided Alien Toy Line of 1979

After 'Star Wars,' toy company Kenner thought they had another sci-fi hit with 'Alien.' No one seemed to consider the problem of selling toys for a film that could have gotten an X rating.

Tom Cruise feels the need for speed. And Ray-Bans.

When Tom Cruise Saved the Ray-Ban Brand

Tom Cruise's charisma helped salvage an iconic-but-dying pair of sunglasses. Two of them, actually. (Cue maniacal laughter.)

CBS Circus of the Stars Aug 20 1981 INCOMPLETE

When Circus of the Stars Ruled Primetime

The kitschy variety show 'Circus of the Stars' ran between 1977 and 1994 and featured celebrities like Emmanuel Lewis and Mario Lopez doing high-wire acts and taming tigers. Only one actor was bit.

'Take on Me' by a-ha helped redefine music videos for MTV.

Penciling in the History of A-ha's 'Take on Me'

The biggest hit that pop band a-ha ever had was actually a reworked idea. 'Take on Me' had failed three times before.

There's nothing better than a cold fudge soda.

Fudge Fever: The Bizarre Chocolate Soda Craze of the 1980s

In 1985, consumers couldn't get enough of a two-calorie carbonated soda that tasted like chocolate—so grocery stores had to ration it.

Remembering Clara Peller, the Cranky Wendy's Spokesperson Who Asked, "Where's the Beef?"

In the 1980s, 83-year-old Clara Peller became a star after uttering her famous "Where's the beef?" line for Wendy's. But her decision to peddle spaghetti sauce ground that relationship to a halt.

When America Was Besotted With the Bedazzler

The Bedazzler—a rhinestone-stamping arts and crafts tool—promised to turn plain pairs of jeans into designer duds. If you squinted.

Missing: When Red M&Ms Disappeared for More Than a Decade

In 1976, red M&Ms were pulled from shelves. In 1987, they staged a comeback thanks to an enterprising college student.

Emmanuel Lewis and Mr. T star in Christmas Dream (1984).

I Pity the Yule: Remembering A Christmas Dream, Mr. T and Emmanuel Lewis's Lost Holiday Special

'A Christmas Dream' aired in 1984 and sees Mr. T as a sidewalk Santa who teaches Emmanuel Lewis a little something about the kid's 'bad attitude.'

Baby Alive became a number-one toy seller by going number two.

Baby Boom: Remembering the Baby Alive Toy Fad of the 1980s

Baby Alive, a popular realistic doll, boasted of what toy company executives referred to as the "eww factor." It made a number two in its diaper.

Linda Evans goes big in the shoulder department in Dynasty.

A Wide Difference: When Shoulder Pads Reshaped the 1980s

The foam fashion accessory widened female frames in the go-go '80s, but its critics charged it was much ado about stuffing.

Kimmy Lindell Ekström, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

'All the Sugar and Twice the Caffeine': The Electrifying History of Jolt Cola

Jolt Cola debuted in 1986 and promised a departure from the "wimpy" Coca-Cola and Pepsi offerings by promising almost as much caffeine as soft drinks could legally contain.

Evander Holyfield (L) and Mike Tyson (R) compete in their rematch in Las Vegas on June 28, 1997. The bout would make sports history.

From Ear to Eternity: When Mike Tyson Bit Evander Holyfield

When Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met for a second time on June 28, 1997, Tyson gave the crowd plenty to chew on.

Don Johnson and Barbra Streisand in September 1988.

Miami Sound Machine: Remembering Don Johnson's Music Career

'Miami Vice' star Don Johnson parlayed his fame in the 1980s and recorded a surprisingly well-received album.

Jim Carrey, one hideous bowl cut, and Jeff Daniels star in Dumb and Dumber (1994).

The Unkindest Cut: A History of the Bowl Cut

While toddlers are often seen sporting this definite fashion don't, a number of adults have rocked the look—dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Fotomat locations promised speedy photo processing in the 1970s.

Overexposed: A History of Fotomat

The tiny photo processing kiosks could be found everywhere in the 1970s and 1980s. And that was the problem.

The Brief, Bizarre Pro Wrestling Career of Andy Kaufman

In the early 1980s, provocative stand-up comic Andy Kaufman decided to pursue an unlikely career path as a pro wrestler. It made him the most hated man in Memphis.

Tubby Baxter and Gary Gnu in The Great Space Coaster.

Good Gnews: Remembering The Great Space Coaster

The popular kid's show 'The Great Space Coaster' ran from 1981 to 1986, won awards, and employed some of the minds behind 'Sesame Street.' So why is it so hard to find?

Oregon came up with a combustible solution for their dead whale problem.

The 1970 Blubber Boom: Reliving the Disastrous Tale of Oregon's Exploding Whale

On November 12, 1970, a dead beached whale in Oregon needed to be disposed of. Experts determined the best method would be to blow it up using dynamite. It did not go as planned.

Nick Feldman (L) and Jack Hues (R) of Wang Chung in May 1987.

When Wang Chung's 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' Video Caused a Seizure Scare

The music video for Wang Chung's hit song was banned by the BBC because an advising physician thought it might induce seizures in some viewers.

Care Bears were one of the great merchandising success stories of the 1980s.

The Fur Trade: How the Care Bears Conquered the '80s

The Care Bears were the result of Kenner wanting a unique teddy bear and American Greetings looking for a greeting card you could hug.

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