Why Aren’t Neighborhood Kids Shoveling Driveways to Earn Money Anymore?
You’ve most likely seen the viral memes that begin circulating once again every winter. It seems like every cold season, folks reminisce about how children in the 70s and the 80s used snowstorms as an opportunity to make some extra cash, going around from house to house to offer their services shoveling snow. Gone are those days, they say, thanks to the distraction of social media and video games and texting. Kids simply...
Stores That Were Huge In the 80s That Are Now gone
It’s hard to link a store to a decade, but a number of chains just scream 1980s. Even if they weren’t created in the decade, these retailers made their biggest mark during the period. Here’s a look at some of our most-beloved dearly departed favorites: Blockbuster Video: Like the videotapes and later DVDs it rented, Blockbuster had a meteoric rise and an equally spectacular fall. The chain, which was born in the 1980s, replaced the...
Happy Birthday, John Stamos!
There are a handful of ‘80s celebrities who look just as good today, maybe even better, as they did back in the day. Think Rob Lowe, Robert Downey Jr., or maybe this guy, who happens to be celebrating his 52nd birthday today (August 19): John Stamos. 52 never looked so good. It’s hard to do a then-and-now piece on this guy because John Stamos never went off the radar (and for that I am pretty grateful.) He’s of course best known as...
The July 4th Bike Parade
I guess it is the nature of traditions that they stay around and get replayed year after year, but it is still comforting to realize all over again that something that meant something to you as a kid hasn’t gone completely away. The 35 years that have passed since the start of the 80s have seen truly phenomenal change, particularly in the areas of technology and its impact on our overall culture. With all that change, it gives me an...
Then and Now: Judd Nelson
When you think of classic movie endings, what comes to mind? Citizen Kane? The Wizard of Oz? The Empire Strikes Back? Or, maybe this? Yup. There he is at the end of The Breakfast Club: fist in the air, screen frozen on my favorite “criminal,” John Bender. He’s just finished serving the most epic day of detention ever, followed by a sweet make out session/diamond stud earring exchange with Molly Ringwald. The Simple Minds anthem “Don’t...
80s My Little Pony and Today’s Bronies
By Julie Anderson Eighties girls will totally remember My Little Ponies, those hugely popular plastic horse figurines. The first herd of candy-colored toy horses was created in 1981. My Pretty Ponies were significantly bigger than My Little Ponies and were nowhere near as popular. In 1983, Hasbro’s My Little Ponies hit the jackpot with the elementary-age girl crowd. They were perfectly sized for little hands and little purses. We...
The Wonder Years’ Winnie Cooper Grows Up
If you thought Winnie Cooper was cool in The Wonder Years (1988-1993), just look at her now. Danica McKellar is a bona fide math whiz, and she’s written best-selling math books for girls. After her run as Kevin Arnold’s love-interest/buddy on the classic 80s sitcom The Wonder Years, McKellar went to UCLA. She explains on her website (www.danicamckellar.com) that she was afraid of math, but took some classes to challenge herself. It’s...
Who’s That Actor?
Actors and Their 80s Beginnings Fortunately, the 80s were pre-internet and pre-digital, so little awkward proof remains (except for what gets dug up and posted on facebook). But if you were a budding celebrity, there’s plenty of celluloid documenting your rockin’ 80s look. In fact, some of today’s biggest names got their start in the 80s in some unlikely places: George Clooney: Before Dr. Ross, Clooney was learning The Facts of Life....
Then & Now: Soleil Moon Frye
Ever wonder what happened to the cute and spunky Soleil Moon Frye, star of the 80s feel good show Punky Brewster? Well, here’s the scoop (and pictures) that tell it all. Then: She began acting at age two after seeing both her father and brother in their TV roles. She went on to be the star of the 80s family show, Punky Brewster (1984-1988), Soleil Moon Frye captured hearts and taught valuable everyday lessons to viewers. Where...
Then & Now: Lee Horsley
Ever wonder what happened to the uber-hunky Lee Horsley, star of the 80s detective show, Matt Houston? Well, here’s the scoop (and pictures) that tell it all. Then: Star of the 80s detective show, Matt Houston, Lee Horsley hit his peak in fame in the mid 1980s. He starred in several other roles on big 80s shows like Dynasty and The Love Boat. Where is Lee now and what is he up to? Take a look below. Then… Now…...
