The Jacksons reunited in 1984 for a new album and tour, but the year started with the filming of a pair of Pepsi commercials.We all know how disastrous that proved for Michael, as we discussed in an earlier episode of this show. But February 26 was the date that these commercials debuted.There was vast interest surrounding them due to the accident Michael had suffered and he was still riding high off the success of Thriller.In what programming did the spots debut? What future star also features in one of the commercials? What soft drink was the choice of a new generation?To help me answer these questions and discuss everything else about these enormous TV spots at the height of the 80s Cola Wars, Shawn Shackleford of The MJCast returns to the show.
themjcast.comLinktr.ee/DefDave

Star Wars made its premiere on network television on February 26, 1984. CBS marketed it heavily and gave it a deluxe presentation, but it did it even win its time slot? Which of the film's stars introduced segments? Which high profile commercials were moved to debut during this broadcast?To help me sort through it all and reminiscence on the most significant movie of our childhoods is Mean Mark from the Canadian Movie Crew, the folks who give us the "Or Is It?" podcast.
Linktr.ee/DefDave

February 17, 1984 also saw the release of "Into the Gap", the most successful album The Thompson Twins would ever have.They enjoyed their highest chart success with singles like "Hold Me Now" and "Doctor Doctor", both from this album.This episode also introduces Kathy Bright to the show as the official Pop Girl of Def Dave's 1984. She's here to help me discuss this classic album of British new wave synth pop that so perfectly represents one of the iconic sounds of the 80s.
Linktr.ee/DefDave

Inspired by a true story, Footloose hit theaters on February 17, 1984 and proved to be a huge hit, finishing in the top ten at the box office for the year.Lindsay Butler, co-host of the Children of the 80s Podcast, joins me for a look at the movie. I don't think we make it clear in the episode, but we will dedicate an entirely separate episode to the Footloose soundtrack album later.Linktr.ee/DefDave

Disney established Touchstone Pictures on February 15, 1984. This was a brand new subsidiary studio created for the purpose of releasing edgier material than Disney's typical family-friendly fare. Why did the company feel this was necessary? Did it work? What was the long-term impact? Disney expert Robert Burnett from the DockingBay77 Podcast joins me for an insightful look into this critical time in Disney's history as a movie studio.DockingBay77:https://open.spotify.com/show/6xbHEbPpkGQEjbwuOSIE6y
Linktr.ee/DefDave

"Love At First Sting" hit American record stores on February 13, 1984. It would prove to be the Scorpions' biggest success, led by the classic Rock You Like A Hurricane.Real life rock drummer James Buckley makes his return to the show to help me talk about it.Linktr.ee/DefDave

On February 8, 1984, the XIV Winter Olympics got underway in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Did anyone boycott this one? Who were the breakout athletes? Which country won the medal count? How did the USA do? Did anyone make the Wheaties box?To help me talk about it, I ventured far north into the wintry lands of Minnesota and found Brad Sorensen, one of the hosts of Pop Culture Yearbook.
PCY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hc7R9J7NnuoKnbrF31YcG
Linktr.ee/DefDave

The Challenger Space Shuttle flew its fourth mission in February of 1984 and made history for marking the first untethered spacewalk. Astronaut Bruce McCandless demonstrated extraordinary courage with this remarkable achievement. What challenges did the crew face on this mission? What kind of military and NASA career did McCandless have? Who else joined him on the untethered spacewalk? To help me break down all the details of what was involved with this historical feat is NASA enthusiast Eric Dearth.Linktr.ee/DefDave

When it comes to comic books, one of the biggest highlights of 1984 was The New Teen Titans from DC Comics. Marv Wolfman and George Pérez were leading the sales charts with their bold takes on teen characters. It is here that Dick Grayson, a mainstay as Robin since the 1940s, quit that identity forever.How was this move received by fans? Did it ultimately hurt or help the Batman comics? What led DC to such a stunning decision? Did the change prove permanent?To help me answer all these questions and more, the host of the 30something Movie Podcast, John Reid, joins me for this fascinating look at a beloved character.https://www.30podcast.com/Linktr.ee/DefDave

It's January 30th, and an album hits stores that many would discover years later after the band had become one of the biggest in the decade.It is "Slide It In" by Whitesnake, a band whose roster seemed to be always changing.To help me sort it all out and decide if the right songs were picked for the singles, I once again have The Celebrity Jason Colvin returning to the show.www.thesurelypodcast.comLinktr.ee/DefDave