The Cabbage Patch Kids came out in 1983 and are one of the most successful toys of all time. But was it an entirely original idea? The Cabbage Patch Kids might have been a stolen idea, ended up being one of the hottest toys ever, and led to the Cabbage Patch Kids craze of 1983 which had never been seen before.

Show notes: episode 13

The Nintendo Power Glove was an accessory for the NES that came out in 1989. They developed it using high-end technology and showed a lot of promise. There was huge hype around the release of the Power Glove including its use in the movie "The Wizard". Initial sales were strong until frustration set in over the functionality and poor controls and was discontinued after only one year. This is the story of the Power Glove and the amazing work that went into developing it along with some true intentions that went beyond just video games.

The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

 

 

ALF was a sitcom produced by NBC that debuted in 1986. It tells the story of Gordon Shumway aka ALF who crash lands from the planet Melmac into the garage of the Tanner family. The show would be a big hit leading to cartoons, merchandising, and other spinoffs. The whole time, however, the show was filled with drama because of its overwhelmingly technical, demanding nature. This is the story of ALF.

Show notes: Episode #9

There have been a lot of bad video games over the years but did one stand above the rest? They have called the E.T Atari video game the worst game ever made. Whether or not this is true it was at least the most disappointing and possibly lead to the entire video game crash of 1983. 

Show notes: episode 7

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The 1980s were a golden age of breakfast cereals. All the colorful, sugar-filled, cartoon-based cereals could really capture the imagination of a young kid. Also, the back of the cereal box would serve like a child's morning newspaper as you would read it every morning. This nostalgic episode looks back on some of the greatest cereals from the 80s. Does your favorite make the list?

Show Notes: The Best 80s Cereals

There's a good chance you're listening to this on your phone but before all these advancements in phones, there was one device that changed the way that we would consume music. The Walkman was released in the early 80s and allowed you to take your music on the go for the first time ever. It became a symbolic image of the 80s and would sell over 385 million units. This show looks back on one of the most iconic devices ever made. 

Show notes: Episode 6

New Coke came out in 1985 as a way to boost dwindling sales of Coca-Cola. The new formula was a sweeter version that people seemed to like. But the backlash after the release of New Coke was as bad as any brand had ever faced. What lead to the creation of New Coke, why did it really fail, and was it all an elaborate plan the whole time?

Show notes: Episode 5

My Pet Monster came out in 1986 and was produced by American Greetings and would also spawn a popular cartoon show that same year. Was the original intent with My Pet Monster to capitalize on the young male demographic by offering a plush doll that would seem more like a toy?

https://www.everything80spodcast.com/my-pet-monster/

The Garbage Pails Kids were a series of trading cards put out by Topps in 1985. They were a "parody" of the very successful Cabbage Patch Kids. The Garbage Pail Kids would be a massive hit leading to controversy, lawsuits, a movie, and cartoon show. 

Show notes: https://www.everything80spodcast.com/garbage-pail-kids/

The Transformers are one of the most popular toys and cartoon shows of all time. This episode dives deep into their history from their start as a whole different toy line in Japan to the use of the cartoon to launch the toys in North America. We'll look at the movie from 1986 and how the toy and franchise have evolved over the years.

Show notes:  https://www.everything80spodcast.com/transformers/