Episode 648: The great thing about horror movies in the 1980s is that they were rarely content to scare us just once.

A successful horror movie demanded a sequel. Then another sequel. Then perhaps a prequel, a reboot, a crossover or a chapter in which the villain somehow returned despite being very clearly dead at the end of the previous movie.

Logic was negotiable. Franchises were forever.

That wonderfully excessive era is the subject of In Search of Darkness: Part III, the latest installment in the epic documentary series celebrating ’80s horror cinema.

This week on Stuck in the ’80s, we’re joined by the documentary’s writer and director, David Weiner, to explore the movies, monsters and unforgettable moments that made the decade such a glorious time to be frightened.

We talk about the horror franchises that dominated theaters and video stores, from masked slashers and supernatural killers to creatures that simply refused to remain buried. We also revisit some of our favorite horror moments—the scenes that shocked us, thrilled us or made us reconsider walking into a dark room alone.

Part of the appeal of ’80s horror was its willingness to try almost anything.

The decade delivered massive studio releases, low-budget oddities, gruesome practical effects, dark comedy and movies that seemed designed primarily to look irresistible on a VHS box. Some became cultural landmarks. Others vanished into the back rows of the local video store, waiting for the right person to discover them years later.

That’s where David’s expertise becomes especially useful.

With so many sequels, cult favorites and forgotten titles lurking throughout the decade, we asked him to recommend the one can’t-miss ’80s horror movie that many fans probably never saw.

No spoilers here. You’ll have to listen for his selection—and then decide whether you’re brave enough to track it down.

Whether you spent the ’80s watching horror movies through your fingers or avoided the genre entirely, this conversation offers a fascinating look at why these films continue to survive, evolve and find new audiences.

After all, the best ’80s monsters never really die.

They just wait patiently for another sequel.

Horror fans know the danger of ignoring a mysterious invitation.

This is one invitation you should answer.

Join us aboard The ’80s Cruise for a full week of live concerts, celebrity guests, trivia, theme nights, parties and thousands of fellow fans who are just as obsessed with the decade as you are.

Book your cabin using promo code STUCK and receive $250 in onboard cabin credit.

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Episode 786: This week on the Stuck in the '80s Podcast, Steve talks with author Davida Breier about her novel Sinkhole, growing up in small-town Florida during the 1980s, and how the decade's music, culture and quirks helped shape her story.

The 1980s looked a little different if you grew up in Florida.

Sure, we had MTV, arcades and shopping malls like everyone else. But we also had orange groves, summer thunderstorms, mysterious sinkholes and enough humidity to ruin just about any hairstyle in under five minutes.

This week on the Stuck in the '80s Podcast, Steve welcomes author Davida Breier to discuss her novel Sinkhole, a coming-of-age story that captures what it was really like to grow up in a small Florida town during one of pop culture's most unforgettable decades.

The conversation explores the inspiration behind the novel and why Florida serves as much more than a backdrop. In many ways, it's another character in the story. Its unpredictable landscape, quirky communities and unique blend of beauty and strangeness create the perfect setting for a tale about adolescence and self-discovery.

Davida also discusses how the music, movies and cultural touchstones of the 1980s helped shape both her characters and the world they inhabit. Whether you grew up in Florida or simply remember what it was like to navigate high school during the Reagan years, many of the experiences will feel instantly familiar.

Along the way, Steve and Davida talk about memory, nostalgia and why coming-of-age stories continue resonating with readers long after graduation. While the fashions and technology may change, the challenges of finding your identity, building friendships and imagining your future remain timeless.

The discussion also highlights the growing popularity of fiction set during the 1980s. For many readers, the decade offers the perfect blend of nostalgia and distance—a chance to revisit a world that feels comfortingly familiar while discovering new stories hidden within it.

Like many Stuck in the '80s author interviews, this episode goes beyond the book itself. It's a conversation about place, memory and the strange, wonderful ways our hometowns continue shaping us long after we've left them behind.

And if you've ever lived through a Florida summer, you'll probably recognize a few things that don't appear in most travel brochures.

If you enjoy coming-of-age fiction, stories rooted in the 1980s and conversations about the memories that define us, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the '80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

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Episode 646: This week on the Stuck in the '80s Podcast, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from 2014, exploring the most unlikely cover songs of the 1980s and featuring a special interview with Pete Byrne of Naked Eyes.

One of the greatest myths about the 1980s is that it was all about originality.

The truth is, some of the decade's most memorable hits actually began life years—or even decades—earlier.

This week, we're dusting off one of our favorite classic episodes as Steve and Brad revisit the most unlikely cover songs of the '80s. Some stayed remarkably faithful to the originals. Others completely reinvented them, becoming so iconic that many listeners still don't realize they were covers at all.

The conversation explores why the '80s proved to be such fertile ground for reimagining older material. Advances in synthesizers, drum machines and studio production gave artists the opportunity to breathe new life into songs from the '60s and '70s, often introducing them to an entirely new audience.

One of the highlights of the episode is Steve's interview with Pete Byrne, whose band Naked Eyes built much of its early success on stylish synth-pop interpretations of beloved classics like Always Something There to Remind Me and (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me. Pete discusses how the band approached updating familiar songs without losing what made them timeless in the first place.

Along the way, Steve and Brad debate which cover songs surpassed their originals, which stayed true to the source material and which took the biggest creative risks. It's the kind of musical rabbit hole that every '80s fan eventually falls into—and it's always fun comparing notes.

The discussion also serves as a reminder of just how interconnected music history really is. Many artists of the '80s weren't simply borrowing old songs; they were paying tribute to the musicians who inspired them while putting their own unmistakable stamp on the material.

Like many of our archive episodes, this one still holds up remarkably well. Great songs don't expire, and neither do great conversations about them.

Whether you already know every original version or you're about to discover that some of your favorite '80s hits had earlier lives, this episode offers plenty of surprises.

The Stuck in the '80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. If you'd like to help keep the show going, consider supporting us on Patreon for bonus content, exclusive livestreams, behind-the-scenes stories and a few surprises we don't share anywhere else.

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Episode 645: This week on the Stuck in the '80s Podcast, Steve, Brad and special guest Chuck Coverly celebrate the 40th anniversaries of Signals by Rush, New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) by Simple Minds and The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel.

There comes a point in every Gen Xer's life when you realize two things.

First, your favorite albums are celebrating milestone birthdays.

Second... you suddenly understand why comfortable shoes are so appealing.

This week on the Stuck in the '80s Podcast, Steve, Brad and returning guest co-host Chuck Coverly take a nostalgic look back at three albums that all reached the 40-year mark in the same month. While each came from a very different corner of the musical universe, all three helped define what made the early '80s such an exciting time to be discovering new music.

The journey begins with Signals, an album that found Rush embracing synthesizers without abandoning the musicianship that made the Canadian trio one of rock's most respected bands. Songs like Subdivisions captured the alienation of suburban adolescence while pointing toward a more modern sound that divided fans at the time but has only grown in stature.

Next comes New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84), the shimmering breakthrough that transformed Simple Minds from cult favorites into one of the defining acts of the decade. Long before "Don't You (Forget About Me)," this album showcased the band's cinematic ambition, atmospheric production and unmistakable style.

The discussion also revisits The Nylon Curtain, one of Billy Joel's most ambitious releases. While it may not contain as many blockbuster radio hits as some of his earlier work, many fans consider it his most mature and emotionally complex album, tackling themes that ranged from family and work to the anxieties of the Cold War era.

Throughout the conversation, Steve, Brad and Chuck compare memories of hearing these records for the first time, debate how they've aged over four decades and discuss why certain albums reveal new layers with every listen.

It's also a reminder that the early 1980s were remarkably diverse. Progressive rock, sophisticated new wave and thoughtful singer-songwriter pop all coexisted on record store shelves, giving listeners an astonishing range of musical experiences.

Whether you spent hours studying album covers, wore out your cassette copies or recently rediscovered these classics on streaming services, these records continue to reward repeat listens.

The Stuck in the '80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. If you enjoy conversations like these, support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestreams, behind-the-scenes stories and early access to special content.

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Olivia Newton-John didn't need the ’80s to become a star.

She entered the decade already famous thanks to a string of country-pop hits and a little 1978 movie called Grease.

But then the ’80s arrived, and Olivia Newton-John reinvented herself all over again.

In this classic Stuck in the ’80s interview, we talk with Olivia Newton-John about her music, movies and an extraordinary career that included two very different ’80s landmarks: Xanadu and “Physical.”

Released in 1980, Xanadu teamed Newton-John with Gene Kelly in a roller-skating musical fantasy that was not exactly greeted with universal acclaim.

The soundtrack was another story.

Newton-John's “Magic” reached No. 1, while the title track paired her with Electric Light Orchestra. The soundtrack also produced favorites including “Suddenly,” her duet with Cliff Richard.

Over the years, Xanadu itself underwent an unlikely transformation from notorious movie flop to beloved cult classic.

Funny how the ’80s work that way.

A year later, Newton-John completely transformed her image with Physical.

The title song became a phenomenon.

“Physical” spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the biggest hits of the entire decade.

The accompanying music video — filled with headbands, workout clothes and aggressively exercised men — became an early MTV staple and helped make aerobics imagery an unavoidable part of ’80s pop culture.

The sweet-voiced singer who had once given us “Have You Never Been Mellow” was suddenly suggesting we get physical.

Message received.

Newton-John continued recording throughout the decade and reunited with John Travolta for 1983's Two of a Kind, which gave us another memorable hit, “Twist of Fate.”

In our Olivia Newton-John interview, she looks back on those projects and the remarkable ability to evolve that kept her relevant across multiple eras of popular music.

That's a big part of her appeal.

Depending on when you discovered Olivia Newton-John, she might be a country singer, Sandy from Grease, Kira from Xanadu or the woman who convinced an entire generation to start wearing headbands while exercising.

For us, she's all of them.

And we're hopelessly devoted.

Want to spend a week surrounded by ’80s music, stars and fellow fans? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for trivia, live events, podcasts and plenty of other decade-inspired fun at sea.

Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.

Let's get nautical.

Nautical.

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What songs, commercials and other pop culture touchstones trigger your nostalgia for the '80s? Brad and Steve reveal their darkest secrets on this episode. Also full seggies!

Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kodo, Podo and Dar take a bow on the 40th anniversary of "The Beastmaster," a sword and sorcery movie that was beloved on cable networks in the '80s. Where does it rank among the competition? We talk about that and more, including full seggies.

Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Gen X movie fans, few actresses are as closely tied to the emotional awkwardness, humor and heartbreak of 1980s teen cinema as Diane Franklin. From the devastating emotional finale of The Last American Virgin to the quirky comedy of Better Off Dead, Franklin became one of the defining faces of the VHS era. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy sits down with Diane for a long-awaited conversation about her career, the legacy of her films and why audiences still connect so deeply with these movies decades later.

The interview begins with a deep dive into The Last American Virgin as the cult classic celebrates its 40th anniversary. Diane reflects on playing Karen and discusses the emotional complexity of a film that stood apart from many other teen sex comedies of the era thanks to its surprisingly honest and heartbreaking ending. Spearsy and Diane revisit how audiences reacted to the movie during the early 1980s and why its themes of friendship, rejection and growing up still resonate with viewers today.

The conversation also explores Better Off Dead, the surreal comedy starring John Cusack that gradually evolved into one of the most beloved cult movies of the MTV generation. Diane shares stories about working on the film, its quirky humor and the strange journey from overlooked comedy to endlessly quoted fan favorite on cable TV and VHS.

Along the way, Spearsy and Diane discuss the evolution of ’80s nostalgia culture, including modern revisits to franchises like Bill & Ted Face the Music and why audiences continue rediscovering the movies that captured the emotional chaos of adolescence before smartphones and social media changed everything.

If you love ’80s teen movies, cult comedies, VHS nostalgia and behind-the-scenes conversations with the actors who helped define Gen X cinema, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How well do you remember the chart-topping songs from 1988? How about the songs that only got to No. 2 on the chart but no further? This week, we look at more songs from 1988 that topped out at No. 2 on the chart, including hits by Richard Marx, Johnny Hates Jazz and the Mouth Breathers.

Stuck in the '80s is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. The 2023 lineup has been announced. Join Steve and Brad on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on March 3-10 for a weeklong trip back to the '80s. The lineup includes: Devo, Bret Michaels, The Church, Kim Wilde, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Jones, Living Colour, Jody Watley, The Smithereens (with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw), Vixen, Tone Loc, Cutting Crew, Midge Ure, John Parr, Autograph, China Crisis and EXTC. Listen to this week's show to get a promo code that will get you $200 in cabin credit.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the hosts of the podcast. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Few musicians embody the ambition, creativity and emotional depth of the 1980s quite like Midge Ure. As the frontman of Ultravox and a driving creative force behind both Live Aid and Band Aid, Ure helped shape not only the sound of the MTV era but also the idea that pop music could become a powerful force for social change. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy sits down with Midge for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about music, creativity and the emotional role songs continue to play in people’s lives decades later.

During the interview, Midge reflects on the rise of Ultravox during the late 1970s and early 1980s and how the group helped define the sophisticated synth-driven sound that became central to the new wave era. Spearsy and Midge discuss iconic songs like Vienna and the emotional atmosphere that made Ultravox stand apart from many of the decade’s more disposable pop acts.

The conversation also revisits the creation of Band Aid and the legendary Live Aid concerts, two landmark cultural moments that demonstrated how musicians could unite audiences around humanitarian causes. Midge reflects on the overwhelming scale of those events, the behind-the-scenes challenges and the lasting legacy of music-driven activism during the MTV era.

Along the way, Spearsy and Midge discuss the 2022 tour with Howard Jones, modern touring life and why music continues serving as a healing and connective force during uncertain times. The conversation becomes deeply reflective at moments, touching on aging, creativity and the emotional bond artists form with audiences across generations.

If you love synth-pop, new wave, Live Aid history, MTV nostalgia and thoughtful conversations with one of the defining musicians of the 1980s, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.