Remembering the Philadelphia 76ers 1983 NBA Championship

The Philadelphia 76ers were a perennial playoff team in the NBA from the mid '70s and throughout the '80s. While they only managed to win one championship during that stretch, the Sixers made a lasting impact on the sport in 1983.

In this blog post, we will take a look back at their history and discuss what made them so successful. We will also analyze how they rose to power and why the 1983 championship team is considered one of the best teams in NBA history. Finally, we'll take a glimpse at the modern day and how the Sixers faired in this year NBA playoffs.

The Philadelphia 76ers: NBA Playoff Contenders

The Sixers were formed in 1963 as a part of the NBA’s expansion into the mid-Atlantic region. They quickly became a force to be reckoned with, thanks in large part to the signing of "Dr. J" Julius Erving in 1976 who is widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball history. Erving helped lead the team to an NBA Finals appearance in his first season, losing to the Bill Walton's Portland Trailblazers. Back-to-back conference titles in the 1976-77 seasons made the Sixers an elite team but would come up short of an NBA title over the next several years despite making the conference finals and NBA finals twice.

When it comes to discussing some of the most important teams in NBA history, there are few that can rival the accomplishments and influence of the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers. A powerhouse squad led by Erving, newly acquired Moses Malone, and future Hall of Famers Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones, the Sixers used coach Billy Cunningham's strategies to dominate the entire 1983 season. Let’s take a look back at how this incredible team came to be and what made them so successful.

What made the 76ers so successful?

The Sixers unique mix of fast-paced offense and tenacious defense was the secret to their success in 1983. Cheeks, who is among the NBA's all-time players in steals, combined with the dominance of league MVP Malone and perennial high-flying all-star Erving was a combination the likes of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers could not match in their run for the title.

As a result, the Sixers won 65 regular season games (still 2nd best in franchise history) and nearly swept the playoffs with a record of 12-1. Malone even called it, telling a reporter "4, 4, 4." when asked his expectations for the playoffs (meaning the Sixers would only need 4 games in each series to win the title.) His near prediction has only been matched in recent years by the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (16-1) and the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers (15-1) 

Indeed, if the 1983 Sixers were playing their basketball today, or if any NBA team was as dominant as they were nowadays, you could guarantee that there would be a number of people who would be looking to place a wager on them, especially now that they can in the state of Pennsylvania.

There are a host of available Penn Sports Betting Sites offering some attractive and appealing odds and markets, with some punters able to place a wager on the number of 3-pointers scored in a game. Naturally, this would have been very interesting in the day of the 80s 76ers.

Nowadays, though, sports fans can witness players like Joel Embiid strut their stuff on the basketball court as an attractive betting option, as he can provide them with an interesting number of bets to potentially win from!

But is the current Philadelphia 76ers side one that can go on and achieve success in the future?

Philadelphia eliminated by Miami

Those that have been following the current NBA playoffs will already know that the 76ers were beaten in the 2022 postseason at the Eastern Conference Semifinals stage to the Miami Heat 4-2 in their best-of-seven series.

The Conference Finals are set!

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— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2022

The team had managed to level the series at 2-2 after Game 4, however, the franchise from Florida managed to take the spoils and progress to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will play the Boston Celtics for a place in the NBA Finals.

This is how the results fared for the 76ers:

• Game 1: Heat 106-92 76ers
• Game 2: Heat 119-103 76ers
• Game 3: 76ers 99-79 Heat
• Game 4: 76ers 116-108 Heat
• Game 5: Heat 120-85 76ers
• Game 6: 76ers 90-99 Heat

The team from Philadelphia clearly struggled to get any momentum whilst on the road in this series, whilst their defeat in Game 6 at home had been the final nail in the coffin for this season’s efforts and the quest for NBA honors.

Unfortunately for the franchise, this is something that is rather common and is far from irregular at the moment. The 76ers have not managed to make it past the second round in the playoffs since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001, having lost a total of four times in the past five years.

What’s next for the 76ers?

Of course, with their season now having come to an end, many that will be wondering what the future may hold for the iconic franchise and whether they will ever be able to repeat the kind of dominance that they were able to experience in 1983.

What we do know at the moment is that the head coach, Doc Rivers, will be returning to the team next season as Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey revealed following the defeat to Miami.

Additionally, the 76ers will be looking for a way to “unlock” James Harden after an underwhelming performance in the playoffs where he produced averages of just 18.6 points and 8.6 assists, whilst also using the offseason to try and get him and Embiid to work as well as they can together on the court.

If they can do this, perhaps the 76ers will be able to capture the glory of their first NBA championship in 40 years. However, only time will tell.

Photos courtesy Depositphotos

Memory Jogger Mystery: The A-Team

In this Memory Jogger Mystery episode, Jason and Wyatt randomly choose from a group of topics (without any prior show notes) and see how much they can remember. After sharing their experience, they can then cheat by using the Google machine to find anything they might have missed from memory.

The random topic chosen during the show is The A-Team! Jason and Wyatt jog their memories about the first time they watched the series, favorite characters, favorite episodes, and the toys they collected. They also remember when they met Murdock and Face at Retro Con and give their thoughts on the 2010 A-Team movie.

Thanks everyone for listening and subscribing! If you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, we would appreciate your 5 star review. Please leave any of your memories we might have jogged in the comments below or tweet us @RD80s and @infamouswb.

NEW FEATURE: Leave us feedback via Voice Mail! Click over to the RD80s Telbee Page and leave us your feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics or the podcast in general.

You can find the Memory Jogger podcast as part of the Rediscover the '80s Podcast feed or search for "Rediscover the 80s" in your favorite podcast or listening app.

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Rock Bands That Started in the '80s and Are Still Playing Today

Times, they are a’changing. The music scene has shifted wildly from the rise of metal and hard rock in the '80s, but many of our favorite bands are still out there and doing their thing all these decades later. Here are several bands that you might be able to catch on tour today.

The Changing Scene

Of course, it’s a wildly different time from the '80s. Back then, we saw the rise of electronic music and styles were experimental and loose among genres. Today, we have a music scene that’s weathered the manufactured boy and girl band craze and is rife with nuanced genres with touring becoming both more commonplace but less of a major event. We’ve seen the rise of digital copies, the evolution of copyright free music, and the fight for artists to retain creative control in an age where piracy is easier than ever.

Still, some iconic rock bands that formed in the '80s are still out there, breaking new ground and producing fantastic records. Most have evolved over the years while maintaining their signature sound and playing their hits.

Bon Jovi

The famous New Jersey stadium rockers themselves. Formed in 1983, this rock band quickly became one of the highest selling bands of all time. They’ve numbered over 100 million albums and 2,700 concerts across 50 countries. While they tour less than they once did, they still sell out stadiums on a regular basis. Whether you love or loathe their music yourself, no one can deny the influence- or the success- they have had on the music that followed.

Nine Inch Nails

Once the pioneers of industrial grunge rock, you might be surprised to learn that NIN frontman Trent Reznor has recently moved into scoring for films. All the same, he’s still going strong with the band itself, as well as How to Destroy Angels, his side-project. Their music remains as genre-pushing and challenging as it was in the 80s, even though it’s taken an intense and moody turn.

Phish

Phish is a classic example of how keeping it fresh keeps you relevant. From psychedelic rock to jazz, funk, bluegrass, and folk, they’ve done a little of everything. With fantastic performance energy, they tour every year and still sell out their gigs, recreating their best hits differently every time. While they’re not the most well-known rock band on our list, they have unmatched live success, and their set changes to suit their destination. This has kept them fresh and new despite their familiar favorites.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Funky alt-rock band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is still going strong. Making it to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame hasn’t slowed them down, either. Today, they lean more to funk, psychedelic rock, and a sprinkling of punk, but it’s their live shows that keep fans coming back for more.

Radiohead

While some see Radiohead as icons of the 90s, they formed in 1985 and haven’t stopped since. They’re still pulling in new fans with their alternative rock stylings, keeping it fresh and interesting personalities on-stage and off. They’re icons of reinventing their style without losing their style and their live shows focus on artistry and visual glory as well as their music. Plus, they are even widely covered by newer bands.

Are you a fan of one of these epic rock bands that are still touring today? Let us know which ones you've seen live and more bands to add to the list in the comments!

Photos courtesy Depositphotos

Can’t-Miss Modern Shows that Recreate the '80s

It’s time to puff up your hair and break out the shoulder pads! The '80s were a fun decade, and many modern audiences are nostalgic for what seems like a much simpler time. So there’s little wonder that we see so many great shows set back in the '80s. If you’re keen to binge-watch some nostalgia, try these shows on for size!

Stranger Things

Stranger Things is a fascinating sci-fi inspired TV series starting in 1983. The 4 young protagonists want to break out the Dungeons & Dragons cards and win the school science competition, but instead find themselves humanity’s hope against a violent invasive alien presence. With a kidnapped friend to rescue, a strangely gifted young girl in their midst, and only their science wits to rely on, it’s a great modern take on the era. The much anticipated 4th season begins May 27, 2022.

This is Us

Now going into its final season, This is Us alternates between the present and the '80s. It’s a sometimes touching, sometimes fun, look back at childhood and the complicated dynamics of family. Parents Jack and Rebecca Pearson have triplets, but lose one of their children. So they adopt in a third, believing it’s the number they were meant to have. Bring some tissues, but it’s a great watch.

The Goldbergs

Based on the creator (Adam Goldberg) and their childhood, this period sitcom is a nostalgic look back at childhood in the '80s. He’s even used some authentic stock video, home videos, and recreated videos in the series - you get to see the originals at the end. It’s a great way to remind yourself of '80s pop culture and just immerse yourself in the decade.

GLOW

Take a look inside the workings of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) as an aspiring actor tries to break into the wrestling scene. Eventually getting her fair chance to shine, it’s a fascinating look at niche aspects of '80s TV culture.

Cobra Kai

A continuation of the Karate Kid films, this series sees Johnny Lawrence reopen the karate dojo and rekindle his old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso. Sadly, Johnny turned out a bit of a loser and  has a ton of baggage to unpack. After saving his teenage neighbor from bullies, however, he makes his mark on the world teaching karate to social outcasts, and finds a new purpose in life.

Pose

It’s time to discover a part of the '80s we rarely see. This TV drama focuses on the African American and LGBTQ subcultures in New York in the '80s through ballroom dancing. Bringing a host of interesting dancers and models together, it’s a fascinating look at a side of the '80s and early '90s we rarely get to see on TV.

Snowfall

Get your '80s and crime fix all in one series. Set in LA in 1983, this crime/drama series focuses on the first crack epidemic and how it shaped the city’s culture. Following everything from a young drug dealer to the niece of a crime cartel’s boss, it’s a tension-filled and high-energy look at the dirty side of '80s culture.

Each of these modern TV shows set in the '80s brings something different to the table. Which is your favorite? Be sure to let us know!

Photos courtesy Depositphotos

Top 6 Pet Trends Of The 1980s

While trends come and go in hair, music, fashion, and more, one often overlooked area of trends in the pet community. While dogs and cats are mainstays when it comes to the American household, the 1980s had a few other tricks up its sleeve when it came to what you could expect to see as a pet in a friend's house. Let's look at some of the top pet trends that were popular during our favorite decade.

Tarantulas

The film Arachnophobia didn't come out until 1990, which is suitable for the Tarantula pets so popular in the eighties. If you're not familiar, Tarantulas are gigantic, furry spiders mainly native to the United States, Mexico, and Central and Northern America. While they are frightening to look at, Tarantulas are actually relatively harmless except for a bite - which they rarely give. Tarantulas also make great pets for their longevity, the male may only live seven to eight years, but the females can live up to twenty-five. While not as common as pets anymore, in the 1980s, many households had a Tarantula or two as their beloved pets.

Hermit Crabs

Keeping with the caged theme, Hermit Crabs saw a massive boom in popularity as pets in the 1980s that they hadn't experienced before or since. Sure, you still see them in boardwalk shops when you're on a beach trip, but nowadays, most of us consider the caging of these cute tiny crabs inhumane. However, in the eighties, it wasn't uncommon to see a Hermit Crab cage filled with neon or pastel-colored pebbles and a crab or two with a painted shell inside. These crabs weren't too fun to play with and didn't live long, which was sad for the crab and the pet owner. Thankfully the Hermit Crab trend has fallen out of favor.

Dogs

Of course, we can't have a popular pet list without including Man's Best Friend - the dog. While dogs are popular pets no matter the decade, the eighties saw increasing popularity for several breeds. Mainly the Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, Treeing Walker Coonhound, and the Poodle. While many families still choose these breeds as their family pets today, they were "it" dogs in the eighties. Oh, and we can't forget the Doberman Pinscher and the Miniature Schnauzers on this list!

Ferrets

While ferrets are still common household pets today, they were trendy in the eighties. Ferrets, though small and tubular, are incredibly intelligent and trainable. If you're sensing a trend of animals that could be kept in cages in the eighties as pets, you're sensing correctly. Ferrets could be let out of their pens, unlike Hermit Crabs and Tarantulas, and many households gave them free rein of the house. Especially if you didn't have other pets like a dog or cat that may get too curious about your pet, Ferret this was commonplace.

Guinea Pigs

The adorable Guinea Pig is another small and cage-friendly yet in-vogue pet of the 1980s. While they aren't that much bigger than a hamster (which were popular then and still are), they are much sweeter and friendlier, making them easier for members of the 80s household to engage and play with the Guinea Pig. It was common to see elaborate pens with tubes and tunnels for Guinea Pigs to play in during the 1980s. Just like the ferrets, if there were no tiny children or other pets in the house, the Guinea Pigs were allowed plenty of free play in the home.

Parakeets

Birds are still popular pets throughout the world. Their beautiful songs, colorful feathers, and cheerful nature make them well suited to brighten the day of the families that own them. Parakeets saw a considerable increase in popularity during the decade, with many families purchasing massive, elaborate cages decked out with plenty of toys for the birds to play with. It was also customary to let your bird out to explore the home or playfully perch on your finger.

Pet trends come and go just like any other trend, but the eighties also saw an increase in exotic pet ownership if you were wealthy enough. As is common knowledge, the more exotic the pet sometimes means, the more dangerous, so those mentioned earlier were more docile and trainable than the more exotic pets that saw a rise in the 80s. Perhaps you still keep some of the pets mentioned above in your home. Tarantulas anyone?

Photo courtesy Depositphotos

Cybertronic Spree Launches Kickstarter for Full-Length 'Ravage' Album

Cybertronic Spree, the cosplaying band of transforming robots, needs your help to fund their first full-length album! They just launched a Kickstarter campaign today to bring Ravage to life, "a kick-ass rock album that we hope continues the legacy of The Transformers: The Movie Soundtrack."

Wyatt and I have had the awesome opportunity to witness the face-melting rock music first hand over the last several years at Retro Con. Their set list of soundtrack songs and TV cartoon themes is unlike any other band currently touring the US and Canada. In 2019, Cybertronic Spree released a tribute album, Transformers 1986, covering 10 songs from The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack. They have also released original songs like "Cybertronic Warrior" that continues the legacy of the franchise and movie. Now, we have an opportunity to hear their first full-length album!

Good news! The Ravage campaign is live and ALREADY FUNDED! So your support now gets you the album (digital or compact disc) and works toward hitting some great stretch goals! In fact, two goals have already been reached including a live stream with the band and a music video!

Bonus goodies are also available like trading cards, sticker sheets, posters, iron-on patches, and personally autographed and numbered compact disc copies of the album. There are limited quantities on some items so don't delay!

Watch the video below for a message from the band about the album and click over to the Kickstarter campaign now to show your support.

'Til All Are One!!!

Memory Jogger Mystery: Movies That Never Get Old

In this Memory Jogger Mystery episode, Jason and Wyatt randomly choose from a group of topics (without any prior show notes) and see how much they can remember. After sharing their experience, they can then cheat by using the Google machine to find anything they might have missed from memory.

The random topic chosen during the show is Movies That Never Get Old! Jason and Wyatt jog their memories about movies they watched constantly in high school, movies that impacted them as kids, and other '80s movies that they could watch on endless loop. Included in the discussion are films like Ghostbusters, Transformers: The Movie, Back to the Future, Short Circuit, Spaceballs, Crocodile Dundee and a couple personal favorites like Armed and Dangerous and See No Evil Hear No Evil.

Thanks everyone for listening and subscribing! If you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, we would appreciate your 5 star review. Please leave any of your memories we might have jogged in the comments below or tweet us @RD80s and @infamouswb.

NEW FEATURE: Leave us feedback via Voice Mail! Click over to the RD80s Telbee Page and leave us your feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics or the podcast in general.

You can find the Memory Jogger podcast as part of the Rediscover the '80s Podcast feed or search for "Rediscover the 80s" in your favorite podcast or listening app.

Photo courtesy Depositphotos

10 of the Best Movies from the 80's

The 1980s saw several films that won Oscars and have become classics. Whether these films were great because of their well-made storyline or whether they were just good old popcorn flicks, going to the movie theater was a great experience.

This list compiles some of the best films from the 1980s that are still relevant to date and include such classics as Back to the Future (1985), Ghostbusters (1984), Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) and many more. Add your favorites in the comments to continue the list.

Back to the Future (1985)

When released in 1985, this science-fiction comedy film was an instant hit. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale.

This sci-fi adventure starts with Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year-old high school student, meeting his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), who has just invented time travel in a modified DeLorean car. When an experiment goes wrong, Marty finds himself travelling back 30 years to 1955. He meets his parents as a teenager and accidentally causes his mother (Lea Thompson) to fall in love with him instead of his father (Crispin Glover). Now Marty must try to fix what went wrong and get back to the future before it's too late.

The Color of Money (1986)

The film was released in 1986 and was directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie won the best actor and director in the Academy awards. The story follows an old player named "Fast Eddie" Felson (Paul Newman), who has been away from the pool for several years.

He's come back to play again at a casino like a $1 deposit casino New Zealand. This is after losing his own money playing poker and getting robbed by some card sharks. He becomes a mentor to Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise), who he sees as having a lot of potential. He, however, needs guidance from someone like him with experience , so he doesn't make mistakes like Eddie did when he was younger.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)

In this final chapter of the original Star Wars trilogy, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), Chewbacca, and C-3PO must rescue Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. The plot also involves Luke's final confrontation with the evil Darth Vader, who he learns is his father, in a plot twist for the ages.

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator about a cyborg sent from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose son will eventually lead a human resistance against the Machines that govern Earth in the future. The cyborg is played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, famous for his role as Conan, who needs to get some clothes because he was naked when he arrived in 1984! However, Sarah Connor is protected by Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), and they start running together while chased by the Terminator.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. is a science fiction film that was co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison with special effects by Carlo Rambaldi. It stars Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace, and Pat Welsh. It’s about Elliott, a lonesome boy who becomes friends with a celestial, called E.T. who is helpless on Earth. Elliot together with his siblings tries to assist E.T to get back home while trying to keep it a secret from their mother and the government.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

A young adventurer named Indiana Jones is on a quest to find a lost temple in India with his sidekick Short Round. They encounter many obstacles along their journey, such as evil spirits, dangerous animals, and treacherous people who want nothing more than to stop him from finding this mystical place. But nothing will deter Indy from getting what he wants!

Steven Spielberg directed the film and starred Harrison Ford and Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott. This sequel received positive reviews from critics at the time for its action sequences, but was criticized for being too violent for children due to its graphic content.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters is a 1984 film about three eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City.

A classic movie of the 80s, this supernatural comedy stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis as a team of eccentric parapsychologists who start up a ghost-catching business in New York City. They face stiff competition from the city's other, more established ghost removal service, run by the sleazy Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray). When their research assistant gets kidnapped by an evil spook, the boys set out to save him and prove that they are real Ghostbusters. This film spawned two sequels and a hit theme song.

Die Hard (1988)

Die Hard revolves around action hero and NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) visiting his estranged wife in Los Angeles for Christmas. McClane flies into town and immediately gets thrown into a hostage situation at the Nakatomi Plaza, where terrorists have taken over and are demanding $640 million in bonds as ransom. Of course, McClane thwarts the bad guys and wins the day, but not before shooting up a whole office building and taking out a dozen henchmen. It's all in a day's work for John McClane.

Aliens (1986)

The second installment in the Alien movie series follows Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she travels with a Colonial Marine unit to an abandoned colony on planet LV-426. She wishes to find answers regarding her past encounter with the deadly aliens that killed her crew. She finds a nest full of eggs, soon to hatch into a new generation of vicious creatures than the last.

Commando (1985)

Commando is an action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix. John is a retired special operations soldier forced back into action after mercenaries capture his daughter. It was directed by Mark Lester and written by Sheldon Lettich. It was released in the United States on August 21, 1985.

In the film, Matrix's ex-wife has been killed, and his daughter kidnapped by mercenaries led by Bennett (Grant). Matrix is then hired by the head of a private security firm to rescue his daughter. The film also stars Rae Dawn Chong, Alyssa Milano, and Bill Duke.

Finally

If you grew up in the '80s, you have fond memories of watching these films. If you were born later and didn't know what these films are about, this list might inspire your inner child to search for them. No matter your age, there's nothing like a good movie whether it is 40 years old or brand new.

Photos courtesy Depositphotos

6 Detective Movies From the '80s You Should Watch

Before the internet and the explosion of mobile phone use, detective work was … well, work. Modern detectives do a difficult job, of course, and it’s not all about keyword searches and internet archives. But when it comes to movies and entertainment, sometimes we want to put aside the phone calls and triangulation of signals in favor of something more hands-on.

Welcome to the '80s, where watches told the time and brick-sized mobile phones would only have slowed cops down. Check out these retro detectives and some ear-to-the-ground detective work.

Whether you like old-fashioned police techniques or you just enjoy the '80s aesthetic, here are 6 of the best '80s detective movies that entertained, kept their audiences in suspense, and paved the way for detectives to come.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

This is the first of a franchise of 3 and the film that launched Eddie Murphy from an incredible stage comedian to international stardom. It does so with a solid storyline, script, and style. Critically acclaimed, the movie remains endearing and watchable to this day.

Murphy plays Axel Foley, a streetwise cop from Detroit who is on “vacation” in California. He is actually investigating the murder of his best friend. As he follows leads, he upsets the local police department. His suspects are not too happy about the rocks he turns over either.

There’s a reason this film was among the highest grossing movies of 1984. Murphy brings Axel Foley to life as a likable, persistent, courageous, and sometimes hilarious detective. But it’s not all laughs. He’s up against some really nasty baddies, including a villain played by renowned actor Steven Berkoff.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Two disparate cops are thrown together. They don’t want to work together. One can’t stand the other.

“I work alone.”

Over time, they become inseparable and would do anything for each other.

Lethal Weapon follows a very familiar formula here, but this buddy cop movie does it so well. Mel Gibson’s portrayal of wild-eyed-former-green beret-with-a-death-wish Riggs is captivating. Danny Glover is believable as the contrasting veteran cop who wants to push papers around his desk and go home to his couch at the end of the day without firing his weapon or blowing up a building.

When Glover’s character, Sergeant Murtagh, attempts to help an old friend’s daughter escape a life of drugs and prostitution, they are too late to help her. At first, it appears that she has committed suicide, but Riggs and Murtagh discover that she has been murdered. Together, the cops investigate a series of dark events that might have been missed if they hadn’t become involved.

Columbo (Seasons 8 and 9 from 1989)

Known primarily as a TV series, the Columbo empire nonetheless includes plenty of TV movies. Look out for seasons 8 and 9 for a particularly '80s flavor.

Running from the '70s to the early 2000s, Peter Falk’s Lieutenant Columbo charmed viewers and made villains sweat in equal measure. Columbo’s trademark crumpled raincoat, cigar, feigned forgetfulness, and references to his wife all contributed to the eventual downfall of his enemies, many of whom were played by big names such as William Shatner, Vincent Price, and Patrick McGoohan.

Unlike most detective movies, a Columbo movie begins with the murder and the murderer. The audience then watches as Lieutenant Columbo figures out the who, how, and why. While it eliminates the “audience participation” of working out who committed the crime, it ramps up the suspense as you get to watch the murderer squirm. And they would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for that pesky detective.

Blade Runner (1982)

Harrison Ford plays Rick Deckard, a blade runner - someone who kills runaway synthetic humans.

Yeah, this film was pretty out there. It’s not just a visually and audibly astounding, complex, cult science-fiction drama that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking … it’s also an excellent detective story. It’s a tale of discovery and self-discovery, in which Deckard is hired to kill those runaway “replicants” but ends up digging deeper into an ever-darkening mystery.

While they couldn’t verify people’s identities with Nuwber in this 1980s vision of the future (this would have been very helpful), they do have some interesting resources, gadgets, and hairstyles. You should also check this movie out to see what kind of cars 1980s film directors thought we’d be flying in by 2019.

Witness (1985)

In Witness, we get to watch both Harrison Ford and Danny Glover again. (Also, look out for Viggo Mortensen in a supporting role). This time, Ford plays Sergeant John Book, a detective investigating a murder witnessed by an 8-year-old Amish boy. As he gets deeper into the case, he ends up going into hiding with the young boy. He also ends up finding love while the bad guys seek the boy.

Nominated for and winning a host of awards, this film has a great storyline, a meaningful ending, and did we mention Harrison Ford? Check it out for a detective movie that makes you think not only about piecing together the clues but also about witnessing violence and how we can react.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

The Library of Congress selected this live-action/animated mystery to be preserved in the US National Film Registry, considering it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” It also has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing. It’s an extraordinary movie and a great technical achievement that doesn’t lose sight of its engaging detective storyline.

Theme Park Tourist, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Set in a 40s Hollywood where people and cartoon characters co-exist, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? follows private investigator Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins). He chases clues to clear the eponymous Roger Rabbit’s murder charge and ends up in the shadow of sinister Judge Doom, played by Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future).

Conclusion

If you’ve been searching for clues regarding what '80s detective movie to watch tonight, any of the films in this post should satisfy you. With great craftsmanship, excellent storytelling, and plenty of twists and turns, these flicks should have you on the edge of your seat.

Back to the Future Part II Trading Cards

Back in 1989, Topps released Back to the Future Part II trading cards in conjunction with the film's release. Wax packs included 9 cards, one sticker, and one stick of bubble gum.

There were 88 total cards (fitting with the DeLorean's target speed of 88MPH) which mainly featured screenshots from the movie to go with an ongoing story on the back, explaining the events on the front picture. The back also featured a glorious BTTF II logo and teaser for the next card in the set.

Also featured in the card set were some behind the scenes pictures and facts which included some interior shots of Cafe '80s and all of the futuristic cars from the Hill Valley set. A few cards included promo shots of the cast including Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Einstein.

There were 11 total stickers to collect in addition to the 88 trading cards. Each sticker also featured the logo with a small circular screen cap just below. One exception is the last sticker which was landscape style and just featured a flying DeLorean. The back of the last sticker also featured a picture of the completed puzzle which you could make with the backs of the other 10 stickers.

I got to open a pack of Back to the Future Part II trading cards during season one of the Wax Pack Flashback series on TRN TV YouTube channel. Take a look at the cards I found in the video below and subscribe to the channel to watch new openings weekly.

Info and pictures courtesy Trading Card Database

Memory Jogger Mystery: Ernest P. Worrell

In this Memory Jogger Mystery episode, Jason and Wyatt randomly choose from a group of topics (without any prior show notes) and see how much they can remember. After sharing their experience, they can then cheat by using the Google machine to find anything they might have missed from memory.

The random topic chosen during the show is Ernest P. Worrell! Jason and Wyatt jog their memories about everything Ernest including his early commercials, his first movie Ernest Goes to Camp, the short lived TV series Hey Vern It's Ernest, Ernest Saves Christmas, and more. We also discuss some Jim Varney's other films like Beverly Hillbillies and Toy Story.

Links

• Rediscovered #7 - Hey Vern It's Ernest
• 14 Air-Braking Facts About 'Ernest Saves Christmas'

Thanks everyone for listening and subscribing! If you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, we would appreciate your 5 star review. Please leave any of your memories we might have jogged in the comments below or tweet us @RD80s and @infamouswb.

NEW FEATURE: Leave us feedback via Voice Mail! Click over to the RD80s Telbee Page and leave us your feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics or the podcast in general.

You can find the Memory Jogger podcast as part of the Rediscover the '80s Podcast feed or search for "Rediscover the 80s" in your favorite podcast or listening app.

Photo courtesy The Streamable, (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

How to Build the Perfect 1980s Inspired Look

The 1980s were, simply put, iconic for fashion. Even people born a decade later have the image of your quintessential ‘80s look, from loud hair to even louder colors. While it sometimes seems extreme, you can’t help but admit that some of the fashion trends of the ‘80s just looked so good.

If you loved the ‘80s look, then there’s nothing wrong with nodding to that decade with your clothing choices. In fact, doing so can add a unique twist to your outfit, helping you to develop a style that’s undeniably you.

It’s All About Balance

Unless you want to look like you’re going to an ‘80s party, which certainly isn’t a bad thing, you may want to include some balance in your style. What does this mean? Well, while the 80s trends were undeniably cool, you might not want to include every fashion trend in every outfit.

Just add a touch of the 80s, for a vintage flair without looking as though you’ve walked through a time machine. A lot of modern fashion trends already draw inspiration from this period, and you can do the same with your style.

Believe it or not, you can emulate the ‘80s with clothes that you probably already have knocking around. Creating an ‘80s look with modern clothing is a fantastic way to get the balance just right. Even better, you don’t need to spend money on new (or vintage) clothes. At least, not if you don’t want to.

‘80s Trends to Draw Inspiration From

Here are some examples of some fantastic and quintessentially ‘80s trends that you can draw from:

• 
  Double denim, like jeans and a denim jacket. If you’re particularly brave, you can even go triple denim.
• Sporty sneakers. From converse to Air Jordans, the sneaker revolution can be attributed to the ‘80s. Even better, this casual and effortless style is still popular today, so feel free to rock a vintage pair.
• Bright colors. Whether we’re talking about makeup or clothes, neon ruled the roost. Honestly, you can absolutely add a splash or two of bright colors to your outfit and look killer. Bright makeup has an undeniable sense of fun. Just remember balance. You want to stand out, but this works best when it’s a few colors, not a neon rainbow.
• High-waisted jeans. Recently, high-waisted jeans have made a triumphant comeback to fashion, to the sigh of relief of women around the world. The ‘80s featured many different styles of jeans, but high-waisted acid wash jeans will do just fine. If you want to really embrace the look, then mom jeans and ripped jeans were probably the most iconic styles of the ‘80s.
• Big hair. Another thing that’s becoming more popular, especially among men, is big, voluminous hair. The ‘90s and early ‘00s saw an emphasis on modern, sleek looks, and these do still look great. However, the poofy, voluminous hair of the ‘80s was wonderful. Just reconsider the mullet.
• Shoulder pads. To be honest, the ‘80s was just a time when everything was big. Hair, shoulder pads, and anything else you could think of. While you might not want to return to the extremes of the ‘80s, shoulder pads can add shape and structure to your outfit.
• Athletic gear. Oh yes, lycra and legwarmers were popularized in the 80s and, while you might not want to wander around in this gear, you can still use the bright, geometric patterns and form-fitting materials as inspiration.

Accessories

The key to making any look pop is to accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Accessories are the finishing touch that brings everything together and draws the eye. Men and women alike benefit from picking the right accessories and owning them.

For example, men can’t go wrong with a stylish watch. While FP Journe was established in 1999, the clever and precise design of these watches can’t be denied. True, there’s no neon or denim, but they’re so well-made that you’ll have to make do with quality leather and top-quality materials.

Another ‘80s mainstay is the big, chunky headphones. Get them in bright, neon colors and you can enjoy a functional accessory that can really exemplify an ‘80s classic look.

Women can really embrace the ‘80s accessories with Madonna-inspired fingerless gloves. Whether you want to go full neon like she did, or dial it down, you can still keep your hands warm with these accessories. Go for big earrings to match your big hair and just embrace the fun. The ‘80s was a great time, why not revisit it?

Photos courtesy Depositphotos