When We Were Young - An 80s And 90s Pop Culture Podcast

Great Scott! We're back! And we're discussing one of the most popular movie trilogies of all time. BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) was an enormous hit straight out of the gate, turning Robert Zemeckis into one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors and the Delorean into a car people actually wanted to own. The time travel action-adventure is still one of the most beloved films from the 1980s, but now that we're looking back at it from the future, does the trilogy's premier installment stand the test of time? Join our debate, and stay tuned for Part 2 later this week! When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at Facebook.com/WWWYShow and email your episode suggestions to wwwyshow@gmail.com. Don’t forget to subscribe and review us on the iTunes and Google Play

If you've been waiting for us to tackle ABC's family-friendly Friday night programming block known as TGIF - you got it, dude! TGIF premiered in 1989, and hosted, oh, about a hundred thousand sitcoms, maybe a dozen or so you may actually remember today. If you were a child of the 90s, there's no doubt you likely waited all week to tune in to "Full House," "Family Matters," "Step By Step" and "Boy Meets World" - and maybe even "Dinosaurs," too. This week we're taking a look back at these family shows to see if their laugh tracks and heartwarming moments still entertain us as adults. Join us as we tackle the big questions: where did all the family members disappear to on "Step By Step?" How are three single men sharing a house in San Francisco NOT gay? Is Urkel just an incel in disguise as a geek? And, most importantly, will we go insane listening to catchphrase after catchphrase after catchphrase? Have mercy. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formativ

Shirts and shoes are forbidden in the latest episode of the When We Were Young podcast — and the fight will go on as long as it has to. It’s been 20 years since David Fincher’s savagely funny and brutally violent satire of Gen X male angst debuted in theaters, so we’re breaking Rule #1 and Rule #2 and talking all about FIGHT CLUB! (Something tells us Tyler Durden wouldn’t mind.) Though the film initially flopped in theaters, this trippy dark comedy found a cult following on home video and turned Tyler Durden into one of the most iconic film characters of all time thanks to Brad Pitt’s killer performance — and his equally killer physique. Two decades later, is Fight Club still a beautiful and unique snowflake? Or does the film’s critique of consumer culture and fragile masculinity fail to land a punch? Tune in for all the soap-making, ear-hitting, Martha Stewart-bashing mayhem you can handle, because this is our podcast, and it’s ending one minute at a time. When We Were Young is a podcast

They eat your eyes, they eat your toes - but all we're asking for is your ears to listen to us revisit SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, the book series featuring stories retold by Alvin Schwartz and nightmare-inducing illustrations by Stephen Gammell. There was nothing more exhilarating to an 80s and 90s tween than flipping through these books under the covers with a flashlight, both hoping for and dreading the scares you'll get before you go to sleep. The "Scary Stories" series remains popular with kids, is not so popular with a certain sect of overprotective parents who still hope the books get banned from their children's libraries, and is finally getting a big-screen adaptation 38 years after the release of the first book. But now that we're adults, are the stories really all that scary? Are Gammell's watercolor drawings as creepy as we remember them? And can someone tell us why the car behind us is repeatedly flashing their high beams? Join us for our latest episode -- if you dare! When W

Look at these films, aren’t they neat? Any Disney fan’s movie collection’s complete if it includes THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989), BEAUTY & THE BEAST (1991), ALADDIN (1992) and THE LION KING (1994). These movies aren’t just the four most popular films from Disney’s Renaissance period (which lasted a full decade and includes 10 animated flicks); they’re also responsible for saving the animation department at the Mouse House and making an unprecedented mark on animation, Broadway and pop culture in general. Instead of watching Disney’s “live action” remakes of these classics, we took a magic carpet ride back to the late 80s and early 90s to revisit the films themselves. Are Ariel, Belle and Jasmine modern feminist icons, or are they still stuck in traditional gender roles? Does The Lion King still rule our hearts? And who's the hottest prince of them all? Hurry and listen to our latest episode before the last rose petal falls and we all turn into furniture forever! When We Were Young is a podcast devo

Feeling patriotic this July? Well, if there’s one thing more American than apple pie, it’s a questionable attitude toward sex — and that’s exactly what we’re serving up in our latest episode! To commemorate the 20th anniversary of AMERICAN PIE, When We Were Young looks back at the wave of 80s teen sex comedies that inspired it, from the problematic peep-show that is Porky’s to lewd, lowbrow early roles from Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, and John Cusack. It’s no secret that these films peddled T&A to get butts in seats back then, but how titillating does all that groping, leering, and objectification of females look from a modern vantage point? Then, it’s time to ogle American Pie all over again. The rude and raunchy sleeper hit comedy helped launch the careers of Jason Biggs, Tara Reid, Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Seann William Scott, and Natasha Lyonne amongst others, with memorable turns from comedy legends Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge, too. But how does a story about four horny teen boys making

Some movie characters become way bigger than the movies they're in, and that definitely holds true for Chucky. The redheaded murder-loving doll is no doubt one of horror's most recognizable villains, but how often do you hear people fondly talk about the films he stars in? (There are seven and counting!) Inspired by a fresh reboot releasing this month in theaters - the first Chucky film without creator Don Mancini - we take a look back at CHILD'S PLAY (1988) to see if Chucky's introduction to the world is deserving of any modern day recognition from horror fans. We follow that with a viewing of CHILD'S PLAY 2 (1990) and BRIDE OF CHUCKY (1998), two sequels that could not be more different from one another despite being made by the same person. We also reveal our favorite childhood playthings, discuss Chucky's, um, problematic behavior towards women, and debate just how young is too young to enjoy schlock horror movies. Wanna play? When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop c

Every generation gets the BATMAN it deserves, and ours is hands-down the best to ever glower down at us from the big screen — Michael Keaton's scowling, brooding Caped Crusader, and his equally brooding (but also very neurotic) take on orphaned playboy Bruce Wayne. Early in his career, Tim Burton controversially cast everyman Keaton as the superhero who redefined the modern blockbuster as more than just a movie — with a pop soundtrack by Prince, fast food tie-ins, and an iconic logo everyone was wearing back in 1989. (And ever since.) Jack Nicholson's unforgettably over-the-top Joker also raised the bar for movie villains (and movie star paydays) in one of the decade's very biggest films. The mass-marketing returned in 1992's BATMAN RETURNS, which upped the ante with two larger-than-life adversaries — the oozy, outrageous Penguin, played with gruesome gusto by Danny DeVito, and Michelle Pfeiffer's seductive but deeply damaged Catwoman. The podcast invites When We Were Young superfan Jan

Cinematographer-turned-director Jan De Bont never met a mode of transportation he didn't want to blow up, and it all started with SPEED (1994), the action-thriller that whittled Keanu Reeves into the wooden king of turn-your-brain-off blockbusters (see also: the Matrix and John Wick franchises). This high-concept hit has one of the most iconic movie plots of all time, with madman Dennis Hopper planting a bomb on a city bus that will go boom if the odometer falls under 50 MPH. Fortunately, a very plucky Sandra Bullock is on hand to help careen through Los Angeles' notorious rush hour traffic and quip some snappy one-liners in her star-making role. And if all those elevators, buses, and subway cars make you claustrophobic, you're in luck! We've also booked a honeymoon suite aboard SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (1997), De Bont's Caribbean-set sequel that finds Sandra Bullock and Almost Keanu taken hostage on a cruise ship by yet another disgruntled psycho. (After a half-dozen mai tais, you'll swear it's Titanic

If you were older than a toddler and younger than a teenager in the 90s, chances are you were obsessed with Nickelodeon. The kids network churned out countless entertaining programs for younguns in the 1990s, particularly a slate of original animated shows they referred to as Nicktoons. DOUG, RUGRATS and REN & STIMPY premiered on the same day in August 1991 and had unprecedented levels of success for original cartoon series - and that's about all that they have in common. So is Doug Funnie still funny? Can we relate to Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the rest of the babies as adults? And what the hell was going on with Ren and Stimpy anyway? Join us, you dumb babies, as we revisit the network's first three original cartoons and try and fail to get Nickelodeon's super catchy doo-wop bumpers out of our heads. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies,

"I feel like I've been in a coma for 20 years... and I'm just now waking up." That's what Lester Burnham tells us in AMERICAN BEAUTY, and may also describe some people's reaction to this Best Picture winner from 1999, which is a mite more controversial in the wake of the #MeToo movement — and allegations of sexual misconduct by its Oscar-winning lead. When We Were Young invites you to "look closer" at the stunning cinematography, the innovative editing, the memorably melancholy score, and, of course, Alan Ball's sharp-tongued screenplay, which follows a doofy dad through a particularly fatal midlife crisis and satirizes upper middle class suburbia. There's plenty to cherish here, from the darkly comedic performances of Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, and, yes, even Kevin Spacey — but what about its approach to gender and sexuality in the 90s? Is this a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing youth in your middle age, or is watching Spacey lust after a teenager in 2019 just too... icky? Do

The year 1999 was a banner year at the cineplex, with dozens of fresh, exciting stories being told by a new crop of auteur filmmakers. Paul Thomas Anderson released his breakthrough movie Boogie Nights two years previous, but it was his epic drama MAGNOLIA (1999) that solidified his place as one of the decade's most thrilling new directors. This three-hour ensemble stars basically every actor you love, including Philip Seymour Hoffman as a kind hospice nurse, Julianne Moore as a jittery gold-digger dealing with pangs of guilt, and an Oscar-nominated Tom Cruise as a magnetic pickup artist with a past he'd rather not face. The film was loved by critics upon its release, but how does it hold up 20 years later? Join us as we venture to the San Fernando Valley and discuss our futile attempts to figure out "Magnolia." And remember to bring your umbrella, because there's an 82% chance of frogs. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980

Magic mirror on the wall, which Disney animated movie is the greatest one of all? It would be easy to make an argument for any of the Mouse House's first five full-length animated features - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937), PINOCCHIO (1940), FANTASIA (1940), DUMBO (1941) and BAMBI (1942) - as their all-time best. The five films of Disney's Golden Era are beloved for good reason: they tell simple stories with endearing leads, lovable sidekicks and memorable villains, with catchy songs and gorgeous animation to boot! But has anything gone stale in these classics in the last 77+ years? Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to debate the problematic elements and possibly racist characters of Disney's earliest animated movies we go! When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WWW

When Kurt Cobain died in April 1994, the grunge movement expired too, giving way to a broader spectrum of angry, bummed out rock that came to be defined as “alternative” (even though it may very well have been the dominant rock of the mid to late 90s). A landmark year for music in many ways, 1994 brought debuts, breakouts, and/or essential recordings from bands like Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, Oasis, Nine Inch Nails, Bush, Hole, Weezer, and The Offspring amongst others. And while many of these artists could easily fill an episode of the podcast all on their own, the fact that so many essential albums were released in a single calendar year made it impossible for us to keep ‘em separated. Rewind 25 years back to the past to rediscover some of the 90s' most iconic tracks, from Beck’s “Loser” to Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” to see which 1994 breakouts have stood the test of time. If you loved alternative music in the 90s, then welcome to paradise! When We Were Young is a podcast devo

Don’t snub our latest episode! It’s awards season, so the When We Were Young podcast is taking a hard look back at the Academy Awards from 1999, which saw a battle royale between Steven Spielberg’s knockout WWII epic SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and the Harvey Weinstein-backed costume rom-com SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE. First, the hosts reminisce about their earliest Oscar memories and relive some of the telecast’s worst dance numbers. Then, we travel back to D-Day with Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and a whole lot of bullets and explosions to see if Spielberg’s gritty drama is still as harrowing and awe-inspiring as it was back in 1998. And, more importantly — should it have defeated Shakespeare In Love as the year’s Best Picture? For Your Consideration: relive one of the 90s most memorable Oscars telecasts, when Roberto Benigni leapt onto the seats and into our hearts, Gwyneth Paltrow tearfully accepted her Best Actress award in an iconic pink Ralph Lauren dress, and host Whoopi Goldberg channeled Queen Elizabeth. T

There's something about Michael -- Michael Douglas, that is. The actor has starred in the top 3 highest-grossing erotic thrillers of all time: FATAL ATTRACTION (1987), BASIC INSTINCT (1992) and DISCLOSURE (1994), where he was the object of obsession for a lonely psychopath, a conniving man (and woman) eater, and a lecherous ladder-climber. What is it about him that drives the ladies wild? In our latest episode, we take a look back at these femme fatales and the man that ties them all together to touch on Hollywood's view of sexually aggressive career women, sexual harassment in the workplace, and most importantly the wonders of receiving an email in the early days of the Internet. Better hide your bunny, dear listener, because we won't be ignored. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. Follow us on

the When We Were Young podcast The late, great Robin Williams played many iconic characters in the 90s, including Aladdin’s Genie and a grownup Peter Pan. But nothing showed off his talent for manic physical comedy and rapid-fire zingers quite like the 1993 family comedy MRS. DOUBTFIRE. It may just be his signature role — at least, for kids who grew up in the 90s. In the latest podcast, we look back at the tradition of funnymen dressing as funny-looking women, from Tom Hanks in the awkward sitcom BOSOM BUDDIES (1980) to Dustin Hoffman in the Oscar darling TOOTSIE (1982) to Martin Lawrence in the raunchy BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE (2000). Then, it’s time to say “Hellooooooo!” again to Euphegenia Doubtfire, cinema’s most successful cross-dresser (with over $400 million at the box office). Williams plays Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who assumes the alias of a no-nonsense nanny to spend more time with his estranged family. (That’s what any loving father would do! Right??) We also discuss the

Oh baby, baby, how was the world supposed to know that BRITNEY SPEARS' 1999 breakout debut 'Baby... One More Time' would become one of the best-selling albums of all time, turn the performer into the biggest star on the planet for decades (for better or worse), and usher in new wave of blonde teen pop singers hoping to capture the same success? In When We Were Young's latest episode, we head back to 1999 to revisit Britney's instant domination in pop culture, as well as the debuts of CHRISTINA AGUILERA, MANDY MOORE and JESSICA SIMPSON. Have the last 20 years been kind to these four debut albums? Or do they make us cry, cry, cry in our lonely heart? Join us as we debate the definition of pop music, get disgusted by Joe Simpson's inappropriate comments about his daughter, and get dirrty discussing the subtext of "Genie in a Bottle." When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how

Never get them wet. Avoid bright lights. Don't feed them after midnight. And whatever you do, don't miss When We Were Young's holiday episode! The yuletide takes a dark turn this year as we take a look back at the Chrismas-set horror-comedy GREMLINS (1984) and its less successful but much more bonkers sequel GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (1990). "Gremlins" is notable for paving the way for the PG-13 rating and making the horror-comedy genre mainstream. But are these trouble-making creatures' hijinks charming, or just super annoying after all these years? Is "Gremlins 2" still as insane as we remember it being? And is Gizmo still the cutest thing ever? (Spoiler: Yes, he is!) Grab a midnight snack and run a bath as we shine a light on Joe Dante's cult classic! When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000). Join us for a look back to the past with a critical eye on how these movies, songs, TV shows and more hold up now. You can follow us on T

The 1980s may not have been quite as bleak as 1984 predicted, but the Reagan era did see plenty of doom and gloom in entertainment, from Mad Max and Blade Runner to The Terminator and RoboCop. In When We Were Young’s latest episodes, Reel Gents podcast host Travis Dukelow joins us to dissect a cornucopia of dystopias unleashed in the 80s. In Part One, we cover Terry Gilliam’s legendary BRAZIL (1985), which takes several cues from Orwell’s 1984 and adds a healthy dollop of dryly absurd British humor. Jonathan Pryce stars as meek cog-in-the-machine Sam Lowry, whose heroic fantasies offer the only hope of escape from a dreary, duct-ravaged world — at least, until Robert De Niro shows up as the world’s most swashbuckling repairman. If your vision of the future involves Christmastime, lobotomies, plastic surgery gone awry, and terrorism, this is the dystopia for you! If you prefer a more scathing satire of consumerism and media, however, look no further than John Carpenter’s camp classic THEY LIVE (1987), di