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

DANTE'S PEAK and VOLCANO (1997) Don’t look back. The pressure is building. This thing’s gonna blow, and it’s hotter than hell! No, this is not When We Were Young’s episode on the best porn of the 90s — it’s the pyroclastic flow of natural disaster flicks unleashed by Twister’s sweeping success in the summer of ‘96. To blatantly rip off our first episode, Episode 33 surmounts Dante’s Peak and pokes around in the stinky tunnels of Volcano, two back-to-back disaster doppelgangers from 1997. First, Chris relates the real-life 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, the basis for Dante’s Peak’s magmatic magic. Then, Becky harkens back to her days as a budding geologist to scientifically measure the likelihood of a volcano suddenly bursting from the loins of Los Angeles. One has Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton, the other has Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche. Both feature thwarted vacations, youth in peril, charred limbs, and dogs leaping away from lava in the nick of time — but neither was a seismic event at the

COMING TO AMERICA (1988) Eddie Murphy was already a huge star when "COMING TO AMERICA" was released in 1988, and he went on to make a few more hits (and, let's be honest, a few clunkers). But the story of Prince Akeem's trip to Queens, NY to find his true love is one of the most beloved (and quoted) films of Murphy's whole career. On this week's episode of WHEN WE WERE YOUNG we revisit John Landis' comedic fairy tale, discussing everything from the amazing wedding day tribal dance in Zamunda to the fourth-wall-breaking pooch we affectionately refer to as "Judgment Dog." We also jam out to some of Murphy's forays into pop music, because you didn't think we could pass up the chance to sing along to "Party All The Time," did you? Does "Coming to America" still make you crack up after all these years - or when you think of garbage, do you think of Akeem? Listen to our latest episode now! And bark like a dog. A big dog. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our forma

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER (1964), A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965), HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (1966) In our first holiday episode, When We Were Young looks back on Christmas and Hanukkah traditions from childhood, debates the pros and cons of believing in Santa Claus, and shares favorite festive pop culture (or mourns the dearth of good Hanukkah music). Then, we check in on the annual animated Christmas specials we watched as kids: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Do these family-friendly specials still make us shout out with glee (“yippee!”), or have they held up as well as a bad banana with a greasy black peel? We hope you’ve practiced your Snoopy dance, because this is When We Were Young’s holliest, jolliest episode yet. Happy holidays! Not just Christmas! 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

TITANIC (1997) It’s been 20 years, and we can still smell the fresh paint… the sheets had never been slept in… and we’d never heard Celine Dion belt her heart out over James Horner’s pennywhistle. To mark the 20th anniversary of a film as gargantuan and ambitious as the ocean liner itself, When We Were Young once more opens the door on James Cameron’s 1997 disaster-romance. Are you ready to go back to Titanic? (If not, too bad — it’s way too late to get off.) Everyone knows Titanic dazzled critics, swept the Oscars, and sold a hell of a lot of dreamy Jack Dawson posters. The self-proclaimed King of the World’s crowning glory went on to become the biggest movie of all time on so many levels, a pop culture event as rare as the Heart of the Ocean. But are Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio’s performances still unsinkable? Is the film’s elaborate production as impressive as ever? Do our hearts really go on and on… or is it time to break our promise and just… let go? Strip down to nothing but a multimilli

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (1991) & ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES (1993) To mirth! To merriment! To manslaughter! Thanksgiving isn’t known for inspiring many movies, but the mysterious and spooky Addams clan should make you feel better about your own family’s freakishness this holiday season. In this episode we spend some quality time with Morticia, Fester, Wednesday, Thing, Cousin Itt and the rest of the gang in their big screen debut, THE ADDAMS FAMILY (1991) and its sharper sequel ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES (1993), which features a fiery ode to the first Thanksgiving feast. First, we delve into the characters' origins in a macabre New Yorker comic, then debate whether it was The Addams Family or The Munsters we watched on Nick At Nite growing up. Then we dive into the creepy plot twists, kooky soundtracks (Tag Team and MC Hammer?), and the altogether ooky performances of Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, podcast MVP Joan Cusack, and more. So serve yourself a heaping helping of When We Were Young! (Yes, this podcast IS made

THE SIMPSONS (1989-1999 Seasons) Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie and the seemingly unlimited citizens of Springfield have been up to their TV hijinks for nearly thirty years. But chances are every episode you love from THE SIMPSONS likely aired in just the first decade of the show's run. The Simpsons' Golden Years (1989-1999) are referred to fondly as producing some of the best TV in history, reflecting just about every aspect of our world while making its own undeniable impact on pop culture. So how do "King Size Homer," "Marge vs the Monorail," "Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie" and all the other classic episodes hold up? Have the show's takes on sexual politics, immigration and gun control become dated over time, or are they still relevant? And how many Simpsons references can Becky and our guest host, writer/comedian Justin Zirilli, make before Chris explodes? Up and at them! We're taking a deep dive into this perfectly cromulent show this week on WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. When We Were Young is a pod

STAND BY ME (1986) & STEPHEN KING'S IT (1990) Stranger things have happened than what happened on Stranger Things — thanks in large part to one of horror’s most prolific names. In honor of the Netflix nostalgia-fest’s second season, When We Were Young takes a look at the 1980s oeuvre of its biggest influence, Stephen King. Following two true blue horror masterpieces, Carrie and The Shining, King unleashed a wave of spine-tingling adaptations with varying degrees of schlock, from pyro pixie Drew Barrymore in Firestarter to the killer car in Christine. We discuss these titles and their influence on Stranger Things, then dwell on the 1986 coming-of-age classic Stand By Me, which blends some macabre moments with a more melancholy tale of boyhood, mortality, and purple vomit. Finally, we all float over to 1990, where Tim Curry’s fearsome fanged clown Pennywise awaits us in the sewer-dwelling TV movie It, recently remade as the most successful horror film of all time. How does Stranger Things — which tri

THE BIRDCAGE (1996), ELLEN: “THE PUPPY EPISODE” (1997), IN & OUT (1997) Come one, come all, and COME OUT ALREADY for When We Were Young’s most same-sex-loving episode yet! In honor of Coming Out Day, Episode 26 takes a furtive glance back at the gay 90s, which marked a sea change in pop culture's depictions of people who are — yep! — gay. First, our hosts coop up in The Birdcage, Mike Nichols’ 1996 comedy that pushes Robin Williams and Nathan Lane back in the closet to appease Ally McBeal's right-wing parents. Next, we touch on Ellen DeGeneres' game-changing "Puppy Episode," the coming out party heard 'round the world. And finally, we celebrate the 20th out-iversary of In & Out, starring Kevin Kline as a small-town teacher outed at the Oscars, and Joan Cusack as his increasingly desperate bride-to-be. Plenty of social progress has been made in the days since Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and DOMA, so how do these mid-90s gay characters hold up in 2017? Practice your John Wayne walk, book some therapy with Opr

BLADE RUNNER (1982) Do androids dream of electric sheep? Do replicants dream of unicorns? Does Sean Young dream of being in a movie where she isn’t manhandled by a major movie star? In Episode 25 of When We Were Young, the lines between man and machine are blurred as we discuss Ridley Scott’s sci-fi thriller Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Daryl Hannah, in advance of the Ryan Gosling-starring sequel Blade Runner 2049. First, the gang shares childhood visions of Things To Come, and wonders why there are so many dystopias in the fictional future (and so few utopias). Then, we dive into the year 2019 (by way of 1982, in 2017) to revisit the darkest, wettest, most neon-geisha-filled depiction of Los Angeles ever. We all agree that Blade Runner has amazing parking meters and fierce eye makeup, but is the story itself worth the film’s cult classic status? Opinions may differ! In a special bonus segment for WWWY superfans at episode’s end, the gang celebrates a full year of podcastin

THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR (1990-1996) This is a story all about how Will Smith's life got twist-turned upside down when he seamlessly transitioned from rap star to sitcom star with his hit NBC series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which ran from 1990 to 1996. It's almost easy to forget Smith's TV days, since he's spent most of the last two decades as one of the most bankable movie stars of all time. But before "Suicide Squad," before "Independence Day," and yes, before "Gettin' Jiggy With It," Smith was showing off his comic (and dramatic) chops as one of TV's freshest talents. In our latest episode, we take a look back at Smith's sitcom days and discover that "Fresh Prince" was basically the king of the "very special episode." We also realize that none of us fully understand the weird turns that take place in Smith's pre-TV single "Parents Just Don't Understand." 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

Sorry we're not home right now, we're walking into 1995 to discuss No Doubt's breakthrough album TRAGIC KINGDOM in our latest episode! We've already repeatedly mentioned Tragic Kingdom on the podcast, and there’s good reason for that – all three When We Were Young hosts count this album as the first or one of the first CDs they ever purchased, as well as one of the most influential during their pre-teen years. Gwen Stefani’s mid-90s style certainly still inspires Becky’s fashion sense today, but how does the band’s seminal ska-pop-punk record hold up after 22 years? Because Tragic Kingdom's 14 tracks aren't enough for us, we also touch on the Anaheim outfit’s first two albums, the self-titled NO DOUBT (1992) and THE BEACON STREET COLLECTION (1995), as well as their anticipated follow-up RETURN OF SATURN (2000). Listen, but be forewarned: there be many impromptu a cappella renditions of No Doubt songs in this episode. When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our forma

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (1992) Did a baseball diamond used to be your playground? If so, you’re probably one of the fans who made the Rockford Peaches stars of the most successful baseball movie of all time. Penny Marshall’s World War II-era dramedy is a who’s who of major league 90s names, from Geena Davis to Rosie O’Donnell to Tom Hanks to Madonna. (And Marla Hooch!) There’s no denying that the film is a feminist feat: a rare sports drama directed by and starring women. A League of Their Own paved the way for so many stories about female athletes to follow, like... uhh... has anyone seen my new red hat? In honor of the film’s 25th anniversary, the When We Were Young hosts drug their chaperones and trade oven mitts for baseball mitts, debating whether Betty Spaghetti & co. knock it out of the park or drop the ball. And all without letting our noses get shiny! 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 t

Somebody stop us! In Episode 21, the When We Were Young podcast says “alrighty, then!” to a trip back to 1994, when Jim Carrey soared to superstar status in three back-to-back blockbusters: DUMB & DUMBER, THE MASK, and ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE. We’re not just talking out of our asses here. Clearly, Carrey was one of the most bankable stars of our youth... but how do his rubber-faced hijinks hold up when viewed for the first time as adults? Are these comedies still sssmokin’ - or do misogyny and homophobia end up making everyone involved look like a LOOHOOO-SE-HER? It’s the most eye-popping, jaw-dropping, fourth-wall-breaking, catchphrase-spewing, Cameron Diaz-introducing episode of the podcast yet! Fire up your '84 sheepdog, kill a couple pretty birds, and prepare to hear the most annoying sound on Earth as we spend an entire year with Jim Carrey! (Seriously… won’t somebody stop us?) When We Were Young is a podcast devoted to the most beloved pop culture of our formative years (roughly 1980-2000).

Turn back, Sarah - we're headed into the imaginative mind of Jim Henson on this week's episode, and anything could happen! Though many think of The Muppets or Sesame Street when they think of Jim Henson, if you were coming of age in the mid-80s and into fairy tales, myths, and gender-bending pop, LABYRINTH (1986) was surely more your bag. With the help of our guest "Labyrinth" superfan Krissy Fox we rewatch Henson's darkly humorous, whimsical tale of an aggressively pansexual Goblin King who enjoys infant theft, mind games and synthy pop tunes - you know, good clean family entertainment! We also take a look at Labyrinth's gloomier but just as impressively designed predecessor THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982). Join us as we discuss Henson's legacy, Bowie's bulge, and... well, we talk about Bowie's crotch a LOT, because c'mon, it's RIGHT THERE. 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

Dearly beloved, we gather today to celebrate the union of a pretty woman, Ms. Julia Roberts, and a talented filmmaker, Mr. PJ Hogan. If anyone can show just cause why they should not be joined — well, that's too bad! It happened twenty years ago this month. In honor of wedding season, the hosts of WHEN WE WERE YOUNG share their childhood visions of holy matrimony before revisiting two nuptial-themed films by Aussie auteur PJ Hogan. First, we say "I do" to 1994's MURIEL'S WEDDING, a quirky drama that's not nearly as terrible as Muriel herself. Then we attend MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, an unconventional 1997 rom-com that has our hosts thoroughly divided. Is Rupert Everett's scene-stealing George a dated stereotype, or a monumental achievement in queer representation in summer blockbusters? Is Julia Roberts playing a heinous sociopath... or a lovably heinous sociopath? Most importantly: will Jell-O always be bested by crème brûlée? Say a little prayer for us, because contrary to rom-com tradition, happy end

The WHEN WE WERE YOUNG podcast isn't even supposed to be here today! But in this episode, we took a fresh look at Kevin Smith's influential 90's romantic comedy CHASING AMY, and touched on CLERKS, DOGMA and the rest of the "View Askewniverse." Does this quirky and queer comedy starring Joey Lauren Adams and Ben Affleck hold up? Join in as we take a fresh look back with 2017 eyes on this 1997 film that was seen as a new step forward in representing queer characters in cinema, given our current wave of LGBTQ social progress and the evolution of non-heterosexual characters in mainstream movies. 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 Twitter at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at @WWWYShow, you can Email us at wwwyshow@gmail.com, and don’t forget to subscribe and review us on iTunes! You can help us de

Encounter the xenomorph in WHEN WE WERE YOUNG's ickiest episode yet! First, the gang discusses their personal experiences with body horror, including bruised ears and splinters in places there should not be wood. Then, it's time to get all face-huggy and chest-bursty with Sigourney Weaver in the ALIEN franchise, beginning with Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi/horror classic and moving on to James Cameron's rock-'em sock-'em sequel, featuring a lovable turn from the late Bill Paxton. Have countless rip-offs dulled these classics, or are they still capable of making your jaws-within-jaws drop? Next, we quickly touch on David Fincher's regrettable ALIEN3 and the campy Joss Whedon-penned ALIEN: RESURRECTION, which adds Winona Ryder to the mix. This is a mostly comprehensive look at one of the most influential horror franchises ever made... mostly... in anticipation of ALIEN: COVENANT, due May 19. Strip down to your most retro panties, climb into the nearest available power-loader, and GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU BITCH

Bring your friends and your anti-depressants to the 16th episode of the WHEN WE WERE YOUNG podcast, when we revisit Nirvana - the band that later became known as the entire musical genre called "grunge." In this episode we listen to the two most popular albums of the definitive Seattle rock band: 1991's worldwide smash Nevermind and 1993's In Utero. We also touch on their 1994 MTV Unplugged album, the documentary film MONTAGE OF HECK, and the music of the grunge-era bands that followed in Nirvana's wake. 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 Twitter at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at @WWWYShow, you can Email us at wwwyshow@gmail.com, and don’t forget to subscribe and review us on iTunes!   You can help us defray the costs of creating this show, which include purchasing movies/shows/music to r

Is that an earthquake? In honor of the 20th anniversary of their 10 year reunion, we join the Madonna twins and a big giant girl who smokes and says "shit" a lot to revisit 1987 and 1997 in ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION. Watch out, Tucson! Chris and Seth have a special place in their hearts for this teen comedy made specifically for the C-Group (and anyone else who ever had their hamburger stolen by a deludanoid), and mutually agree that this is the cutest the When We Were Young podcast has ever looked. Meanwhile, Becky (the obvious Rhoda of this episode) comes to the scarf-folding fun with a fresher perspective to examine how this cherished cult hit holds up against today's comedic standards. The WWWY gang is also joined by special guest Chelsea, inventor of Post-Its, to discuss her fancy-schmancy formula for glue. Grab your flip phone and your huge notebook, because When We Were Young is due in Tucson later (for a business thing), and we're not stopping until our shoes are overflowing with bloo

Robert Zemeckis' WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988) effortlessly blended live action and animation in a cinematic experience never seen before (and rarely since). It was also a colossal hit for Touchstone Pictures (aka the Mouse House, Disney!) and managed to delight children, adults, classic cartoon fans and noir thriller aficionados -- no small feat! Your beloved WHEN WE WERE YOUNG podcast hosts originally saw this live action-animated-comedy-mystery hybrid blockbuster as little kids; now that we're old enough to have a complicated appreciation of Jessica Rabbit's heaving bosom, we decided to head back into Toontown to see if the groundbreaking flick still holds up today. 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 Twitter at @WWWYshow, on Facebook at @WWWYShow, you can Email us at wwwyshow@gmail.c