I Love the '80s

I stumbled across this little gem when my mom shouted up the stairs to me to come downstairs and check out what was on TV. She (along with everyone else who knows me well) knows that I'm a huge fan of '80s culture and insisted that I would love it. Right she was. I'm quickly approaching my 25th birthday this year (in a little over a month); therefore, I lived through my childhood years and two of my preteen years during the '80s. I believe that the first episode that I saw of this series was the 1986 episode; I found myself fixated on the witty commentary and reflections of the good and the not-so-good trends and happenings of that year. I knew that I wanted more. Luckily, there was another episode following that one, and I was so excited. I've taped every episode since and I still catch them if they're on when I'm hanging out at home.

The series is divided into ten hour-long episodes for 1980 - 1989. There is a wonderful cross-section of interviewees that range from '80s icons to some of today's stars. My one teensy-weensy gripe about the show is that a few of the interviewees are, in my opinion, too young to wax nostalgia on the '80s (Raven-Symone & LeAnn Rimes, for example). However, Raven-Symone was on the most popular sitcom of the '80s (The Cosby Show), so maybe that's the reason that she was interviewed. VH1 also may have decided that they wanted some young stars integrated into the mix to reach a younger viewer demographic as well. Anyway, it's too small of a turn-off to be bothered with, I suppose.

I found myself laughing and gasping at some of the things that I could relate to owning, remembering, wearing, and admiring from those years. It's how I sum up childhood and beginning to come of age; those years remind me of what my life was like before the onset of my teenage years and being stressed out over silly things. It was truly a happy time and this series captures the cultural aspects of that time.

9/10

In response to users Nick-337 comment about you having a hard time believing Beyonce and Leeann Rhimes remembering anything about the 1980s. First of all I was born in 1982. Persons born in 1981 and 1982 like Beyonce and Leeann were 7 and 8 when the 80s ended. We started elementary school when the decade ended. Many of us remember Challenger, Ronald Reagan and the Berlin Wall falling. Do you mean to tell me that you don't remember anything when you were a child. Many people born in the early 1960s remember when JFK was killed, and even more so when RFK, and MLK were killed, the Vietnam War, the Beatles and Woodstock, and NO ONE disputes them. Why is is SOOO hard for you to believe that persons born in the 1980s remember many aspects about the decade. As a child my favorite shows were Knots Landing and Family Ties. My first crush was on Michael J. Fox and Ted Shackleford. I think its safe to say anyone born from 1980-1983 (early 80s) would have enough memories to relate to the decade. I would find it "hard to believe" if a person lived 7 or 8 years and did not remember anything about their life.

I caught this on television when it first aired back in December of 2002. After watching the very first episode ("1980"), I instantly became addicted. This was unlike any mini-series I had ever seen on television before. It was absolutely incredible. It was funny, it had good music, it was entertaining, it was simply the best thing I had ever seen on VH1 at the time. I never knew that watching a mini-series could be so fun. What makes "I Love the '80s" and "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" so great are the commentators. Tom Arnold, Rich Eisen, Greg Fitzsimmons, Natasha Henstridge, Ron Jeremy, Wallace Langham, Hal Sparks, Donal Logue, Mo Rocca, Henry Rollins, Stuart Scott, Dee Snider, Joel Stein, and Weird Al all provide great commentary. The best line of the entire series comes from Hal Sparks when commenting on STAR WARS EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI: "Lucas says that he planned out all these stories from the very beginning, so why are they kissing in the first one? It's gross. Why in the first poster of Star Wars is she clinging to his leg, like an inch and a half from his crank, and then two years later it's his sister. Eww." Hopefully, VH1 will release this fantastic mini-series along with "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" to DVD soon. Judging from the number of fans they have, I have a feeling it would sell millions and millions of copies.

My rating: 9/10

Vh1 has really outdone itself, it has put on a hilarious show that is watchable over and over (they make sure of that by replaying it almost every day). Everytime it comes on I am completely hooked. It is so addicting!

Without the help of Micheal Ian Black, Hal Sparks, Mo Collins, that guy witht he glasses (I so TOTALLY forgot his name), and many other celebrities this might not be as good. But those comediens make it so darn funny. And sometimes it gets funnier with each viewing! I think I have seen each episode at least 3 times, all 10 of them.

But what stinks is that it had to end. I mean 10 hours of the 80's is a little much, but then again not enough. I could do with 20! It's that good!

I know I love the 70's i right around the corner and I can't wait! Though I wander if it will have the full effect of I love the 80's. Only time will tell, dude.

*10/10*

The first time I saw "I love the 80's i was hooked. I have seen every episode at least 3 times. Michael Ian Black, Greg Fitzsimmon, mo Rocca, and Hal Sparks all b ring comic relief. Its great seeing the brat pack pac man and rubix cubes all over again. It made me realize how much i miss the glorious 80's.. also things like acid wash jeans day glo and frankie goes to hollywood made me glad to say good bye to them. I watch it every time its on and still laugh out loud whenever i see things like short circuit and david hasselhoffs light up jacket.

the best show on television today is without a doubt "I love the 80's"