Category Archives: 1980s
Joan Rivers on The Tonight Show
Yesterday, Joan Rivers died at the age of 81. Before she was E!’s go to fashion critic, she had a long history with talk shows (a lot of it is not good). We’re not going to go into the details of the falling out between Rivers and Johnny Carson. Instead, we’re choosing to remember them in happier times. In the following clip from The Tonight Show, Joan sits down with Johnny to discuss her book Enter Talking.
Slimed Teaches You Nickelodeon’s History
As a huge fan of 90s Nickelodeon, I was excited to read the new book Slimed: An Oral History of Nickelodeon’s Golden Age, written by Matthew Klickstein. The book details the ups and downs of Nickelodeon from the 1980s and 1990s. It covers everything from starting the first kids network in 1979 to creating original programming.
One thing that surprised me is that the book chapters are in interview form rather than like a biography. The titles of each chapter represent the question that are answered by many former Nickelodeon cast and crew; some of which include actors Melissa Joan Hart, Kenan Thompson, and Michelle Trachtenberg as well as creators Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold), Jim Jinkins (Doug), and D.J. MacHale (Are You Afraid of the Dark?). Since I associate Nickelodeon as a network for children, some “colorful” language in the book took me by surprise.
Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” at the VMAs
Everyone is still talking about Miley’s performance at the MTV Music Video Awards. It’s been two days and we’re all still processing it. Did she appropriate a segment of black culture? Did Miley’s mom really approve of the things her daughter was doing with that foam finger? Yes and yes.
Instead of beating the dead horse that is Miley’s performance, Wait! What’s a Dial? has decided to take a look back at the performance that began the VMA’s reputation for crossing the line. While it was raunchy and shocking in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” performance looks quaint in comparison to some of the acts today.
Sonny and Cher on ‘Late Night with Letterman’
On November 13, 1987, ten years after their divorce, Sonny and Cher appeared on Late Night with David Letterman. The duo stopped by for an interview and to sing their hit “I Got You Babe.”
During the interview, it is apparent that Sonny and Cher still care deeply for each other.
Wait! What's A Dial? 