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Steve Spears

The longest-running ’80s podcast—featuring interviews with music legends, movie stars, and MTV icons. Deep dives, debates, and Gen X nostalgia every week.

Hosted by Steve Spears and Brad Williams, the show blends sharp takes with insider stories from the people who lived it. From ’80s music and movies to MTV culture and pop culture history, each episode goes deeper than nostalgia to uncover what made the decade unforgettable.

Stuck in the '80s Podcast

Episode 789: Summer has a funny way of collapsing time.

One minute you're hearing a familiar song on the radio or smelling charcoal from the neighbor's grill, and suddenly you're sixteen years old again. You're counting down the days until the next blockbuster hits the theater. You're hanging out with friends until the streetlights come on. You're convinced that summer might actually last forever.

With the Fourth of July weekend here, we thought it was the perfect excuse to revisit one of our favorite episodes from the Stuck in the '80s archives.

Originally released in 2008, this episode features Steve Spears and original co-host Sean Daly reminiscing about the movies, songs, and moments that defined summertime during the greatest decade ever. Along the way, we share some personal stories, debate our favorite summer memories, and deliver one of the funniest comedy skits we've ever produced for the show.

Listening to this episode today feels a little like opening an old scrapbook. Not only are we remembering the summers of the '80s—we're also revisiting the early days of Stuck in the '80s itself, when the podcast was still finding its voice and none of us imagined we'd still be doing this more than two decades later.

Whether you've been with us since those early years or you're discovering these classic episodes for the first time, we hope this one reminds you why nostalgia remains such a powerful force. It's never really about the movies or the songs alone. It's about who we were when we experienced them—and the people who shared those moments with us.

Thanks for spending part of your holiday weekend with us. We hope this trip back to 2008 brings back a few memories of your own.

Planning your own trip back to the '80s?

Join us aboard The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of the decade we all love. Spend a week with legendary artists, fellow fans, live podcasts, trivia, and unforgettable performances at sea.

Use promo code STUCK when you book to receive up to $250 in onboard credit. We hope to see you there!
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer Forever: A Classic 2008 Look Back at the Best of the '80s

Episode 788: If you grew up in the 1980s, chances are your childhood memories can be measured in action figures, toy catalogs, and Saturday mornings spent convincing your parents that you absolutely needed "just one more."

The toys weren't simply things we owned—they became the stars of our own adventures. They transformed living room floors into battlefields, bedrooms into space stations, and backyards into fantasy worlds that lasted until the streetlights came on.

This week on Stuck in the '80s, we're celebrating those memories with a guest who has managed to turn that same childhood passion into an incredible career.

Steve Spears sits down with Jonathan Cathey, founder and president of The Loyal Subjects, the collectible toy company known for breathing new life into some of pop culture's most beloved characters and franchises. Jonathan discusses how his fascination with toys and storytelling evolved into building a company that creates products for both lifelong collectors and a new generation of fans.

The conversation explores why the toys of the 1980s still resonate decades later. Was it the imagination they inspired? The unforgettable television commercials? The cartoons that made us beg our parents for the latest action figure? Or was there simply something magical about growing up during one of the greatest eras in toy history?

Jonathan also shares what it takes to revive classic toy brands for modern audiences. It's a balancing act between honoring nostalgia and introducing familiar characters to people who weren't even born when these toys first appeared on store shelves. Along the way, he offers a fascinating look behind the curtain at the toy industry, from product development to licensing and everything in between.

Later in the episode, Steve is joined by co-host Chuck Coverly for an extended trip down memory lane.

Together, they compare the toys that defined their childhoods, revisit favorite Christmas gifts, remember the thrill of wandering the toy aisles at department stores, and debate which toys have stood the test of time. It's the kind of conversation every Gen Xer has had at one point: "Did you have one of those?" followed immediately by, "I wish I'd never gotten rid of mine."

Of course, that's one of the great ironies of growing up. The toys we couldn't imagine living without often disappeared into yard sales, closets, or donation boxes—only to become prized collectibles years later.

But maybe that's not the point.

The real value wasn't in what those toys might be worth today. It was in the afternoons they filled with adventure, the friendships they inspired, and the memories they continue to unlock decades later.

Whether your shelves were filled with action figures, toy vehicles, dolls, robots, playsets, or anything in between, this episode is a celebration of the creativity, imagination, and pure joy that made being a kid in the 1980s so special.

So dust off those memories—and maybe that old toy box in the attic—and join us for another nostalgic journey back to the decade we still call home.

Cruise with Us!

Love reliving the '80s as much as we do? Come experience the decade in the most unforgettable way possible aboard The 80s Cruise! Join your favorite artists, fellow fans, and members of the Stuck in the '80s family for concerts, live podcasts, trivia, interviews, and nonstop nostalgia on the high seas.

When you book your cabin, use promo code STUCK to receive $250 in onboard credit per cabin. We can't wait to see you onboard!
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Toys of the '80s and Beyond with Jonathan Cathey of The Loyal Subjects

Episode 787: When people talk about the summer movies of 1986, the conversation usually starts with Top Gun and ends somewhere around Aliens, The Karate Kid Part II, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It was one of the strongest movie summers of the decade, packed with blockbusters that still dominate pop-culture conversations 40 years later.

But every great movie season leaves a few worthy titles behind.

This week on Stuck in the '80s, we revisit four films from the summer of 1986 that may not get the attention they deserve today: SpaceCamp, Legal Eagles, Nothing in Common, and Ruthless People. Each offered something unique, even if they were overshadowed by bigger releases.
Support Our Sponsors

Ready for the ultimate nostalgia vacation? Join us aboard The 80s Cruise, the world's greatest floating celebration of 1980s music and pop culture. Sail with legendary artists, enjoy exclusive events, and hang out with fellow fans who still know every word to their favorite '80s songs.

Use promo code STUCK when booking and receive $250 in onboard credit per cabin.

For more information, visit The 80s Cruise and tell them your friends from Stuck in the '80s sent you.

 

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer of '86: The Underappreciated Movies Turning 40 This Year

Episode 786: From sci-fi parodies and comedy catchphrases to political satire and celebrity rap records, the ’80s produced some truly unforgettable novelty hits. Steve and Chuck revisit songs that were silly, bizarre, occasionally controversial—and somehow impossible to forget.

In this episode, they discuss:

• "Star Trekkin'" by The Firm, the cult classic that became a No. 1 hit in the United Kingdom

• "You Look Marvelous" by Billy Crystal, inspired by his legendary Saturday Night Live character Fernando

• "Rappin' Rodney" by Rodney Dangerfield, one of the most unlikely rap records of the MTV era

• "Bomb Iran" by Vince Vance & the Valiants, the political parody song inspired by the Iran hostage crisis

Along the way, they explore the role of Dr. Demento, the rise of novelty records in the MTV era, memorable music videos, comedy albums, and why some of the weirdest songs of the decade continue to live rent-free in our heads decades later.

Plus, Steve and Chuck share their memories of discovering these songs, discuss how novelty music fit into the larger pop culture landscape of the 1980s, and debate whether today's music world could ever produce anything quite like them again.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at The 80s Cruise. Join your favorite artists, fellow fans, and the Stuck in the ’80s crew aboard the ultimate floating celebration of the decade. Visit The 80s Cruise and use promo code STUCK when booking to receive a $250 cabin credit.

We also thank our Patreon supporters, whose generosity helps keep the longest-running ’80s pop culture podcast alive and thriving. To learn more about supporting the show, visit our Patreon page.

If you grew up listening to Dr. Demento, watching MTV after school, quoting Saturday Night Live catchphrases, or laughing at records that somehow became radio hits, this episode is for you.
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Novelty Songs of the ’80s: “Star Trekkin’,” “Rappin’ Rodney,” “Bomb Iran” and Other Weird Hits

Some songs don’t just define a decade — they instantly improve your mood the second they begin playing. Few tracks from the MTV era carry that kind of joyful energy quite like Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve sits down with frontwoman Katrina Leskanich for a lively conversation about music, touring and the remarkable twists and turns of her career.

The episode begins with Katrina reflecting on her experiences aboard The 80s Cruise, where she not only performed for fans of the MTV generation but also hosted one of the ship’s beloved trivia competitions. Spearsy and Katrina discuss the uniquely emotional atmosphere of the cruise, where artists and fans reconnect through the shared soundtrack of their youth.

Along the way, Katrina revisits the creation of Walking on Sunshine and reflects on recording with legendary producer Scott Litt at the famous Power Station studio in New York. The conversation explores how the band evolved from London’s gritty club scene into international pop success during the height of the MTV era.

Katrina also discusses the dramatic transition from struggling musician to major-label artist after signing with Capitol Records and the strange realities of navigating the music industry during the 1980s. Like many artists from the era, she experienced both the excitement and pressure of sudden mainstream success.

The interview also revisits Katrina’s surprising second chapter as a Eurovision champion after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 with Love Shine a Light — a career milestone that helped launch her solo career and introduced her music to an entirely new international audience.

Toward the end of the episode, Spearsy and Katrina discuss her upcoming appearances on the Lost 80's Live tour and why audiences continue responding so emotionally to the music of the 1980s. Like many great Stuck in the ’80s interviews, the conversation becomes less about nostalgia itself and more about the joy, connection and shared memories these songs continue creating decades later.

If you love new wave, MTV nostalgia, unforgettable one-hit wonders that deserved to be much bigger and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most uplifting voices of the decade, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

And don’t forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Katrina Leskanich on “Walking on Sunshine,” Eurovision and The 80s Cruise

Forty years later, So still stands as one of the most ambitious, emotional and sonically adventurous albums of the 1980s. Released in 1986, the landmark record transformed Peter Gabriel from respected art-rock innovator into a full-fledged MTV superstar thanks to unforgettable songs like Sledgehammer, In Your Eyes, Big Time and Red Rain. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy revisits one of the show’s classic deep-dive episodes celebrating the 40th anniversary of an album that helped define sophisticated pop music in the MTV era.

Originally recorded in 2010, this fan-favorite episode features commentary from Peter Gabriel superfan Bassnote, whose passion and deep knowledge of the album help uncover why So continues to resonate with music lovers decades later. From the groundbreaking music videos and experimental production techniques to the emotional vulnerability running throughout the record, the episode explores how Peter Gabriel blended art rock, world music, pop and cutting-edge studio technology into something completely unique for its time.

Along the way, Spearsy and Bassnote revisit the massive impact of Sledgehammer on MTV, the emotional power of In Your Eyes and the cinematic atmosphere of tracks like Red Rain. They also discuss the album’s legendary guest musicians, including Kate Bush, Youssou N'Dour and Laurie Anderson, and how the album captured both the ambition and emotional complexity of the late 1980s.

The conversation also explores the larger legacy of Peter Gabriel — from his early progressive-rock work with Genesis to his role in shaping socially conscious and artistically daring pop music throughout the MTV generation. If you love classic ’80s albums, audiophile production, art rock, new wave, emotionally powerful songwriting and deep dives into music history, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, merch and behind-the-scenes content from Spearsy and Brad.

And don’t forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin for special listener perks and come hang out with fellow Gen X music fans while enjoying live performances from some of the decade’s biggest artists.
 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Gabriel’s ‘So’ at 40 | Songs, Stories and Legacy

This week on the longest-running ’80s pop culture podcast, Steve Spears and Brad Williams return to one of their favorite recurring topics: unlikely cover songs of the 1980s.

Did you know Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back” was originally recorded by Billy Satellite? Or that Chaka Khan’s Grammy-winning “I Feel for You” began as a deep cut by Prince?

Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome back to Unlikely Cover Songs of the ’80s
02:14 – “Wind Beneath My Wings” and its surprising origins
10:42 – Eddie Money vs. Billy Satellite: “I Wanna Go Back”
22:31 – Chaka Khan, Prince and “I Feel for You”
35:48 – The Clash cover Eddy Grant’s “Police on My Back”
46:17 – TV Party seggy
51:42 – Arcade seggy
56:03 – Book updates, Barnes & Noble signing and Classic Pop review
59:50 – Closing thoughts

 

In this episode, the guys explore the surprising origins behind some of the decade’s most beloved songs, including:

 • “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

 • “I Wanna Go Back” by Eddie Money

 • “I Feel for You” by Chaka Khan

 • “Police on My Back” by The Clash

Along the way, they discuss:

 • Forgotten original artists

 • MTV-era music videos

 • Prince songwriting trivia

 • Jamaican rude boy culture

 • Accidental studio moments that became iconic

 • And why ’80s music history is weirder than you remember

Plus:

 • Listener mail

 • Arcade and TV Party seggies

 • Updates on the Stuck in the ’80s book

 • Upcoming Florida book signings

 • And more nostalgic chaos from your favorite retro podcast

If you love ’80s music, new wave, classic rock, MTV memories, and pop culture deep dives, this episode is for you.

On Sale Now!

Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade, by podcast creator Steve Spears, is finally for sale as both a paperback and ebook. Featuring more than 60 interviews from the podcast, along with insider stories and other previously unpublished insights, the book is available on most online bookstore websites including:

 Amazon
 Barnes and Noble
 Walmart

Our Sponsors

The 2027 lineup of The 80s Cruise has been announced. Join us Feb. 27 to March 6 onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas along with Chaka Khan, Night Ranger, Loverboy, DMC, John Waite, Peter Hook & the Light, Public Image Ltd., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Stryper, The Romantics, Nick Heyward of Haircut 100, Bulletboys, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Slim Jom Phantom, the Plimsouls and more. Use the promo code STUCK when booking to get $250 cabin credit. For more information, go to www.the80scruise.com.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the podcast hosts. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

The Stuck in the '80s podcast is hosted by creator Steve Spears and Brad Williams. Find out more about the show, celebrating its 21st year in 2026, at sit80s.com.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unlikely Cover Songs of the ’80s: Eddie Money, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler & The Clash

This week on the longest-running ’80s pop culture podcast, Steve Spears and Brad in California hit the gas for a deep dive into the most iconic TV and movie cars of the 1980s.

Joined by Retro DJ and car expert Travis Bell, the gang explores the legendary “star cars” that became just as famous as the actors who drove them.

From Pontiac Trans Am KITT in Knight Rider to the time-traveling DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, this episode celebrates the vehicles that defined ’80s pop culture.

The guys discuss:

 • The 
General Lee • from 
The Dukes of Hazzard
 • The famous 
Ecto-1 • ambulance from 
Ghostbusters
 • KITT from Knight Rider

 • The DeLorean from Back to the Future

Along the way, they explore:

 • Behind-the-scenes filming stories

 • Famous TV car replicas

 • Movie license plate Easter eggs

 • How Hollywood built these legendary vehicles

 • And why the 1980s may have been the true golden age of star cars

Plus:

 • Listener mail

 • “Spin Me Round”

 • ’80s Cruise talk

 • DJ stories from Travis Bell

 • And more nostalgic detours from your favorite retro podcast

If you grew up dreaming about driving KITT, hitting 88 MPH in a DeLorean, or cruising with Magnum P.I., this episode belongs in your playlist.

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Welcome to Star Cars of the ’80s
03:15 – What made a car a true “star car”?
08:42 – The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard
18:20 – KITT and Knight Rider
29:05 – Back to the Future and the DeLorean time machine
39:41 – Ghostbusters and Ecto-1
47:10 – Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari
53:20 – Famous movie license plates of the ’80s
59:44 – Spin Me Round
01:05:11 – Listener mail: bands we ignored in the ’80s
01:16:20 – 80s Cruise and DJ talk with Travis Bell

On Sale Now!

Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade, by podcast creator Steve Spears, is finally for sale as both a paperback and ebook. Featuring more than 60 interviews from the podcast, along with insider stories and other previously unpublished insights, the book is available on most online bookstore websites including:

 Amazon
 Barnes and Noble
 Walmart

Our Sponsors

The 2027 lineup of The 80s Cruise has been announced. Join us Feb. 27 to March 6 onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas along with Chaka Khan, Night Ranger, Loverboy, DMC, John Waite, Peter Hook & the Light, Public Image Ltd., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Stryper, The Romantics, Nick Heyward of Haircut 100, Bulletboys, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Slim Jom Phantom, the Plimsouls and more. Use the promo code STUCK when booking to get $250 cabin credit. For more information, go to www.the80scruise.com.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the podcast hosts. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

The Stuck in the '80s podcast is hosted by creator Steve Spears and Brad Williams. Find out more about the show, celebrating its 21st year in 2026, at sit80s.com.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Famous ’80s TV & Movie Cars: KITT, the DeLorean, General Lee & Ecto-1

Soccer legend and longtime friend Alexi Lalas joins us to talk about the 1981 movie "Victory" starring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.

On Sale Now!

Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade, by podcast creator Steve Spears, is finally for sale as both a paperback and ebook. Featuring more than 60 interviews from the podcast, along with insider stories and other previously unpublished insights, the book is available on most online bookstore websites including:

 Amazon
 Barnes and Noble
 Walmart

Our Sponsors

The 2027 lineup of The 80s Cruise has been announced. Join us Feb. 27 to March 6 onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas along with Chaka Khan, Night Ranger, Loverboy, DMC, John Waite, Peter Hook & the Light, Public Image Ltd., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Stryper, The Romantics, Nick Heyward of Haircut 100, Bulletboys, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Slim Jom Phantom, the Plimsouls and more. We will have a promo code for you soon. For more information, go to www.the80scruise.com.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the podcast hosts. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

The Stuck in the '80s podcast is hosted by creator Steve Spears and Brad Williams. Find out more about the show, celebrating its 21st year in 2026, at sit80s.com.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Forgotten ’80s Soccer Movie ‘Victory’ with Pelé, Stallone & Michael Caine

We introduce the 2026 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We talk who got in, who got snubbed, and which choices will have us yelling at our dashboards like it’s 1987 and the DJ just skipped our favorite song.

On Sale Now!

Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade, by podcast creator Steve Spears, is finally for sale as both a paperback and ebook. Featuring more than 60 interviews from the podcast, along with insider stories and other previously unpublished insights, the book is available on most online bookstore websites including:

 Amazon
 Barnes and Noble
 Walmart

Our Sponsors

The 2027 lineup of The 80s Cruise has been announced. Join us Feb. 27 to March 6 onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas along with Chaka Khan, Night Ranger, Loverboy, DMC, John Waite, Peter Hook & the Light, Public Image Ltd., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Stryper, The Romantics, Nick Heyward of Haircut 100, Bulletboys, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Slim Jom Phantom, the Plimsouls and more. We will have a promo code for you soon. For more information, go to www.the80scruise.com.

Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the podcast hosts. Find out more at our official Patreon page.

The Stuck in the '80s podcast is hosted by creator Steve Spears and Brad Williams. Find out more about the show, celebrating its 21st year in 2026, at sit80s.com.

 
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer of '86: The Underappreciated Movies Turning 40 This Year

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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