«« Mini-Rewind ««

• A solid watch, Fright Night hit theaters on August 2, 1985 is a cult favorite to this day. Put it on your to-do list this Halloween!

• One of my favorite albums to this day, Hysteria by Def Leppard was released on August 3, 1987! The album sold a whopping 20 million units.

• Mary Lou Retton became the darling of the U.S. on August 3, 1984 when she picked up Gold in the all-around competition at the 1984 Olympic Games. She became the first gymnast not from Eastern Europe to accomplish the feat.

• Michael Landon bid farewell to audiences on August 4, 1989 when Highway to Heaven aired its season finale after 5 seasons and 111 episodes.

• The super talented Lionel Richie released his 3rd solo album “Dancing on the Ceiling” on August 5, 1986. Following the albums release it would be another 10 years before Richie put out an entirely new album.

• Perfect Strangers did the “ridiculous” and aired their final episode August 6, 1993 after 8 seasons.

• Masters of the Universe starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man hit the big screen on August 7, 1987. Confession, I loved everything about MOTU…except this movie - I cannot wait for the reboot. Fingers crossed it doesn’t let me down.

• Madonna starred in the movie “Who’s That Girl” which was released August 7, 1987. The song was a catchy one and hit #1 - but isn’t that what Madonna did with every single she released?

• The Transformers: The Movie debuted much to my delight on August 8, 1986. The movie didn’t fare well at the box office, but little me didn’t care, I loved it.

• N.W.A. released their debut album “Straight Outta Compton” on August 8, 1988. The album is considered one of the most influential hip-hop records of all time.

You know, John Hughes wasn’t just a filmmaker - he was someone who really understood what it felt like to be a teenager. He made movies that didn’t just show high school life, but actually got it - the awkwardness, the dreams, the heartbreak, and the laughter. When I was in high school, his films felt like a friend who knew exactly what I was going through. Whether it was the misfits in The Breakfast Club, the unspoken crushes in Sixteen Candles, or the wild adventures of Ferris Bueller, Hughes made every story feel personal. He didn’t talk down to teens - he respected them, and he believed their struggles mattered. His movies had heart, humor, and hope, and they made you feel seen. Even now, decades later, his stories still connect with people of all ages, which says a lot. Hughes left us too soon, but his films will always be there, like an old friend.

Back in the early 1980s, Masters of the Universe exploded onto the scene, and kids couldn’t get enough. The toy line, led by the heroic He-Man and the evil Skeletor, was unlike anything else - bright, bold, and packed with wild characters from a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and mythology. Each action figure came with its own unique weapon or feature, making them perfect for epic battles in living rooms and backyards. But what really made them legendary was the cartoon. Airing after school, it brought the toys to life with colorful animation, over-the-top adventures, and clear good-versus-evil stories that any kid could follow. He-Man’s moral lessons at the end of each episode even made parents feel okay about all the sword-swinging. Between the irresistible figures, the catchy “I have the power!” battle cry, and a universe full of endless possibilities, Masters of the Universe became more than a fad - it was a childhood phenomenon.

Oh man, Perfect Strangers was peak late-80s/early-90s sitcom gold. It was about this straight-laced Chicago guy, Larry, who’s just trying to live his quiet life when his long-lost cousin Balki shows up from this tiny Mediterranean island called Mypos. Balki’s sweet, innocent, and hilariously clueless about American culture, and Larry’s always exasperated trying to “teach” him how things work. Of course, half the time, Balki’s the one who ends up being right, just in his own weird, sheep-herder way. Every episode had these ridiculous misunderstandings, physical comedy, and that catchy theme song about “standing tall on the wings of our dreams.” It was wholesome but still super funny, and the chemistry between the two actors was perfect. And you couldn’t watch without waiting for Balki’s big grin and “Well of course not, don’t be ridiculous!” It’s one of those shows that just made you feel good.

🎧 Retro Picks of the Week

📺 T.V. Show: Yo! MTV Raps debuted on MTV August 5, 1988. The 2-hour music video program was the first hip hop music show on the network. More than 1,800 episodes aired (1,830 to be exact!).

📼 Movie: Tom Cruise put on some dark shades and danced around in his underwear as Risky Business (August 5, 1983) hit the screen. The movie has proved to be one of the premier teen films of all time.

🎵 Song: “Pour Some Sugar on Me” - Def Leppard (1988). The soundtrack of my summer, this single was almost an afterthought if you can believe that! It became one of their biggest hits and my favorite song by the band.

🕹️ Video Game: Metroid (1986) by Nintendo was a groundbreaking Nintendo game that combined exploration, platforming, and atmospheric sci-fi action as players guided bounty hunter Samus Aran through the alien world of planet Zebes.

👾 Cartoon: Premiering in 1985, Care Bears followed colorful, magical bears who spread kindness and solve problems using their unique “Belly Badge” powers from their home in the whimsical Care-a-Lot.