The Annotated Eighties

After a brief hiatus, we return with episode eight of The Annotated Eighties and our discussion of 1989's Major League. We discuss the film's relationship to Milwaukee with guest Jessica Burch, and the hosts discuss team identity, stadium politics, the history of Native American nicknames in sport, and the film's problematic portrayal of Black and Caribbean characters. We also praise Bob Uecker, Amy lauds Ted Lasso, and Paul does an impression of a 1910s latchkey kid.

In the grand tradition of the Eighties Sitcom, we bring you a clip show where we revisit our previous six episodes and talk about the things we forgot to mention: Matt Dillon's character in The Outsiders and his '80s career; Doc's character in The Love Boat; more Swayze coverage from Road House and Urban Cowboy (his mom!); why Carla is problematic in Cheers; and we play with special effects!

In episode six of The Annotated Eighties, Amy reacts to her first viewing of the 1989 Patrick Swayze vehicle, Road House -- while Paul plays nice. The hosts discuss cult films, Road House as a Western, the problematic gender representations in the film, the homoerotic gaze, and Amy barely tolerates Paul's in-depth discussion of Terry Funk's wrestling career.

In the fifth episode of The Annotated Eighties, Amy and Paul put on their fanciest western boots and discuss 1980's Urban Cowboy. They discuss the film's somewhat odd timeline, John Travolta's persona and the anti-disco backlash of the era, homoerotic gaze, Debra Winger and Scott Glenn's fantastic acting, new journalism, and prison rodeos. Plus Paul cannot help but do a bad Travolta impression.

In the fourth episode of The Annotated Eighties podcast, Amy and Paul pull up to the bar to discuss the first five seasons of Cheers. Paul details the evolution of the sitcom from Vaudeville and radio, Amy discusses the philosophy of the show, and they both critique the series's treatment of sexuality, race, and gender. Amy argues for the cultural importance of bar culture, and they both bemoan the losses of favorite bars. Also, a surprising amount of discussion on the NFL Draft, hockey, and Harvard. Check out Center of Attention, the Unreal Life of Derek Sanderson here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LnWXTo1Dqw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LnWXTo1Dqw) And check out pics of our favorite bars on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4O7PklVIB/?igshid=16n2s3ajpb7k8 (https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4O7PklVIB/?igshid=16n2s3ajpb7k8)

In the third episode of The Annotated Eighties podcast, Amy and Paul set sail on a discussion of the series, The Love Boat. They discuss the history of cruises and the problematic elements of the industry, Amy details the book that inspired the series, and they both reveal in the "camp" of various episodes. Paul announces the first winner of the Alan Rickman Memorial Award (Tom Hanks), while Amy sings the praises of Linda Evans's amazing "werking" in a destination episode. Check out our Instagram for a series of images from Hawks's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPC1F8Fqu4/?igshid=158rbrit1ctyf (https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPC1F8Fqu4/?igshid=158rbrit1ctyf) And check out our Instagram page for some stills from The Simpsons episode we mention in the pod: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPBU8AFCI9/?igshid=34ob9hkagemp (https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPBU8AFCI9/?igshid=34ob9hkagemp)

In the second episode of The Annotated Eighties podcast, Amy and Paul dive into the 1988 action film, Die Hard. They discuss the "is the film a Christmas movie" debate, the differences between the movie and its source material, and '80s xenophobia against Asians. Paul reads Hans Gruber as a pro wrestling heel, Amy notes the parallels to Rambo, and both indulge in copious praise of Alan Rickman. Check out our Instagram page and some images of famous Germanic wrestlers from the 1950s and 1960s: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJj_vg0Faa3/?igshid=d7btocg06zn (https://www.instagram.com/p/CJj_vg0Faa3/?igshid=d7btocg06zn)c

In the inaugural episode of The Annotated Eighties podcast, Amy and Paul dive into Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film, The Outsiders. They discuss Young Adult fiction, Coppola's career and New Hollywood, the history of the switchblade, and the career arcs of several actors from the film. Also, there's a bad Tom Waits impression. Here's the link to the shot referenced in the film from Gone with the Wind: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6Q8I9lSMj/?igshid=qi5i8w9mhbpr (https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6Q8I9lSMj/?igshid=qi5i8w9mhbpr) A link to the photo from the article "The Toy That Kills" from the Nov 1950 issue of Woman's Home Companion: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6INmml9Uc/?igshid=29165xybdxo0 (https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6INmml9Uc/?igshid=29165xybdxo0)