There's no holiday rest for the '80s!

Don't fret, '80s nation. Well, all two of you who haven't started your holiday weekend. Though it's Independence Day weekend over here in the U.S., there's no leave of liberty for Stuck in the '80s.

With my personal life in turmoil, my friends all out of town and no plans on the calendar, you can expect regular updates -- Michael Jackson FREE updates -- all weekend long. And ...

A new podcast is on the way. Yes, the horrible hits of 1984 will be online before the night is over.

So, as I turn over a new leaf in life and try to find direction again, here's what I need in return.

YOUR IDEAS: Drop us some comments with podcast ideas. What topics have we been ignoring? What music are you not hearing enough of?

YOUR FAN GREETINGS: The cupboard is bare again! Please use our toll-free line and leave us some new fan greetings to use during the podcast. The number is (866) 371-9605 and it's free inside the United States. You can also record a greeting and e-mail it to stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS: Now that my life is suddenly and unexpectedly void of any significant other, what's my next move? Pining away? Woodcarving? Online dating? Priesthood? At least tell me which DVDs to watch while I spend the holiday weekend alone in the Spears Lair.

Thanks again for all the great e-mails you've sent over the last two weeks. It's meant more to me than I can adequately communicate in any medium. Thanks to you, Stuck in the '80s will continue to live on. Viva la '80s.

Wanna attend the Michael Jackson memorial? Here's how to get free tickets

Details of next Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles have finally been released by the owners of Staples Center.

Here's the scoop: 17,500 free tickets will be available to the general public. There also will be a free worldwide video feed. Just 11,000 tickets will be for seats inside Staples Center. The other 6,500 will be for seats in the adjacent Nokia Theatre, where fans will watch a simulcast, according to the Associated Press.

Still interested? Fans must register on the Web at Staplescenter.com. On Saturday evening, 8,750 names will be randomly selected to receive two tickets each. Notifications will go out on Sunday. Those selected will obtain their tickets via Ticketmaster on Monday.

(Yes, I've entered the drawing. Keep your fingers crossed. Debby Foreman, here I come!)

[AP photo of today's official announcement]

Rick Astley dead? No, just another Rickrolling hoax

Little did many of us know it in the panic following the death of Michael Jackson, but the world was duped with the ultimate “Rickrolling” of all-time.

Yes, ‘80s singer-songwriter Rick Astley -- the guy who was “never gonna give us up” -- was dead ... at least according to one cleverly composed but phony report.

In the wake of fake death reports of Jeff Goldblum, Harrison Ford and even George Clooney, some enterprising pranksters used CNN’s user-generated iReport service to announce Astley’s death, says the Times of London.

Alas, the 43-year-old Brit, whose career got a second bounce through Rickrolling (the bait-and-switch Web links to his 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up), is alive and well and on tour this summer.

From King of Pop to Dancing Queen? ABBA is promoter's pick for London shows

Michael Jackson's death has left a gaping hole of 50 open dates at London's O2 Arena. What music act in the world could possibly fill the seats for a run of shows like that?

Promoter AEG Live is reportedly wooing '70s/'80s pop/disco legends ABBA to take over Jackson's concert dates. The report comes from the Sun in UK, and is being discredited nearly as fast as the news is spreading, but still ... what an idea!

 "There's a little foursome out in Sweden we keep talking to," The firm's chief David Campbell said to the Sun. Presumably he's not talking about their Olympic curling team.

ABBA -- Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad -- called it quits in 1983. But can a huge payday bring them back together?

"There are millions on the table," a source tells the Sun. "But there are many hurdles to overcome."

Still, with ABBA's music still on people's minds thanks to the Broadway and Hollywood versions of the musical Mamma Mia, the timing couldn't possibly be better.

Another name in consideration to fill those dates, according to other reports: Whitney Houston, who has a new album due in September.

Who would you want to fill those 50 open dates?

What is your damage, Heather? No sequel coming

Poor Veronica and J.D. It seems their dreams of reuniting in a Heathers sequel are just that: a dream.

Michael Lehmann, who directed the original 1988 movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, says he flattered that so many bring up the idea of a sequel to the dark teen comedy, but it's still not going to happen.

"Winona’s been talking about this for years — she brings it up every once in a while and (writer) Dan Waters and I will joke about it, but as far as I know there’s no script and no plans to do the sequel," Lehmann told Movieline.com. "A couple weeks ago everyone started talking about it and I guess Winona said the movie was gonna get made, and I thought, 'I don’t know, maybe they did this without me?' But I got in touch with Dan Waters and he said he didn’t know anything about it. So I don’t think there’s any truth to it."

Deborah Gibson rocks Pride Fest ... but our guy nearly mugs her anyway

Stuck in the '80s Denver correspondent and former co-host Chase Squires had a near butts-out hug experience with '80s teen queen Deborah Gibson last weekend at Pride Fest Denver. Yep, that's him in the right hand corner of the photo with Deborah. Here's his full report:

What do I remember of Deborah Gibson? Well, she still rocks!

 

We partied hard at Pride Fest Denver, lots of fun, good times, and as promised Deborah "Don't Call Me Debbie" Gibson! The crowd was immense, estimated at over 100,000, and the weather was perfect. Beer was plentiful, and, as things tend to happen when you mix dancing and beer, somehow I ended up on stage with Ms. Gibson. Pictures prove it!

 

How's that for weird! Chase and Ms. Gibson, dancing up a storm in front of 100,000 of our closest, screaming GLBT friends.

 

I need a rest!

 

Cheers,
Chase

 

Here's how they SHOULD handle Michael Jackson's funeral

We're all tired of waiting for the Jacksons to make up their minds on the funeral, aren't we? It didn't take Michael this long to perfect the moonwalk. But one week after his death, we're no closer it seems to knowing how the story will end.

So I'm proposing this solution. Hollywood, Joe, Katherine ... get out a notebook and pen:

HOLD A PRIVATE FUNERAL NOW: I mean right now. If not today, then Friday. Keep it small. Maybe even just family, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross and Quincy Jones, who better show despite his insistence earlier this week that he's been to his last funeral. Cremate your beloved family member before his 1,000th autopsy and scatter the ashes by plane over Neverland Ranch.

THE PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE: There's no rush here. Take your time. Let's say one month from his death. Hold it at the L.A. Coliseum. Sell tickets if you want (Joe will like that idea). And here's the program:

1. Let Ryan Seacrest emcee the evening, which will be broadcast live around the world (not pay-per-view). Not that Seacrest has any special Jackson connection, but frankly he's about the only person we can trust with these types of jobs anymore.

2. Schedule a bunch of live performance tributes from bands influenced by Michael. Even let David Cook do his little Billie Jean thing again. Get Adam Lambert to do Black or White. (Two Idols and Seacrest? I think Fox will wanna pay for this whole enchilada.)

3. Meanwhile, over in London, stage a similar tribute from London's O2 Arena, the would-be site of his 50-date comeback tour. Just like Live-Aid, organizers should simulcast performances from London to L.A. and back. I'm picturing Elton John singing Ben at a grand piano, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra behind him.

4. Halfway through the tribute, cut to Cebu, Philippines, where Filipino inmates will stage a LIVE version of their infamous Thriller dance.

5. The dramatic conclusion of the night, the remaining members of the Jackson 5 -- with sister Janet -- take the stage in '80s-era outfits to perform a live medley of hits with huge video screens behind them showing vintage footage of Michael. Not a dry eye in the house.

Should you decide to adopt this plan, I ask little in return for myself except a first-class plane ticket to Los Angeles. Not to attend the tribute, but to go and get that promised one-on-one pilates/yoga session with Valley Girl's Deborah Foreman.

Because some things in life are more important than Michael Jackson.

TMZ: Michael Jackson memorial set for Tuesday

If all goes according to plan -- and that’s asking a lot for this story -- Michael Jackson’s funeral may finally be set for Tuesday in Los Angeles.

TMZ.com reported Thursday that a private family service was scheduled for 10 a.m. at a suburban memorial park. A motorcade would then go to the Staples Center downtown where a public memorial would be held.

But according to the Los Angeles Times, the Staples Center is set to host the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus is scheduled to appear at that venue starting Wednesday. The arrival parade for the circus is set for Tuesday.

A circus and a Michael Jackson memorial service at the same time? Oh, the irony.

Meanwhile, Jermaine Jackson told NBC's Today show that Michael Jackson was "a gift from Allah" and that he wishes he were in the grave instead of his brother. "He went too soon," Jermaine said. "I don't know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me."

Horrible hits of 1984: 'Somebody's Watching Me' and what 9 others?

Stuck in the '80s plans to salute the Horrible Hits of 1984 for our next podcast, and as usual, we want your input in picking the 10 worst hits of that year.

Let me get this out of the way first: Rockwell's Somebody's Watching Me is definitely gonna make the list. At which number, I'm not sure. But those dreadful GEICO commercials have clinched a spot for poor Rockwell. It doesn't matter that it appears in a classic scene in Miami Vice, it's on the list. I don't care that Michael Jackson sang backup, it's ON THE LIST.

Click here to see the full 100 hits of 1984 and pick your worst. But here are five I'm leaning toward already:

BREAK MY STRIDE (Matthew Wilder): Even perky, smiley people say "Turn that s--t off!" when it comes on the radio. Which thankfully it rarely does anymore.

TALKING IN YOUR SLEEP (The Romantics): We all sorta liked it on MTV back in the day, but for some reason it drags on like an insurance seminar now.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY (Shannon): Okay, confession time. This would be a sure inclusion, but I loved the way it was used for the new movie Adventureland -- everything it played at the park, the slutty Italian girl got up and started dancing -- so I'm betting you won't hear it on the podcast.

UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT (Rolling Stones): The '80s weren't kind to Mick and the boys. Neither were the '90s, but that's beside the point.

THRILLER (Michael Jackson): Yeah, just kidding. Come on. Lighten up, Frances.

Look over the full list of 100 and give your suggestions.

It's twin girls for the sausage king of Chicago

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick released a photo of their new twin daughters this week: Marion and Tabitha. (That's their son James Wilkie, 6, with them).

If you're feeling in more of a Ferris Bueller mood today, be sure to slip on a Detroit Red Wings jersey (HA-ha, they lost) and say happy birthday to Alan "Cameron Frye" Ruck, who turns 53 today.

Who are we leaving out? Oh, all the female characters from Ferris. Okay, in honor of the new twin babies...

TOP 5 LINES SPOKEN BY FEMALES IN FERRIS BUELLER:

5. "Gummi bear? It's been in my pocket; they're real warm and soft."

4. "Go piss up a flagpole."

3. "He's gonna marry me."

2. "My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious."

1. "Excuse me: if whoever was in this house is still in the house, I'd like you to know that I've just called the police. I'd also like to add that I've got my father's gun and a *scorching* case of herpes."

[AP photo]

Michael Jackson albums top the charts; his will names Diana Ross as 'successor guardian'

Guess what! People are BUYING Michael Jackson albums big-time in the wake of his death. It might be the biggest no-brainer news item today, but the volume of the sales -- and which albums people are buying -- are amazing.

Nielsen SoundScan says three of his albums are in the top three spots and 2.3 million tracks have been downloaded in the United States since his death.

Album sales through Sunday hit 422,000 in the U.S., up from just 10,000 a week earlier. That's more than he sold year to date.

So what was the top-selling album? It's not Thriller ... that come in third behind Number Ones and  Essential Michael Jackson.

On iTunes, Jackson's Off The Wall was also a Top 5 album this week.

In other developments...

WHAT A WILL! The singer's 7-year-old will was filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust but cutting out his former wife Debbie Rowe. According to the AP, it gives the entire estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. His mother, Katherine Jackson, is named as a beneficiary of the trust and the guardian of Jackson's children, who are named in the will. Ready for the big shocker so far? Diana Ross is named as a successor guardian to Jackson's mother if necessary.

MICHAEL MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLAYING SICK: Did Michael Jackson intentionally overdose on painkillers to avoid doing 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena? That's the story coming from The Daily Beast this morning. The website says "a close Michael Jackson confidant tells The Daily Beast's Gerald Posner he believes the star triggered his death with a foolhardy plan to void a concert commitment: mixing pills to prompt a minor hospital visit." The Beast's report says Jackson thought "getting a doctor's note" would allow him to shorten the run of shows.

THE FUNERAL: Various sources say a public memorial service will be held Friday at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California. A private funeral would be held Sunday. The Los Angeles Times says a public memorial could also be held at the city's Staples Center, with a procession to Neverland to follow.

QUINCY'S NOT GOING: If the funeral is Sunday, Quincy Jones -- his longtime collaborator -- won't be there. "I won't go to any more funerals as long as I live," Jones told ET. "I can't handle it."

NEITHER IS HIS DOCTOR: TMZ, which deserves some high honor for being right all along with their MJ coverage, says Jackson's doctor won't be attending his funeral either, preferring to "mourn privately for the death of his friend."

BURY HIM IN GARY: The Jackson family's hometown of Gary, Indiana, is lobbying to have the singer buried there. City officials say the perfect spot would be near "a proposed Jackson family museum and a performing arts center," according to Examiner.com.

ABOUT THE KIDS: Even though Jackson's will reportedly states this his mother should have custody of his children, legal experts in California are saying today that their biological mother -- Debbie Rowe -- could make a winning argument for keeping custody herself ... if she chooses to make that fight.

STOP KILLING YOURSELVES: Websites and news services around the world are reporting that diehard Michael Jackson fans are committing suicide in the wake of their hero's death. The Mirror reports that so far one fan in Tunisia killed herself and Russia's best known Jacko impersonator was saved by rescue workers after being found with slit wrists. "I don’t know why the doctors saved me," Pavel has said. "I want to be with Michael, and I will kill myself anyway."

How Valley Girl's Deborah Foreman saved my life

Going through a breakup is never easy. They're not built to be easy. About 99 percent of the time -- at least for one of the participants -- they are the cosmic equivalent of being hit by a speeding bus right in the heart 100 times an hour for weeks on end.

I should know because it happened to me nine days ago -- or approximately 21,600 hit-and-runs to my heart ago -- when a year-long relationship came to an abrupt and unexpected end. My sincere thanks to the countless e-mails and messages we've gotten here at Stuck in the '80s offering sympathy and similar stories of angst.

But I had some additional help that I want to share with everyone in the '80s nation who is dealing with heartbreak or sad memories. Last Tuesday, I e-mailed Deborah Foreman, the truly dazzling actress from '80s flicks like Valley Girl, My Chauffeur, Real Genius and April Fool's Day. I wrote briefly of my sad tale and asked if she'd talk about her legendary breakup scene from Valley Girl for our podcast. It's a request I'd wanted to make for years, but last week it just felt like it was time to ask.

In all fairness, I send interview requests all the time to '80s icons, but usually I only hear back if a band or actor has a project or show to promote. But an hour later, my phone rang and I heard the most wonderful words: "Hi Steve, this is Debby Foreman."

We had the most incredible conversation, going from the topic of my breakup to her role in Valley Girl to her current passion, teaching yoga and pilates in Southern California. She was happy to let me record our interview, and you can click here to listen to the full conversation. (It's part of a larger podcast we did about breaking up in the '80s. Click here to listen to the podcast).

Here are some edited highlights from our conversation.

Steve: I can't believe I'm talking to you!

Debby: "Because you wrote me! And also because I shared the e-mail with mom. While I was reading it to my mom, she was giggling through the whole thing, and I thought, okay, there's something to this."

Was it pity?

"It must have been!"

So tell me there's a bright side to this breakup I'm going through.

"I think that the beautiful thing about that is that you reached out, you stuck your neck out doing something you probably would have never done otherwise. And I think that's probably going to continue to happen in the next six months. So don't be surprised if you start doing things that you wouldn't naturally do. That's the blessing that's going to come out of this. I know it's hard to see that right now, because it's really fresh."

So time really heals all wounds?

"You're going to go through all the emotions to get to that place of finally going 'Okay, I actually do have fond memories and fond feelings for this person and I wish them well.' I doubt that's what you're feeling right now!"

I'm still very fond of her. Okay, gotta change the subject to Valley Girl. What was your first impression of co-star Nicolas Cage?

"I loved his eyes. I thought he had great energy. I thought he was scary to me. Emotionally, I was feeling stuff inside. He was triggering stuff in me that I had never experienced in my life. I didn't even have a boyfriend prior to that movie."

So was there a real off-screen romance between you two?

"I'll only speak for myself. I had strong feelings for Nic. When the film ended, we had a conversation. I actually went up to San Francisco with him for a weekend. When we came back, an ultimatum was made -- let's just put it that way. And I decided not to go with the ultimatum, and we were never together after that."

Is that why the breakup scene in Valley Girl between you and Nic seems so realistic?

"I think deep down, I didn't want to be breaking up with him! And I didn't even want to go there, to pre-destine myself. I was really resisting the whole experience. It was uncomfortable beyond means. That was the longest we spent on any scene. It was a struggle. Even when I watch it now, I go 'Wow, that's so uncomfortable.' "

I guess I really relate to that scene now, having gone through something so similarly unexpected just days ago.

"There's a big difference between what happened to you and what happens in a movie. From my heart, I'm deeply sorry that this happened to you. But on the other hand, congratulations! You're going to do some things that you've never done in your life! I know you can't wrap your brain around it ... but in the end, something huge is going to happen to you."

You seem so sure of that.

"You are surrounded by people you dig ... and you get to do this on a daily basis. You get to do fun stuff on a daily basis! That is so cool! And you get paid for it! How many people can say that? I can probably say that now. I could probably say that in the '80s. But not in between! It took me a long time to find my environment!"

Okay, you officially cheered me up.

"Good! Good! And continue to pay it forward. And you know what? You never know what the future holds, so stay open."

[Deborah Foreman teaches yoga and pilates now in Studio City, Calif., at the Grace Anatomy Studio and from her home studio. You can actually check her schedule and book an appointment with her online -- something I hope to be doing before this summer is over.]

Michael Jackson had completed secret album of dance music

Michael Jackson and Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas had completed work on a new album of material shortly before the singer's death, the U.K.'s Mirror is reporting.

“It was going to be out of this world. It’s something Michael has never done before – a dance music album," Will.i.am told the Mirror in a story appearing online today. "I was very proud of it. But he was very protective and kept it under lock and key."

The Black Eyed Peas singer said he worked with Jackson for a year on the album, which was recorded in Ireland. In addition, Jackson had sent word that he wanted the Black Eyed Peas to open for him during his 50-date slate of concerts in London.

Will Johnny Depp play Michael Jackson in a new bio-pic?

The latest rumor sweeping Hollywood and the Internet is that Johnny Depp will play the role of the late Michael Jackson in a new bio-pic being rushing into production.

Depp reportedly said in 2008 that he wanted to play the role of Jackson, according to one blog. His remark came in reaction to rumors that he based his portrayal of Willy Wonka on Jackson.

“A few people have mentioned it, and it kind of took me by surprise. I really didn’t expect that, Michael Jackson was not a sort of ingredient or inspiration for the character at all,” Depp said at the time. But he suggested he'd still like to tackle that role, saying, "There is still time to play him.”

However, Sky News in Britain reports today that Depp has now said he doesn't want the role. In London to promote his new Public Enemies movies, "the Hollywood star said he did not think Jacko 'would want him to' don the famous white glove and military jacket."

New photo shows Michael Jackson two days before his death

With little or no fanfare, this handout photo has been released reportedly showing Michael Jackson rehearsing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. That's just two days before his death.

The photo was provided by AEG to the Associated Press and Getty Images.

In addition, the Associated Press reports that Jackson had just wrapped up production on a  new video -- called "The Dome Project" -- just two weeks before his death.

The AP says it was "a five-week project filmed at Culver Studios, which 70 years ago was the set for the classic film Gone With the Wind. Four sets were constructed for Jackson's production, including a cemetery recalling his 1983 Thriller video."

"Stay Black:" Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' turns 20

It's a question that has haunted film fans and director Spike Lee since June 30, 1989, when Do The Right Thing was released.

"White people still ask me why Mookie threw the can through the window," Lee said in an interview with the Associated Press. "Twenty years later, they're still asking me that. No black person ever, in 20 years, no person of color has ever asked me why."

And 20 years later, there is no answer from Lee about the climactic scene outside the Brooklyn pizza shop in the film that made him a household name. Lee wrote and directed the movie, but also played the part of Mookie.

"People were fearful of the backlash," Rosie Perez tries to explain, in her AP interview. (Perez played Mookie's Puerto Rican girlfriend, Tina, and dances to Fight The Power during the opening credits.) "A lot of things happening in the movie were happening in real life. People were afraid when the truth, although a little exaggerated, was put up on the screen for everyone to see."

Sadly, Do The Right Thing came up short at the annual award shows, though at the Oscars Danny Aiello was nominated for best supporting actor and Lee was nominated for best original screenplay. Still, Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert was so moved at seeing the movie, the AP says, that he was left crying at its conclusion. (Read his full review here.)

TOP 5 MEMORABLE LINES FROM DO THE RIGHT THING:

5. "Trust you? The last time I trusted you, Mookie, I ended up with a son."

4. "You fool! You're thirty cents away from having a quarter!"

3. "One day you're gonna be nice to me. We may both be dead and buried, but you're gonna be nice."

2. "My people, my people, what can I say, say what I can. I saw it but didn't believe it, I didn't believe what I saw. Are we gonna live together, together are we gonna live?"

1. "Stay Black."

If not for Michael Jackson, who would have ruled as King of Pop during the '80s?

As the world settles in for what is sure to be weeks if not months of second-guessing the life and death of Michael Jackson, here at Stuck in the '80s I find myself pondering a different question:

If not for Michael Jackson, his Thriller album, the landmark videos, etc. and so on ... who would have served as the King of Pop during the 1980s?

Who would have been the face of music that decade? The trendsetter? The innovator? And perhaps the one who self-destructed under the pressure of wearing the crown?

Obviously, everyone should add their own opinion below. But here are some names that come to mind right off the top of my head:

GEORGE MICHAEL: He left one best-selling group to go solo and found even more success. That sounds a lot like M.J. But aside from the obnoxious "Choose Life" neon shirts from Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and the ripped-jeans look from his solo videos, his trendsetting accomplishments don't really stack up.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Sure, it's a '70s guy. (So was Michael.) But his landmark album -- Born in the USA -- was smack in the middle of the '80s. But aside from marrying Julianne Phillips, what other '80s-ness did he really do?

BONO: U2 was probably the band of the decade (depending how you define that vague label), but it just feels weird to hand all the credit over to its frontman. Plus, Bono had a mullet. (Is that a pro or a con in this argument?) In any case, I think Bono would decline the honor.

MADONNA: Maybe we should be talking about the "Queen of Pop" instead of King of Pop. A product of the Midwest (like Jackson), she sparked fashion trends, wowed audiences with her TV performances and has sold more records than anyone else on this list.

BOY GEORGE: Finally someone who can be both the king and queen of pop. Surely, Boy's look was a defining image of the decade. And like Michael, his personal life threatens to wipe out memories of the anything he recorded. But does the quality of his music hold up its end of the equation? Probably not.

PRINCE: Okay, okay. Now we're talking. Very eccentric personality. Musical genius. Great dancer. Won an Oscar and Grammy for Purple Rain. Did it all without any noticeable or publicized plastic surgery. Sure, his purple-infused French Revolution overcoat fashion statement didn't catch on like the single, white glove. And he had no Moonwalk (though he writhing and grinding during Computer Blue and Darling Nikki was just as fun ... and easier to replicate). 

What other stars are worthy of wearing the crown of King of Pop during the '80s?

Here endeth the lesson: 10 best gangster movies of the '80s

The '80s will never be known as the "Gangster Movie Decade" -- that honor is a tie between the '30s and '90s, I'd wager -- but we didn't do so poorly either.

I caught a trailer of Public Enemies, with Johnny Depp's freshly shaven mug in theaters, over the weekend and frankly wasn't impressed. I'm not saying I stopped watched Depp after 21 Jump Street or anything, but I'd be shocked if we're still talking about this movie three weeks from now.

So instead, I give you a list of 10 movies that we can still talk about 20 years later. No, they're not all great. Some are downright embarrassing. But I'm betting they were made for a fraction of the coin and with half the hype laid out for Public Enemies.

TOP 10 GANGSTER MOVIES OF THE '80s:  

10. HARLEM NIGHTS (1989): Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor. "What if we made love real hard for 35 minutes then drop off into a deep, coma like sleep?"

9. WISE GUYS (1986): Danny DeVito, Joe Piscopo. "I hate this f------g job!"

8. THE COTTON CLUB (1984): Richard Gere, Gregory Hines. "You've got about as much style as a bowl of turnips."

7. JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY (1984): Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo. "Why you miserable cork-soaker!"

6. ATLANTIC CITY (1980): Burt Lancaster, Susan Sarandon. "It used to be beautiful - what with the rackets, whoring, guns."

5. PRIZZI'S HONOR (1985): Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner. "Do I ice her? Do I marry her?"

4. MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988): Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine. "Everything we own fell off a truck!"

3. ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984): Robert De Niro, James Woods. "I took away your whole life from you. I've been living in your place. I took everything. I took your money, I took your girl. All I left for you was 35 years of grief over having killed me. Now why don't you shoot?"

2. SCARFACE (1983): Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer. "The only thing in this world that gives orders... is balls. "

1. THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987): Kevin Costner, Sean Connery. "You just fulfilled the first rule of law enforcement: make sure when your shift is over you go home alive. Here endeth the lesson."

'Buck up little camper:' Name the best cheer-you-up movies of the '80s

As of midnight Sunday, the Saddest Week in Stuck in the '80s finally concludes. Tip of the the fedora with my white-gloved hand to Michael Jackson for really punctuating the theme.

And so with the new week comes the first chore ... a much needed one: Let's name the Best Cheer-Me-Up Movies of the 1980s.

You know, the flicks that you turn to on a dark day to chase away the clouds. They don't necessarily need to be comedies, but obviously those have a built-in edge. If there's a theme over overcoming a crushing breakup -- or defeating mythic Greek monsters, naturally I'm going to be tempted to award bonus points.

I really want your picks (the ones you watch and the ones you'd recommend to friends), but here are a couple that pop to my mind right away:

BETTER OFF DEAD (1985): John Cusack makes a fast and funny recovery from a breakup thanks to one of the greatest best friends of the '80s Charles De Mar (Curtis Armstrong) and uber-sexy French neighbor Monique (Diane Franklin).

HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1 (1981): How can Mel Brooks not cheer you up? The only thing sad about this movie is seeing the brilliant actors who are no longer with us -- Dom DeLuise, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn -- but definitely telling excrement jokes in the big theater in the sky.

VICTORY (1981): Maybe it's just me, but there's nothing more fun than a fictitious soccer game between Allied POWs and the Nazis held in the center of occupied Paris during WW2. If you're not on your feet at the ending, you're probably German. Or you really, really hate organized sports.

AIRPLANE! (1980): It was our top pick for best comedies of the '80s. See what other movies made the top 10.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (1988): One of the most criminally underrated movies of the '80s. Michael Caine + Steve Martin = comedy gold. "Oh, Lawrence! This is the happiest day of my life! I think my testicles are dropping!"

What else needs to be on the list?

Did dancing in 'The Wiz' ultimately lead to Michael Jackson's death?

This is going to seem a little far-fetched, but no more so than the other Michael Jackson death conspiracies floating around: Did breaking his nose during 'The Wiz' put the King of Pop on a collision course with death?

(Bear with me. This theory was developed only a few short hours ago at my barber shop, where all great thinking is done. It takes regular maintenance after all to keep my 'do so perfectly spiky.)

According to multiple reports, Jackson broke his nose during dance rehearsals for The Wiz, the 1978 film with Diana Ross that made Ease on Down the Road such a classic. Cosmetic surgery was required (or at least chosen by Jackson) to get it back into shape.

So here's the theory: Once you cross that plastic surgery line, crossing it again is easier and easier. (Ask the "Real Housewives" from Atlanta, Orange County and NYC.) It's like getting a tattoo: Ever meet many people with just ONE tattoo? They're always balancing them out, adding a new one. Just one more, they keep promising. Same goes for plastic surgery, I imagine. Another nip. Another tuck. Another nose.

Now combine that sad phenomenon with Jackson's already eclectic personality and you have a runaway train. The popular theory over the last week is that it took buckets of painkillers for Jackson to suppress the aftereffects of so many surgeries and that an overdose was the ultimate culprit. And a man like Jackson has the means and connections to get doctors to help him out.

And so that leads us to Thursday in Los Angeles. Can a kid who broke his nose 30 years ago find himself dead at age 50 after cardiac arrest? It just feels eerily possible.

Berlin, Terri Nunn are highlights after Week 1 of Regeneration Tour

Regeneration Tour 2009 has been on the road a week, and we have our first review from last night's stop in Chicago. Sorry I couldn't make it, but here's the full report from Chicago correspondent "Bassnote:"

The Regeneration Tour hit Chicago on Friday night without the big Stuck in the '80s gathering that had been planned. But that didn't stop it from being a fantastic show. All four bands (Cutting Crew, Wang Chung, Berlin and ABC) had stand out moments on stage, but one band out shined the others.

Cutting Crew was first. They were good, but didn't get the crowd on their feet until the last song of the set, a rousing version of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms."

Wang Chung started their six song set with a one-two punch of "Don't Let Go" and "Wait." The crowd danced and sang along to "Let's Go," and Jack Hues was happy to share the mic with them. A semi-acoustic "To Live And Die in L.A." kept us wanting more. They finished with another great one two punch of "Dance Hall Days" and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." The latter song is much better live, and Jack Hues had fun teasing the crowd  with the line, "Can you tell me what Wang Chung means?" I personally wish they could have done more.

The highlight of the night came when Berlin hit the stage. It was lead singer Terri Nunn's 50th birthday, and she turned the set into a party. They had everyone on their feet from the first synth chords of "Masquerade." They quickly followed with a killer take on "No More Words." Nunn, in a sheer black dress, was absolutely radiant, and her voice was flawless. She came out into the crowd during a new song, "Ordinary Girl," and at one point was standing right next to me as she belted out a chorus.

Next she invited about 30 crowd members on stage to pogo with her as the band played "Dancing In Berlin." The band also did a hopped-up cover of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love," and Nunn dedicated "Take My Breath Away" to Michael Jackson. Berlin closed the set with a steamy version of "Sex (I'm A...)," in which Nunn and the guitarist looked like they wanted to rip each others clothes off. I am now more of a fan than I was before the show

The energy had been so high during Berlin's set, that when ABC came on it was kind of a let down. Martin Fry was brilliant, and the band sounded great, but they just couldn't match Berlin's intensity. They provided the hits like "Poison Arrow" and "All Of My Heart," but did a lot of unfamiliar numbers that put the crowd in their chairs. They closed in strong fashion with "When Smokey Sings," "Be Near Me," and "The Look Of Love," and had the crowd wanting more, but were out of time.

All in all, it was a wonderful show, and I'd definitely see it again. Note: Berlin is not playing on all the dates, so if you have a chance to see one of the shows with them on the bill, run, don't walk to get tickets.

Let the jokes begin: It's the 'Michael Jackson is now a Zombie' website

"I was the king of pop. Now I'm the king of the undead." Those words welcome visitors to the Michael Jackson is now a Zombie blog, probably the first but not final "lighter" take on the passing of Michael Jackson.

What was the over/under on time until tasteless jokes? About 20 seconds?

The blog is "written" by MJ himself. Yesterday's most interesting item: "This has been a long day. I died, I came back to life. I dance fought a car. Do you know how much energy this takes out of you? Do you know how hard reanimation is?"

I'm warning you now: Don't go to this blog unless you have a sick sense of humor, laugh at crotch grabbing and are okay with adult language. (You're going to click on it anyway, aren't you?)

Michael Jackson is the king of iTunes too

Michael Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50 of a suspected but accidental overdose of painkillers, is back in familiar territory: On top of the charts.

Jackson has six songs in the Top 10 of the iTunes Music Store on Friday. But which songs, and where they're ranked, will surprise some fans:

TOP 10 SONG SALES ON iTUNES:

1. I  Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
2. Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
3. Thriller - Michael Jackson
4. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
5. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
6. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
7. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
8. Fire Burning - Sean Kingston
9. Best I Ever Had - Drake
10. Black or White - Michael Jackson

Seriously? The Black Eyed Peas are still in the top position? And Man in the Mirror is the top seller for MJ? Hey Jacko, that's seriously Whacko.

'I gave her my heart ... she gave me a pen:' Listen to the saddest podcast ever

The one truly awful thing about every Cameron Crowe movie, like 1989's Say Anything featuring everybody's favorite broken heart - John Cusack as "Lloyd Dobler," is that behind the laughs, behind the tears, one thing remains constant:

This could happen to you.

Try watching his 2005 flick Elizabethtown when you know your own father has less than a year to live, like I did a while back, and try not to cry. Turn on 1992's Singles as a young person still trying to find how to suddenly balance your career and your heart, and say it's just comedy. Flip on Vanilla Sky if ... well, if you've been hopelessly disfigured in a car crash instigated by some stalking ex-lover, I guess. (Sorry, I never could relate to that one. But knock on wood, I hope that's not a bad omen.)

But look again at Lloyd Dobler's face as he confesses total and absolute love for Diane Court (Ione Skye) only to see her break up with him and hand him a pen, and you always say to yourself: "Man, I hope that never happens to me."

And then watch it happen to you.

So life isn't like the movies? The hell it isn't. 

[This week's podcast is about Breaking Up in the '80s and Beyond. It does feature a very special celebrity guest, so stick with it through the pain. Click here to listen. Or click here to hear all our shows for free on iTunes.]

More celeb death rumors: Now it's Jeff Goldblum and Harrison Ford!

Only hours after news broke about Michael Jackson's death, the Internet is buzzing with rumors that both Jeff Goldblum and Harrison Ford died Thursday.

Only one website is reporting Goldblum's death -- and their site isn't currently up and running. Still, the rumor is that he fell to his death on the set of a movie in New Zealand. Here's another mention. However, his page on Wikipedia reports that the news is a hoax.

Screencrave.com also insists its a hoax: "Police National Head Quarters in New Zealand  told 3 News they know nothing about the claims and have not had any reports of such an incident in Northland. They say similar rumors were circulating six to eight weeks ago and believe it’s false information."

Another website reports that Twitter posts indicate Harrison Ford died today, but again nobody else is reporting it or passing it along.

Both Ford and Goldblum are currently filming the movie Morning Glory, which only two days ago was being shot in New York City, according to one more reputable website. So chances that either actor are dead in New Zealand or anywhere else seem nearly impossible.

There was a similar rumor about Tom Hanks dying in 2006.

The Twitter website is crawling pretty slow with all the Jackson news flying around, so it's nearly impossible to check the sources. But stay tuned as we try to figure it all out.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, dies after heart attack at age 50

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop and the most famous name in modern music history, died Thursday shortly after being rushed to an L.A. hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.

Jackson was 50 years old.

As of Thursday night, his official website just showed a red screen with a photo of Jackson saying simply: King of Pop ... Michael Jackson.

"Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him," the celebrity website TMZ.com first reported shortly before 6 p.m. Eastern time.

The Los Angeles Times originally had reported that the singer was in a coma and family members were gathering. But the paper later confirmed Jackson had dead.

According to the Times, Capt. Steve Ruda of the LA Fire Department said "paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. Pacific time. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center."

Jackson was in the midst of preparing a comeback after years of tabloid madness, mostly sparked by his trials (and acquittals) on child molestation charges. He had sold out 50 shows at London's O2 Arena and was beginning to rehearse for those concerts. 

He was the subject of bad health rumors before, but always seemed to recover.

Crowds of fans began gathering around the hospital shortly after the news broke, some not even knowing that Jackson had died, according to TV reports. Aside from his family, who arrived at the hospital shortly after the singer arrived, it's been reported that longtime friend Elizabeth Taylor visited to pay her respects.

"I am absolutely devastated ... I just don't have the words," producer and collaborator Quincy Jones said in a statement today.

The exact cause of death is not known yet, though reports are that Jackson had a heart attack. The Los Angeles Coroner's Office will investigate.

Jackson was a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- once with the Jacksons and again as a solo artist. His record albums are estimated to exceed 750 million in sales. He won 13 Grammy Awards and had 13 No. 1 hits during his career.

Jackson married twice -- to Lisa Marie Presley and later to Debbie Rowe -- and had three children, Michael Jr., Paris and Prince.

Click here for a photo slideshow of his career.

[AP photo]

Yah mo better be there: Michael McDonald's calling us on Friday!

We've been begging for this interview for a long time. But Friday, Stuck in the '80s finally gets to chat with the great Michael McDonald. (Start humming Shine Sweet Freedom right now!)

Mr. Smooth Soul himself is playing Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 2, and fans will no doubt be treated to a night of classics from his long career. But before he can start wooing the audience over, he's gonna take our questions first for next week's podcast.

He has a reputation for being a funny interview, so will he mind when I bring up the classic "Ya Mo B There" joke from 40-Year-Old Virgin? (Umm, as if he hasn't heard it enough.) We'll see.

In the meantime, feel free to suggest your own questions for him. And then tune in next week for the epic podcast

Relax! Frankie Goes to Hollywood to reunite!

Twenty-five years ago, the hysteria over Frankie Goes to Hollywood in Britain was considered second only to the Beatles. But the Liverpool-bred band self-destructed after just two albums in 1986.

British tabloids today say that the members of Frankie -- Holly Johnson, Paul Rutherford, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole and Brian Nash -- have decided to reunite and tour in the UK after the success of a Virgin Atlantic ad that features their signature hit Relax.

Also in the works are a new best-of collection of their hits and possibly some new material.

"We're thrilled our adverts helped persuade Frankie Goes To Hollywood to make a comeback," Virgin Atlantic told the Mirror. " It's a great coup for us and 80s pop fans will be equally delighted."

FGTH has reunited and toured a few times over the last two decades, but never with the full, original lineup. In 2003, VH-1's Bands Reunited brought all the original guys back together for the final show of the season. But lead singer Holly Johnson was the lone dissenting voice in playing a short reunion concert.

The BBC must be going nuts with this reunion news. It was largely because they banned the playing of the sexually-encouraging Relax back in the '80s that Frankie caught everyone's attention in the first place. 

TOP 5 HIGHEST-CHARTING FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD SONGS:

5. RAGE HARD: "I don't know which way to go. My love's like driven snow. When we past the test of time, my love, you shall be mine." [Performance]

4. WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME: "I will give you diamonds by the shower, love your body even when its old." [Performance]

3. THE POWER OF LOVE: "When the chips are down I'll be around, with my undying, death-defying love for you." [Performance]

2. TWO TRIBES: "Are we living in a land where sex and horror are the new gods?" [Video]

1. RELAX: "Live those dreams. Scheme those schemes. ... Hit me with those laser beams" [Video]

John Cusack is on Twitter

With all due respect to celebri-clowns like Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, what the world needs most right now is John Cusack on Twitter.

Mission accomplished. "Lloyd Dobler" might be hard at work in Vancouver working on The Hot Tub Time Machine with co-star Rob Corddry, but he's taking time out to occasionally tweet about life on set. He does seem to be trying to stay somewhat anonymous, so Cusack has chosen the Twitter name "shockozulu."

"Saw Corrdrey. Said hello-- He screamed 'snafu u warbler!!!!' and skittered away in a carazy darting dance. I finally understand him now," Cusack tweeted earlier today.

Other updates make slightly less sense. "We are all -- as a dead writer put it --- lords of our tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the center of all creation," he wrote this morning.

Right now, Cusack/Shockozulu has about 6,000 followers, including Stuck in the '80s of course. He's following just 35 people, but they include Oprah, Al Gore, Danny Glover, George Stephanopoulos and Diablo Cody.

We're in 'Heaven:' The Psychedelic Furs, Happy Mondays hit the road for fall U.S. tour

Here's a twin billing we thought we'd never live to see: The Psychedelic Furs and Happy Mondays are teaming up for a fall tour of North America.

The tour hits Tampa's Ritz Theatre in Ybor City on Sept. 28. According to our Soundcheck blog, tickets go on sale this Saturday. ($30 in advance; $32 at the door.)

The Psychedelic Furs formed in the late '70s in England but didn't really click on the charts until they hit the college radiowaves in the early '80s. Tunes like Love My Way, Heaven and The Ghost in You were all huge hits among the then-young and hip (now older and pudgier) crowd. Of course, everyone remembers their tune Pretty in Pink, which was re-recorded for the 1986 John Hughes movie. (I prefer the original version.) They broke up in the early '90s but have occasionally reunited for gigs here and there.

The Happy Mondays are the bigger surprise. They've never been fully appreciated over in the U.S. despite their excellent pedigree. The band was discovered during the "Madchester" years by Factory Record's Tony Wilson. If you need a tutorial on them, check out the excellent movie 24 Hour Party People. 

Here's the full list of tour dates:

Sept. 8: Chicago (House Of Blues)      
Sept. 9: Milwaukee (Pabst Theater)    
Sept. 11: Boulder, CO (Boulder Theater)    
Sept. 12: Salt Lake City, UT (In The Venue)    
Sept. 14: Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)    
Sept. 15: Portland, OR (McMenamins Crystal Ballroom)    
Sept. 17: San Francisco, CA (The Regency Ballroom)    
Sept. 18: Los Angeles, CA (Club Nokia)    
Sept. 19: Anaheim, CA (House Of Blues)    
Sept. 20: San Diego, CA (House Of Blues)    
Sept. 22: Las Vegas, NV (House Of Blues)    
Sept. 24: Austin, TX (Stubb's Bar-B-Q / Waller Creek Amph.)    
Sept. 25: Dallas, TX (House Of Blues)    
Sept. 26: Houston, TX (House Of Blues)    
Sept. 28: Tampa, FL (The Ritz)    
Sept. 29: Fort Lauderdale, FL (Revolution)    
Sept. 30: Lake Buena Vista, FL (House Of Blues)    
Oct. 2: Atlanta, GA (The Masquerade)    
Oct. 3: Charlotte, NC (Amos' SouthEnd)    
Oct. 4: Norfolk, VA (NorVa)    
Oct. 6: Washington, DC (9:30 Club)    
Oct. 7: Philadelphia, PA (Trocadero Theatre)    
Oct. 9: New York, NY (Roseland Ballroom)    
Oct. 10: Boston, MA (House Of Blues)    
Oct. 12: Columbus, OH (Newport Music Hall)    
Oct. 13: Royal Oak, MI (Royal Oak Music Theatre)    
Oct. 14: Toronto, ON (Kool Haus)    
Oct. 14: Montreal, QC (Olympia de Montreal)