Celebrating "guy movies" of the 80s

Let's take time-out to celebrate the "guy movies" of the 80s: Die Hard, The Terminator, Field of Dreams, Scarface, Diner, Escape from New York, The Empire Strikes Back (but definitely not Return of the Jedi!), Blade Runner and more.

Certain things define a "guys movie:" Lack of a romantic plot? That helps. Lots of action? That's a given. Gratuitous female nudity? No objection here. Side question: Can any John Hughes film be a guy movie? I say no way. It doesn't meet any of the above criteria. If there's any Hughes movie that comes, maybe it's Weird Science.

Some genres are home runs: College (Back to School), war (Platoon, First Blood) and science fiction movies (Star Trek, Highlander) are usually guy movies, aren't they? Sports movies too (Major League, Hoosiers, Bull Durham, Chariots of Fire), though the 80s saw the infiltration of romance into sports movies (Bull Durham, The Natural, The Karate Kid).

Certain actors help: Throw in Sylvester Stallone (Rocky III, Over the Top), Sean Connery (Highlander, The Untouchables) or Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan, Running Man, Total Recall) and you've got a guys movie. Other actors (Richard Gere, Tom Cruise, John Cusack), ummm, not so much. Oh sure, you can throw Top Gun at me, but take out the Kelly McGillis side-plot and all you have is Iron Eagle II. (There's a split jury on Kevin Costner.)

Are you ready for my closing thesis? My final argument. Here goes: What happens when you combine all the above elements? A war movie that also has sports, no women and Sylvester Stallone? You get the 1981 movie Victory, the greatest guy movie of the entire decade.

Case closed!

Another 80s star in jail (yawn)

Back in the 80s, when I was suffering through the grating but necessary initiation we call "journalism school" at the University of Florida, I worked the cops and courts beat for a short time for the student newspaper. Who knew that'd be such good training for this blog. Yeah, another 80s celeb has been thrown in the pokey again. Who's it this time? Boy George again? Nah, too obvious. Madonna for beating up Guy Ritchie? No, just wishful thinking. Styx for criminal impersonation of a musical act, forcing them to take back Dennis DeYoung? No, no, no.

No, this time, it's our old buddy George Michael. The Brit singer was found slumped over unconscious in his car in a London park Sunday morning, according to media reports from the U.K. He was arrested for suspicion of possession of marijuana and liquid Ecstasy and booked under his real name, Georgios Kyriacos Panayitou. (Gaylord Focker has nothing on Georgios.)

In a statement to the media Monday, Michael said the arrest was "my own stupid fault, as usual." He didn't deny the charges or begrudge the arrest. "I was in possession of class C drugs, which is an offense, and I have no complaints about the police who were professional throughout."

Michael, 42, is semi-retired from music these days (in the same way I'm semi-retired from my pursuit of becoming an Olympics pole-vaulter). But he still finds his way into the tabloids from time to time. Eight years ago, he was arrested in L.A. for "gross indecency" in a public toilet. Despite his recent attachment to a more private life, Michael remains one of Britain's wealthiest pop stars. (Good, he may need the money for lawyers.)

A little G.M. trivia

While we ponder the future of our razor-challenged popster, how about some trivia on his career? Good luck with these gems.
Question 1: George Michael penned his first song at age 17. Can you name it?
Question 2: What's ironic about the title of his second album, "Listen Without Prejudice"?
Question 3: He doesn't appear in the video for his tune "Freedom 90" -- who does?
Question 4: Which two cover songs sung by George Michael were worldwide hits after their release? (Hint: both were live performances.)

Try this 80s pop quiz

You 80s fans out there seem to have no problem with the lyrics quizzes from this blog and the "Name that 80s Tune" contest from our podcast. (Though two people got it wrong this week). So here's yet another challenge for you. Something to help you stretch your brains on a chilly winter day. (It's warm here in Florida, but we're not going to rub it in.)

Question 1: ABC and NBC engaged in a clash of titans back in 1980, with ABC trying to grab the audience of Saturday Night Live with its own, late-night series. What was the show's name?

Question 2: In the movie Clash of the Titans, what was the name and type of animal that helped Perseus (played by Harry Hamlin)?

Question 3: Harry Hamlin is sometimes mistaken for Peter Gallagher, who appeared in what 1982 film with Daryl Hannah? Also, what Chicago song is played at the end of the movie?

Question 4: What was the original name of the band Chicago?

Question 5: Peter Cetera left Chicago in the mid-80s to pursue a solo career. What's the name of his first hit single?

God Save the Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols, the infamous punk band that changed the face of pop music, has told the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame to sod off. Did anyone not see this coming?

The British band -- at their height of fame featuring singer John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), drummer Paul Cook, guitarist Steve Jones and on bass, the immortal Sid Vicious -- was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. The ceremonies are set for March 13 in New York.

However, the band -- best known for songs like God Save the Queen and Anarchy in the U.K. -- announced they wouldn't be attending and posted this note (spelling errors included) on its website Friday: "Next to the Sex Pistols, rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Your museum. Urine in wine. Were not your monkey and so what?"

The Hall of Fame is taking the snub in stride. Susan Evans, the executive director of the Hall of Fame Foundation, told the Associated Press: "They are being the outrageous punksters they are, and that's rock and roll."

Bono, Geldof among Nobel Prize nominees

Musicians Bono of U2 and Bob Geldof, best known for his Band-Aid and Live-Aid charity efforts, are among the nominees for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, according to Billboard Magazine and Canadian media reports. Usually the nominees for the award are not announced, but word sometimes slips out from those doing the nominating.

Bono's campaign to ease Third World debt and Geldof's efforts to fight poverty and famine in Africa have attracted a lot of media attention this year, with Bono being named as Co-Person of the Year by Time Magazine. The winner, who will receive $1.3-million, will be announced in December.

Meanwhile back in the U.K: Though Bono and Geldof, the former frontman of Irish punk group Boomtown Rats, may be kindred souls in the world of charity, it's a different story in person. On Thursday night in London, Bono introduced Geldof to the audience of the NME Awards, Britain's version of the Grammy's. But Bono shocked everyone by plastering his speech with a slew of profanity, using the f-word 14 times, according to observers.

"Bob Geldof has told me to f--- off perhaps hundreds, maybe thousands of times," Bono explained, according to Ireland Online. Geldof was being awarded the Hero of the Year award. Hey, lay off the Guinness, Bono. St. Patty's Day isn't for another month.

Angus vs. Axl: High-voltage rock and roll wins

Guns N' Roses vs. AC/DC. It's no contest. Sorta like the Americans' performance in any Winter Olympics event ... a lot of whoo-ha, some chest-thumping and then a monumental collapse. Stuck in the 80s co-host and Times pop music critic Sean Daly is pairing off the bands in a "battle royale" on his blog. But we all know it's no contest. But just for the sake of argument, let us 80s addicts play along.

Category 1 - Name of bands: All heavy metal and hard rock bands have nonsensical names that could mean a half dozen different things. Antichrist Devil-child for our AC/DC? Or just something a band member found on the side of a sewing machine. Edge: Draw.

Category 2 - Ability to party: AC/DC is old school. A case of whiskey here, a few six-packs of beer after the show, and they're good to go. (Bon Scott, their first lead singer, died at age 33 from alcohol poisoning.) As for GNR, well, no stories about vomiting to death. Yet. Edge: AC/DC and the good folks at the Jack Daniels distillery.

Category 3 - Dynamic frontman: Angus vs. Axl. A very hyperactive man dressed up like an Australian schoolboy (for maybe the first song of the show, before he strips down to his skivvies) or a sawed-off, bandana-wearing screacher from L.A. (though he did wear a kilt during shows for a while). Edge: Angus, of course. (The only man to have a steak named after him?)

Category 4 - The music: You can take a single AC/DC album (Back in Black, of course) and match it up against the entire Guns N' Roses collection and still not have to count the votes twice (unless we're voting here in Florida, in which case whatever band George W. prefers would win. And we hear he's a big Paradise City fan.) If you take into account AC/CD's pre-80s work (Highway to Hell, TNT, Problem Child, Whole Lotta Rosie, Let There Be Rock ... I can go on forever), then you have to wonder why Axl won't just throw in the towel. Oh that's right --- he's still "in the studio" (wink, wink), finishing up that latest album. The one he started recording when Elvis was still alive.

Tell me I'm wrong, fellow 80s fans. Better yet, go to Sean's blog and tell him I'm right.

Ready for some 80s break-up stories?

Our latest podcast episode is now online. Click here to download it. This week, we discuss the great break-up and rallying songs of the 80s. A little REO. Some Phil Collins. And a lot more. Just be surprised for once, OK? Also, you're discover:

-- That fans of this blog prefer Against All Odds to Separate Lives. And Just Once to Take It on the Run. (Drive also won among the 5 Cars songs.)
-- That all of Sean Daly's really demented stories happened in the Northeast, and primarily on boardwalks. (All the more reason for Tampa to build its Riverwalk, so he can start stockpiling adventures again.)
-- That Steve is still emotionally rattled by a break-up in 1987. Get over it already! (And whatever you do, don't play any Genesis around him.)

Next week, we'll break out of this depressing funk and get back to the fun-loving goons you've grown to enjoy.

For Howard Jones, things can only get better

Today's 80s birthday boy is Howard Jones, the big-haired British synth-popper. How old? Fifty-one! He scored his last hit back in 1992, but Howard is still around, playing gigs around the U.K. and enjoying a resurgence of fame, thanks to his appearance last year on TV's Hit Me Baby One More Time. (Alas, he lost to Irene Cara and "Flashdance.")

His latest CD, Revolution of the Heart, was released in the fall to warm reviews. His trademark orange hair is now blonde and though his hairline has receded (he's 51 after all!), it still has that happy, uplifting spikiness to it.

Unlike some of his British peers of the era, Howard was known more for his more optimistic lyrics (with the possible exception of his hit "No One Is To Blame," which was tragically remixed and watered down in a later version by pop antichrist Phil Collins) And so we give you our top 5 fave Howard Jones songs:
5. What is Love? Maybe love is letting people be just what they want to be.
4. New Song: Don't crack up. Bend your brain. See both sides. Throw off your mental chains.
3. Life In One Day: Try and enjoy the here and now. The future will take care of itself somehow.
2. No One Is To Blame: You can feel the punishment but you can't commit the sin.
1. Things Can Only Get Better: And do you feel scared - I do. But I won't stop and falter.

Axl ready to work again. Luckily no one cares.

They were serious? It looks like Guns N' Roses really is going to be a working band again. Reports from the continent this week have Axl & Co. booking gigs around the U.K. The BBC reports today that the hard rocking band -- pretty much AWOL since the early 90s -- is going to play the "Download Festival" in Derbyshire, Great Britain, on June 11. Another report has GNR playing Dublin a few days earlier.

Axl has been working on the band's latest album -- Chinese Democracy -- for a few years now (umm, nine years actually), but promised fans they'd hear the music this year. (Which will happen first? "Chinese Democracy" or Democracy in China? The band hasn't released an original album since '93.)

Actually, three cuts from the album -- "There Was a Time," "I.R.S." and "Better" -- have already found their way to the Internet. Boston radio station WAAF put the songs on heavy rotation until a court order from GNR put an end to the fun, according to E! Online.

Howard Stern, on his morning satellite radio show, critiqued the GNR comeback this week, concluding with the rhetorical question: When did Axl go "from so cool to being a d--che?"

The Cars are the saddest group ever?

Are The Cars the saddest group of the 80s when it comes to penning depressing ballads? Not hardly. (I'm thinking maybe The Smiths.) But for today's round 3 of sad songs, you -- faithful reader -- must pick between several Cars classics.

Contender #1: I'm Not the One
Lyrics:  "We've been through this so many times. It's never clear. It's pantomime."

Contender #2: Drive
Lyrics: " Who's gonna tell you when it's too late. Who's gonna tell you things aren't so great."

Contender #3: Since You're Gone
Lyrics: "You're so treacherous when it comes to tenderness."

Contender #4: Why Can't I Have You
Lyrics: "I cling forever. I go all night"

Contender #5: My Best Friend's Girl
Lyrics: "She's my best friend's girl. And she used to be mine."

If you care about which song charted out the highest, the answer is "I'm Not the One." Prefer saddest video? Then go with "Drive." Tell us which Cars song is saddest.

(Check out Round 1 and Round 2. Like contests? Try out 80s lyrics challenge: part 1 and part 2. Plus the Molly Ringwald challenge. And check out our latest podcast for Name that 80s Tune for a chance to win a TBT baseball cap.)

Breaking up is fun to do

This week's Stuck in the 80s podcast tackles the topic of breakup songs -- the sad, sappy ones that turn you into a sobbing mess, and the rallying tunes that help you close the door on that unappreciative, unloving excuse for a human being.

Of course, they have to be tunes from the 80s. Gina's still home recovering (Get well soon, Gina, before the boys get kicked off the air), so Sean and I will share our humiliating stories of heartache and the songs that remind us of sufferings of the past.

What we really want, though, is your stories. Share a story of a particularly awful breakup in the comments area below. And let us know if you have a favorite breakup song.

(My personal faves? Don't Let It End, Talk To Ya Later and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. Sean says he's partial to I Drink Alone. Well, aren't we all? Click here to read his blog item about drunk women.) Share your misery, brothers and sisters, and let the 80s addicts purge your heart of the pain via podcasting. Amen!

Cindy Crawford and MTV's House of Style

Cindy Crawford turns 40 today. So it's time to remember her single contribution to the 80s: serving as the first host for MTV's House of Style. Beginning in 1989, the popular series ran for more than a decade.

Why so popular? We have no idea. The writing was awful -- Cindy's commentary sounded like a contest between stoned college freshmen to see who could form the longest sentences composed of nothing but cliches. ("Here's the low-down on high fashion ... a sampling of street-looks from the mean streets East Coast to West Coast, featuring rocking and rolling style victims and summer designs from today's hottest designers.")

The fashion advice was non-applicable to anyone outside Manhattan and L.A. And it proved that MTV programming gurus had officially jumped the shark. The show's shallowness was mocked ruthlessly in the 1994 movie Reality Bites (ah, when Ben Stiller was still a genius).

Poor Cindy. She's taken her lumps for her acting (1992's Fair Game) and her past marriages (Richard Gere). At least she has her appearance as the July 1988 Playboy cover model to look back on. Plus, her modeling career and exercise videos ensure she'll never have to worry about schlepping herself on MTV again.

Round 2: REO vs. James Ingram

Our search for the saddest song of the 80s continues. Against All Odds trounced Separate Lives in the first round. So here we go again.

Today's contenders -- Just Once by James Ingram vs. Take It On the Run by REO Speedwagon. Yep, two songs by artists better known for bigger hits. REO had "Keep on Lovin' You" (also off the Hi Infidelity album) and Ingram had "Somewhere Out There" (for the soundtrack of the animated featured An American Tail)

Contestant No. 1: Take It on the Run:
Big seller: No. 5 in the U.S., No. 19 in the U.K in 1981
Movie tie-in: No noteworthy appearances that we can think of. (And why not?)
Longevity: This song screams 1981. And the lyrics can get annoying.
Lyrics: "If you leave tonight keep running. And you need never look back again"

Contestant No. 2: Just Once:
Big seller: Ingram's first big hit actually appeared on the Quincy Jones album "The Dude."
Movie tie-in: Best know to legions of 80s addicts as the song Gary is listening to on the radio as he drives away at the end of "Last American Virgin."
Longevity: Still brings tears to the eyes. (Poor Gary. Cheer up, you can do better than Karen!)
Lyrics: "I did my best. But I guess my best wasn't good enough. 'Cause here we are back where we were before."

And a trivia question: A song by one of these artists is the subject of a joke in the movie "The 40-year-old Virgin." Name the song.

Leave a comment with your vote on which song is sadder. Give us your recommendation too for songs for future rounds. And tune back in for round three.

(Like contests? Try out 80s lyrics challenge: part 1 and part 2. Plus the Molly Ringwald challenge. And check out our latest podcast for Name that 80s Tune for a chance to win a TBT baseball cap.)

Another lyric quiz for 80s addicts

Time for the weekly brainpleaser. Since today is Molly Ringwald's birthday, all the songs are from the soundtracks to her films. That's the only clue you get. No fair cheating with Google. Name the song and artist of the following lyrics:

1. "Living on a dream ain't easy, but the closer the knit the tighter the fit."
2. "Through each and every nerve and fiber, My broken spirit is frozen to the core."
3. "My back is aching so bad. But I'm grinning inside. Thinking of you keeps me on my feet."
4. "We're lost in the shadow. It's not the love that leaves you blind."
5. "Hating all the faking. And shaking while I'm breaking."
(Click the comments link below to see the correct answers)

More on Molly

So Molly Ringwald is 38 today. Possibly the face of 80s teens movies, she appeared in nine films during the decade. Some memorable (Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink), and others (Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone and Fresh Horses) not so much.

Fans think her professional career began with the Facts of Life series in 1979, but Ringwald had a music career prior to acting. At age 6, she even recorded an album of jazz with her dad, pianist Robert Scott Ringwald.

She's rumored to have turned down the role of the call-girl that Julia Roberts made famous in Pretty Woman, and -- like many of her Brat Pack peers -- her career cooled down in the 90s. Lately, she's a regular in Broadway shows, but still makes occasional appearances in films.

Speaking of films, what do we think is her best movie of the era? I know a lot of people are going to say Breakfast Club, but I'm going with Sixteen Candles. (Pretty in Pink gets the bronze medal.)

(The worst ones: Pickup Artist and Fresh Horses. Awful, just awful.) But hey, it's your birthday, Molly. Happy times only please.

Saddest songs competition: Separate Lives vs. Against All Odds

Time to pit two of Phil Collins' songs against each other in Round 1 of the Saddest Song of the 80s contest. ("Sad" in a boo-hoo sorta way -- not sad like "The Spice Girls' Greatest Hits.") To make it more interesting, both are from movie soundtracks. Separate Lives is from "White Nights" (1985 film with Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov) and Against All Odds is from, ummm, "Against All Odds" (1984 movie starring Jeff Bridges, James Woods and Rachel Ward).

In this corner, Separate Lives ...
-- Big seller: Hit #1 on U.S. charts
-- Movie tie-in: Appears in a slightly better movie than its competition
-- Longevity: Has a sound that's not quite so 80s (but is that a plus or a minus?), possibly because it's a duet with Marilyn Martin.
-- Lyrics: "You have no right to ask me how I feel. You have no right to speak to me so kind. We can’t go on just holding on to time. Now that we’re living separate lives"

And in this corner, Against All Odds ...
-- Big seller: Also hit #1 on U.S. charts (back in the day when Phil could do no wrong)
-- Movie tie-in: Slightest cheesier movie, but with more sweaty romantic scenes. (And no movie suffers from an appearance by James Woods.)
-- Longevity: Phil plays it more often in concert, because it's a solo. Has been covered by other artists (again a plus or minus).
-- Lyrics: "I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry. There’s so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why. You’re the only one who really knew me at all."

Leave a comment with your vote for the sadder song. And come back soon for the opinion from the Times' 80s experts.

(Like contests? Try out 80s lyrics challenge: part 1 and part 2. And check out our latest podcast for Name that 80s Tune for a chance to win a TBT baseball cap.)

Kiss-and-tell 80s stories

The latest podcast episode of Stuck in the 80s is online. This week's topic -- making great mix tapes to woo the opposite sex. [Click to download] A little REO, some Styx, throw in Chicago and Christopher Cross, and you're in business. Hosts Steve and Sean share their favorite mix-tape songs, but more importantly, they share the awful, haunting, embarrassing and just plain pathetic personal stories behind each song.

I know, I know. We told you we were going to do Sci-Fi in the 80s this week. But we had some technical snafus. The plans for the Death Star were not in the main computer, Lord Vader.

But we think you'll like this particular episode even better anyway. What will we do next week? We're still debating it. What's your vote: A tribute to AC/DC or the great breakup songs from the 80s (along with our personal stories to show how horribly mean and/or lame we were)? We'll let you decide.

With Toledo as Star witness, will TomKat sue?

One day after news broke that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had called it quits, a lawyer for Tom Cruise is saying they might sue the magazine that originally reported the rumor. "I will be sitting down with Tom in the next couple of days to discuss this story and ultimately it's his call as to whether we bring a lawsuit," Bert Fields told Star Magazine in an online article today. "But if it was up to me, I would sue."

Life & Style magazine, which first published the news of the split in their latest edition, says it stands by its story.

Back in Holmes' home town of Toledo, Ohio, fri

ends of Katie's also are telling the Star the rumor isn't true. "There hasn't been any talk around Toledo that they broke up," one said.

Stop the presses! Rewrite page one! New headline: "Toledo confirms it: TomKat together forever!" How could we, the evil rumor-mongering public, ever have doubted their love? For shame!

Why stop there? More Cruise news

... Tom Cruise is reportedly threatening to sue acclaimed biographer Andrew Morton after discovering he has hired a gay porn star to shed light on his private life, according to one website report.

... South Park's controversial episode featuring Tom Cruise locking himself in a closet hits the air in Australia next week. The cartoon show aired the episode in the U.S. back in November. In the show, Cruise believes "Stan" is the reincarnation of Scientology guru L. Ron Hubbard. (Alas, Stan tells Cruise that Leonardo DiCaprio is a better actor!) Crushed, Cruise locks himself in Stan's closet. Does Cruise ever come out of the closet? Only time will tell.

... The political satire website Unconfirmed Sources is having its fun with the latest TomKat spat, reporting on its frontpage: ""Katie Holmes, who is Mr. Cruise's girlfriend, who he has seen naked, can barely walk from all the … uh … sex she's having with him."

... Katie Holmes makes daily trips into L.A. to fetch her morning coffee, but it's been weeks since the Tomster has gone with her, reports the National Ledger. Likewise, Tom was alone when spotted recently partying with Kanye West after his Feb. 6 show at an L.A. nightclub.

... The website, tomcruiseisnuts.com, recently ran a reader contest to "Name the Cruiser's Spawn." The eventual winners? If it's a girl, Brooke. If it's a boy, L. Ron.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes on the outs? We're shocked! Shocked!

Is Hollywood's most saccharin couple on the outs? Life & Style magazine reports that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have split and will make it public after the birth of their child. The magazine bases its story on two unnamed friends of Cruise, one of whom said, "They both agreed that the marriage wouldn’t work and they wanted to end it before they learned to hate each other."

The two continue to live together, but in separate bedrooms, according to the article. Cruise reportedly will buy Holmes her own home nearby so they can share custody of their child.

Naturally, publicists for the duo have already rushed to deny the story. And maybe it is a publicity hoax. Trouble is, the story is so believable. (What breakup date did you have for them in your office pool?) Nobody could envision them together in the first place. Imagining a breakup now, however, is a snap. Just pick the reason: the age difference, his love of Scientology, her resumption of sanity.

If the story is true, where would "TomKat" rank among doomed celebrity couples? Certainly below Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Somewhere in the neighborhood of Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts? Maybe Drew Barrymore and Tom Green? Or Robin Givens and Mike Tyson? In any case, it's one for the record books.

More shocking (and not shocking) news

... Sobriety-challenged Shannen Doherty was injured in a car wreck earlier this week in Malibu, Calif. The 34-year-old actress, who first shot to fame in 1989's Heathers and then in Beverly Hills 90210, turned into another vehicle while making a left turn. Both she and the other driver were taken to a hospital for treatment. Investigators have listed Doherty, who was arrested for DUI back in 2001, as the party at fault but no citations were issued, according to the Associated Press. On Thursday night, the other driver in the accident was scheduled to appear on TV's Inside Edition to tell his side of the story. ""I don't care who was involved in the accident with me," he said, according to the program. "Regardless, I've still got to deal with the injuries."

... Squarely under the VERY shocking label: Willie Nelson has released a song about gay cowboys. The song -- "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other)" -- was reportedly written before the phenomenon of Brokeback Mountain. The song, which supposedly is presented very seriously, includes the line, "Inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out." It's available only on iTunes.

... Actor Chris Penn's death has been ruled accidental by investigators in California. The star of movies such as Footloose, Reservoir Dogs and Starsky & Hutch was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 24. The main cause of death was an enlarged heart, complicated by the effects of several prescription drugs Penn was taking at the time.

... Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk in the TV series from 1978 to 1982, was sworn in this week as a Los Angeles County reserve deputy. Ferrigno, 53, played the bulging green monster opposite his smaller alter-ego, played by Bill Bixby. As a reserve deputy, he was issued a badge, a baton and a gun.

Don't make Deputy Hulk mad.

No need to be romantic yourself. Let the 80s movies do all the work for you

It's Valentines Day (aka Florist Appreciation Day) and you're in love with someone stuck in the 80s. (Who isn't?). What better gift to bring home today than an 80s romantic comedy. (Well, actually, maybe a pizza and bottle of bourbon would work wonders too, but where's the holiday tie-in?)

So we give you ... Top 80s movies with romance:
-- Moonstruck: Nicolas Cage falls in love with Cher? Oh sure, that's believeable. Next thing you know, he'll be marrying Elvis's daughter.
-- When Harry Met Sally: When it comes to Meg Ryan's co-stars in romantic comedies, how can you go wrong with someone who voiced over a one-eyed cartoon monster?
-- Last American Virgin: We won't give away the ending, but no one ends up a virgin and Gary drives off crying in his car. Oh wait, that was the ending. Sorry. A Valentine movie for people who are alone. (Bourbon and pizza optional, but recommended)
-- Valley Girl: What is it with Nic Cage and romance movies? Next thing you know, he'll be playing an angel who leaves heaven for some hot doctor who dies a day later.
-- The Princess Bride: "Nothing gave Buttercup as much pleasure as ordering Westley around." (Surprisingly not written by Anne Rice)
-- An Officer and a Gentleman: "I'm sorry, Sid, but I don't wanna marry you." Ouch. OK, a romantic movie for at least Richard Gere's character. But hang in there, Sid.
-- Working Girl: "I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?" Not on Valentine's Day, there isn't!

We love Peter Gabriel ... big time

Here we are, on the eve of Valentine's Day, and it's time to give a shout-out to one of the best 80s musicians when it comes to penning songs about love and angst. (I'm sending out death-lasers from my eyes if you think I'm about to say Lionel Richie. No!). Let's throw a little love to Peter Gabriel, who turns 56 years old today.

Don't give me that puzzled look. We're talking about "In Your Eyes" and "Don't Give Up" for starters. Two, dare we say, classics from the era. Director Cameron Crowe took a long look around before finding the perfect song for his film Say Anything ("Lloyd Dobbler ... all right....") before finally wooing Gabriel to give him the rights for "In Your Eyes." (Gabriel only agreed after being allowed to screen the movie ahead of time.) And you gotta love the simplicity of his duet with Kate Bush on "Don't Give Up." A great song to help rally you from a bad day. ("I've changed my face, I've changed my name. But no one wants you when you lose.")

Lest you doubt the genius of Gabriel, consider his groundbreaking videos for "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time." (Yeah, remember when videos actually broke ground instead of breaking wind?)

These days, Peter Gabriel is taking the higher road with his celebrity by spearheading causes like the Asia Earthquake Appeal, which is raising funds to help survivors from last year's earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan and northern India. He continues to tour and put on fantastic live shows. (He has several concert DVDS out there including one -- Live and Unwrapped -- released in November.) Gabriel even showed up in Turn, Italy, last week to performing during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Games.

A birthday present for Pete -- top 5 Peter Gabriel songs loved by 80s addicts:
5. Solsbury Hill
4. Red Rain
3. Mercy Street
2. In Your Eyes
1. Don't Give Up

Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned from an 80s Sci-Fi flick

This week's episode of our Stuck in the 80s podcast focuses on sci-fi movies of the 80s. Ah yes, quite the fertile ground for uber-nerds. Two of the first three Star Wars films were in the 80s afterall. Plus, throw in another Harrison Ford classic -- Blade Runner -- and you wonder why he even bothered with other genres.

So to get us in the spirit of things, proof that everything we need to know we learned from an 80s science-fiction movie:
-- "Size matters not." (Empire Strikes Back)
-- "Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends." (Return of the Jedi)
-- "Death is a primitive concept." (The Last Starfighter)
-- "Doomed is your soul and damned is your life." (Buckaroo Banzai)
-- "Do... or do not. There is no try." (Empire Strikes Back)
-- "Fear is the mind-killer." (Dune)
-- "If you've seen one Consumer Electronics Show, you've seen them all." (Tron)
-- "Things change. Always do. You'll get your chance!" (The Last Starfighter)
-- "Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it?" (Blade Runner)
-- "A man should remember his past." (Escape from New York)
-- "Moods are for cattle and loveplay, not for fighting!" (Dune)
-- "Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you." (Return of the Jedi)
-- "Nothing is worse than having an itch you can never scratch! " (Blade Runner)
-- "All that is visible must grow beyond itself, and extend into the realm of the invisible." (Tron)
-- "Nobody gets to meet the Duke. You meet him once and then you're dead!" (Escape from New York)
-- "Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are." (Buckaroo Banzai)

Fire off a comment and tell us your favorite 80s sci-fi movie, your favorite quotes and whatever else is rattling around, and we'll use it in our podcast this week.

Weekend lyrics challenge

Welcome to your weekly 80s music lyrics challenge. Last week's challenge was possibly too easy, though the Martin Briley tune "Salt in my Tears" line had to be uncovered by a contestant using Google. I've added some hints since this week's episode seems to be tougher than most.

1. "My father said 'don't worry, son.' But look at him, he should have run." (Hint: from Nicolas Cage's first big movie)
2. "I only like dreaming. All the day long." (Hint: Think down under)
3. "We spoke of wintertime in France. Minutes passed with shallow words."
4. "I see his face . The lord won’t mind." (Hint: Don't let this one slip away)
5. "I spray clandestine night subway. I cover red purple on top of grey." (Hint: Red and purple really clash)

Click here to try last week's challenge. Want another brain-squeezer? Add to our ongoing list of goofy band names from the 80s. Or download this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast for our Name that 80s Tune contest. Name the song and artist for a chance to win a too-cool TBT baseball cap.

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And while you mull those over, here's a story about some really obscure music. Eons ago, I played drums in a band called Epic Trash here in Tampa Bay, Florida. (The name came from a two-word movie review of a Schwarzenegger or Stallone flick from the St. Pete Times.) We started out as a small punk outfit in the mid 80s covering Dead Kennedys tunes. But we managed to evolve and carve a niche as one of the local founders of "goof rock" -- serious sounding music with really goofball lyrics. Think Young Fresh Fellows or Dead Milkmen. We played gigs locally and even managed to squeeze out a few singles on compilation albums. (Our logo seen above was penned by our lead guitarist during economics class in high school, back when we merely daydreamed about being in a band to help stay awake.)

Trashers: Clay Wiedemann, Dave Krouk, Steve Spears, circa 1988.

Well, like skinny ties and big hair, the band didn't survive the 80s. To make a long story short, we recently uncovered a few web pages around (here, here, and here) that reference our band and indicate some of our songs were popular elsewhere. Amazing. So if you ever bump into a record called "Spontaneous Consumer Frenzy" by Pop Records, buy it! (It was recently featured on a German website for $5.24, which might have been more money than it originally sold for.) We won't make any money from it. But you'll love listening to our songs "Michael Jackson's Zoo" and "Dionysus, Party God." (And no, those aren't the answers to either of the 5 lyric challenges this week.)

Best of Japan CD due soon

The stylish synth rockers Japan are preparing to release a best-of CD on March 27. "The Very best Of Japan" will be the first collection to feature material recorded for the Hansa and Virgin labels, according to the remembertheeighties.com website.

The group formed in Britain in the early 70s, mimicking the glam rock style of David Bowie and the New York Dolls. Their first big hit was a cover of Smokey Robinson's "I Second That Emotion" in 1979. Their 1980 album, "Gentlemen Take Polaroids," got them noticed in the U.S. But it 1981's "Tin Drums" album that had the hit single "Ghosts," which climbed close to the top of the charts. The band disbanded in 1982.

The band is expected to release a DVD too, featuring several videos and live performances.

Rob Dean, Richard Barbieri, David Batt, Anthony Michelides, Steve Batt

Actor Franklin Cover dies

Franklin Cover, who played in a numerous 70s and 80s tv shows, has died at age 77, his publicist told the AP Thursday. Cover might have been best know as the white neighbor to George and Louise Jefferson on "The Jeffersons."

Other TV roles included "The Love Boat," "Who's the Boss?" and most recently "Will & Grace." Film roles included roles in "The Stepford Wives" and "Wall Street," in which he played the aging stockbroker Dan who finds himself out the door as Charlie Sheen's character is making his rise.

Cover died of pneumonia Sunday in New Jersey.

'O' no, she's on satellite radio too?

The "It" person of the last 20 years -- The "O" one ... we can't bear to say her name anymore -- just inked a $55-million deal with XM Satellite Radio to create a new radio channel in her name, beginning this fall. Now people have to pay to hear more of her? Jeesh, we'd gladly pay the $12 a month to NOT hear anything more from her. Sorta like the "no-call" list that's strangling phone solicitors. What's next? Channels for demented Dr. Phil and the twits from The View?

Can't satellite radio come up with anything more interesting to pimp to prospective listeners? To be honest, I was seriously considering laying down the change to try it out for a year. But if this is their idea of quality programming, forget it.

Just out of curiosity, I checked XM's channel guide to see what 80s offerings were there. Oh my. One channel? And here's their description of the music: "Timeless music from groups like Culture Club, the Go-Gos and Styx, as well as classics from signature artists like Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and The Police." No thanks. We get that same bland stew on regular radio.

There is a "classic alternatives" channel that sounds more promising, fearturing tunes by Violent Femmes, Dead Milkmen, New Order, Ministry, XTC, The Buzzcocks and R.E.M. Still, I'm thinking an iPod and a $30 gift card to iTunes pretty much gets you any song you want from that genre.

Good luck, XM Radio. If the Queen of Daytime TV doesn't suck your coffers dry, maybe you'll stick around long enough to figure out a winning formula.

Time to use the f-word

Our latest podcast is online and on fire. Click here to download the episode about the fashion of the 80s. Yep, mohawks, rat-tails, leg-warmers, Frankie Say t-shirts. It's all there and more. Plus, some really cool tunes from musicians who helped inspire the trends.

Also in this week's podcast episode, our first installment of Name That 80s Tune. We play a very short clip (VERY short) of an 80s tune. If you can name the song and artist, e-mail us at stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com. We'll pick one person from the winning entries and send that person a TBT baseball cap as a prize. Tune into next week's podcast to see who won and to hear next week's mystery song.

Meanwhile, back at the Stuck in the 80s headquarters, our dedicated staff of hundreds are all sending best wishes to podcast co-host Gina Vivinetto, who will be taking a short leave of absence after ungoing surgery Friday to remove a tumor. She's in high spirits -- listen to this week's podcast if you have any doubts -- but if you can leave her an encouraging comment, I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

While she's getting her strength back, Times pop music critic and podcast comrade Sean Daly will be filling her seat. That's right. It's "boys-only" time for Stuck in the 80s. Heh-heh. Stogies, cheap bourbon, talk about ex-girlfriends and more. First topic for next week: sci-fi movies of the 80s.

Charles is back in charge - of our DVD players

There's more to the 80s than teens-in-angst movies, New Wave music and MTV. There was also some great stuff on TV. Unfortunately, these four box sets aren't it. But there's nothing wrong with a little guilty pleasure from time to time. So enjoy new releases in moderation.

Charles in Charge (1984-1990): Ah, the classic work of Scott Baio, who plays a college student who moves in with a family as their housekeeper and babysitter. Also featuring Willie Aames as his friend Buddy. The DVD of the first season goes on sale Feb. 14, the perfect present for your 80s loved ones. (Sing along: "Charles in charge, of our days, and our nights...")

Growing Pains (1985-1992): Meet the Seaver family. The star vehicle for Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron (that worked out well, didn't it?) also briefly featured Leonardo DiCaprio and a character named "Boner." High-brow, it was not. The first season DVD was released on Feb. 7.

Full House (1987-1995): Yes, the one with the Olsen twins. But also John Stamos, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier as the three hopeless male figures left to raise three little girls. Easily the most talented cast from this genre of TV shows. (Saget's true genius wasn't known til years later when it was revealed he's a hilarious stand-up comedian with a vocabulary that makes Chris Rock faint. Go rent "The Aristocrats.") The DVD of seasons one and two was released in December.

Who's The Boss (1984-1992): Tony Danza? Forget him. Alyssa Milano! Now you're sitting in butter. Long before she stripping for Poison Ivy II, Alyssa was just a cute-as-a-button daughter for Danza's character, a male housekeeper. Season one of the series was released on DVD back in 2004. Like the rest of these sit-coms, there's little or no lasting social value here. But in the 80s, it's all about the hot stars, the cheesy jokes and the cheap laughs. Enjoy.

More over-exposed stars of the 80s

Our recent rant against the power of Oprah Winfrey touched a nerve with some of our podcast readers, who feel likewise that the Big O could use a little time out of the limelight. So we wondered, who are the other overexposed stars from the 80s?

Here are the nominees. You tell us who wins or who we missed:

Harrison Ford: Does anyone really go to movies to see him anymore? We're not sure we'd pay money to even rent his latest flick, Firewall, when it hits the video stores. He's a testy celebrity at best, a lousy interview, and hasn't made a decent movie in a decade. And he's clearly in a delusional state if he thinks he can play Indiana Jones again at age 63.

Michael Jackson: He's gone, folks. Done making music. Nowadays, he just visits Dubai dressed as a woman and pretends to drop babies from hotel balconies. Yet even news of his latest rumored project -- putting music to some of the prayers of the Pope John Paul II -- had the urgency normally reserved for catastrophic earthquakes. Let the King of Pop rest in peace.

Michelle Pfeiffer: I'm thinking of a number. Six. Yep, the number of decent movies starring Michelle Pfeiffer. And you have to go back to 1989's Fabulous Baker Boys for the last one. (That's 20 movies ago.)

Madonna: Losing her looks and her singing voice. Current status? Married to overrated British director and boring everyone to tears with her love of Kabbalah.

Tom Cruise: An obvious choice, since he seems to be irritating EVERY body these days. If he's not pushing Scientology on people, he's lighting into Matt Lauer or jumping over Oprah's couch. If Mission Impossible 3 is only half as bad as War of the Worlds, we'll all join your "church." Because that'll be a miracle in itself.

Back in the chain-store gang

First the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, and now finally a present for their long-suffering fans. The Pretenders, who were inducted into the hall of fame last year, are putting the finishing touches on a career-spanning box set, now set for release to a store near you on March 14.

The package from Rhino Records -- named "Pirate Radio" -- will include 4 discs of music and a DVD. Fans can expect demo versions of some songs, some previously unreleased material, live songs and some covers of other artists' songs, including Morrissey's "Everyday Is Like Sunday" and Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done."

After the release, the band is set to play at Austin's South by Southwest Music Festival and then go on a short U.S. tour, beginning on the West Coast.

Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde is in the press these days more for her protests with PETA and feud with Ray Davies than her music. But she'll always remain one of the most respected female musicians/songwriters. (One critic lists her #9 on his top 10 list -- Stevie Nicks earned his top spot. The Stuck in the 80s gang would no doubt list her in our top 5. Check out our Christmas music episode of our podcast for Gina's story about Chrissie.)

Oprah, Oprah, Oprah ... Isn't it getting old?

Oprah's in the news more than Osama. She's in the news even when the news isn't about her. Just ask James Frey and Dave Chappelle. Today, it's because of her tribute for the late Coretta Scott King. Tomorrow, who knows? Is there a more over-exposed person