Stocking stuffer: The Cube is back

There's nothing puzzling about the appeal of this 80s icon. The Rubik's Cube was an icon of the decade -- what the Pet Rock was to the 70s or the Chia Pet was to ... oh, hell, nobody wants to claim that as their icon.

Difficult to solve but even more difficult to give up on, the Rubik's Cube was invented by Erno Rubik in Hungary in 1974 but didn't reach the U.S. until 1980. More than 100-million of the puzzles were sold between 1980 and 1982. 

You might be surprised to know the Rubik's Cube phenomenon is still going strong. Today, Hasbro, which acquired the puzzle's U.S. rights in 2002, sells several hundred thousand of them each year, according to the company.

The Cube could see another surge in popularity with the December release of the Will Smith movie The Pursuit of Happyness. The movie is based on the rags-to-riches story of Chicago millionaire Chris Gardner (played by Smith). The Rubik’s Cube plays a role in the movie as a way to showcase the resolve and skill of Smith, who's able to solve the puzzle quickly. (The Fresh Prince recently appeared on Oprah to promote the movie and solved the puzzle fast in front of the audience.)

Of course, learning the solve the puzzle quickly is the real challenge. Cube champion Tyson Mao was brought to the movie set to train Will Smith.

Some more Cube trivia:

• Sheets of colored stickers were once sold to enthusiastic but frustrated puzzle owners who couldn't solve the puzzle. They could simply replace the stickers to make it look solved.
• A standard cube has 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible positions.
• All cubes can be solved in 27 or fewer moves.

Tomorrow on Stuck in the 80s: An interview with Rubik's Cube champ Tyson Mao and his tips on how to solve the puzzle.

There's something about Ben

Ben Stiller, better known for his work in the 1990s and beyond, actually got his start in the '80s ... like all true geniuses.

Stiller, who turns 41 years old today, is best known for his roles in There's Something About Mary, Reality Bites, Meet the Parents and Dodgeball.

But here's a quick look at his '80s work:

Hot Pursuit (1987): John Cusack plays a student chasing his girlfriend's family through the Caribbean. Look for Ben (and his father Jerry) playing the boat hijackers. I know many people disagree with me here, but this is a highly underappreciated 80s movie.

Empire of the Sun (1987): Say what you want about Saving Private Ryan, but I consider this one to be Spielberg's true WW2 classic. Starring a VERY young Christian Bale and John Malkovich as detainees in a Japanese prison camp. Ben plays "Dainty," an American also interned at the camp. He gets the great line: "Hey Kid. Would you like a Hershey Bar?" Bale replies yes, leaving Stiller with the punchline, "Me too, you got one?"

Fresh Horses (1988): Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy in the movie that pretty much signals the end of the Brat Pack's teen dynasty in Hollywood. Where's John Hughes when you really need him? Look for Ben playing the part of "Tipton" but don't blame him if you didn't enjoy the rest of the movie. Dare I say -- not a classic.

Next of Kin (1989): Say what you like about a movie centered around hillbillies who come to the big city to avenge a brother's murder. (Trust me, it's all been said.) But this movie had an impressive cast: Patrick Swayze, Liam Neeson, Helen Hunt. Bill Paxton, and yes, Ben Stiller playing a small role too. Just sit back and enjoy all the fake accents.

It'd be the last small role for Stiller, who would start the vastly underappreciated "Ben Stiller Show" on TV the following year. His latest film, Night at the Museum, opens Dec. 22. Happy birthday, Ben.

Other '80s birthdays today: Bo Jackson (44) and Billy Idol (51).

Clobbered by a cartoon?

Could it be that Madonna has finally "jumped the shark?"

The rating numbers are in for her highly touted TV concert last week. (Drumroll please.) The headline: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving beat Madonna by 5 million viewers.

Five million! According to the Washington Post, the 1973 cartoon beat the Material Girl in every age category. Other shows last Wednesday night that also beat her: William Shatner's "Show Me The Money" and Univision's Spanish language soap.

If you missed her televised concert, you get another chance this Thursday. Bravo TV is airing it again at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Finally the right place for Madonna: Wedged between episodes of Top Chef, The Real Housewives of Orange County and reruns of The West Wing.

5 things Americans would rather watch on TV than a Madonna concert:
5. Reruns of "One Day At A Time"
4. "America's Got Talent"
3. "2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee"
2. "Teen Choice Awards"
1. Dead air.

That's Mr. Nelson to you

He's known by many names: Bender, Alex Newbary ... even Nick Peretti or Jack Richmond to fans of the 90s. All signature characters by Judd Nelson, who turns 47 years old today.

Best known as John Bender in The Breakfast Club, Nelson's career has had its peaks (St. Elmo's Fire) and its valleys (Blue City). He won over a new generation of fans in the 90s and beyond with roles on TV's Suddenly Susan (with fellow 80s star Brooke Shields) and the 2001 flick Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, cast by writer/director Kevin Smith -- a big-time fan of Nelson and his 80s films.

These days, Nelson is still hard at work as an actor, with parts in several TV movies and stage productions in the works. His latest work is Netherbeast Incorporated, a vampire comedy/horror flick set in Corporate America, co-starring Darrell Hammond, Jason Mewes, Robert Wagner and Dave Foley. It's due out in 2007.

In an interview last year on themanroom.com website, Nelson explained the myth behind his 1980s Brat Pack image. "We got lumped together as a generation of actors as if we were hanging out together. I was living in New York at the time and I seldom travel three thousand miles to have a beer with someone."

We'd travel three thousand miles to have a beer with you, Judd.

Top 5 Judd Nelson lines:
5. "That's Mr. A--hole to you." (St. Elmo's Fire)
4. "Is this one of those black things?" (New Jack City)
3. "Bea Arthur?... Outstanding." (Airheads)
2. "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" (The Breakfast Club)
1. "Demented and sad, but social." (The Breakfast Club)

A concert worthy of royalty

Word out of the mother country is that British princes William and Harry are making plans for a huge concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of their mother, the late Princess Diana.

The concert would be held July 1, 2007 in Wembley Stadium. Diana, a worldwide icon since her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles, died Aug. 31, 1997, with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and their driver when their car crashed in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris.

The list of musicians to perform hasn't been established yet, though Elton John is rumored to have already committed. Word has it Madonna and Beyonce will be invited as well.

Since Diana started out as an 80s icon -- and the concert will be held in the ultimate 80s concert venue -- here's our recommended list of acts to invite. It's an all-U.K. bill, so Madonna -- fake accent and all -- can tear up her invitation right now, thankyouverymuch:

Thompson Twins: They haven't been together since their early 90s ... so they're well-rested. Queue up "Doctor, Doctor," "Hold Me Now," and finish with "King for a Day." (I believe that one is Prince Charles' favorite ditty.)

Duran Duran: The lovely lads from Birmingham reportedly were Diana's favorite band. And even Andy Taylor would return for this gig. I'm guessing she'd want to hear "Save a Prayer," "Rio," "Planet Earth" and a set-ending "Hungry Like the Wolf." (Get William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, to add the closing moaning effects.)

Queen with George Michael: Bring back Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacons. Now book Cheech-and-Chong wannabe George Michael to handle the lead vocals, as he did so expertly in the Freddy Mercury Concert for Life show back in 1992. Start with "One Vision," go to "Who Wants to Life Forever" and finish your set with "Somebody to Love" and revel in all the glory.

Elton John: Yes, yes. Elton can perform. But he has to play in the Donald Duck costume from the late 70s. And he's not allowed to play "Crocodile Rock" or "Honky Cat," the most obnoxious tunes in his collection. He is required, however, to play "Kiss the Bride" and "Tiny Dancer." And yes, he can end it with "Candle in the Wind" ... if he insists.

There you go, Will and Harry. I've done all the hard work. Just click "print" and get to work. (And send my press pass via priority mail, if you don't mind.)

Learning from Traci, Emilio and George

So Britney Spears made a mistake. We all do. I still remember the time I had two female friends give me a haircut so I'd look more New Wave-ish. They basically shaved the sides of my head. I looked like Anthony Michael Hall in Weird Science or Matthew Broderick in Ladyhawke. It took a stylist $30 to get it back to normal afterward.

Maybe it's time for Britney to look to her Hollywood and pop peers from the 80s for advice on how to disavow a big mistake:

George Michael
Best known for: Shaking his denimed butt while singing "Faith."
Trying to live down: Repeatedly falling asleep stoned at the wheel.
His solution: Send your husband out to fetch some McDonalds.
Would it work for Britney: She's trying to work off the McDonalds now, it looks like.

Robin Givens
Best known for: co-star of "Head of the Class."
Trying to live down: marriage to heavyweight moron Mike Tyson
Her solution: Accuse him of spousal abuse on national TV ... with him sitting right next to her.
Would it work for Britney: Unless Kevin bit off a piece of her ear, probably not.

Lisa Bonet
Best known for: playing Denise Huxtable on "The Cosby Show."
Trying to live down: being fired by Cosby after appearing in sex scenes with Mickey Rourke in the film Angel Heart.
Her solution: Threatened legal action; ending up with her own show - A Different World.
Would it work for Britney: Her sex tape with K-Fed reportedly doesn't exist now, so she probably couldn't score more than a Pudding Pop from Cosby.

Traci Lords
Best known for: appearing in up to 100 adult films in the 80s.
Trying to live down: Only one of those films was made after she turned 18 years old. Oops.
Her solution: Gave up porn, went to acting school and starred in a series of B-movies and TV series.
Would it work for Britney: Maybe Britney should try singing and songwriting school first.

Emilio Estevez
Best known for: co-star of Breakfast Club, Repo Man, St. Elmo's Fire.
Trying to live down: short marriage to no-talent, American Idol shill Paula Abdul.
His solution: Converted acting career into directing career. His latest movie -- "Bobby," about the death of Robert F. Kennedy -- opened this month.
Would it work for Britney: I'm not sure anyone would trust her directing even a Pop-Tart commercial, but it's worth a try.

'Smiles, everyone... smiles!'

Say what you like about Bill Cosby, Heather Locklear or ... god forbid... Bronson Pinchot, but to me, the face of TV in the 80s -- especially the early 80s -- was Ricardo Montalban, who turns 86 years old today.

Montalban's career stretched from the 1940s to the present day, where he's most often found doing voice work for animated features ("Ant Bully" was his latest). But his two signature pieces of work have to be Fantasy Island (1978-1984) and 1982's Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn.

Some trivia about Montalban:

• Montalban originated the character Khan Noonien Singh in a 1966 episode of Stak Trek on TV.
• He loved the Khan character so much, he agreed to reprise it in the 1982 movie for only $100,000.
• Fantasy Island was revived by ABC in 1998, with Malcolm McDowell playing the role of Mr. Rourke. To contrast with Montalban, McDowell wore a black suit.

Top 5 favorite Ricardo Montalban quotes:
5. "From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee." (Star Trek 2)
4. "Let them eat static." (Star Trek 2)
3. "You're asking me to risk imprisonment for the sake of two fugitive apes? The answer is- a thousand times- YES!" (Escape from the Planet of the Apes)
2. "Kirk. You're still alive, old friend." (Star Trek 2)
1. "Smiles, everyone... smiles!" (Fantasy Island)

A few more names for their list

Atlantic Monthly just published its list of 100 most influential figures in American history. Quite the undertaking. (More impressive than my list of 80 funniest comedies of the 80s? Well, Chevy Chase only made one of the lists and it wasn't Atlantic Monthly's.) The top 5 are not surprising (Abe Lincoln, George Washington, Tom Jefferson, FDR and Alexander Hamilton). But how many 80s icons made the list? Just three.

Ronald Reagan is ranked highest, at No. 17. Bill Gates is there at No. 54. Sam Walton rests at 72.

Some other 80s icons who surely would be worthy of the list: Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Jesse Jackson, Sandra Day O'Connor and Bill Cosby.

Spending Thanksgiving with John and Steve

Does your Thanksgiving feel a little incomplete? Maybe you forgot the basics: Enjoying a classic flick from the 80s with the ultimate holiday feel. I'm talking about Steve Martin, John Candy and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Some say this 1987 flick was John Hughes' true masterpiece. It's certainly his best "grown-up" film. But does it beat out Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller? Steve Martin reportedly has said it's his favorite film starring himself. (No, Steve ... Parenthood was slightly better.) Ah, leave the debate for the day after Thanksgiving. For now just enjoy this film for what it's worth.

First a little trivia to whet your appetite:

• Though primarily known as a Steve Martin-John Candy flick, it also features appearances by 80s favorites Kevin Bacon, Lyman Ward (Ferris' dad), Ben Stein and Michael McKean.
• There are multiple references to Hughes' next film -- She's Having a Baby -- sprinkled through the film (it's playing on the TV in the motel room for one).
• The film got an R-rating for a 60-second-long F-word tirade by Martin at the rental car counter. During that span, he uses the word 18 times.
• John Hughes shot more than twice the footage of most movies at that time. A 3-hour version of the movie actually exists, though the director has said it would take tons of editing and production to get it ready for viewing.

Top 5 printable quotes from Plains, Trains and Automobiles:
5. "Larry Bird doesn't do as much ball-handling in one night as you do in an hour!"
4. "If they told you wolverines would make good house pets, would you believe them?"
3. "St. Louis to Chi-town is booked tighter than Tom Thumb's ass."
2. "If I wanted a joke, I'd follow you into the john and watch you take a leak. Now are you gonna help me or are you gonna stand there like a slab of meat with mittens?"
1. "Those aren't pillows!"

American Music Awards -- 1986 style

Did you miss the American Music Awards last night? That's OK. Aside from a Kevin Federline joke or two, word has it that it was a night to forget. So instead, let's take the time machine back 20 years ago and see who cleaned up in the 1986 American Music Awards.

Why, it's Bruce Springsteen! Aww, we miss Bruce. Come back and save us, Boss! We can't take much more of today's slop.

1986 POP/ROCK WINNERS

• Bruce Springsteen: Favorite artist, favorite album (Born in the USA), favorite video artist.
• Tina Turner: Favorite female artist.
• Chicago: favorite band or group.
• The Power of Love (Huey Lewis): Favorite single, favorite video.
• Pat Benatar: favorite female video artist
• Wham!: Favorite group video