Life's been good for them so far

An all-new album of music is in the works from The Eagles -- and it didn't even take hell freezing over this time around. Don Henley told concert-goers in Las Vegas over the weekend that the album is "coming out in 60 to 90 days, if we don't kill each other first."

The band's last full studio album was "The Long Run" back in 1979. The Eagles disbanded in 1982 before reuniting for a tour in 1994.

I know what you're thinking: The Eagles aren't an 80s band. Oh geesh. You still listened to them, didn't you? And three of their singles charted in the 80s -- The Long Run, I Can't Tell You Why and Seven Bridges Road. OK, will a top 5 list make you happy?

Top 5 Don Henley songs from his 80s career (so there!):
5. Sometimes Love Ain't Enough (with Patty Smyth): "It's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust."
4. Sunset Grill: "What would we do without these jerks anyway?"
3. End of the Innocence: "They're beating plowshares into swords for this tired old man that we elected king."
2. Leather and Lace (with Stevie Nicks): "Lovers forever ... face to face."
1. The Boys of Summer: "You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby."

[Source: Eaglesband.com]

Guilty pleasures: Kelly Lynch

She appeared in two of the 80s most derided flicks -- Roadhouse and Cocktail -- before turning her reputation around in Drugstore Cowboy. And she even had a co-starring role in one of John Hughes' last directing efforts, Curly Sue.

And like the films she acted in, Kelly Lynch -- who turns 48 today -- is one of the 80s truest guilty pleasures. The Minneapolis-born, former model was reportedly discovered on an elevator, which might explain her career's ups and downs. She appears in eight movies in the 80s, but probably was first recognized as the bikini-clad, morally ambiguous wife of "Douglas Couglin" (Bryan Brown) in "Cocktail" (1988). Her next appearance -- opposite Matt Dillon in 1989's "Drugstore Cowboy" -- won her a nomination for an American Independent Spirit award.

But her role as Dr. Elizabeth Clay, the love interest of Patrick Swayze, in 1989's campy "Roadhouse" has to be her signature 80s role. The film itself is an icon among B-movies of the era with critics evenly divided as fans or foes. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times  called Roadhouse "the kind of movie that leaves reality so far behind that you have to accept it on its own  terms. Was it intended as a parody? I have no idea, but I laughed more during this movie than during any of the so-called comedies I saw during the same week."

As for Lynch's performance, the Washington Post review at the time summed it up this way: "Though cast as a doctor, Lynch can't work up the brainpower to change expressions -- her features move in glacial time." Ouch.

Want to talk about lack of brainpower? Lynch passed up the leading role in Basic Instinct, leaving Sharon Stone to make an entire career out of crossing and uncrossing her legs.

Lynch is still acting today, with steady work on cable's "The L Word" and two films in the hopper for 2007.

Top 5 favorite Kelly Lynch lines:
5. "Do you always carry your medical record around with you?" (Roadhouse)
4. "Sometimes complications are interesting." (Homegrown)
3. "So I'm supposed to sleep with the same man day in and day out for the rest of my life?" (Cocktail)
2. "Bob's like a rabbit, in and out and no nonsense." (Drugstore Cowboy)
1. "Never send a man to do a woman's job." (Charlie's Angels)

[Sources: IMDB.com, Askmen.com]

Jump for joy, Police fans

It's a done deal: The Police will perform at Feb. 11's Grammy Awards ceremony, the band confirmed today. Does this mean they're reuniting for good? I'd say it's unlikely. The performance is likely just a one-time event to commemorate the band's 30-year anniversary.

Which song do you think they'll play? It's the Grammy's, so your best bet is to go for the most obvious, misunderstood, over-played, commercialized and overrated song in their collection. (Let's just hope Sting doesn't insist on playing with a lute.)

That narrows it down to:

• Every Breath You Take
• Don't Stand So Close To Me, or
• Roxanne

Speaking of the Grammy's, 20 years ago, here were the big winners:

• Record of the year: Higher Love (Steve Winwood)
• Album of the year: Graceland (Paul Simon)
• Song of the year: That's What Friends Are For (Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight)
• Best new artist: Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Gene... God wants you on the screen

Lex Luthor .... errr, I mean Coach Dale ... strike that too ... Defense Secretary Brice maybe? No, it's Gene Hackman. And today's celebrity birthday boy -- still spritely at 77 -- worked many of his best roles in the 80s. Superman's intellectual nemesis, Hoosier's tough-minded basketball coach, No Way Out's morally challenged defense secretary and even the voice of God in the otherwise awful Two of a Kind.

A California native who joined the Marines at age 16, Hackman didn't get into the acting profession until he was 30. Befriending fellow struggling actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall, Hackman began his career on stage. But his Oscar-nominated performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang For My Father (1970) and The French Connection (1971) -- for which he won the best actor award -- cemented his star status on the big screen.

His success has brought some odd offers: Hackman was the first choice to play Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch and Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs. Other roles he was considered for include: FDR in Pearl Harbor and McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next.

Hackman's career has seen a revival in recent years, with standout performances in The Royal Tenanbaums (2001), Behind Enemy Lines (2001) and Runaway Jury (2003). However, in a 2004 interview with Larry King, Hackman said he  believed his career was pretty much finished. That would indeed be a tragedy.

TOP 5 GENE HACKMAN MOVIES OF THE 80s:
5. Uncommon Valor (1983): "If we meet again, we'll smile. If not, we'll know that this parting was well made."
4. No Way Out (1987): "Order some breakfast! It's the most important meal of the day."
3. Mississippi Burning (1988): "Down here they say rattlesnakes don't commit suicide."
2. Superman II (1980): "Kill me? Lex Luthor? Extinguish the greatest criminal flame of our age?"
1. Hoosiers (1986): "Strap, God wants you on the floor."

Also worth seeing: Power, Bat 21, Reds.
Outside the 80s: The French Connection, Loose Cannons, The Firm, Get Shorty

[Sources: IMDB.com, Celebritywonder.com]

Caddyshack vs. Happy Gilmore

Last night, comedy fans were tragically forced to make a choice at 8 p.m.: Watch Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore. Myself? I flipped back and forth before the spirit (gin, I believe) took me for the night.

But it's an epic golf movie battle worth playing out again. I'm going to give Happy Gilmore the temporary status of "80s movie" since star Adam Sandler is an 80s nut. (However, the movie cannot drive at night and it must have someone 21 years or older in the passenger seat.)

But which movie is better?

Signature stars:
Caddyshack: Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight.
Happy Gilmore: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Carl Weathers, Julie Bowen.
Advantage: Caddyshack

Foul use of language:
Caddyshack: The directors used their R rating for nudity, not on cursing. So except for the occasional "doodie," there's not much here.
Happy Gilmore: Not as much as you'd think, but the comically bleeped out tirades are classic.
Advantage: Happy Gilmore

Flagrant nudity:
Caddyshack: It's like Caligula -- on a golf course.
Happy Gilmore: Aside from Bowen in stockings and garters, there's no skin here.
Advantage: Caddyshack

Scene-stealer:
Caddyshack: The gopher.
Happy Gilmore: Take your pick -- Bob Barker ("I don't want a PIECE of you, I want the whole THING!"), Kevin Nealon ("Doing the Bull Dance, feeling the flow") or Ben Stiller ("You're in my world now, grandma.")
Advantage: Even call.

Signature golfing line:
Caddyshack: "This crowd has gone deadly silent, a Cinderella story outta nowhere. Former greenskeeper and now about to become the masters champion."
Happy Gilmore: "Why can't you go home? Aren't you good enough for your home? ANSWER ME! Suck my white a-- ball!"
Advantage: Caddyshack

Signature comedy line:
Caddyshack: "Hey everybody, we're all gonna get l--d."
Happy Gilmore: "The price is wrong, b--ch."
Advantage: Caddyshack

OK, so it's not as close as it seems. To be honest, on regular TV, I'd rather watch Happy Gilmore. There's less that has to be edited. But on DVD or the pay channels, it's Caddyshack every time.

[Source: IMDB.com]

Not enough cake to go around

An eclectic group of 80s celebrity birthdays today. So many, in fact, that I'd be cruel to feature just one over the others.

Happy birthday to:

• Oprah Winfrey, 53 (The Color Purple)
• Marc Singer, 59 (Beastmaster, If You Could See What I Hear)
• Tom Selleck, 62 (Magnum P.I., Three Men and a Baby)
• Dolly Parton, 61 (Nine to Five ... oh yeah, and country music)
• Ann Jillian, 57 (It's a Living, Mr. Mom)
• Heather Graham, 37 (License to Drive, Drugstore Cowboy)

Nope, I changed my mind. All hail Marc Singer, king of the underrated movies of the 80s.

The cast of 1982's "If You Can See What I Hear" -- dare I say classic?

Favorite anti-Valentine songs

Valentine's Day is just a couple weeks away, but stow the chocolates, balloons and syrupy love songs. This year, the Stuck in the 80s gang is celebrating the ultimate Anti-Valentine's Day. And it all starts with the music.

Share with us your favorite 80s songs about the perils and pain of love. In a week, we'll do a special podcast featuring the best songs. Here's what we have so far.

Our favorite Anti-Valentine songs from the 80s:

• Love Stinks (J. Geils Band): "This thing they call love, it's gonna make you cry."
• Poison Arrow (ABC): "Hey girl, I thought we were the right combination."
• Take It On The Run (REO Speedwagon): "If that's the way you want it baby,
  then I dont want you around."
• I Hate Myself for Loving You (Joan Jett): "I wanna walk but I run back to you that's why."
• You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi): "Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye."
• I Don't Care Anymore (Phil Collins): "I got better things to do with my time."
• Goodbye to You (Scandal): "The days are dull, the nights are long."
• Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar): "You taught me the ways of desire, now its takin' its toll."
• Kiss Off (Violent Femmes): "They'll hurt me bad, they do it all the time."
• No More Words (Berlin): "Your empty passion won't satisfy me."
• Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes): "You and you - and that's the only way."
• Look Away (Chicago): "Don't worry, baby, I can take the news okay."
• Love on the Rocks (Neil Diamond): "We all know the song."
• Missing You (John Waite): "And there's a heart that's breaking, down this long distance line tonight."
• Tainted Love (Soft Cell): "I've got to get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me."

Which one is your favorite? What songs are we missing? Leave a comment and let us know.

Think AC/DC is old school? Talk to this guy

Take a look at the photo to the left. Dave Evans probably doesn't look too familiar, but he should be. He was once the lead vocalist for a band that would become one of the hardest rocking acts on the planet -- AC/DC.

Long before current singer Brian Johnson and before the legendary rock icon Bon Scott, Evans was the original vocalist for the Australian band. Recruited by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young in 1973, Evans sang in the band for a year before being replaced by the hard-living, harder-drinking Scott, who died in 1980. Evans went on to a solo rock career with bands including Rabbit and Hot Cockerel.

Today he still performs with his band, The Badasses. In late February, he'll return to Australia to play in a Bon Scott tribute concert. Evans took timeout recently to answer a few questions about his career.

Stuck in the 80s: Wow, not only were you the lead singer before Bon Scott and then Brian Johnson, but you also share the real name of U2's guitarist. Talk about a lucky -- or unlucky -- star.

Dave Evans: Because of Dave Evans having the same name as myself and as he calls himself The Edge, it has been necessary to differentiate myself from him and I am now known as "Dave Evans a.k.a. King Of All Badasses."

Stuck in the 80s: Catchy title, and unlikely to be copied anytime soon. How did you first meet the guys who would form AC/DC?

Dave Evans: I was visited at my Bondi home by Angus Young, who had a band called Kentuckee and who had heard of me and was looking for a new singer. He had very long curly hair and was a tiny guy but very nice and polite. A month later I answered an advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald for a rock singer with a strong voice and found Malcolm Young on the other end of the line.

Stuck in the 80s: What sort of reaction do you get back in the old days when people suggested that AC/DC meant something other than power -- either sexually or satanic? I noticed Joan Jett, who is openly homosexual, has a song on her new CD called "AC/DC" and it's definitely about bisexuality.

Dave Evans: Joan Jett a lesbian? Well what do I know? We did not know about AC/DC being bisexual but did find out shortly afterwards. No one ever put any sexual aspersions about the band. It was just power and electicity and that was all. As far as the satanic thing is concerned, well, that surfaced in America some years later and I have no idea where that came from.

Stuck in the 80s: How was the band different back in your days?

Dave Evans: The band always had a strong, heavy rock sound and was full of energy right from the very start. Malcolm always had that driving rhythm guitar even though at first the lead guitar was shared between Malcolm and Angus. Our show stopper was "Baby Please Don't Go" when I got Angus up on my shoulders and we did a vocal/guitar duel together, which really got the crowds going. I did write a couple of songs with the band that we performed live but Bon Scott re-wrote the lyrics after my split and recorded them with the band.

A publicity shot of AC/DC back in 1973, featuring (from left): Dave Evans, Rob Bailey, Malcolm Young, Peter Clack and Angus Young.

Stuck in the 80s: How did you meet Bon Scott? What was your impression of him?

Dave Evans: I met Bon when we were performing in Adelaide. He was living there at the time and looking to reform his old band Fraternity. He loved the band and I would see him out the front at a couple of our performances rocking along in the audience. Bon was always joking and was a real larrakin, as we say in Australia, and was liked by everyone.

Stuck in the 80s: Any hard feelings after being replaced by Bon?

Dave Evans: I had nothing against Malcolm or Angus or anyone else for that matter as I was having the time of my life and doing my job as far as I could see. As we all know, Bon wrote some of the greatest rock songs ever and, to most AC/DC fans, his era with the band is the most loved. I met with Bon after he had joined AC/DC and we had a private conversation -- man to man -- and we shook hands and wished each other the best of luck.

Stuck in the 80s: How did you find out about his death?

Dave Evans: I heard it on the radio after I had moved to Melbourne. I was shocked like everyone else but also not surprised with too many soldiers of rock falling this way.

Stuck in the 80s: Have you ever performed any of the band's material?

Dave Evans: I was invited to perform with Melbourne's AC/DC tribute band, Thunderstruck, a few years ago at the 20th anniversarry of Bon's death. I performed songs that I had sung and recorded with AC/DC plus four of my favorite Bon Scott songs that summed up his life in a snapshot: "It's A Long Way To The Top," "T.N.T.," "Ride On" and "Highway to Hell."

Stuck in the 80s: Tell us about the Bon Scott memorial concert planned for February.

Dave Evans: This is a concert to raise money for a statue of Bon Scott to be erected in Fremantle, his hometown in Australia -- he emigrated there as a child from Scotland with his family. The cream of Australia's rock will be performing there and it will be the biggest rock event in Australia for many years. It is an honor to be invited and there will be one hell of a party afterwards, I can assure you.

For more information: Click here to check out Dave Evan's MySpace page. Also click on his website -- www.daveevans.au.com -- to hear sound clips and to see rare photos of AC/DC.

Running with the devil - again

David Lee Roth has reached an agreement to return to Van Halen as the frontman and lead singer for a 40-stop tour this summer, according to Billboard.com.

The band hasn't been on the road since 2004, when it toured with Sammy Hagar. But Hagar called it quits after feuding with Eddie Van Halen -- and he took his buddy bassist Michael Anthony with him. (Eddie's son Wolfgang will take over bass duties for the tour.)

This isn't a huge surprise -- Roth told Billboard a few months ago that a reunion was inevitable. But wow, what a year we've had with reunions.

Consider:

• The original lineup of Asia launched a world tour last year, playing together for the first time in about 20 years.
• Genesis reunited with Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, and have scheduled a summer tour for Europe.
• Crowded House just today announced they'll reunite, release a CD and tour the world.
• The Police confirmed this week they're considering a reunion to mark their 30th anniversary.
• Thomas Dolby returned to the music world and launched a U.S. tour.
• Patty Smyth and Scandal reunited for short series of gigs.

Proof again that I'm not the only one stuck in the 80s. I just hope I can afford all the $80 concert tickets and XXL concert tees.

Don't dream it's over ... because it isn't

Crowded House, the Australian and New Zealand band that grew from the remains of Split Enz, is getting back together and planning a year-long world tour.

Media in New Zealand confirmed today that the reunion is on. "After spending most of last year making music with my friend Nick Seymour, we are now announcing our intention to reform Crowded House with a new record entitled Time on Earth," founding member Neil Finn said in a statement.

The band released seven albums during its career -- from 1985 to 1996 -- before squabbling between members and the record company, lineup changes and solo careers finally sidelined for good. Founding member and drummer Paul Hester died in 2005 after a long battle with depression, dampening further any chance of a reunion. Or so it seemed.

"It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time, and together with Mark Hart we look forward to reconnecting with the audience that we established, and for whom we still hold a deep respect," Finn said.

Top 5 Crowded House tunes:
5. Weather With You: "You can fight the sleep but not the dream."
4. Better Be Home Soon: "I know I'm right for the first time in my life."
3. Sister Madly: "You're systematically stepping on my head."
2. Something So Strong: "Roots that spread so deep bring life to frozen ground."
1. Don't Dream It's Over: "You'll never see the end of the road while you're traveling with me."

Tom Cruise: Your own, personal Jesus

It's official (so says one London tabloid): Tom Cruise is the "Christ" of Scientology. The Sun reports today that Scientology leader David Miscavige believes that the 44-year-old Cruise will be worshiped like Jesus for his efforts to boost awareness of the church.

Let us here at Stuck in the 80s be the first to congratulate Tom for the honor. He now joins the other...

DEITIES OF THE 80s:

Bono, Zeus of the Mullet: Only one person in history is deified for waving a white flag. And you're looking at him.

Jim Belushi, the Buddha of Comedy: Rub his belly and offer a prayer. (Ours is that he quits TV and goes back to making movies like 1986's About Last Night.)

Nick Nolte, the Dionysus of Drama: Did you know Nolte was up for the roles of Superman and Han Solo? Now you know why he's been drowning his sorrow.

Tawny Kitaen, the Aphrodite of Matrimony: She polished the hood of David Coverdale's car (before moving on to Tommy Lee, Jerry Seinfeld, Chuck Finley ... just raise your hand if you haven't dated Tawny).

Madonna, the Athena of the Dance Floor: Unlike her Greek counterpart, she's not a symbol of self-control or discipline (unless it's bondage-and-discipline). But her wardrobe selections have pappa-bear Zeus spitting lightning.

Gene Simmons, the God of Thunder (and rock n' roll): The spell we're under will slowly rob us of our virgin souls.

The World According to Watts

Remember the 1987 flick Some Kind of Wonderful? Chances are it's just a fading memory, but it shouldn't be! It was one of the best (and was definitely the last) of John Hughes' teenage movies of the 80s. Plus, it has the best John Hughes villain AND best kissing scene of any 80s flick. And it's the subject of this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast. Click here to listen or click here to subscribe to the entire series for free on iTunes.

Highlights of this week's show:

• Marvel at co-host Sean's ability to recall the name of the director of any 80s movie.
• Discover the real reason why co-host Cathy lusts after Eric Stoltz.
• Pity the job that I had cutting and pasting the entire show together after having a brief mental breakdown three minutes into the episode.

So it's a better movie than it is a podcast. That's OK. Even Bono writes a crappy song now and then. But ask any real fan of the movie and they'll confirm this: The real genius of the movie is the wisdom dispensed by the character "Watts" -- played by the lovely Mary Stuart Masterson. And so, we give you...

The World According to Watts:

• "It's better to swallow pride than blood."
• "It must be a drag to be a slave to the male sex drive."
• "Don't go mistaking paradise for a pair of long legs."
• "You break his heart, I break your face."
• "You're losing it. And when it's lost, all you are is a loser."

You want more advice? Then download the show. Otherwise, Watts says she'll shove a drumstick up your nose.

Forget Da Bears. How about Da Band?

The city of Chicago is celebrating the return of the Bears to the Super Bowl in a couple weeks. (Last time there? In the 80s of course!) And we here at Stuck in the 80s are celebrating the return of the band Chicago to the touring circuit.

A spring tour by Chicago begins Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif., and wraps up May 16 in Las Vegas. (A stop here in Tampa Bay is set for Feb. 8 at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall.)

Now before you pigeon-hole this band as a 70s act -- thus subjecting it to endless scorn on this blog -- consider that Chicago landed more than a dozen songs on the charts in the 80s, including seven in the Top 10. They also remain one of the handful of bands that has stayed together -- in one lineup or another -- since their inception back in 1967.

Surely that feat is worthy of a top 5 list.

Top 5 Chicago tunes from the 1980s:
5. Stay The Night (1984) | Listen
4. Will You Still Love Me? (1986) | Listen
3. Look Away (1988) | Listen
2. Along Comes A Woman (1985) | Listen
1. Hard to Say I'm Sorry (1982) | Listen

 

Be the ball, Danny...

Cable superstation TBS is showing Caddyshack in the early morning hours on Sunday, so that gives film fans another opportunity to witness real genius. And by that, I mean the job the censors did in taking out all the offensive lines and nudity from this 1980 flick.

That means cutting all the references to marijuana. No tequila shots with Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) and Lacey Underall (Cindy Morgan). In fact, very little of Lacey at all. The entire sex scene between Lacey and Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe) is reduced to milliseconds. (Though strangely enough, her naked slide into the pool is left untouched.)

Speaking of Lacey Underall ...

Top 5 lines from minor characters in Caddyshack:
5. "Pick up that blood." (Lou Loomis)
4. "Who's you decorator? Bennihana?" (Lacey Underall)
3. "Elihu, will you come loofah my stretch marks?" (Mrs. Smails)
2. "Ahhhh, rat farts!" (The Bishop)
1. "Doodie!" (Spalding Smails)

[Is Caddyshack the funniest comedy of the 80s? Check our list and find out.]

Every little thing they did was magic

It's old news by now, but for those of you out there who spent your week watching American Idol instead of fixating on old 80s acts, it may be a surprise: The Police confirmed this week that they are talking about a reunion.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the band's creation, so Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers are talking about how to mark the occasion. It could be a tour or just a one-time gig. Or maybe even a new studio album. The group last performed together in 2003 when they were inducted in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.

Until they make up their mind, let's see how many real Police fans are out there. Can you answer these trivia questions?

1. The Police weren't always just a trio act. Can you name their fourth member?

2. True or False: Rolling Stone magazine oddly didn't rank The Police in its list of 100 greatest artists of all time.

3. Which Police single was the first to reach to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts?

4. The Police's "Synchronicity" was nominated for album of the year at the 1983 Grammy Awards but didn't win. Which artist and album did they lose to?

Hoping for a Ringwald reunion

The Stuck in the 80s e-mail box bulges with a wide array of letters each day. Fans from around the world drop us notes to give us feedback on shows, ideas for new episodes ... and to say that co-host Sean Daly actually does have body hair (and they have the photos to prove it.)

Shortly after our interview with Molly Ringwald, we received a very unusual one from a Sharla Van Ringwald: "My relationship to Molly as I've been told is that I am a 3rd cousin to her on my Dad's side of the family. Yes, my last name is Ringwald. Born and Breed!!"

Thus ends my theory that Molly was a clinical lab love child of John Hughes and Shirley MacLaine.

Today, Ms. Ringwald (photo right) is married and lives in El Reno, Oklahoma. Here's a quick Q&A with her...

Stuck in the 80s: Wow. A relative! Got any great stories about opening obnoxious Christmas presents with Molly and the rest of the Ringwald clan?

Sharla: "I myself have never got to meet Molly.  She was in my hometown during the late 80's early 90's doing a movie and stayed at my Uncle Dale's home.  All of my aunts, uncles and cousins got to meet her.  I was away at college in Indiana at the time and couldn't make it home.  They found her extremely polite and were utterly fascinated with her."

Stuck in the 80s: When did you find out you were related? Please tell me it wasn't on an episode of The Montel Williams Show.

Sharla: "I have known my entire life of my relation to Molly.  My father, Archie Wilson Ringwald, always made such a big deal of it.  Of all the cousins in my family, everyone, thought that I had a strong resemblance to her.  My reaction was of interest in what she did for a living.  I always remember that my dad was always pushing for me to take acting lessons and to do something along the same line as Molly.  I'm not shy by any means in public, but just didn't have that type of interests back then."

Stuck in the 80s: OK, so as someone who'd rather watch a movie than act in one, which of her movies do you think was her best?

Sharla: "I would have to say that one of my favorite movies of her's was "16 Candles." I don't have any siblings but I can relate to being that age and at the time some of my older cousins were getting married and I was kind of left out of everything. But overall, I don't think that Molly has ever done a poor quality movie. I have enjoyed all of them."

Stuck in the 80s: We passed along a note from you to Molly while she was in town here, performing in the touring Broadway production of Sweet Charity. If you two manage to get in touch and hang out sometime, what would you talk about?

Sharla: "I would love to know what interests she has -- like what she does in her free time.  I would enjoy hearing about all the traveling that she has done.  I think there is only a few years difference in our ages, so surely we would have some things in common."

"Back in the 80s, people thought it was cool that I was related to her. Nowadays I don't say much about it, but when I do people always want to know if I have met her. Unfortunately I have never been lucky enough to meet her. I always have hope though!"

Hitch a ride with these remakes

The remake of The Hitcher is now in theaters. It's a remake of the 1986 movie starring Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh and C. Thomas Howell. And it begs the question: Of all the 80s flicks to remake, why this one?

It's not the best thriller of the 80s. It's not the best movie by Hauer, Howell or Leigh. (Those would be Blade Runner, Soul Man and Fast Times at Ridgemont High). It wasn't a very original plot or story idea. Is Hollywood really that desperate?

If so, here's a half dozen 80s movies to remake:

Friday the 13th (1980): Great story, lousy special effects and cheesy acting. Hey, bring back Kevin Bacon for the movie. But this time, let him star as "Jason." [Click for podcast]

Last American Virgin (1982): This movie was nearly forgotten because it came out the same summer as Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Keep the great soundtrack and find out if Diane Franklin has a daughter who can take over her role. (Did you know this movie is actually a remake of a 1978 Israeli movie called Eskimo Limon?)

Repo Man (1984): This cult classic featuring Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton and a great punk rock soundtrack is ripe for a remake. (Both Estevez and Stanton -- who still look pretty much the same today -- could use the gig.)

All The Right Moves (1983): Craig T. Nelson developed his role as "Coach" in this high school football movie, which starred Tom Cruise, Chris Penn and Lea Thompson. Sadly, we lost Penn in 2006. And sadly, Cruise lost his sanity in 2006. Move the team from Pennsylvania to Florida and start over.

Class Reunion (1982): The first writing credits for a guy named John Hughes. Only D-list actors in this campy flick about a mental patient who terrorizes his high school's 10-year reunion. Notable line? "Hey, Walter, listen, you're making a big deal out of nothing. You're not unique you know. Everyone in class had sex with your sister." Jeesh, sign Hughes back up, let him take a whack at that dialog again and make his triumphant return to Hollywood's front lines.

Tron (1982): It can be improved ... we have the technology. Can you imagine how much better this movie would be today with computer animation and the infinite story lines associated with the Internet? Hollywood seems oblivious. To them I say: "End of line."

The Great 80s Kiss-Off

OK, so my argument that Some Kind of Wonderful's Hardy Jenns is the Best John Hughes Villain has been universally defeated by the 80s Nation. I'm not going to take defeat lightly.

Today's argument: The kissing scene between Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Keith (Eric Stoltz) in the same movie is the hottest make-out scene of any 80s flick. Right? ("And we're gonna destroy Lincoln tonight ... alllriiiiight?")

You want a list, don't you? OK...

Top 5 Make-Out Scenes in 80s Movies:

5. THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
The participants: Wesley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn)
The location: Outside Prince Humperdinck's castle
Music: "Happy Ending" (Mark Knopfler)
Why it's not No. 1: Any make-out scene narrated by Peter Falk isn't going to win.

4. RISKY BUSINESS (1983)
The participants: Joel (Tom Cruise) and Lana (Rebecca De Mornay)
The location: Joel's living room (and staircase ... and bedroom...)
Music: "Lana" (Tangerine Dream)
Why it's not No. 1: Joel had to pay for it. Ouch.

3. VALLEY GIRL (1983)
The participants: Randy (Nicolas Cage) and Julie (Deborah Foreman)
The location: Backseat of Fred's car.
Music: "Time To Win" (Gary Myrick & The Figures)
Why it's not No. 1: The atmosphere ... Fred chases Stacey around the car while Randy tries to convince Julie he isn't a stalker. Otherwise, it has "Let's make punk rock babies" written all over it.

2. SAY ANYTHING (1989)
The participants: Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane (Ione Skye)
The location: In the rain
Music: "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)
Why it's not No. 1: You can see the whole "You're going to dump me and give me a pen, aren't you?" in Lloyd's face. You need a stopwatch to measure the time from kiss to kiss-off here. Ione, you wench!

1. SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (1986)
The participants: Watts and Keith
The location: Gas station garage where Keith works
Music: "She Loves Me" (Stephen Duffy)
Why it's No. 1: Spontaneity. Longevity. Music that's -- dare I say? -- classic. Pardon the Journey pun, but lots of lovin', touchin' and feelin'. Throw in the whole "Whoa, I'm suddenly making out with my tomboy best friend who's really a smokin' hot drummer vixen" factor, and dinner is served.

OK, what's your opinion? Am I right or am I right? What other classic 80s scenes do you think belong on the list?

[Thanks to: Filmsite.org, IMDB.com, Somekindofwonderful.org]

John Carpenter: He Lives!

We give endless shout-outs to 80s directors such as John Hughes and Oliver Stone. But there's one more genius who deserves more time in the spotlight, and today is his day: Horror master John Carpenter turns 59 years old Tuesday.

Never one to be pigeon-holed, Carpenter has served in many capacities in the film biz: director, writer, producer, actor ... even composer. (The theme for "Halloween" is a Carpenter creation). Think you know a little something about Mr. Carpenter? Here are some quickie trivia hits:

• Carpenter often acts in his own films (including The Fog and Starman) under the name "Rip Haight."
• Actor Kurt Russell is a regular in Carpenter's films, appearing in five movies (Escape from NY, Escape from LA, Big Trouble is Little China, The Thing, Elvis). Why the attraction? In 1996, Carpenter told Smoke magazine: "Friendship aside, and aside from the fact he’s so damned agreeable, he’s trained, the kind of training a lot of actors never get. To him, being in front of a camera is second nature."
• He had a chance to direct Fatal Attraction, but passed on it. "That was a journey I couldn't be bothered to go on," he reportedly explained.
• With the exception of Escape from L.A., Carpenter won't make sequels to his films. (The Halloween sequels were neither written or directed by Carpenter.)

And while he may always be best known for 1978's Halloween, some of his best flick were in the 80s.

Top 5 John Carpenter films of the 80s:
5. They Live (1988): "You... you look like your face fell in the cheese dip back in 1957."
4. Starman (1984): "Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you? You are at your very best when things are worst."
3. The Fog (1980): "You are weird. Thank God you're weird. The last one was so normal, it was disgusting."
2. Christine (1983): "Whoa, whoa. You better watch what you say about my car. She's real sensitive."
1. Escape from New York (1981): "Call me Snake."

[Sources: IMDB.com, Theofficialjohncarpenter.com]

Wretched hives of scum and villainy

John Hughes' movies have several trademarks that attract a loyal audience: Great soundtracks, teen characters who act more like adults, actors who feel like the girl or boy next door, and deliciously evil villains that we love to hate.

Who's your favorite villain from a John Hughes movie? There are several from which choose. Leave a comment and we'll share them on our upcoming podcast on "Some Kind of Wonderful," which has my personal pick for best villain. Tune into the podcast to find out why.

STEFF
Movie: Pretty in Pink (1986)
Actor: James Spader
Also a villain in: Less Than Zero, Mannequin, Baby Boom.
Signature line: "The girl was, is and will always be nada."
Biggest crime: Trying to sabotage Blane's relationship with Andie; spitting blood in the school hallway.

HARDY JENNS
Movie: Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Actor: Craig Sheffer
Also a villain in: I can't think of any.
Signature line: "That's Hardy Jenns ... with TWO 'n's"
Biggest crime: Turning everyone against his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Jones; setting up Eric Stoltz to get beat up; breaking into the girls' locker room.

ED ROONEY
Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Actor: Jeffrey Jones
Also a villain in: Who's Harry Crumb?
Signature line: "So THAT's how it is in their family."
Biggest crime: Breaking into the Bueller household; feeding Ferris' flowers to the family dog.

RICHARD VERNON
Movie: The Breakfast Club (1985)
Actor: Paul Gleason
Also a villain in: Trading Places, Johnny Be Good.
Signature line: "You think he's funny? You think this is cute? You think he's "bitchin," is that it? Let me tell you something. Look at him - he's a bum. You want to see something funny? You go visit John Bender in five years. You'll see how goddamned funny he is."
Biggest crime: Sentencing Bender to endless detentions.

CHET
Movie: Weird Science (1985)
Actor: Bill Paxton 
Also a villain in: Nothing I can think of.
Signature line: "How 'bout a nice greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray?"
Biggest crime: Blackmailing his little brother for his college money.

RON RICHARDSON
Movie: Mr. Mom (1983)
Actor: Martin Mull
Also a villain in: Take This Job and Shove It
Signature line: "Are you gonna make it all 220?"
Biggest crime: Trying to seduce Michael Keaton's wife.

DAVIS McDONALD
Movie: She's Having a Baby (1988)
Actor: Alec Baldwin
Also a villain in: Married to the Mob, Working Girl, Great Balls of Fire
Signature line: "You're the only one I ever loved."
Biggest crime: Trying to break up Kevin Bacon's marriage.

So who's your favorite villain? Leave a comment with your vote.

[Sources: IMDB.com, John Hughes Files]

'Touch the cornballer'

He's one of the funniest guys in movies and TV these days -- at least he was before Fox cancelled Arrested Development. But in the 80s, Jason Bateman -- who turns 38 years old today -- hadn't quite found his niche.

Bateman first appeared in Little House on the Prairie, playing the role of James Cooper Ingalls in 19 episodes in 1981-82. He had appearances in a slew of other shows, including Silver Spoons, Knight Rider, Mr. Belvedere and St. Elsewhere. From 1986 to 1991, he played David Hogan in TV's The Hogan Family. And in 1987, he starred in Teen Wolf Too, playing the cousin of the werewolf character created by Michael J. Fox. A great movie? Umm, no. But better things were coming in the 90s.

He co-starred in 1991's Necessary Roughness, but I think his best role in the 90s was in 1999's Love Stinks, where he played a minor role as a star in a sit-com written by French Stewart. His signature work -- as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development -- wowed fans in 2003.

These days, Bateman is as busy as ever with three movies in pre- or post-production: The Kingdom, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and Tonight, He Comes.

Top 5 Jason Bateman roles in TV and film:
5. David Hogan, The Hogan Family: No great quotes, but this sit-com is believed to be the first to use the word "condom" on air. So he's got that going for him. Which is nice.
4. Jarvis Edison, Necessary Roughness: "How many timeouts do we have left? (Three.) Can we take 'em all now?"
3. Roger, The Sweetest Thing: "What kind of marketing braniac puts anal leakage on his product?"
2. Pepper Brooks, Dodgeball: "Good toss by the submissive out there!"
1. Michael Bluth, Arrested Development: "Oh sure, Lindsay. You're a much better parent - no borders, no limits, oh go ahead, touch the Cornballer..."

Wasting away in American Idolville

Every time I see Paula Abdul on TV as one of the co-hosts for American Idol, I immediately flashback to the 80s and that sexy "Cold Hearted" video. She couldn't sing her way out of a Trapper Keeper notebook, but Abdul could dance around half-naked just fine.

Then I sit back and think: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. From arena-packing pop star to someone who's so clearly ashamed of her position in life that she can't get through a TV news interview without a little "Straight Up" help from a bartender.

Blame it on the Old Style?

The ultimate symbol that reminds of us of all that once was good in the 80s is in danger of being tarnished. Farmer Ted -- a.k.a. Anthony Michael Hall -- has been recorded using a slightly watered down version of the n-word while mingling with fans in Los Angeles this week, according to media reports.

The incident, which eerily reminds fans of the Michael Richards debacle, even happened at the same location -- the Laugh Factory comedy club in Hollywood. The incident was taped by the paparazzi. Click here to view it. (The "n**ga" comments appear to be bleeped.)

Was Hall just joking around? It doesn't come across with the same venom as Richards' outburst on stage a few months ago. But still -- come on, AMH! Did you believe people would think that's funny? Unlike some of your Brat Pack brethren, the adage "any publicity is good publicity" does not apply. You have an actual career at stake here. Hall stars in TV's The Dead Zone and still makes some pretty good movies on the side. (He was fantastic in 61* and Pirates of Silicon Valley.)

After viewing the video, what's your opinion: How bad are things gonna get for Anthony Michael Hall?

Reunited ... it would feel so good

You know the toughest part of being an 80s fan? (Other than having a closet full of REO Speedwagon concert jerseys and a bookshelf housing the complete movie collection of Diane Franklin on VHS?)

It's that all our favorite rock acts are starting to resemble cover bands more than the real thing. You can lose a drummer or bassist here and there and survive. But lose your lead vocalist and suddenly you're in danger of playing the lounge at the Quality Inn in Ashtabula, Ohio.

So help decide this issue: Which band would benefit most from the return of their legendary lead vocalists?

THE CARS
Who's missing: Ric Ocasek
Who's singing now: Todd Rundgren
Chances for reconciliation: Never say never. Ocasek still puts out the occasional solo album while producing records for other bands. Though he has said he hates touring and didn't want to reunite the band, Ocasek appeared on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report in April 2006 to put Rundgren "on notice." Publicity stunt or punchline? Let's hope it's neither.

STYX
Who's missing: Dennis DeYoung
Who's singing now: Lawrence Gowan
Chances for reconciliation: Not too good. Longtime personality differences have played a big role in the ever-changing lineup, and recent legal battles between DeYoung and the rest of the band have only made things worse. Trouble is, "Lawrence Gowan" sounds like the name of a mythical Dungeons & Dragons creature, not a rock star. However, DeYoung still tours solo and performs the music of the band, so maybe the lure of a big payday can patch things up for one more tour.

JOURNEY
Who's missing: Steve Perry
Who's singing now: Jeff Scott Soto
Chances for reconciliation:  Soto just got the full-time gig last month and a spring tour is in the works. But Im betting there's a decent chance we'll see Steve again. With the bands' blessing, Perry produced Journey's Escape Tour DVD last year. Go the distance, Steve.

VAN HALEN
Who's missing: David Lee Roth
Who's singing now: Nobody
Chances for reconciliation: This probably will happen. Now that the band's been named to Rock N' Roll's Hall of Fame, they're going to have to play nice for the cameras and perform at the induction ceremony. And in December, Eddie Van Halen told an industry magazine that Roth has been invited to rejoin the band. Further reinforcing the reunion plan: Michael Anthony, a grand amigo and ally of former vocalist Sammy Hagar, has been replaced by Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. Plus ... someone's gotta sing, dude.

Real long-shots: INXS, Queen, AC/DC.

So which band really needs their lead singer back the most?

Can 'This Charming Man' win a song contest?

Morrissey, the beloved former lead singer for The Smiths, is being recruited to represent Britain in the annual Eurovision song contest, websites are reporting. Hopes are that the 47-year-old Morrissey will break Britain's 10-year losing streak in the song contest, in which European countries submit a song to be performed live on TV. What a cool idea. Proof once again that American Idol is limp and lame.

In other Morrissey news, one of his fan websites reported today that six new tracks of his music just hit iTunes. Click here to check it out.

You know, we haven't done a podcast yet on The Smiths and Morrissey, and we get a lot of grief from his fans for the omission. But we have good reason. Five of them actually.

Top 5 reasons we haven't recorded a podcast on The Smiths:
5. Because meat is murder.
4. Already pitched idea of "Mung Beans with Morrissey" cooking show to Food Network.
3. Our co-host Cathy is allergic to gladiolas.
2. Pop music critic Sean Daly confuses them with The Smyths, who are still mad at him for what he said about Patty.
1. Because we're the most inept that ever stepped.

The one-hit wonders of 1984

What's your favorite one-hit wonder from 1984?

• On the Dark Side (John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band)
• The Politics of Dancing (Re-Flex)
• Ride the White Horse (Laid Back)
• Let's Hear It For the Boy (Denise Williams)
• Whisper to a Scream (Icicle Works)

Or do you even remember those songs? You better, because our latest podcast episode is all about the tasty little nuggets of musical history. And it's online now. Click here to listen or click here to subscribe to the series for free on iTunes.

Those weren't the only songs we featured in our show, so tune in and let us know what you think of our collective effort. Especially cherish the moments when:

• Sean explains the pleasure of Funyun Huffing. (Click to read his blog)
• Steve freaks out from warm Mountain Dew and nearly destroys a $600 microphone.
• Cathy falls asleep, allowing her co-hosts to photograph her navel ring.

Oh yeah, and there's plenty of music trivia. For example, do you know:

• What's the other big hit by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band from the 80s?
• Who is Rockwell's famous father?
• Can you name Icicle Works' other big hit (mainly in the U.K.)?

Yes, all the answers are on this week's podcast. Enjoy responsibly.