Singer's ex-girlfriend speaks out

The former girlfriend of the late Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot has issued a statement about the death of DuBrow. Lori Lee Samson, a former actress and TV personality now mainly working in the beauty field, apparently was with DuBrow as recently as his birthday (Oct. 29).

"Our relationship was a beautiful and very special one, who no one can ever replace or belittle," Samson said in a statement released this evening. "Our feelings were genuine, filled with love, respect and admiration for one another. Our last weeks together were filled with laughter, happiness and intimate moments."

Samson's statement then gets a little interesting:

"Celebrating his birthday in New Orleans, enjoying a wonderful meal at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, which I will never forget the mean snapping turtle soup. Then we continued our celebration in Vegas at the Palms where there was the incident with the lobster. He had everyone laughing, with his great sense of humor."

Turtle soup? The lobster incident? OK. Samson concludes:

"It hurts to think he will not be at my door picking me up to sweep me away to yet another adventure. It saddens my heart to know he will never be there for me when I feel sad to make me laugh. It brings me to tears that we can not share our lives together anymore, but our love will never die.  His memory will live on with me close to my heart."

According to her press release, Samson "leaves an everlasting impression, [with] her positive kindhearted nature that conveys her true sincerity to each person she meets."

The Blow Monkeys are back!

Hey, Blow Monkeys fans! (All three dozen of you ... just kidding! I love those squirrelly little guys.) Eighteen years after their last album, the band is reforming and recording a new studio album. A tour is expected to follow.

The reunion includes all four original members of the band -- Dr. Robert, Mick Anker, Neville Henry and Tony Kiley. The British "sophisti-pop" band was best known for its 1986 hit "Digging Your Scene." The band originally broke up in 1990.

But here's the odd twist: According to the band's new website, fans are being asked to buy the record in advance so the Blow Monkeys can offset the production costs. In return, fans get a signed, numbered edition of the disc, a thank-you letter from the Monkeys and entry into a drawing for free concert tickets.

"We want to make an album free of record company executives and PR spin," the band writes on its blog. "An album for the fans. Raw and funky. Essential Blow Monkey music. Simian Soul. Primate Punk. Delicious melodic Glam Jazz that only Blow Monkeys know how ... but this time with your input and backing."

Interesting strategy. Anyone out there a fanatic enough to pony up the money in advance for a Blow Monkey disc? Come on, I know you're out there.

Bo knows ... that he's getting old

Two-way sports icon Bo Jackson turns 45 years old today. The 1985 Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn University made a name in both baseball and football in the 80s. He was the first athlete to play in all-star games for two sports.

But it might be his commercials for which he's best remembered by casual 80s fans. His "Bo Knows" campaign for Nike in 1989 featured Jackson prevailing in golf, tennis, car racing, even luge with each sports star saying "Bo knows ...."

All except two notable names. Wayne Gretzky simply shakes his head and says "no" after Bo is featured on ice skates. (Actually, the commercial was filmed on a wooden floor, with Bo wearing socks. And Gretzky's simplified answer came after the commercial's director rejected The Great One's take on "Bo knows hockey.")

And blues master Bo Diddley gets the other laugh with "Bo don't know Diddley" after Jackson failed to master the guitar.

A hip replacement ended Jackson's sports career in the mid '90s, but he took the early retirement as a chance to return to Auburn and finish his college degree.

"God has his way of opening up our eyes to see reality," Jackson told ESPN during a SportsCentury profile. "The way He opened my eyes is to allow me to have this hip injury. That is a rough way to go, but I had to accept the fact."

What happened, Kevin?

Details are finally beginning to leak out on the circumstances of the death of Kevin DuBrow, the Quiet Riot lead singer who was found dead at his Vegas home earlier this week.

The band's former bassist, Kelly Garni, said he was alerted by DuBrow's security company on Sunday about a possible problem at the home, MTV.com is reporting. Also, DuBrow's voice-mailbox was full. "That was the first sign of trouble to me," Garni said.

Garni reportedly contact Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali, but Banali told him he hadn't heard from DuBrow in about 10 days. In addition, a girlfriend of DuBrow's told Garni that the singer missed a planned Thanksgiving dinner date with her. (One of two Thanksgiving dates DuBrow had that night, according to reports.)

When a paramedic was finally able to break into the house, DuBrow was found dead in his bed, MTV.com reports. There were no signs of foul play, but toxicology reports are pending.

Meanwhile, his peers in the metal world -- including Nikki Sixx, Billy Morris and Glenn Hughes are stepping forward to pay their respects. (Click here to read many of their statements on MTV.com)

"Quiet Riot put metal on the radio in the early 80's in spite of the vanilla New Wave surge of Duran Duran clones at the time," Rikki Rocket, Poison's drummer, wrote on his MySpace blog. "However he died or why, let's just remember the colossal contributions that he made."

Two possible singers for Journey?

Journey has been without a lead singer so long that fans are running out of Steve Perry jokes.

It's been about six months since the band bid goodbye to Jeff Scott Soto (who replaced Steve Augeri, who stepped in after Perry called it quits). Keyboardist Jonathan Cain told ShowBuzz the move was to protect the band's legacy.

"We just wanted to move in a different direction sonically," Cain sad. "We're interested in our legacy right now. We want to sound like our records and we want to sound like the 65 million units that are out there."

So any word on a new lead singer? The band's press representative says official word could come soon. However the buzz on the Web is that the new lead singer could be ...

A FEMALE! (Queue the explosion sound from "Line of Fire").

Several websites are reporting that Patty Smyth of Scandal is being considered for the job. Smyth was once invited to join Van Halen as their singer, so it's not the biggest stretch of the imagination.

However, the smart money is on Arnel Pineda of The Zoo, who is supposedly No. 1 on the wish list to front the band, according to a variety of Web sources. Melodic.net says, "Listen to Arnel sing 'Faithfully' and you can close your eyes believing it's Perry himself."

Click here to see Pineda's version of "Faithfully" on YouTube.com. You will indeed be in awe how closely he sounds like Steve Perry.

Blue-collar bards: Bon Jovi vs. Bruce

When it comes to 80s rock, give it to us loud, hard and hirsute. That's my motto. And that's why I challenged Times pop music critic and podcast co-host Sean Daly to another blog battle that will surely shake him to the base of his plastic-lacquered wig.

This week's challenge: Who's the ultimate 80s East Coast rocker -- Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen? Truth be told, Daly wanted to blog battle over best Spandau Ballet song -- he goes crazy for "Gold" -- but I talked him out of it. Instead, it's the Melee at the Meadowlands.

Sadly, this one isn't going to be a contest. But with both acts coming to Tampa Bay next year (Bruce on April 21 and Bon Jovi on April 27), I consider it a public service to mop up the St. Pete Times Forum with Sean's hairless rump. He'll still be fighting with drunken, sullen townies after that over-testosteroned 'Steen show while I'm celebrating Jersey style as Ritchie Sambora brings me on stage to play guitar on Bad Medicine. ("I got all the symptoms count 'em 1,2,3!")

Read Sean's argument here. (Warning: He'll promise you heaven but put you through hell. So just take my hand, we'll make it, I swear...)

TOP 5 REASONS BON JOVI PREVAILS OVER SPRINGSTEEN:

5. I CAN UNDERSTAND JON BON JOVI: He sings a song, I hear the words, my head auto-bobs and if I've had enough alcohol, I might even sing along. When a Springsteen tune comes on, I immediately have to look up the lyrics so I can read along. Come on, Boss! Articulate! It's okay to look like a car mechanic. Just don't sing like one.

4. SPRINGSTEEN SONGS ARE DEPRESSING: Dude, we get it. Being broke sucks. Same with being a washed-up baseball pitcher. Or, say, being the former husband of a supermodel (ouch!). With that level of constant depression, it occurs to me that the Boss was "grunge" -- right down to his ratty flannel-wear -- long before the whole Seattle scene popped up like a cold sore on the music industry. And the only cool thing about grunge is that it's been dead and buried since the early 90s.

3. JON IS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE: He owns an Arena Football team. He hangs out on American Idol. He shows up to play a tune or two before the start of a Nascar race. He shaves. He's NOT doing a cover of "Froggie Went A-Courtin'." And unlike Springsteen, nobody confuses Bon Jovi with John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. (Brruuuuce! Sing "On The Dark Side!")

2. CHICKS DIG BON JOVI: Part of being a rock star is looking the part. Jon Bon Jovi could sing about a herpes sore and the ladies would swoon. He winks and the first 10 rows of the crowd pass out, including Mr. Daly (if he's not in between bites of his fish burrito). Jon's so good-looking that I'm pretty sure Springsteen dresses as Bon Jovi for Halloween. (Or at least Patti Scialfa asks him to.)

1. A BON JOVI SHOW IS ALL ABOUT FUN: Sean can talk all he wants about surviving a steamy afternoon in New Orleans, listening to Springsteen with Katrina survivors. (Did you know Bon Jovi donated $1-million to build Habitat for Humanity homes in Louisiana? That's class.) Bottom line: I don't like a heaping serving of depression at concerts. Give me an audience of Aqua-Net-soused, blue eye-shadowed sweeties in torn-up jeans jumping up and down for two hours and flashing their ta-ta's. Two hours later, they're racing home next to you, ready to fantasize about Jon during some post-concert nookie.

And I'm totally cool with that.

So who wins the blog battle? Sean with his sullen Springsteen? Or Jon Bon Jovi, hot sex and the American way?

Most quotable movie lines: The top 20

They're lines you've said a million times -- and will say a million times more. Repeated so often that -- admit it -- you sometimes forget what movie they came from.

Welcome to the final 20 quotes from our epic 80 Most Quotable Movie Lines of the 80s list. They're not the greatest lines from 80s movies -- just the ones that you've quoted the most over the years.

(Click here to see Nos. 21-40, 41-60, 61-80.)

Today's big winner: Fan favorites "Caddyshack" and "Top Gun" -- easily two of the most quoted movies of the last 27 years.

But there are some mind-benders in here as well, including everyone's favorite line from one of John Cusack's most obscure movies.

Enjoy the list. Leave some feedback at the end. Check out the other 60 lines linked above, and always remember ... well, "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you."

80 MOST QUOTABLE MOVIE LINES OF THE 80s: The Top 20

20. "Take me to bed or lose me forever." (Top Gun)

19. "Corn dog!" (Night Shift)

18. "Khhaaaaan!" (Star Trek 2)

17. "Demented and sad, but social." (Breakfast Club)

16. "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you." (Top Gun)

15. "Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!" (Caddyshack)

14. "I pity the fool." (Rocky 3)

13. "Bueller?...Bueller?" (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

12."Heeeerrrre's Johnny!" (The Shining)

11. "Go ahead, make my day." (Sudden Impact)

10. "Wax on, wax off." (Karate Kid)

9. "I'll be back" (The Terminator)

8. "Shall we play a game?" (War Games)

7. They're heeere." (Poltergeist)

6. "I must break you!" (Rocky 4)

And the top 5...

5. "Game over, man, game over!" (Aliens): Bill Paxton's bit role in a largely forgettable movie gives him a line for the ages. (And surely a great sound clip for shutting down your computer.)

4. "Be the ball" (Caddyshack): Chevy Chase could have a top 80 list of his very own. But his "Be the ball" advice to Danny in Caddyshack now is a standard piece of advice during any friendly sporting event. ("Where did it land?" "Right in the lumberyard.")

3.  "Yippee Ki-yay, motherf@#$%!!" (Die Hard): Bruce Willis, you dirty dog -- this line can't enjoy its full impact on a family-friendly blog. And I nearly cried when he resurrected it for "Live Free or Die Hard."

2.  "I want my two dollars!" (Better Off Dead): You remember the line, but probably not the character's or actor's full name. (It was "Johnny Gasparini" played by Demian Slade, whose only other memorable role was Frankie Avalon's son in 1987's "Back to the Beach.)

1. "Say hello to my little friend!" (Scarface): The "f-word" is repeated more than 200 times in the 1983 movie, but it's this "little" line by Al Pacino that people always imitate. Why? Because it can be used a hundred different ways -- including as a punchline on a popular gnome t-shirt.

There we are. Let the debate start. What lines are over-hyped? What lines did we leave out?

Big Country is back

The words would have once seemed impossible to put together, but here it is: Big Country is back together and making new music.

The Scottish band so big in the 80s with hits including "In a Big Country" and "Fields of Fire" had been considered retired for good after the 2001 death of lead singer Stuart Adamson. But the band has reformed with founding members Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki reuniting. (Butler takes on the lead vocal chores now.)

A new live album -- "Twenty Five Live" -- has been released, and the band has toured the U.K. to support the new disc. A new single -- "You Lift Me Up" -- also has been released. (Go to the band's MySpace page to listen.)

What could be next ... a new studio album? A world tour? Keep a close eye on the band's official website for developments.

Most quotable movie lines: Nos. 21-40

Like it or not, the list of the 80 most quotable movie lines of the 80s is nearing the home stretch. Remember, reader suggestions are important, but so is the ability to use the quotes in everyday conversation.

(Click here to see Nos. 41-60 and 61-80.)

Today's big winners: Asian-American actor Gedde Watanabe ("Long Duk Dong" from Sixteen Candles) and The Empire Strikes Back. (Believe it or not, Watanabe -- who also played foreign-tongued Asians in "Volunteers" and "Gung Ho" -- can't actually speak Japanese.)

MOST QUOTABLE LINES OF THE 80s: Nos. 21-40

40. "No more yanky my wanky, the Donger need food!" (Sixteen Candles)

39. "So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."  (Caddyshack)

38. "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses." (The Blues Brothers)

37. "Hello? ... McFly!" (Back to the Future)

36. "I'd rather kiss a Wookie." (Empire Strikes Back)

35. "There can BE only one." (Highlander)

34. You MUST chill! You MUST chill! (Say Anything)

33. "These go to 11." (Spinal Tap)

32. "Wolverines!" (Red Dawn)

31. "Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue." (Airplane)

30. "If I wasn't on such heavy medication I'd be more upset." (Spinal Tap)

29. "I love my dead gay son." (Heathers)

28. "I will not be ignored!" (Fatal Attraction)

27. "So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?" (Weird Science)

26. "You'll shoot your eye out!" (A Christmas Story)

25. "I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way." (Roger the Rabbit)

24. "I'll have what she's having." (When Harry Met Sally)

23. "Judge me by my size, do you?" (The Empire Strikes Back)

22. "I feel the need. The need for speed." (Top Gun)

21. "What's happenin', hot stuff?" (Sixteen Candles)

Sneak peak at tomorrow's list: More Top Gun, a little Mr. T and the top Caddyshack quote of the list.

Van Halen & Son coming to town

Van Halen has finally announced a Tampa date in their reunion tour. They're set to play the St. Pete Times Forum on Feb. 18, according to Pollstar.com. A Monday night. Oh man. Why did it have to be a Monday night?

It also means that in the first half of 2008, fans of 80s music here in Tampa Bay will have to decide between a slew of high profile acts: Besides VH, Bruce Springsteen visits on April 21, Bon Jovi on April 27 and The Cure on June 11. And that's just the Forum. Dennis DeYoung and Night Ranger are hitting Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on Jan. 19. And Queensryche plans the Tampa Theatre on Feb. 12.

So where does Van Halen fall into that mix? To be honest, I want to read more reviews first. If David Lee Roth is just going to prance around the stage, singing along Vegas style while being backed up by the Van Halen family, I'm not sure I'm interested.

I would have KILLED to have seen Van Halen back in the glorious drunken days of yore. With DLR humping the microphone stand, Michael Anthony playing that Jack Daniels bass guitar and Eddie squinting out at the crowd with bloodshot eyes. Long before Wolfgang Van Halen was a glimmer in the eye of Valerie Bertinelli. Today though?

So you tell me, dear 80s nation: Of those acts, which are must-see's and which are catch-me-next-timers?

Quiet Riot singer found dead

Out of sympathy, fans ought to bang their heads instead of bowing them: Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Sunday, according to the band's drummer.

Frankie Banali announced DuBrow's death on his official website. "I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend ..." Banali wrote.

DuBrow celebrated his 52nd birthday last month in New Orleans and appeared to be in good health, according to a report on MTV.com. No cause of death has been determined.

One of the founding members of the 80s' heavy metal glam rock scene, Quiet Riot was actually formed back in the early 70s by Randy Rhoads and Kelly Garni, with DuBrow handling vocals. Their breakthrough album -- Metal Health -- was released in March 1983. It became the first heavy metal album to debut at No. 1 on the music charts and featured the hit songs "Cum On Feel The Noise" and "Metal Health."

DuBrow stood out among his heavy-metal peers for his gravely, loud voice and the suspenders he often wore on stage. In videos and promotional photos, DuBrow often donned a straightjacket and metal mask over his face. 

According to the Associated Press, a neighbor summoned paramedics Sunday to DuBrow's home, where he was pronounced dead at 5:20 p.m. Police told the AP that there was no forced entry at the house. Toxicology tests have been performed, and authorities await the results.

"Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won't comment further," Banali told CNN. "There's going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won't add to that. I love him too much."

Quiet Riot's last studio album was "Rehab" in 2006. Click here to see Quiet Riot's video for "Cum On Feel The Noise."

[Getty Images photo]

And now, your photos ...

Remember a couple weeks ago when I said I wasn't posting any more embarrassing photos of myself from the 80s until I received a few from you -- the 80s nation?

Some of you actually had the courage to send in your photos! Today's fashion victim: long-time fan "Spiky Sandy."

Sandy writes: "This is a picture of me on the left and my friend, Mich, at Eckerd College circa 1986.  We were going to a party.  Honestly, we really didn't dress this way all of the time!  I'm Spiky Sandy because now my hair is very, very short!  I had huge hair back then."

I'm at a loss for words, Sandy. I'm not sure it's the big hair that stands out the most. I'm thinking the "Choose Life" shirt is the ultimate 80s accessory. But the blue eyeshadow and ripped jeans ... wow! It's a good thing we didn't know each other back then. I'd be your stalker. I'm totally in love. Will you go to prom with me?

God, I miss the 80s. Keep your 80s photos coming. Send them to stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com. I'll buy a custom "Stuck in the 80s" t-shirt for the person who has the photo that the "most 80s-ish."

Most quotable movie lines: Nos. 41-60

The list of the 80 most quotable movie lines of the 80s marches on today. (Click here to view Nos. 61-80.)

Remember, the list was built based on reader recommendation and other important criteria, including how easy it is to use the line in everyday banter and how often the movie shows up on TV.

Today's big winners: "The Breakfast Club" gets two entries today. But Rodney Dangerfield also has two quotes, albeit from different movies. One, of course, is his infamous improvised ending to "Caddyshack." (Kenny Loggins, who handled the music duties for the movie, told us during his podcast interview that the script for Caddyshack wasn't near complete when filming started. So many of the lines we've come to cherish are in fact improvised at the last minute.)

As always, drop us a comment and tell us what you think of the list so far.

MOST QUOTABLE MOVIE LINES OF THE 80s: Nox. 41-60

60. "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen." (Say Anything)

59. "Party on, dudes!" (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

58. "Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns." (Breakfast Club)

57. "Double dumbass on you!" (Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home)

56. "You using the whole fist, Doc?" (Fletch)

55. "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" (The Princess Bride)

54. "Time to die!" (Blade Runner)

53. "Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder." (The Empire Strikes Back)

52. "I'm thinking of the immortal words of Socrates who said, 'I drank what?'" (Real Genius)

51. "Maybe you can help me straighten out my Longfellow." (Back to School)

50. "You slip me the cash and I'll slip you the weiner." (Adventures in Babysitting)

49. "Greetings, Program!" (Tron)

48. "We're on a mission from God." (The Blues Brothers)

47. "The next time I have to come in here, I'm crackin' skulls." (Breakfast Club)

46. "Love brokers!" (Night Shift)

45. "This town needs an enema!" (Batman)

44. "Call me Snake." (Escape from New York)

43. "Mother Pussbucket!" (Ghostbusters)

42. "Don't call me stupid!" (A Fish Called Wanda)

41. "Hey everybody, we're all gonna get laid." (Caddyshack)

Sneak peak at tomorrow's list: If you're picking a memorable quote from "Highlander," there can be only one. But if you're quoting Long Duk Dong, the list goes on forever.

Most quotable movie lines of the 80s

Finally, the ultimate list of the Most Quotable Movie Lines of the 80s. If you ever find yourself in need of a snappy comeback, I give you EIGHTY to choose from.

How did we pick them? Mostly through reader suggestions. But I also consulted the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotes and added a little common sense.

For example, when considering the lines, they were measured by:

• Are they lines recognized from fans outside the 80s?
• Can you use the line in everyday banter?
• Does the line have more than one possible meaning?
• Can you find the movie on TV often?

Some of the best lines from the 80s don't make the list because they fall short on those measures. Others still don't make it because they involve a set-up line, and I wanted to stick to a single quote.

As usual, I'm rolling out the list 20 items per day, starting with #61 through #80 today. Leave us a comment with your thoughts. And remember, if you don't like the results, refer to No. 78 for my response.

Today's big winners: "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is no surprise with two entries today, but "Heathers?" Never a personal favorite of mine, but it sure has some classic lines. (Listen to the unfortunate podcast.)

MOST QUOTABLE LINES: No. 61-80

80. "I am looking for a dare to be great situation." (Say Anything)

79. "Would you qualify that as a launch problem, or a design problem?" (Real Genius)

78. "Lighten up, Francis" (Stripes)

77. "How would you like to have a sexual experience so intense, it could conceivably change your political views?" (The Sure Thing)

76. "Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?" (Breakfast Club)

75. "How very." (Heathers)

74. "May I admire you again today?" (Pretty in Pink)

73. "Back off, man, I'm a scientist." (Ghostbusters)

72. "What are you, people? On dope?" (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

71. "You ever dance with the devil by the pale moonlight?" (Batman)

70. "Well, f--- me gently with a chainsaw." (Heathers)

69. "Sixty-nine!" (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

68. "Why don't you put your thumb up your butt?" (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

67. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." (Dirty Dancing)

66. "Seize the day, boys." (Dead Poet's Society)

65. "I am serious… and don't call me Shirley." (Airplane)

64. "If you build it, he will come." (Field of Dreams)

63. Up your butt, Jobu! (Major Leagues)

62. "Aloha, Mr. Hand." (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

61. "You're a little monkey woman!" (Caddyshack)

Sneak peak at tomorrow: "Hey, everyone, we're all gonna give Rodney Dangerfield some respect!"

What they like about Guitar Hero? Nothing

Here's one way to get back in the newspapers: The Romantics are suing the makers of Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s over the use of the band's hit "What I Like About You."

The song's copyright isn't the issue, writes the Detroit Free-Press, which published a story about the showdown earlier this week. Activision, maker of the Guitar Hero series of videogames, did indeed secure permission to use the hit.

Rather, The Romantics are mad that the cover version of the song in the game sounds so much like the real version that fans won't know the difference.

"It's a very good imitation, and that's our objection," William Horton, the band's attorney, told the Free-Press.

The band is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction on sales of the game. So safe to say if you're considering buying the game for the holidays, you might want to expedite that trip to the store.

Oddly enough, this isn't the band's first fight over their 1980 single, which reached No. 48 on the U.S. charts that year. The Detroit-based band fought its mangers in the late 80s when they discovered "What I Like About You" was being licensed for TV commercials without their knowledge.

The Romantics haven't produced an album since 2003's "61/49" (maybe the disc's catchy name accounted for the poor sales).

Thunderlips has a broken heart

Hulk Hogan's not having a great year. Our favorite professional wrestler from the 80s -- who lives here in Tampa Bay -- has seen his son arrested after getting into a car wreck that seriously injured his friend. And now, his wife has filed for divorce after 23 years of marriage.

(And all this after during a week when they show his award-worthy turn as "Thunderlips" during nonstop Rocky 3 showings on cable.)

Those who follow Hogan Knows Best, Hulk's VH1 reality show, shouldn't be too surprised. Hulk (aka Terry Bollea) and his wife Linda have knocked heads before about the state of their marriage.

When my colleagues at the St. Pete Times called Thunderlips to ask about the divorce, Hulk said it was the first he'd heard about it. "I'm kind of shocked," he told the Times. "You caught me off-guard. My wife has been in California for about three weeks. ... Holy smokes. Wow, you just knocked the bottom out of me. ... I just pulled over to the side of the road for five minutes to find out what was going on here."

Our tradition? Stop making sense

Day after Thanksgiving holiday tradition here in Stuck in the 80s land: Watching "Stop Making Sense" -- the epic concert film by Talking Heads -- on DVD.

I'm not sure how the tradition got started, but it dates back to the early 90s when my friends and I would wear Hawaiian shirts, don mirrored sunglasses, drink Mickey's Malt Liquor (in the big-mouth bottles) and eat processed cheese slices while watching the movie.

The only drama in the night: Who's going to pass out before we get to "Burning Down The House." (For the record, it was always Mike -- the same guy who'd break out barking like a dog in a Denny's during our late night visits when the waitress "doorbell" would ring.)

This video's for you, Mike. (And don't forget -- bring the soy cheese tonight. You're lactose-intolerant.)

A short Hall & Oates tour (I can't go for that)

The soulful pop duo Daryl Hall & John Oates is ready to hill the road again. Our hirsute heroes will play a short slate of gigs in December to promote the re-release of their "Home For Christmas" disc.

This is no cookie-cutter project. One of the tunes -- "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" -- hit No. 1 on the Christmas charts last year. Click here to read more about it from the duo's official website.

The December tour won't reach Florida, but fans in the Northeast -- you're in luck. Most of the gigs are in your neighborhood. Click here for the dates.

However, this is some good news for all fans: Hall & Oates is starting a monthly webcast called "Live from Daryl's House." Right now, it's available only at this website. (Guys, add it to iTunes! Then you'll be sittin' in butter.)

In the meantime, we'll cross our fingers and hope for a larger scale tour next year. I caught Hall & Oates back on their "H2O" tour back in '83 at St. Petersburg's old Bayfront Center Arena. So long ago, Oates still had that great 'stache. Fantastic night. The kind where you end up buying their entire back catalog the next day. Including, of course, today's top 5 list...

TOP FIVE HALL & OATES SONGS:

5. Rich Girl: "It's so easy to hurt others when you can't feel pain."

4. She's Gone: "I'd pay the devil to replace her."

3. I Can't Go For That: "You've got the body, now you want my soul."

2. Private Eyes: "You play with words, you play with love."

1. You Make My Dreams: "What I've got's full stock of thoughts and dreams that scatter."

"Eye of the Tiger, Rock!"

American holidays like Thanksgiving are great for one unappreciated reason: Movie marathons on cable TV. These are especially important when you're stuck working on a holiday, like I am tonight. But tonight's salvation -- the Rocky franchise on the Versus channel.

So after Rocky III came on the air and my coworkers tolerated my singing of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" -- all the more embarrassing when I tore off my shirt and ran around the office doing the "airplane" -- we all settled in for some great Sly vs. Mr. T action. But a disturbing trend started to interrupt our joy...

Why do they repeat every line two or three times in this flick?

• "You ain't so bad, you ain't so bad!"
• "He's hooking. He's hooking. He's hooking!"
• "There is no tomorrow! There is no tomorrow! There is no tomorrow!"
• "I'll beat you like a dog! A dog!"
• "I want Balboa! I want Balboa! You hear that, Old Man?"
• "Eye of the tiger, Rock. Eye of the tiger!"
• "Hey, boy! Hey, boy! After I crucify him, you next."

No wonder Mickey wears a hearing aid in the movie.

The power of Thanksgiving

More than any other piece of music, this melody -- "Power to Believe" by The Dream Academy -- reminds me of Thanksgiving. Check out this fan-made video, set to stills from the ultimate Thanksgiving movie -- Planes, Trains and Automobiles:

"I'm a short, fat slut"

Seems like I've been seeing a lot of Goldie Hawn lately -- and I'm not just talking about the bathtub scene in "Wildcats."

Say what you want -- old people -- about Goldie's golden age on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." The 80s freaks out there want to lay claim on her as one of our decade's icons.

Hawn cranked out seven flicks in the 80s. Some were damn good ("Private Benjamin" and "Seems Like Old Times") while others were just plain fun ("Protocol" and "Overboard"). The others? Well, anytime you appear with Burt Reynolds in the 80s (like she did in "Best Friends"), you're rolling the dice with your career.

Hawn, who turns 62 years old today, hasn't had a film credit since 2002's "The Banger Sisters." (Never saw it, never will). Our birthday wish for Goldie? More great lines like these...

TOP FIVE GOLDIE HAWN LINES FROM THE 80s:

5. "Now I know what I've been faking all these years." (Private Benjamin)

4. "Are you going to bring me my lemon or do I have to squeeze it from my hat?" (Overboard)

3. "Every female character you create has breasts too large." (Best Friends)

2. "Be on the five in field minutes." (Wildcats)

1. "I'm a short, fat slut." (Overboard)

"Chet" has his own pinball machine?

I love Bill Paxton ... Lord knows I do. But I'll kill him dead if I see a freaky pinball machine like this one in any local bar!

The "Twister" game -- while not really an 80s thing, except for having Weird Science's "Chet" and a scary looking Cary Elwes in the movie -- was spotted by our old pal, Chase Squires. The former Times TV critic (and mastermind behind our Ferris Bueller and Miami Vice podcasts) ran into it in a seedy bar in Denver.

(By the way, did you know Denver has been named the drunkest city in America? Chase confirms it on his blog. Why isn't Stuck in the 80s based there?)

For what it's worth, I think "Twister" would have made for a great 80s movie. It starred a ton of 80s icons (Paxton, Elwes, Helen Hunt, Jami Gertz, Alan Ruck). Had it not been for the special effects needed to make the movie cool, we'd all have grown up slinging around "Twister" quotes.

FIVE "TWISTER" LINES I WISH I COULD USE EVERYDAY:

5. "Red meat, we crave sustenance!"

4. "I gotta go Julia ... we got cows."

3. "Ha Ha! It's the wonder of nature, baby!"

2. "Yeah, trust me. Rabbit is good, Rabbit is wise."

1. "She didn't marry your penis... Okay, she didn't only marry your penis."

'In college, I had a mustache'

The latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online. You can break it into two halves: Listening to Sean Daly make fun of the Scorpions and my ex-girlfriend from the 80s. And my ground-breaking, surely award-winning interview with Scorps singer Klaus Meine.

Eighties freaks like us tend to forget about the Scorps, and we really shouldn't. They refused to fall into many of the more deplorable categories of rock in the 80s -- hair metal, speed metal, etc. They just cranked out the tunes, including "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Big City Night," and the genre-defining power-ballad "Still Loving You."

Click here to listen to the show. Or click here to get all our shows for free on iTunes.

Stay tuned after the interview portion of the show for a new "Name that Movie Quote," "Reader Mailbag," and a very special "Name that 80s Tune" montage challenge.

And course, you get the explanation behind the very scary t-shirt design, submitted by faithful fan Marissa.

(Not available in stores. And probably never will be!)

Call him Mr. Lamb Fries!

TODAY'S RETRO-REVIEW: 1988's "Funny Farm," starring Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith Osborne. It was directed by George Roy Hill, best known for his work on "The Sting," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Slap Shot."

THE PLOT: Chase and Osborne play "Andy and Elizabeth Farmer," two city-dwellers who chuck their careers to move to Vermont so that Andy can write his great American novel. When reality doesn't meet their dream of a country home, they try to sell it -- but they need help. So they offer the town's residents money so that they'll act normal -- at least until a new buyer can be found.

MAYBE YOU REMEMBER: Bill Fagerbakke, of TV's "Coach" and "Spongebob Squarepants," plays a minor bit as one of the Criterion brothers.

SURELY YOU CAN'T FORGET: The insanely drunk postal worker who flings the Farmers' mail out his window as he races by. The part was played by Kevin Conway ("Oz" and "The Bronx is Burning"), who was uncredited in the role.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID: "At the end, I had a goofy grin on my face because the movie had won me over so completely I was even willing to accept the final gag about the two ducks." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.

WHY WE LOVE IT TOO: Chevy's "bemused wonder," as Ebert puts it, is contagious. And so we gladly embrace the drunken postman, the fried lamb testicles and the pet -- "Yellow Dog" -- so sedentary that Chevy has to remove his smoking tail from the fireplace.

TOP FIVE LINES FROM FUNNY FARM:

5. "We came to Redbud filled with hopes and dreams of a better life. And basically, we've seen those hopes and dreams crushed and battered before our very eyes."

4. "As a novelist, I turned out to be a pretty good sportswriter."

3. "Cue the deer!"

2. "Being a fake is what I do best."

1. "Call me Mr. Lamb Fries!"

'Gozer the Gozerian ... good evening'

Ghostbusters is returning ... but as a video game? And the original cast -- Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson -- returns to voice-over their characters in the game.

Players will hunt and fight supernatural villains in an effort to free New York City from another "paranormal plague." Aykroyd and Ramis, who wrote the 1984 film, will script the videogame as well, according to developers Sierra Entertainment and Sony Pictures.

This isn't the first Ghostbusters videogame. Activision produced a the first home version for the Atari, Sega, NES and Commodore systems back in '84. But for some reason, there's a lot of Internet buzz about this new version. There's an entire blog -- Ghostbusters III -- that offers daily updates on the game's developments.

They should be in business for a while. The game isn't expected to launch until Fall 2008.

For what it's worth, I always thought Ghostbusters the movie was a little over-hyped and under-acted. I wouldn't put it with the top work of either Murray or Aykroyd. But I suppose it's possibly one of the more quotable flicks.

TOP 5 LINES THAT BETTER BE IN THE VIDEOGAME:

5. "Take me now, subcreature."

4. "Gozer the Gozerian... good evening. As a duly designated representative of the City, County and State of New York, I order you to cease any and all supernatural activity and return forthwith to your place of origin or to the nearest convenient parallel dimension."

3. "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass."

2. "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria."

1. "If someone asks if you are a god, you say, 'YES!' "

Tom Cruise as Hugh Hefner?

The word out of Hollywood is that Tom Cruise is at the top of the list to portray Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner in an upcoming bio-pic.

The Celebrity News Service quotes as insider as saying, "Tom knows of Hugh's colorful past and thinks he would be the perfect person to bring it to the big screen. He also thinks the role would be a challenge for him, and would remind people of his versatility as an actor. At the moment people are concentrating on his personal life, and his marriage to Katie - but he wants to remind them that he can act too."

This is shocking news. No, not that Tom wants to play Hefner. But that a "Celebrity News Service" actually exists.

Seriously though, is anyone really going to green-light Tom playing that role? If he does, I'll have to re-arrange the following list.

TOP FIVE MOST UNREALISTIC PERFORMANCES BY TOM CRUISE

5. Losin' It (1983): Jackie Earle Haley makes this a great movie. Cruise and Shelley Long transform it into an average one.

4. Legend (1985): If the Lord of Darkness wants to kill unicorns, Tom Cruise isn't the guy I'm sending in there to make things right.

3. The Firm (1993): You can dress him down and muss up his hair, but you still can't buy into Cruise as John Grisham's hero.

2. Far and Away (1992) and Days of Thunder (1990): Cruise and Nicole Kidman on screen together is pretty painful -- even without the fake Irish accents or NASCAR driving.

1. Mr. Katie Holmes: Happy first anniversary, Tom and Katie. Now will someone please step forward and tell us it's all a big practical joke.

An 80s holiday gift guide

Are you getting bugged from relatives yet about surrendering your holiday wish list? It's an annual marking of the fall season in the Stuck in the 80s family. Here's how it goes:

• Nagging e-mail from relatives about needing a list.
• Two weeks letter, threatening "e-mail" (in the form of a note tied to a brick through the window) from relatives arrives.
• A full two weeks after that, I submit my list, which usually consists entirely of 80s movies on DVD (last year, I scored Fletch, Caddyshack and Top Gun).
• An immediate and angry reply, demanding more "contemporary" gift ideas.

But I say, hey, we're the 80s nation and we demand booty that fits our lifestyle. Here are some ideas for you to ask for this year.

DVDs: I watch an 80s movie nearly every day on cable ("Wolverines!"). It's time to pony up and own them for eternity.

• "The Princess Bride" just came out with a 20th anniversary edition, which includes a DVD-based game. (It's worth it just for the "I want my father back you son of a bitch!" scene).
• Hey, make it a Cary Elwes-themed holiday. Add 1984's "Oxford Blues" and 1989's "Glory" to the list. (And if you're comfortable with 90s flicks, throw "Hot Shots" and "Liar Liar" on there too.)
• I'm a firm believer that we should all own every one of Chevy Chase's movies, so don't forget the lesser-known ones, including "Modern Problems" ("Ahahahaha...I like it!"), "Seems Like Old Times" and the "Vacation" box set.
• Several of our favorites shows are now on DVD, including "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Greatest American Hero." Believe it or not.
• Want a holiday movie? The list starts and ends with Bill Murray's "Scrooged." (Well, I'm sure Charles Dickens would have wanted to see her nipples!")

MUSIC: Some of your favorite bands released fantastic albums this last year. It's almost like cheating asking for them.

• Three new ones you must own include REO Speedwagon's "Find Your Own Way Home," the Scorpions' "Humanity Hour One" (we have a special podcast coming next week on that) and Rush's "Snakes and Arrows." (Hey, another podcast to listen to.)
• You can ask for Duran Duran's "Red Carpet Massacre" but you're gonna regret it.
• Want to go old-school? OK. Ask for Depeche Mode's "Some Great Reward," The Cars' "Shake It Up," and Run D.M.C.'s "Raising Hell."

GAMES: If you want to compete with the brainiacs at Stuck in the 80s, try these.

• "The 80s Game With Martha Quinn" (Listen to our podcast with her).
• "VH1's I Love The 80s" board game.
• "Trivial Pursuit's Totally 80s Edition."

I must warn you. If you get good at that last game, your friends will resent your brilliance and stop inviting you to parties. (Or at least I hope that's why the phone never rings.)

Turning cheeky for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving week is nearly upon us, and so our minds turn to ... John Candy and Steve Martin?

That's right, the only 80s Thanksgiving movie worth thinking about is "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Last year, co-hosts Sean Daly and Cathy Wos joined me for a fantastiche podcast about the movie. Click here to give it another listen. (At one point, you can almost hear Daly break down into tears at the sweeping emotion of the conversation.)

We have no intention of trying to match last year's masterpiece with another holiday episode, so cherish the memories. And give thanks for another top 5 list. (This one is a little unusual.)

TOP FIVE "BUTT-CENTRIC" QUOTES FROM PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES:

5. "I'm afraid to look at my ass. There'll be griddle marks."

4. "We'd have more luck playing pickup sticks with our butt-cheeks than we will getting a flight out of here before daybreak."

3. "If you catch me running off with my mouth, just give me a poke on the chubbs."

2. "St. Louis to Chi-town is booked tighter than Tom Thumb's ass."

1. "Those aren't pillows!"

The 'massacre' of the Duran Duran we loved

After listening to Duran Duran's new "Red Carpet Massacre" CD a couple times, I'm forced to make this observation: Now the lads from Birmingham know how KISS felt after making the ill-fated "Dynasty" album back in '79 -- inappropriate, out of place and shameful.

Producers Timbaland and Justin Timberlake have drowned our heroes in a deluge of house-mix techno-horror so thick with computerized beats that it's no wonder guitarist Andy Taylor went sprinting away from this project. (Drummer Roger Taylor should have done the same. You can't make him out on many of the 12 tracks.)

Times pop critic Sean Daly gave "Red Carpet Massacre" a B-minus in his review. My reliable and sexually gregarious podcast co-host admittedly hated the Timbaland influence but still calls it "one of their most interesting" albums, tagging the song "Tempted" as a tune that "would have been a hit back in '85). God, I hope not. (Click here to read his full review.)

Let's start the hating with "The Valley," the first tune on the disc. So evil to the core, the song should be jettisoned into deep space -- with only a nuclear explosion capable of freeing it from an eternal prison. (Just like General Zod and his cronies in Superman II ... or Gil Gerard in Buck Rogers, for that matter.)

It's certainly not the only painful track: the title track is beyond such poetic description, and "Nite Runner" sounds like a B-side from Arcadia or Power Station (which is the closest I can come to damning praise.) "Skin Divers" stinks of circa 1978 disco effects -- were they sampling "I Was Made For Lovin' You"? -- and mid-90s boy-band rap choruses. 

The bright moments? Maybe "Falling Down" and "Box Full O' Honey" will make it onto my iPod playlists. And if someone could strip the overproducing from "Tempted," it'd make for a great live song. And in all fairness, Simon Le Bon's voice -- when you can hear it over the robotic thumping -- is near perfect. (Simon, turn "She's Too Much" into an acoustic piece and you're sittin' in butter, my friend.)

I can understand DD's temptation to modernize their sound. But while they were busy surrendering their souls to today's peddlers of monotonous music, the rest of the industry went retro. Come on, guys! Bands like Scorpions, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy are putting out new discs that are true to their roots -- and they sound great.

Duran Duran, you should have done the same.