Do we owe you a bag of Funyuns?

Thanks to uber-friend and fan Brad, we now have 11 (instead of 12, thanks Sean) mini bags of Funyuns already autographed and sitting in little boxes ready to ship out.

The question is: Do we owe you a bag? If so, shoot me an e-mail!

Meanwhile, Brad has used his superior technology skills to craft a Funyun theme song of sorts. Think "Art of Noise" mated with "Max Headroom." Click here to listen.

Also, don't forget about our new weekly Sunday Night Chat. The fun begins about 9 p.m. right here on the blog. Just in time for you to finish up Mother's Day activities and pour yourself a much-needed beverage.

Willie and Scott ... friends forever

We recorded our epic "Top 10 TV Theme Songs of the 80s" podcast today, and now I'm stuck singing "Charles in Charge" at my desk over and over and over again. (And if click this link, now it's in your head too.)

Where did the song fall on the list? You'll have to wait for the weekend to hear the show and discover. However, I will reveal that, during an uncomfortable moment of silence in the show, I  confessed my never-dying admiration for the Scott Baio/Willie Aames dynasty of acting.

Which makes you wonder: How much longer must we wait for our podcast tribute to 1982's "Zapped?" Click here to see the never-released trailer for the movie.

Podcast: Bon Jovi fans are nutballs

The latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online. This week's topic: Why Times music critic Sean Daly and I are the most hated men in America after our honest but less-than-glowing review of the recent Bon Jovi show here in Tampa.

The hate mail continues to pour in. A Brinks armored truck just pulled up with some odd packages addressed to "Scumbag at Stuck in 80s," and once the bomb-sniffing dogs are done with them, I'll see what fate awaits me. Likewise, Sean's voice mail is filled with obscene (but funny) insults regarding his concert review -- and his distinctive Butch Patrick hairline.

Just to be clear: We liked the concert. It was fun. That's good enough, right? Surely it wasn't as epic as the Van Halen show a few months ago. So all you Jersey meatheads, relax! You're boy is always welcome here on the Stuck in the 80s blog. In fact, with Richie Sambora starring in next season's "Rock of Love," I dare say you'll get your share of press in the coming months.

Click here to listen to the show with all its glorious hate mail. Or click here to get all our shows delivered for free via iTunes.

[AP photo]

We went a little nuts this episode

The latest episode of Stuck in the 80s is online. What's the topic? It's a Reader Mailbox Extravaganza, including the Angriest Letter Ever!

Other highlights: Great song picks for an 80s disco night, our plans for a Stuck in the 80s get-together in either Tampa or Las Vegas, and co-host Sean Daly's story about his epic trip to the kind of doctor that men don't like to talk about in public. Right, Fletch? (At least he didn't use the whole fist, Sean.)

Click here to download the show. Or click here to get all our shows delivered free via iTunes. Either way, you'll have a ball. Maybe two.

The fountain of Electric Youth

We've been teasing you all week about the Stuck in the 80s podcast with Deborah Gibson. (Doesn't "Deborah Gibson-Spears" have a nice ring to it?) But now the wait is over.

We went first-class all the way for her visit here. Bought some real bottled water (and we're considering auctioning off her half-used bottle on eBay). Invested in some quality clear plastic cups. Sean Daly even wore shoes that day.

So set aside a good 45 minutes for this show because Deborah will weave some brilliant tales from her 20-plus years in the entertainment business, including the scoop on her frequent visits to the Playboy Mansion.

Click here to download the show. Or click here to get all our Stuck in the 80s podcasts via iTunes. There's also the 12-minute video of highlights from the video available too.

I'm here til 2pm today if you want to chat along while you listen.

We're still lost in her eyes

Deborah Gibson's in-person visit this week still has the Stuck in the 80s headquarters building in sunny St. Petersburg, Fla., in a tizzy.

And why not? She was the last great singer-songwriter of the '80s, and she'd probably still be kicking out Top 10 hits today if that plague of grunge, boy bands and Britney wannabes hadn't infected the music biz in the '90s.

But don't write Deborah off just yet. She told us yesterday she has an album's worth of ideas and songs -- and she's just waiting for the right time to launch the comeback bid.

Here's a short video with highlights from our conversation with her. You'll have to wait until the weekend for the full podcast tribute.

Me and Deborah? Only in my dreams

Our groundbreaking -- nay, just flirty -- interview with Deborah Gibson is over, and though pop music critic Sean Daly and I feel forlorn and deflated after watching her drive away, I'm left with one beautiful consolation:

Sean got the goodbye handshake. I got the goodbye hug.

My co-host is delirious with rage and envy. And I may never wash this shirt again -- which really wouldn't be a first, since I'm not sure it was washed when I put it on today.

We shot video of the interview, so expect to see that soon. The full podcast interview won't be available until Saturday, I'm guessing. In the meantime, here are some highlights:

ON DEBBIE VS. DEBORAH: "Everybody in my real life for the first 16 years of my life called me Deb or Deborah. The record company came along ... and they made up names. They wanted to go with 'Debbie G' ... go with just 'Deborah.' So by the time they came back around to 'Debbie Gibson,' I was like, 'Fine!' "

ON HER SQUEAKY CLEAN IMAGE: "I've never touched a drug. I've actually never been drunk in my life. I've never had a whole drink -- I don't like alcohol."

ON TODAY'S YOUNG CELEBRITIES: "It definitely is a different world. But it also is a little ridiculous. Too many kids are getting the message that if you buy the right $3,000 handbag and dance on the right table in the right club you'll have a career. The media is rewarding that behavior and handing people what appears -- from the outside -- a career."

ON HER 2005 PLAYBOY APPEARANCE: "It's funny for me to watch other people squirm when I was so comfortable with it. ... I came up with 8,000 creative ways of creating g-strings. Boobs and booty -- a day on South Beach."

Oh, I know you want the scoop on her frequent visits inside the Playboy Mansion, her latest flame and how she keeps her tanned skin so soft to the touch. You'll have to wait for the podcast for those details -- 'cause Daly sure can't talk with expertise about that last detail!

Will she bring the hat today?

It's Deborah "Seriously, Steve, no more jokes about Debbie" Gibson Day here at Stuck in the 80s! In just a few hours, we'll have her sitting two feet from me and Sean Daly, who upon wise suggestion from our readers will be forced to wear a Hannibal Lecter mask for everyone's safety.

We're trying to think of fun ways to surprise her during her short visit with us. We could, quite possibly...

• Challenge the self-proclaimed "pop music princess" to a trivia challenge...
• Have Sean serenade her with a falsetto medley of Gibson's top 10 tunes...
• Or just go ahead and grant her a restraining order against us as soon as the podcast is finished. Yeah, that might seem most practical. It's the gift that keeps on giving ... from 100 yards away.

In the meantime, enjoy Stuck in the 80s uber-fan David Peterkofsky's "Best of Deborah Gibson" playlist:

She just can't shake his love

You know how to tell if you're still relevant and beloved? When you have stalkers! (And not just the lovable kind that send you bags of Funyuns or Sean Daly's head edited onto a Tom Selleck photo.)

Deborah "Don't Call Me Debbie" Gibson has filed for a restraining order against 44-year-old Spanish man who runs a Gibson fan club, alleging that he follows her on concert tours and has even shown up -- out of the blue -- at the front door of her home.

According to Gibson's filing, Jordi Bassas Puigdollers also left a note under her door last week asking to meet in person in El Paso, Texas. "If you like, contact me," the note said, according to the Associated Press. It was signed with his phone number and included his e-mail address, which begins with the moniker "debhead."

AND ISN'T IT A SMALL WORLD BECAUSE ... Deborah "I'm serious about not calling me Debbie" Gibson also is going to be our guest this week on the Stuck in the 80s podcast! And get this: She has offered to appear in person for the interview! (Get a bucket for Sean's drool.)

Gibson is in Florida this week to promote her performing arts summer camp ("Camp Electric Youth") and her online singing competition ("Total Pop Star"). This year also marks the 20th anniversary of her  accomplishment of becoming the youngest person to write, produce and perform a No. 1 hit -- 1988's "Foolish Beat."

Got a suggested question for Deborah "It's okay to call me Deb" Gibson? Drop me a comment.

Daly P.I.? Only with lots more hair

The Stuck in the 80s reader mailbag is overflowing with letters about our most recent podcast: Spring Break in the 80s. Here are some two favorites:

From Mike Tartar: "I greatly enjoyed the Spring Break-themed podcast especially the tales of your adventures. Yet as the stories unfolded I was struck with one image that I couldn't fathom - one was Sean in his 'Mangum  P.I.' shorts cruising the beach for chicks. So I did what anyone with too much time on their hands did. I created what I imagine Sean was looking like all those years ago. For good measure I added a little something to see how Sean would fare in a mustache contest. Enjoy."

From Robert Oliver: "I really enjoy your show and the last one you just did just about topped it with the gross-o-meter when Sean Daly told that cockroach story!  I was literally slumped over in my car laughing from that story and when I listened to it again ... I had the same reaction ... That story reminded me of the short story from Creepshow ... bad movie, but the cockroach scene was one of the most memorable, nonetheless."

Master of the Funyuns

You can stop looking for our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast. Our spring slumber continues here, so you'll have to wait 'til next Saturday for our next episode.

I would have been happy to record an episode while sunbathing Orca style on a float here at my vacation pool grotto, but co-host Sean Daly objected. You see, while his skin may resemble that of a porpoise, his swimming skills resemble that of a dump truck. And frankly, I can't afford to insure him.

In the meantime, here's the promised "Funyun Foto" from Chase Squires. That's Chase, trapped inside the bag.

If you need a podcast fix in the meantime, let me recommend the always-brilliant Coverville. This week's episode features bands covering the music of Hall & Oates (as well as a cover of Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You" by Daryl and John. Extra bonus to the first person who can name the fictional band that sings the song in "Streets of Fire" -- and, AND -- what '80s football movie one of the faux musicians also appears in.)

Revenge of the 80s: Spring break style

It's Saturday -- time for another episode of the Stuck in the 80s podcast. This time, we needed extra mojo to get through our show, so we invited Booger, Lewis, Arnold and friends to help.

Yeah, one of the saddest sequels -- Revenge of the Nerds 2: Nerds in Paradise -- is just one small part of this week's salute to Spring Break in the '80s. (Queue Sean Daly doing some falsetto impression of the movie's theme song by .38 Special.)

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

Here's this week's podcast playlist:

Spring break -- 80s style

This week's Stuck in the 80s podcast tackles the great American tradition of "Spring Break." But before we unleash Sean Daly's epic story about his trip to Jamaica in the late '80s or my story about being mauled by a peanut-butter-loving Doberman in Fort Lauderdale, you -- the 80s nation -- will have to do your part.

We want to know: What are your favorite vacation-related songs from the 80s? You've got the obvious selection above -- "Vacation" by the Go-Go's. But what about "Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham or "Holiday" by Madonna?

I know there are a ton more out there. So fire away with your suggestions!

Lollygaggers! Ten irritating baseball movie lines

For those of us lucky enough to live in communities in which emotional and economical fates are tied to nine guys dressed in knickers, today marks the start of yet another season of Major League Baseball.

Or here in Tampa Bay -- home of the "No Longer the Devil Rays ... Just the Rays," we just call it "Five Months 'Til Football Season" Day.

To commemorate this festive occasion, Times pop critic Sean Daly, Times sports columnist Tom Jones and I have toiled to record a special "Baseball movies of the '80s" podcast for you on Stuck in the 80s. Click here to download it. Or click here to get all our shows for free delivered via iTunes.

In the meantime, here are 10 sure-fire ways to get your office into the spirit of the game today.

TEN WAYS TO IRRITATE COWORKERS WITH LINES FROM 80s BASEBALL MOVIES:

After being caught heaving in the office bathroom after last night's festivities: "It's okay, honey. I... I was just talking to the cornfield." (Field of Dreams)

When someone offers to go on a Starbucks run: "Yo, bartender, Jobu needs a refill. " (Major League)

After schooling someone at the department meeting: "You just got lesson number one: don't think; it can only hurt the ball club." (Bull Durham)

To the sandwich maker at the company cafeteria: "Pick me out a winner Bobby." (The Natural)

After forcing down the sandwich -- not made by anyone named Bobby for that matter: "You can't spell it, but it eats pretty good, don't it?" (The Natural)

Anywhere but in the men's room: "The rose goes in the front, big guy." (Bull Durham)

Definitely no where near the men's room: "Big whop now. Big whop, Betsy; you tell me when." (Eight Men Out)

Use this one in there instead: "You got a Hall-of-Fame arm, but you're p-ssing it away." (Bull Durham)

When the coworker from two cubicles over keeps sending you suggestive instant messages: "I guess some mistakes you never stop paying for." (The Natural)

To the jerk who used to date the coworker two cubicles over: "How's your wife and my kids?" (Major League)

When the boss calls you into the office after hearing those last two comments: "I'm hung over, my knees are killin' me and if you're going to pull this sh-t at least you could've said you were from the Yankees." (Major League)

(Think you know baseball movies? Try this online quiz I wrote last week.)

Go get your podcast snacks!

It's been two weeks since our last Stuck in the 80s podcast! Do you miss us? Even Johnny 5 is getting cranky. Though he does hold a bag of those delicious Funyuns, along with a stylish SIT80s bumper sticker that he bought at our online store.

Thanks to uber-fan Brad, we now have a whole crate of Funyuns to send out to winners of our Mystery Movie Moment and Name that 80s Tune segments. And of course, we have a couple gift certificates available to 80stees.com.

The latest show is finally complete. This week's topic: Greatest baseball movies of the '80s, just in time for Opening Day.

So stick around, chat me up and let's get ready to play ball.

Just click here to get the newly minted podcast. And remember you can get all show for free via iTunes. Just click here.

Late show note: I apologize for the insanely easy Name that 80s Tune for this week. I tried to sub it out, but I guess it didn't take. In any case, you can forget about winning valuable prizes for getting this week's challenge right. Instead, the prize will go to whomever sends me the most interesting Funyun related photo via e-mail. Feel free to photo-edit the Funyuns into the picture or take an original photograph.

"Wanna have a catch?" ... Baseball in the 80s

Thank the maker that Major League Baseball is about to start. I'm not sure I can handle any more televised basketball or hockey. And I've watched "Top Gun" so many times lately that even my TV remote has lost that lovin' feeling and thinks Maverick is dangerous.

But until that first pitch on opening day goes flying past somebody's noggin, we can derive a little preseason excitement from the baseball movies of the '80s, which not coincidentally is the subject of next week's podcast.

Times pop music critic Sean Daly and sports columnist Tom Jones will join the show to decide once and for all: Which was the best baseball movie of the 80s?

Which one would you pick? Here are some pros and cons:

THE NATURAL (1984)
Balls: Beautifully scored, featuring sublime performances by Robert Redford, Darren McGavin, Kim Bassinger, Wilford Brimley ("Don't you know I hate losin' to the Pirates?!?").
Strikes: Seeing Redford play an 18-year-old version of himself is creepy. And other story lines seem a bit hooky at times.
Favorite quote: "I guess some mistakes you never stop paying for."

BULL DURHAM (1988)
Balls: Considered the most realistic movie made about the minor leagues (how many others can you name?); perhaps Kevin Costner's single-best film performance.
Strikes: Watching Tim Robbins pretend to be pitcher is painful; and listening to the never-ending, thick North Carolina accents is like taking a Nolan Ryan fastball to the forehead. (Note to Hollywood: I'd prefer the fastball next time. It'd ease my pain.)
Favorite quote: "The rose goes in the front, big guy."

FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)
Balls: Possibly the most quotable baseball movie of all time and featuring the best speech about baseball every conceived -- delivered by the always brilliant James Earl Jones ("It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.")
Strikes: Is it really a baseball movie? Or just an excuse to see if every male you know cries like a baby at the ending? (Just say, "Dad ... wanna have a catch?" and here come the waterworks.)
Favorite quote: "Hey rookie! You were good."

EIGHT MEN OUT (1988)
Balls: Great ensemble cast featuring John Cusack as the tortured Bucky Weaver.
Strikes: Difficult storyline to follow unless you're already familiar with the 1919 World Series. Christopher Lloyd channels "Rev. Jim" from "Taxi" for his turn as "Bill Burns."
Favorite quote: "Those guys are all gone now."

MAJOR LEAGUE (1989)
Balls: Easily the funniest of the group, thanks to Bob Uecker ("Just a bit outside"), James Gammon as manager "Lou Brown" and "Wild Thing" Charlie Sheen.
Strikes: The Cleveland Indians as winners? Only in Hollywood.
Favorite quote: "Yo, bartender, Jobu needs a refill."

So what's your pick? We'll read the best comments during the podcast.

Burning the Midnight Oil

Our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online, and once again I'm forced into a corner to explain the songs we picked for the show.

A few months ago, we were under attack by the "a-hafia" for suggesting that "Take One Me" was the band's only hit. (God forbid we forgot "Cry Wolf." Everyone hum along at home.)

Today's outrage: Australia's Midnight Oil and its signature tune "Beds are Burning." (Which to my disappointment is about land rights of indigenous Australians -- not the sexual prowess of Aussie musicians of the 80s.)

Here's a few examples of the scorn heaped upon me:

THE SERIOUS: "I feel I would remiss in my duties if I did not point out that Midnight Oil was hardly a one-hit wonder. 'Blue Sky Mine', 'Forgotten Years', 'King of the Mountain', 'Drums of Heaven', 'Truganini', and 'Outbreak of Love' all broke the Top Ten, with two of them hitting No. 1."

THE ANGRY: "What do you have against Australia? Midnight Oil is no more a one-hit wonder than, oh I don't know, let's say a-ha. And the Church? Check out 'Metropolis,' 'Almost With You,' 'Just For You,' 'Terra Nova Cain.' "

THE SARCASTIC: "Steve and the list makers have lost their minds. I know you all know I am biased towards Australia, but having Midnight Oil and The Church as one hit wonders is like saying that Crocodile Dundee is a true representation of Australians. Can't wait for the Beatles one hit wonder show."

AND THE HILARIOUS: "When the boys do an outside broadcast in Melbourne, I want to see them walk down the streets of this great city with a placard saying 'Midnight Oil is a one hit wonder.' And since they haven't made it here yet, the boys can't hide behind their Funyun shield."

Decide for yourself. Click here to download the show. Or click here to subscribe to all our shows for free on iTunes.

Live chat: They really did hate jazz

For being in a band called Johnny Hates Jazz, these guys sure dress like jazz cats. Or possibly members of the Hitler Youth. I can't decide.

But no matter what look they were aiming for, their hit "Shattered Dreams" is one of the highlights of our latest podcast -- the one-hit wonders of 1988.

The podcast is ready and set to go. So that means it's time for another sneak preview. Click here to download the show! Remember it won't be on iTunes til later next week.

Meanwhile, I'll be here to answer your lingering questions. Like, why am I home on a Saturday night? (Hey, why are YOU home?)

Unleash the hounds!

The shattered dreams of 1988

On this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast: The one-hit wonders of 1988. And let me say this right now: It's a painful, painful list.

And thanks to the wonderful technology at IMEEM.com, you can hear the proposed playlist ahead of time -- before Mr. Daly and I even record a single slurred word. (You may need to register to hear the songs in their entirety):

Are we missing one of your favorite tunes? Drop us a comment and let us know. You have until tomorrow afternoon to sound off!

A newbie guide to They Might Be Giants

Admit it. Some of you 80s fanatics out there who probably still don't really know (and to know is to love) the music of They Might Be Giants.

The "Two Johns" hit St. Petersburg tonight for a show at Jannus Landing. Stuck in the 80s guest host Stephanie Hayes and I interviewed John Linnell for our TMBG podcast and wrote up a story for today's newspaper. Both the podcast and story make for a good beginner's guide to the band. (Click here to read the story.)

Now that you're hooked on their quirky personality, you'd probably like some music. But where to start?

Thanks to the brilliant minds of those behind the incredibly useful fan website This Might Be A Wiki, here's a list of the tunes rated highest by members of the site. So if you're just getting to know this band, start with these:

FIVE TMBG SONGS FOR NEW FANS:

1. Birdhouse in your Soul: Their highest-charting song, it's a tune about a child's night light.

2. Ana Ng: Their first big hit in 1988, written after picking out a popular name from the New York phone book.

3. Don't Let's Start: Lyrics were chosen solely because they fit the correct number of syllables for the melody.

4. Doctor Worm: About a worm - not a doctor - learning to play drums. A staple for most live performances.

5. They'll Need a Crane: Performed on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989 during the band's TV debut.

[Publicity photo]

Podcast preview: Good songs, bad movies

Ready for something to cheer you up on an unusually cold Saturday afternoon in March? Then download the sneak preview of our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast.

It's all about the great tunes we've uncovered from bad 80s movies, including 1984's Electric Dreams. Special thanks to everyone who helped compile that list for the blog a couple weeks ago.

Click here to download the show. It's not available on iTunes until next week.

I'll check back during the day to read comments, feedback and chat.

The masquerade's forever

We just finished putting the finishing touches for our next Stuck in the 80s podcast: Great songs from bad movies. And you can't discuss that topic without including Berlin's "Masquerade" from the movie "Perfect."

Was "Perfect" a truly hideous movie? It wasn't the best work by John Travolta -- not his worst either (see "Two of a Kind.") As for co-star Jamie Lee Curtis -- not bad. But it's no "A Fish Called Wanda" either.

I put "Perfect" squarely in the "Golden Child" camp of '80s movies -- still entertaining to watch 20 years later, but certainly a campy, guilty pleasure at best.

FIVE MEMORABLE LINES FROM PERFECT:

5. "Somebody's editing with their elbows!"

4. "Always treat a famous person as if they're not. And a person who's not as if they were."

3. "She's the most used piece of equipment in the gym."

2. "It's a lot more fun looking for Mr. Goodbody than Mr. Goodbar."

1. "I guess I'll go see if I can scare up a gang-bang."

They Might Be Giants class photo ... circa 2008

They might wear glasses. They might be wearing the same clothes they wore to a Mac users group meeting today. And they might dress up as a tree stump and wolverine in a leisure suit for album covers.

But don't make the mistake of thinking They Might Be Giants might also be geeks.

"We never really identified with that characterization. We don't feel [like geeks]. I don't even know what that is exactly," Giants co-founder John Linnell said. "I feel like culture has changed a lot since we started. It seems really mainstream now to know something about technology."

Linnell -- the wolverine in that photo, I'm guessing? -- is this week's guest on our Stuck in the 80s podcast as the band slowly heads south for their March 11 show at St. Petersburg's Jannus Landing. Here are some highlights from our interview.

On the public's reaction when they first started playing live: "Originally when we started out, we were playing in the safety of the Lower East Side in New York. We started out playing for friends of ours. Mostly we were performing in clubs and rooms that hosted performance art so we were often the most normal thing that was happening. We fit right in."

On why they rework their classics during live shows: "I think we just forget how they go. We try to make it interesting each time, but we're really just trying to do a good show. We're not really making a statement about rejecting an old arrangement."

On their move into children's music: "We just felt it'd be fun. It seemed like a break from stuff that was more high pressure. What we didn't expect was that the kid's record was going to be a big seller. Suddenly, it seemed like it was a career move. We weren't thinking rock critics were ever going to hear it or talk about it. So maybe that was part of what was good about it."

On winning a Grammy in 2001 for the theme song to Malcolm in the Middle: "It was very weird. I think we felt like we were imposters. We'd always made fun of the Grammys. The whole thing was very dream-like. And we pretty much stopped making fun of the Grammys after that, I'm embarrased to say. It kind of shut us up, which was maybe the point. They give you one so you'll stop mocking them."

Click here to listen to this week's show. Or just click here to download all our shows for free on iTunes.

"You BURNED the dog!"

Our Stuck in the 80s tribute to "She's Having a Baby" is now officially online. Click here to download it. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes.

The highlight of this week's show: Our first-ever conversation with co-host Sean Daly's "forever fiancee," who weighs in on Sean's delivery room behavior and his repugnant pregnant sex fetish. (It's possible I just made up that second part.)

Some trivia we didn't fit into the show:

• Clerks director Kevin Smith cites this flick as his favorite John Hughes movie. (Listen to the podcast to hear which J.H. pic we think deserves that honor.)
• Film critic Roger Ebert, who usually gives John Hughes good reviews, panned this effort, laying the blame primarily on the fantasy sequences: "These bizarre touches are sometimes amusing ... but why are they in this story?"
• The late Paul Gleason ("Breakfast Club") has an uncredited appearance in the film as one of the advertising executives who hire Kevin Bacon. Why he's uncredited is unclear.
• The two funniest celebrity baby-name suggesters during the movie's closing credits: Dan Aykroyd and John Candy, who starred together in Hughes' next picture -- "The Great Outdoors."

Pop quiz: Which John Hughes movies from the '80s have we yet to do a podcast on? No cheating by looking at the list on this page or on itunes.

The best '80s band ... from the '90s

What happens when you combine a couple synthesizers, some New Wave melodies and four guys from Frankfurt, Germany?

The best '80s band from the '90s, according the Check Battery Daily -- the now-defunct band that performs the new Stuck in the 80s podcast theme song.

During the band's 10 years of existence, Check Battery Daily cranked out two albums, appeared occasionally on TV, played a slew of gigs and even cracked the charts in Europe for online music.

Not bad for a band named after a U.S. Army jeep.

Christopher dArcy, the band's lyricist, recently took time out to answer the bigger questions.

Why start an 80s band in the 90s?

"Against the mainstream Check Battery Daily had decided that there is still a place for good music besides loud techno music and boring beats."

"Unfortunately the '90s were not the ideal time for an '80s band."

There's got to be a good story about the band's name.

"Check Battery Daily -- we read this on the battery compartment of a U.S. Army jeep and we found this kinda cool. At that time we decided that, if we ever would have our own band, that would be its name. I would assume that was somewhere in the mid '80s and we were just crazy for electronic music."

"Later I bought myself the first set of synthesizers and started composing myself. And much later [the band] started composing sarcastic songs about our friends which we produced as gifts for their birthdays. And then it just happened - many people liked the songs, so we started to become a real '80s band."

How did the music scene of Frankfurt influence your sound?

We are based in the area of Frankfurt -- actually a bit left of Frankfurt, but know one will know that town. Frankfurt itself is still today the center of the German electronic music scene, maybe also due to the fact that still today one of the largest international fairs for musical instruments is conducted there every year.

Any success stories?

"We recorded our first record in 1989 (named "Our First") and to our surprise it was far more successful than we expected, so in 1990 we released our second record ("Our Next"), which also was a great success."

"We continued to play on stage, winning even some contests and we even aired on TV, but we realized that electronic music doesn't work that well on stage if you have four singers and only one
person playing an instrument. So we started to just use our voices on stage and sang a-capella. And this started our second success wave."

"We also continued working on 80's pop, but the '90s were hungry for something new, so we didn't produce another album. Well, we released 'Our Best' in 1995, but that was about it."

How did the band break up?

"By the time we started considering that the time has come again for great synthesizer melodies, Check Battery Daily found a sudden end."

"In 1998 (vocalist) Bernhard Wurm died in a motorcycle accident. And since the band was always four friends making music together, the band died with him. We felt that there is no space for an external replacement."

Which of the popular bands did you listen to?

Our influences are without doubt Depeche Mode, but also a-ha and Alphaville.

And yes, we still love the '80s and its music. Just listen to our "Ode To The Eighties!"

-- For more information Check Battery Daily and to hear their songs online, visit their official website.

Live Chat: 'Here's to successful fertilization'

Are you ready to laugh, cry and swear off the opposite sex? You better be, because our latest podcast is now ready for an unofficial debut.

The subject: the great 1988 John Hughes semi-autobiographical flick "She's Having A Baby."

Click here to download it. It's not on iTunes yet, so you'll have to use the this link.

Among the topics that are discussed:

• Is this John Hughes' best flick of the 80s? Or possibly just his most under-rated one?
• OK, so maybe it's not his best flick. But is this the best soundtrack?
• Which co-star steals all the best lines -- Alec Baldwin, John Ashton, maybe even the great Dennis Dugan as Kevin Bacon's  disgruntled mentor at the ad firm?

As always, I'm here and free to chat as you listen to the show. Gotta love Saturday chats. Hit me with whatever topic you like. Meanwhile, the obligatory list.

TOP 5 MEMORABLE LINES FROM SHE'S HAVING A BABY:

5. "College is like high school with ashtrays."

4. "He's plenty old and people don't mature anymore. They stay jackasses all their lives."

3. "You're quite the barbecue chef, Jake."

2. "How do you feel about alcoholics?" ...  "Um, I like alcoholics?"

1. "You BURNED the dog!"

I want Peter Cetera's hair

Seriously, have you ever seen such great hair? Peter Cetera is the man! (Or should I say "the mane?")

After debuting this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast about "romance in the 80s," I can't seem to get "Glory of Love" out of my head. (Remember former co-host Cathy Wos' advice for defeating the ear worm? Hum the theme to "The A-Team." Well, it's not working this time.)

Lots of cool trivia associated with this particular song:

• The tune was actually co-written by Cetera, his ex-wife and David Foster ("St. Elmo's Fire" score).
• The song was written for Rocky 4, but they passed on it.
• It earned Grammy and Oscar nominations in 1987, but won neither (losing the Grammy to Sting and the Oscar to "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun.)

In a 1986 interview with Japan's SoundCity, Cetera said hearing "Glory of Love" on the radio was a "strange" experience at first, mainly because radio stations assumed it was a Chicago tune -- not a "Peter Cetera song." By the time the DJs got it right, the tune had become Cetera's first No. 1 solo single.

New podcast: Romance in the 80s

Last year, Stuck in the 80s thumbed its nose at Valentine's Day with our special "Love Stinks" podcast. (Go back and listen again if you must.)

This year, we're embracing all the gooey, sticky, homicidal romantic tendencies of the 80s in our latest podcast -- "We Really Love 'Love' Afterall" episode.

So get ready to enjoy our picks for best romantic movies of the decade along with some syrupy love songs that will have whistling Air Supply out your who-ha in no time.

Why all the love? Because it was a one-on-one, candle-lit podcast with me and Stephanie Hayes. (Shhh, nobody tell Sean Daly.)

Click here to download and hear the podcast. Or click here to subscribe to all our shows for free on iTunes.

Also, let me know what you think of the new theme music for the show, provided by Germany's Check Battery Daily.

TOP 5 ROMANTIC 80s MOVIES YOU PROBABLY FORGOT OR NEVER SAW:

5. ROXANNE (1987): Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah. "Your breasts, they're like melons. No, no, they're like pillows. Can I fluff your pillows?"

4. LADYHAWKE (1985): Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer. "I should have known better; every happy moment in my life has come from lying."

3. ALWAYS (1989): Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter. "I know now, that the love we hold back is the only pain that follows us here."

2. MADE IN HEAVEN (1987): Timothy Hutton, Kelly McGillis. "Remember heaven? All you have to do is think about where you want to be and you're there."

1. SOMEWHERE IN TIME (1980): Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour. "Come back to me."

Are you a slave to love?

I'm not sure which is hotter: The original Bryan Ferry video (above) for "Slave to Love" or this video from "9 1/2 Weeks," which I dare not embed on the blog. ("John ... aren't you gonna ask how I like this?" .... "No.")

Stuck in the 80s is doing a podcast -- just in time for Valentine's Day -- on romance in the 80s. But I'm going to make a ruling that "9 1/2 Weeks" won't make the cut. It's sexy as all get-out. But it's equally creepy at times. And the only time romance and creepiness should mix is when co-host Sean Daly does his patented "hover move." (Not to be confused with the copyrighted "Hoover" move, which he does around Funyuns.)

But don't be surprised if Ferry's epic song makes the show. Because if you had to make the ultimate mix tape of love and/or sex songs from the 80s, that's on the top 5 of my list.

Mailbag: Stuck in the 80s answers back

We get a ton of e-mail here at Stuck in the 80s -- and not all of it is from creditors! Here are some interesting questions we've received lately, along with our somewhat serious answers.

 

What was the name of the artist who did the album covers for Journey. The ones with the scarab beetles? -- Sean via e-mail.

That'd be Stanley Mouse, also known for his artwork on Grateful Dead posters.

My kids found "The Karate Kid" on TV today, and I forgot how much I love that movie!  Have you done a podcast on this yet? -- Becky from Windsor, Canada.

Actually, no, we haven't. Bizarre, right? I'm torn on Karate Kid. Parts of it are fantastic. The whole Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita stuff. But the love story between Macchio and Elizabeth Shue? Totally unfathomable. Still, worthy of a podcast for sure.

You've discussed Air Supply, Psuedo Echo and others.  You've met with Rick Springfield.  How about an 80's "Down Under" show? -- Burty from Gippsland, Australia.

We did a similar show about Canada in the 80s, and we've talked about doing the same for Australia (possibly combined with New Zealand). It just takes a TON of research. I say it's a done deal -- just don't expect me to say many nice things about Midnight Oil. Yeech!

Got a question? E-mail me at stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com.

'Peterson on line 1 ... and watch your mouth'

"Well, Mr. Rooney, as you may have heard, we're having a little bit of a live podcast today, so if you can excuse Sloane for a few minutes to give us a ring, we'd really appreciate it."

Pardon my French, but if you don't call in today between 4 and 5 pm Eastern time, then you're an .... (Hello, this is your editor breaking in here. You realize, Steve, that your Rainman-like abilities to quote 80s movies has to be censored from time to time. Like right now. We return you now to Steve's incessant ranting.)

Dissed on my own blog? It's my castle, man!

Anyway, Sean Daly and I will take your calls beginning today at 4 eastern time. The studio line is 727-892-2655. If it's busy (and it most likely will be at times, since we have one phone line), keep trying. We'll ask about your favorite 80s concerts and other random questions. Be prepared to prove your love of the 80s!

Until then ... les jeux sont faits. Translation: the game is up. Your ... (Steve, I warned you!) is mine.

...

AND NOW IT'S OVER: Thanks to everyone who called into the show today. If you're in Tampa Bay, I hope to see you tonight at the Crowbar in Ybor City for the big 80s Party!

'This is your wake-up call...'

You haven't forgotten, have you? The call to Stuck in the 80s on Saturday afternoon? Buddy, Buddy. It's the big game-hunters that bag a live conversation with 80s geeks like Sean Daly and me. Not just anyone.

We'll light up the phone lines about 4pm Eastern time on Saturday, Jan. 26. The studio line is 727-892-2655. And our friendly producer Debbie will actually be answering the phone this time, so don't be shocked when it's not my phlegmy voice you hear first.

We'll be asking you about your favorite 80s concert for starters, and see where that leads us. Sean promises an unedited account of his first trip to see Judas Priest. It should be epic.

And don't forget: A film crew from Penn & Teller will be taping the podcast for an upcoming episode!

DON'T FORGET: Huge 80s party at The Crowbar in Tampa's Ybor City on Saturday, Jan. 26, starting at 9 p.m. I'll be there and so will the cameras from Penn & Teller. It's an official WMNF event -- so you know it'll be cool. Live music, DJs, fashion show. You got something better to do?!? Click here for a map and more information.

Live from St. Petersburg, it's ... you!

Are you ready for another live call-in show? Because this Saturday, Jan. 26, we want YOU to be the voice of Stuck in the 80s.

From 4 to 5 p.m. eastern time, Sean Daly and I will take your phone calls and record them for our next podcast. And get this: While you're talking to us, Penn & Teller's Showtime film crew will be taping it all for an upcoming edition of their cable show. You too can become famous.

The topic for the call-in show: Tell us about your favorite concert experience of the 80s. Daly and I already have our stories queued up and ready to go. (I'll be wearing my beloved Journey concert tee. Sean will be wearing ... well, you have to hear his story to find out.)

Feel free to throw trivia at us too. Or ask about Sean's olive oil fetish. It's really quite frightening.

So tune back in on Saturday afternoon and we'll give you the phone number to call. Wearing a concert tee is optional.

Sean Daly is a couch potato

The Stuck in the 80s crew had a busy day on Friday. First , we recorded our next show, which hopefully will go online in the next couple days.

Then we spent a few hours at Banana's Music in St. Petersburg, where Sean Daly spent two hours posing for the cameras -- all part of a campaign to promote his enormous mug for the newspaper. Take a look at the behind-the-scene photos I took and give him credit: He defied certain death by climbing onto a couch 8 feet off the ground.

I was supposed to be there to spot him, possibly catching his falling torso and saving his miserable life. Instead I chose to browse what has to be the largest vinyl record store in the world. Seriously, where else can you find a dozen mint copies of Loverboy's "Get Lucky" album?

Sean picked up a copy of Night Ranger's "Midnight Madness" album on vinyl, which he fondled for the remainder of the day. I no longer own a turntable, so I was happy to instead grab CDs of "The Best of .38 Special" (playing now in my headphones? "If I'd Been the One"), "Best of Talking Heads" and The Velvet Underground's "Andy Warhol" album.

The store's owner, Doug Allen, and I chatted about some of the rare albums of the 80s -- music from the decade played nonstop during our visit. (Hey, fans of The Producers. He's got a few of their discs -- and much cheaper than they're going for on Amazon or eBay.)

Later that night, Sean dragged me from my desk, forced me to drink alcoholic beverages, ordered 50 chicken wings and refused to let me go home until I dropped his incoherent carcass off at his house after midnight. But that's another blog item. Pop a couple aspirin and enjoy the album, buddy.

Podcast trivia: Were you a winner?

Are you feeling Funyun? The winner of this week's Stuck in the 80s challenge is indeed going to get an autographed bag of Sean Daly's favorite