Happy birthday, Jim Belushi: Do you know your Litgo from your Ridzik?

Jim Belushi was a god in the '80s. Great roles, great laughs, one good movie after another ... well, up until 1989 when he cranked out K-9 and Homer & Eddie. (All is forgiven though after Salvador and About Last Night.)

But you know the best part about Belushi, who turns 55 years old today? His character names. Leave it to saps like Keanu Reeves to have lame characters named "Johnny Utah." Belushi's names come straight out of the phone book in Chicago, where he grew up. (For crying out loud, he was Dr. Rock in one flick!)

See if you can match the character names with the movie. All these are from movies between 1986 and 1991:

CHARACTERS:
1. Art Ridzik
2. Bill Dancer
3. Patrick Martin
4. Rick Latimer
5. Nick Pirandello
6. Doctor Rock
7. Bernie Litgo
8. Jimmy Dworski
9. Larry Joseph Burrows
10. Salvatore Buonarte

MOVIES:
a. Salvador
b. About Last Night
c. Taking Care of Business
d. Red Heat
e. The Principal
f. Real Men
g. Only the Lonely
h. Mr. Destiny
i. Little Shop of Horrors
j. Curly Sue

(Click the comments area below to see the answers)

Answer this, and you too can dress like Steff

A member of the '80s Nation needs your help. I received this e-mail over the weekend, and as someone who knows NOTHING about fashion (just ask any female within a 10-mile radius of me), I'm reprinting it here in hopes someone can help. Here it 'tis:

Hi Steve. Just wanted to say I'm a devoted follower of your 1980s blog. I especially loved your post on the top movie songs of the 1980s. I was happy to see you had OMD's classic "If You Leave" from Pretty in Pink. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me in relation to that movie. 

I am trying to adopt Steff's look (James Spader) and have been looking for some penny loafers. Do you know what the best brand to get is to best emulate his look from the movie? And also if they are the beef rolled or not?  You are the go to guy when it comes to anything 1980s. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Your devoted follower, Kolby Houghton.

Anyone have a guess? I can't seem to find a photo of his shoes. And to be honest, beef-rolling? Never heard of it. Someone please clue me in.

How well do you know your TV themes?

As we continue our quest to identify the Top 10 TV Theme Songs of the 80s, here's a mental exercise to keep you on top of your game.

It's tampabay.com's TV Theme Song Quiz! Click here to play. It does include shows from outside the 80s, so prepare to stretch yourself beyond normal boundaries.

And by the way, aren't you glad Rerun and "What's Happening!!" were '70s phenomenons? Because now you won't be taunted this its theme song. But go ahead -- click this anyway.

Ever wonder what happened to Fred "Rerun" Berry? He struggled with alcoholism in the '80s before losing 100 pounds and becoming a minister in the '90s. Berry died in 2003 at age 52 while recovering from a stroke.

How well do you know Oscar?

When it comes to the 80s, everyone here is a pro. But how well do you know movie history beyond our favorite decade?

I've created a 15-question, interactive Oscar Quiz for everyone to take. Basically, you'll hear a short sound clip and have to pick the movie.

Click here to take the quiz. Drop a comment afterward and let me know how you did. (I'm guessing that if I hadn't written it, I'd get about 12 or 13 questions correct.)

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 greasy goodness -- modeled here by SIT80s uber-fan Marissa.

The Stuck in the 80s podcast crew has been lazy about disclosing the song and movie titles in our weekly challenges lately. To be honest, it's because we don't always record our shows in the order that you hear them. I know ... you're expecting a more comic reason behind our ineptitude. Something like, Sean lost the winners' names because his mom threw the list away along with a tub-full of decaying lobster shells.

Here are the correct answers for the last three shows:

Episode 112: Night Ranger

Movie clip: Rob Lowe in "St. Elmo's Fire"
Music clip: "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears

Who won the Funyuns: Tune into episode #113 to find out.

Episode 111: One-hit wonders of 1987

Movie clip: John Candy in "Summer Rental"
Music clip: "We Close Our Eyes" by Go West

Episode 110: New Year's Eve playlist

Movie clip: Goldie Hawn in "Wildcats"
Music clip: "Desert Moon" by Dennis DeYoung

Episode 109: A Christmas Story

Movie clip: "Johnny Be Good"
Music clip: "Even The Nights Are Better" by Air Supply

How well do you know Pat Benatar?

It's been a long time since she hit the top of the charts with killer singles like "Treat Me Right" and "Hell is for Children," but Pat Benatar is still cranking out the live shows with gusto. The pint-sized star turns 55 years old today.

Though her last big hit -- "Sex as a Weapon" -- came way back in '85, Benatar continued her recording career through the 90s. These days, she lives a slightly quieter and more comfortable life -- on a farm in Hawaii with her husband, guitarist Neil Giraldo. However, she launches a short tour of the Northeast and Midwest in April. Hey, what about the rest of the U.S.?

While we wait for a show near us, try this quick Pat Benatar quiz:

1. TRUE OR FALSE: Pat changed her name from Patricia Mae Andrzejewski because it was too difficult to spell on show fliers.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: She was discovered as a singer after performing at amateur night at the comedy club Catch A Rising Star.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: Her first big hit was a cover of John Mellencamp's "I Need A Lover."

4. TRUE OR FALSE: Her video for "Shadows of The Night" featured future Fast Times at Ridgemont High stars Sean Penn and Phoebe Cates.

5. TRUE OR FALSE: Her signature "Pat Benatar" wardrobe was actually a Halloween costume she wore on stage as a joke.

Surely real 80s fans will get all these correct. Still need help? Then go way back in time and re-listen to our old Stuck in the 80s podcast on Pat Benatar.

[tbt* photo by Slobodan Juric]

Don't even think of saying 'Mr. Cougar'

It has been a long time since anyone had the guts to call him Johnny Cougar to his face. And for good reason. I get the impression that John Mellencamp could just use a flick of his eyebrow to scatter your torso into billions of freed atoms if you so much as sign-languaged his early 80s moniker in his presence.

So watch your mouth, because Mellencamp is coming to a town near you soon (though it'd probably help if you lived in the Northeastern United States). The Indiana-bred singer/songerwriter -- who turned 56 years old Sunday -- just announced that his fall tour will be extended through mid-December. And East LA rockers Los Lobos will be joining up with Mellencamp for the additional stops. (Click here to see the full list of dates.)

Rumor has it that a spring tour will bring him down the southern half of the country.

Could he be a future guest on the Stuck in the 80s podcast? Hmmm, he's a tough guy to get on the phone. That's what at least one Midwestern newspaper critic is finding out. My pal, Times music critic Sean Daly, had the pleasure of spending a whole afternoon with Mellencamp. So you never know. Just don't call him Cougar.

Think you're the ultimate fan? Can you name the songs these lyrics appear in?

1. "You got your hands in my back pockets and Sam Cooke's singin' on the radio."

2. "He chased the wind. That's all his silly life required."

3. "He's singing about standing in the shadows of love."

4. "All the stony's are dancin' to the radio."

5. "Those old crazy dreams just kinda came and went."

A Shue-in for greatness

Here's my theory, and feel free to tell me I'm wrong: I can pass on "Cocktail." Pretty sure I can kick "The Karate Kid." Because when it comes to Elisabeth Shue, I'm ga-ga over "Adventures in Babysitting."

I think 1987's "Babysitting" was Shue's really classic role in the 80s. (And if it hadn't been for "Leaving Last Vegas" in '95 -- perhaps maybe her signature role?) Shue, who turns 44 today, plays a reluctant babysitter, forced to watch over two kids too old for a sitter (Maia Brewton and Keith Coogan) when fate drags them into a surreal nocturnal adventure through the back streets of downtown Chicago.

How well do you know the movie? Can you answer these 5 trivia questions?

1. What odd accessory does the tow-truck driver have?

2. What mythical figure does young Sarah worship?

3. When they find themselves trapped in a nightclub, what must the group do in order to leave?

4. How many stitches does Brad get after he's caught in the middle of a gang fight?

5. Who is the babysitter mistaken for several times in the movie?

And now for the "Nobody Leaves the Blog Item with the Top 5" list of favorite quotes:

5. "You wouldn't believe what that girl would do for 20 bucks!"

4. "Now boys, if either of you give me any grief I swear to God I'll kill you. Dead, murdered, stabbed."

3. "Don't touch it! It could get infected, Jesus! He could get anything - Tetanus, rabies, scabies, emphysema!"

2. "It's really scary here. I've just seen three people shoot up, a bald Chinese lady with no pants on, and there's this old guy outside who wants his bedroom slippers!"

1. "Don't f--- with the babysitter."

Still living happily ever after

Here's a shocker for you: The Princess Bride, the ultimate fairytale movie of the '80s, is now 20 years old. The 1987 film had an impressive cast, including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright-Penn, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Fred Savage and Billy Crystal.

ABC News did a pretty cool photo gallery, showing all the main actors in the movie -- then and now. And I've got to say they've all aged pretty well. Well, except for Andre the Giant, who passed away in 1993. Click here to see the gallery.

Think you're a true fan of the movie? See how you do on this trivia quiz:

1. The movie is based on an original screenplay by director Rob Reiner. (True/False)

2. Andre the Giant worked again with Billy Crystal in the 1998 movie "My Giant." (True/False)

3. Cary Elwes hated fencing so much, he refused several future roles that involved sword-fighting. (True/False)

4. Princess Buttercup's original name in the script was supposed to be Princess Butternut, but it was changed because Robin Wright-Penn snickered on camera anytime it was said. (True/False)

5. Robin Williams was originally considered for the role of Miracle Max, but bowed out when his friend Billy Crystal expressed interest in the role. (True/False)

Click the link to reveal the answers.

Heathcliff Huxtable is 70!

Bill Cosby turns 70 years old on Thursday. Seems like only yesterday he was giving us the "Cosby" shimmy during the opening theme music of his signature show. (So graceful yet nerdy that it convinced me I could actually dance at my Senior Prom. Sadly, I was mistaken. My therapist says I need to stop blaming Bill for my dance-hall phobia.)

Thanks to a career that spans far more than the '80s, Cosby's in the Cooperstown of TV history, but I'm going to make the case that the "The Cosby Show" (1984 to 1992) was his biggest contribution. (Yeah, even more that Pudding Pops.) It basically led off what became NBC's "Must See TV" night on Thursdays -- long before Tivo make such an idea obsolete. It was the top-watched TV show for five straight seasons (1985-90). And TV critics can debate all they want on whether the show should be chided for ignoring racial issues or celebrated for erasing racial stereotypes. The bottom line is that the show was as educational as it was entertaining.

Three examples of Dr. Huxtable's wisdom:

• "No 14-year old boy may wear a $95 jacket unless he's on stage with his four brothers."
• "Some of the greatest lies ever [are] told by you kids: 'No big deal.' 'I forgot.' 'I'll pay you back later.' 'It was like that when I found it. I swear, Mom, Dad...' "
• "I brought you in the world and I can take you out of it."

How well do you remember The Cosby Show? See if you can answer these five trivia questions:

1. For which pet do the Huxtables hold a funeral?
2. What singer do Denise and Theo meet during a car accident?
3. What is the name of the college from which Claire and Cliff graduate?
4. What is Denise's husband's name?
5. What does the last episode of the series end with?