(Episode 3, 2015)

Ladies & gentlemen, welcome to another thrilling episode of Blerd Radio, in which the team of Big Money, Michael Parr, Dr. Z and The Packet Man (Michael Cunningham) get into the big ol’ time machine and travel back a quarter-century to 1990.

When planning this episode, we initially figured that since 1990 wasn’t a watershed year in pop culture, this would be a quickie. Boy, were we wrong. We talked, and talked, and talked some more, and the end result is that we had to split this podcast into two parts. Part 2 will arrive next week. In the meantime, here’s some of the stuff we discussed.

The Gulf War– The two older members of the panel share their fears about getting drafted, while everyone attempts to figure out what “SCUD” stood for and Cunningham blows minds with his recollection of Desert Storm trading cards.

Madonna– Was Dick Tracy the dividing line between mildly titillating Madonna and straight-up controversy whore Madonna? And who decided that American kids were gonna sit for a movie based on a thirty year old comic that was already outdated?

How horrid was 1990 for film? Home Alone, Pretty Woman, Back To The Future III, The Godfather III (SPOILER ALERT), Ghost.

Better mob movies than The Godfather III: 3/4 of the panel reps for My Blue Heaven and Goodfellas.

Graffiti Bridge- Because we are all Prince geeks, we have to give some time to the celluloid masterpiece that is Graffiti Bridge. We also talk about the Prince-directed Time reunion that took place around the film’s release.

Ninja Turtles Are Forever– TMNT blew up in 1990, thanks to a hit movie and some serious merchandising that included Coming Out Of Their Shells-The Album & Documentary (documentary??)

The Simpsons– Matt Groening’s classic cartoon sitcom made its debut at the very end of 1990, and within a year it was a sensation, complete with a soundtrack and an assist from the King Of Pop. Due to its original placement on Thursday nights, we also talk about how the show helped destroy The Cosby Show and throw a couple of inappropriate Bill Cosby jokes in for good measure.

Oh, speaking of Cosby…and bad movies…Ghost Dad came out in 1990.

TV in 1990: The ending of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse and 227, the beginning of Twin Peaks & Beverly Hills, 90210, a show that was cool enough that Dr. Z lied about being on it to impress a girl.

Part one ends with a discussion of the glory and wonder that is Cop Rock! 

You can listen in the player below, download it directly off of Liberated Syndication, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Enjoy, and stay tuned for Part Two next week!