Mental Floss

THE '80S



Karen Neoh, Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

In 1988, one year before 'Cops' began asking the bad boys of America “What'cha gonna do when they come for you?,” noted victims’ advocate John Walsh was turning every American with access to Fox into a potential crime-solver on 'America’s Most Wanted'.

Jennifer M Wood






Hulu

It was only a matter of time before the television remake trend found its way back to Hannibal, Murdock, Face, and B.A. Baracus, the four mercenaries better known as The A-Team.

Therese Oneill
NBC

Until the impressive record was surpassed by 'The West Wing in 2000', 'Hill Street Blues' held the title of most Emmy-awarded freshman series, with eight trophies for its debut season alone (despite its basement-level ratings).

Roger Cormier
ABC

The nighttime soap you have to thank for the 1980s shoulder pad trend made its debut on this day in 1981.

Garin Pirnia








Alan Rickman and Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988).

What do you get when you mix one part action movie with one part holiday flick and add in a dash of sweaty tank top? Why, 'Die Hard,' of course.

Jennifer M Wood




Mill Creek Entertainment

The quintessential annoying neighbor went from pitching milk and pizza in regional commercials to starring in 10 feature films. Let's see the Pillsbury Doughboy do that.

Jake Rossen




ebay user hideho

It's time to go through the attic, the garage, and the boxes at your parents' house. If you saved your old Happy Meal toys, you could be sitting on a goldmine.

Stacy Conradt