TBT

Dye Hard: How Blue Man Group Took Performance Art Mainstream

The Smurf-colored trio came up in the counterculture. Then Intel came calling.

‘Uncomfortable’: Remembering the Quick Demise of ‘The Chevy Chase Show’

In 1993, Fox thought they could win the late-night wars with the premiere of "The Chevy Chase Show." Unfortunately, that was until Chevy Chase walked on stage.

Voltron Defender of The Universe | Final victory | Kids Cartoon | Videos for Kids

When ‘Voltron’ Ruled the ’80s

The cartoon from Japan was perfect for an American audience--so long as producers edited out all the beheadings.

Richard Pryor | Pryor's Place | Episode 1 | High Noon at 5:30 P.M. | 1984

When R-Rated Comedian Richard Pryor Debuted His Children’s Show, ‘Pryor’s Place’

In 1984, the explicit comic turned his attention to Saturday morning kid’s television.

Money for Nothing: The 20th Anniversary of Fox’s Unsettling ‘Joe Millionaire’

In 2003, Fox invited viewers to watch a construction worker lie through his teeth about being rich.

These 'bots really knew how to throw a party.

Remembering the Chuck E. Cheese and ShowBiz Pizza Robot Wars of the 1980s

Before Chuck E. Cheese was officially a mouse, he was a rat. And the backstabbing around him was epic.

Remembering Dorf, Tim Conway’s Straight-to-Video Comic Phenomenon

The short-statured athlete was, in the words of one reporter, the hottest (and shortest) star since Yoda.

Christian Bale vs. Adam West | Celebrity Deathmatch

When MTV's ‘Celebrity Deathmatch’ Ruled the Ring

The stop-motion hit pitted celebrities in gory battles to the death.

Morton Downey Jr. in a typically subtle attempt at publicity.

A Mouthful: When 'The Morton Downey Jr. Show' Ruled the Airwaves

In the 1980s, provocative talk show host Morton Downey Jr. traded barbs (and fists) with guests. Then he took it a step too far.

‘Clap On ... Clap Off!’ The Clapper Sensation of the ’80s

The device that could turn TVs and lights on with a couple of claps became a pop culture sensation, even though its makers worried people would associate it with venereal disease.

Downsizing: The Shrinky Dinks Phenomenon of the ’70s and ’80s

In 1973 Wisconsin, two Cub Scout leaders discovered a neat trick involving heated plastic. A classic toy was born.

The Fuzzy Dice Fad That Conquered the Car World

The dice sprung up as part of 1950s car culture. But how did they get furry?

The Robosaurus must eat, preferably economy sedans.

When the Car-Eating, Airplane-Devouring Robosaurus Roamed the Earth

With 12,000 pounds of bite force, this 40-foot-tall robot ate cars like candy—and audiences ate it up.

Bob Geldof (L) and Midge Ure (R) outside a London recording studio while working on "Do They Know It's Christmas?" on November 25, 1984.

Band Aid: The Charitable—and Controversial—History of “Do They Know It's Christmas?”

Band Aid's charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" enlisted everyone from Sting to Bananarama, but its efforts to help the Ethiopian famine didn't go exactly as planned.

Robert Brian Wilson in 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' (1984).

Santa Slays: When 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Caused a Public Panic

'Silent Night, Deadly Night,' 1984's killer Santa slasher, led some psychologists to worry kids might develop panic disorders and even regress in their toilet training.

It Slices, It Dices: When Ginsu Knives Cut Through the As-Seen-on TV Competition

How an Ohio-made kitchen knife was reimagined as a piece of Japanese steel—one endorsed by Lorena Bobbitt, in a manner of speaking.

1987 Micro Machines Car & Playset Commercial (Featuring John Moschitta the Micro Machine Man)

When Micro Machines Took Off

The thumbnail-sized cars were a hit thanks in large part to John Muschitta Jr., the world's fastest-talking pitchman.

The Unlikely Origins—And Rapid Rise—of Chili’s Iconic “Baby Back Ribs” Jingle

It’s 1995, and Guy Bommarito has just bungled an ad campaign so badly that he’s begging Chili’s not to fire him. They give him one last shot.

Gene Simmons won't let death stand in the way of a KISS merchandising opportunity.

Dead Serious: When KISS Unveiled the KISS Kasket

Devout decedents of the KISS Army could opt to be buried in an official KISS coffin, where Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley would wag their tongues at you for all eternity.

E.T. or B.S.? When Fox Aired Its Infamous 'Alien Autopsy' in 1995

'Alien Autopsy,' a gruesome 1995 special that aired on Fox, purportedly depicted an extraterrestrial cadaver being dissected. Was it a hoax? Yes, but also no.

How Steven Seagal Claimed His Place as the Worst Host In 'Saturday Night Live' History

For more than 30 years, 'SNL' cast members have regularly cited Steven Seagal as the worst host the show has ever had—an ignoble distinction for a program that's been on the air for half a century.

'20 Original Hits! 20 Original Stars!' Inside K-Tel, the Innovator Behind the 'As Seen on TV' Compilation Album

If you've ever bought a best-of CD or record, you can thank Philip Kives, the pitchman who brought us '24 Great Truck Drivin' Songs.'

Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was into fuzz, but was not a lamestain.

'Wack Slacks': When the Media Fell for a Grunge Slang Hoax

In 1992, the mainstream media was eager to learn about the lexicon of the surging grunge scene. So a New York Times reporter phoned up an insider—who proceeded to make up a bunch of words.

Steve Martin was a curious choice for the role of a mobster.

'My Blue Heaven,' Steve Martin's Comedic, Spiritual Sequel to 'Goodfellas'

In 1990, two movies based on the life of mobster Henry Hill hit theaters. 'Goodfellas' had Martin Scorsese. 'My Blue Heaven' had Steve Martin.