TBT

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.

Lindsey Whitney Barry and Larry Drake have themselves a scary little Christmas in 'Tales from the Crypt' (1989).

“And All Through the House”: When ‘Tales From the Crypt’ Gifted Viewers With a Killer Santa

In 1989, the HBO anthology series 'Tales From the Crypt' resurrected a killer idea: a homicidal Kris Kringle.

'Scared Straight' tried teaching kids some tough lessons.

When ‘Scared Straight’ Shocked 1970s Television Viewers

The profanity-laden documentary managed to win both Emmys and an Oscar. But it didn't reduce juvenile delinquency.

When Crispin Glover Was Replaced by a Lookalike in ‘Back to the Future II’

Audiences thought the actor reprised his role as George McFly in the ‘Back to the Future’ sequels. But Glover had never stepped foot on set.

Furry Road: Remembering the Krushed Kitty Novelty Toy Scandal

In the late 1980s, thousands of cars were adorned with a seemingly crushed stuffed cat. Not everyone found it funny.

When Dr. Ruth Doled Out ‘80s-Era Sex Advice

The therapist gave advice about masturbation and contraception at a time those subjects were still taboo.

One Minute of Music: Remembering the HitClips Fad of the Early 2000s

The tiny chips held just 60 seconds of pop music, but kids still couldn’t get enough.

Big Bird and Cookie Monster once ventured into the big house.

Jail Bird: When ‘Sesame Street’ Developed a Prison Daycare Program

In the 1970s, Big Bird went to the big house (literally) when "Sesame Street" launched a prison daycare program.

How Phone Hackers Paved the Way for Apple

The ‘phone phreakers’ of the 1960s and 1970s indirectly led to the tech boom of today.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in their rock era circa 1990.

When the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Went On a Live Concert Tour

In 1990, kids went crazy for lip-syncing Turtles who were rocking out live on stage—and trying not to pass out in the process.

Who knew drinking soda could be so lucrative?

When Pepsi Tried Giving Away $1 Billion With the Help of a Chimp

The soft drink company teased consumers with a giant contest offer. But could they really pay it out?

Dee Snider defends artistic freedom during the 1985 PMRC Senate hearing on the perils of rock music.

Parental Advisory: When Tipper Gore Took on ‘80s Rock Music

Suggestive lyrics from bands like Twisted Sister led to the 1985 Parents Music Resource Center Senate hearing on whether musicians should be allowed to rock without parental supervision.

Dolly the sheep created a media frenzy in 1997.

Dollymania: When Dolly the Sheep Created a ’90s Media Sensation

Dolly the sheep was the first animal cloned from a single adult cell—and raised a lot of questions about the future of human cloning.

When 'Woody Wagons' Ruled the Road

Cars with wood paneling used to be all the rage. And yes, it made perfect sense at the time.

Bar Fight: When ‘Cheers’ Robots Took Over for the Actors

Animatronic versions of bar patrons Norm and Cliff made two actors named George and John very unhappy.

Melanie Chartoff as Principal Grace Musso With Corin Nemec as "Parker Lewis Can't Lose"

The Brat Pack: When ‘Parker Lewis Can’t Lose’ Took on ‘Ferris Bueller’

In the fall of 1990, two shows about meta high-schoolers premiered. Only one would last through the holidays.

The Tragic Life of Clippy, the World's Most Hated Virtual Assistant

The happy little paper clip made Microsoft Office users absolutely miserable. Naturally, that didn't stop the internet from writing erotica about him.

Conair Trimline Phone model HAC SW205 Ringing

Loud and Clear: When See-Through Telephones Ruled the ‘90s

The transparent novelty phones were a fixture in many a teenager's bedroom.

‘Eat Lead!’: When Activists Hacked Talking Barbie

Thanks to the Barbie Liberation Organization, the congenial doll barked military orders and screamed "vengeance is mine!" during a very weird holiday 1993 toy season.

Think Pink: How Mattel Built Barbie’s Dreamhouse

The vivacious doll has held an expansive real estate portfolio since 1962, when her first (foldable) Dreamhouse was unveiled.

'It's a Wonderful Life' got an '80s makeover.

‘Colorizers’: When Ted Turner and Hollywood Clashed Over Colorizing Classic Movies

Media mogul Ted Turner didn’t hesitate to alter classic Hollywood movies, claiming: “The last time I checked, I owned the films.”

Murphy’s Flaw: When Eddie Murphy Fooled Moviegoers in ‘Best Defense’

In 1984, audiences were excited for a new Murphy movie. What they got was a glorified cameo.

Consumers could go through bags of Frito-Lay's fat-free chips. Then the bag would go right through them.

May Cause Anal Leakage: The Olestra Fat-Free Snack Controversy of the 1990s

After decades of development and $200 million spent, Procter & Gamble thought they had the perfect snack food additive with olestra. Too bad it caused “rectal urgency.”

Dye Hard: How Blue Man Group Took Performance Art Mainstream

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

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