%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
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.
TBT
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
‘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.
When ‘Voltron’ Ruled the ’80s
The cartoon from Japan was perfect for an American audience--so long as producers edited out all the beheadings.