Remember back in the '80s when the end of the year meant tuning into those epic countdowns on the radio? Whether it was Casey Kasem with his iconic 'American Top 40' or Rick Dees bringing the laughs with his countdown hits, there was something magical about hearing the biggest songs of the year celebrated in such a big way. Today, we’re bringing that same energy as we count down our top ten episodes of 2024 based on total downloads and listens with a long-distance dediction thrown in for good measure. So grab your favorite '80s snack, and turn up the volume as we dive into our year-end countdown on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast!

A special thank you to all of the wonderful guest co-hosts that made this year's episodes so special!

Chris Adams (Retro Life 4 You Podcast)

Jeff Atkins

Ben Carpenter

Charlie Cotter

Gerry D (Totally Rad Christmas Podcast)

JB Huffman (Manly Movies Podcast)

Nicholas Pepin (Pop Culture Roulette Podcast)

Darby Mirocha

Chad Sheppard

Catherine Mary Stewart

Bethany Wells

Laramy Wells (Moving Panels Podcast)

Tyra Williams

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

In this special replay episode, we dive back into the chaotic, festive, and mischievous world of "Gremlins" (1984). Joined by special guest co-host Gerry D., we revisit this 80s classic that blends comedy, horror, and holiday spirit in a way only director Joe Dante can deliver. Gerry and I discuss first-time-watch memories, favorite scenes, and the timeless appeal of Gizmo and his unruly counterparts.

We'll also uncover behind-the-scenes stories about the effects used for the Gremlins, the film's unexpected darker tones, and its legacy as a holiday favorite (or anti-holiday, depending on how you see it!). Whether you’re a fan of Stripe’s antics or love a good dose of 80s nostalgia, this episode is a must-listen!

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• There are references to the crew's previous projects, including some Spielberg shout-outs on the Kingston Falls theater marquee (where early working titles for both "Close Encounters" and "E.T." are listed), a poster for Twilight Zone: The Movie (Spielberg and Dante's first collaboration), and a mention of Dr. Fantasy (the nickname of producer Frank Marshall). The scenes set at the trade show attended by Rand Petlzer (Hoyt Axton) feature brief appearances by Spielberg, composer Jerry Goldsmith, and Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet. Legendary animation director Chuck Jones even appears as Billy's artist friend in an early bar scene.
• Although it is not visible, "Four Magic Moves to Winning Golf", by Joe Dante, Sr. is on Billy's nightstand. Director Joe Dante, Jr. said his father criticized him for not making the title more visible.
• At the movie's end, Gizmo pops the window blind to expose Stripe to the sunlight. The original edit featured Gizmo lifting the shade, then Billy. Again, Spielberg suggested to Dante that the film show Gizmo to be more of the hero of the story than Billy. Dante agreed and the scene was edited to clearly show it was Gizmo that stopped Stripe.

Sources: Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes

https://screenrant.com/gremlins-behind-scenes-details-making-trivia/

https://www.looper.com/133866/the-untold-truth-of-gremlins/

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

You won’t find this forgotten 80s Flick archived in the Smithsonian or on any list of Oscar-winning films. However, for thousands, maybe even millions, of Americans who grew up in the 1980s, it still holds a significant place in their cultural memory. It may be where they learned to curse, learned about love, and were introduced to the charm of country music superstar, Kenny Rogers.

The premise may seem absurd in hindsight. A washed-up race car driver, looking for a second chance, catches some kids stealing auto parts in a small Texas town. After giving chase, he discovers they are orphans who are better at repairing race cars than staying out of trouble. A corrupt local sheriff then pursues Kenny and the kids, leading to a healthy mix of humor and drama.

So load up the camper, turn down your belt-buckle radio, and shake the dew off your Lilly as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Chris Adams and Ben Carpenter discuss “Six Pack” from 1982 on this special bonus episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

There is no extra trivia for this episode

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, BoxOfficeMojo

https://savingcountrymusic.com/the-essence-of-kenny-rogers-captured-best-in-six-pack-movie/

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback