80’s Flashback: Jem, Punky Brewster, Michael Jackson, & More

The other day, I wrote a blog post about the return of the twins of Sweet Valley High, which will be chronicled in a new book by SVH author Francine Pascal in March of next year. While responding to tweets and comments about Sweet Valley High, The Babysitter’s Club, and other 80’s books that many of us read, a lot of other things involving 80’s pop culture came into play. There were so many things that made the 80’s like the coolest decade ever—Michael Jackson was The King of Pop then and wore a glittery glove on one hand, the show Silver Spoons made Ricky Schroeder and Alfonso Ribero stars, and Madonna christened the first ever MTV Awards by rolling on the stage floor in a makeshift wedding dress singing ‘Like A Virgin’. The 80’s were a pivotal time for music, pop culture, and entertainment.

Here are just a few things I remember (and miss) from the 80’s. Feel free to use the comment section to add your own 80’s memories:

• Cutie Soliel Moon-Frye as Punky Brewster
• The cartoon Jem and the Holograms (it’s showtime, Synergy!)
• The Smurfs and The Snorks
• jelly bracelets and jelly shoes
• leather “Eddie Murphy Raw” pants
• acid washed jeans
• Facts of Life (people used to say I looked like Tootie)
• Webster
• Garbage Pail Kids
• Teddy Ruxpin
• Atari
• USA’s Cartoon Express
• You Can’t Do That On Television
• Double Dare
• Cabbage Patch Kids
• Jheri curls
• The Last Dragon
• Michael Jackson’s Thriller video
• Transformers
• Pound Puppies
• Who shot J.R?/Dallas
• Desperately Seeking Susan
• Lite Brite
• Lionel Ritchie’s ‘Hello…is it me you’re looking for’
• Connect Four
• The Victory Tour
• Samantha Foxx
• Debbie Gibson/Tiffany
• Care Bears
• ET
• skate parties
• Sixteen Candles
• Live Aid
• The Wonder Years
• The infamous Pepsi commercial (Mike Jack’s hair catching on fire)
• Purple Rain & Prince
• Miami Vice
• “V”
• Parachute pants

For my top 15 80’s movies, click HERE. What are you favorite memories/highlights from the 80’s?

Artist photo credit: ryandunlavey.com