I Love the '80s (American TV series)
I Love the '80s is a decade nostalgia television program and the first installment of the I Love the... series that was produced by VH1, based on the BBC series of the same name. The first episode, "I Love 1980", premiered on December 16, 2002, and the final episode, "I Love 1989", premiered on December 20, 2002.
Recurring segments
- Makeout Songs: Lionel Richie presented the love songs from each year.
- Babes: Bret Michaels presented the attractive female celebrities from each year.
- Hunks: Traci Lords presented the attractive male celebrities from each year.
- Public Service Announcements: A public service announcement from each year was presented.
- Then and Now: "Weird Al" Yankovic compares trends of the given year and the present day.
- Mr. & Ms.: Andrew Dice Clay presented a male celebrity and a female celebrity of each year.
- Born In: Soleil Moon Frye presented the people, bands, and products that were born in each year.
- During the credits of every episode, a clip from a popular music video was played without any type of commentary. These were usually replaced with a show promo by Vh1.
Topics covered by year
1980
- The Love Boat
- Caddyshack
- The Vapors' "Turning Japanese"
- Punk and preppy fashion
- Strawberry Shortcake
- The Blue Lagoon and Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ads
- Designer jeans
- Air Supply's "All Out of Love"
- Pat Benatar and Deborah Harry
- Who shot J.R.?
- 9 to 5
- Urban Cowboy
- Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust"
- Kenny Rogers
- Xanadu
- Airplane!
- The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight"
- The Pretenders' "Brass in Pocket"
- Mattel Electronic Football
- Miracle on Ice
- That's Incredible!
- The Empire Strikes Back
Babes of 1980: Princess Leia, Bo Derek, Charlene Tilton, Victoria Principal and Suzanne Somers
Hunks of 1980: Richard Gere, Jim Palmer, John Travolta, Erik Estrada and Greg Evigan
PSA of 1980: Give a Kid a Book PSA
Then and Now 1980: Sony Walkman with Cassette, Ross Harris, and The Big Gulp
Mr. & Ms. 1980: Ronald Reagan and Daisy Duke
Born in 1980: Christina Aguilera, Post-it notes, ethnic Barbie dolls and Macaulay Culkin
End Credit Video is Devo's "Whip It"
1981
- Cable Television and MTV
- Porky's
- Reagan assassination attempt
- Pope John Paul II assassination attempt
- The Royal Wedding
- Luke and Laura
- Rick Springfield
- Arthur
- The Greatest American Hero
- DMC DeLorean
- Rubik's Cube
- Kool & the Gang's "Celebration"
- Fridays
- Stripes
- Bosom Buddies
- John McEnroe
- Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes"
- Members Only
- Atari 2600
- The Jeffersons
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
Babes of 1981: Olivia Newton-John, Donna Dixon, Valerie Bertinelli, Kathleen Turner and Sandra Day O'Connor
Hunks of 1981: Patrick Duffy, Burt Reynolds, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger and Richard Simmons
PSA of 1981: Girl Scouts in Gymnastics
Then and Now 1981: Tom Cruise, Movie Tickets, and Suntan Lotion
Mr. & Ms. 1981: Tom Selleck and Sheena Easton
Born in 1981: Alicia Keys, Beyoncé Knowles, the laptop computer, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, the thong, Serena Williams and Metallica
End Credit Video is The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
1982
- Mullets
- VJs
- Toni Basil's "Mickey"
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High
- The J. Geils Band's "Centerfold"
- Square Pegs
- Rocky III
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'N Roll"
- The Dukes of Hazzard
- The Go-Go's
- Olivia Newton-John's "Physical", Jane Fonda's Workout, and aerobics fashion
- A Flock of Seagulls' "I Ran "
- Trivial Pursuit
- Keytar
- Joanie Loves Chachi
- Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man
- Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny"
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Poltergeist
- Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's "The Message"
- Silver Spoons
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Babes of 1982: Kim Wilde, Rae Dawn Chong, Kirstie Alley, Pia Zadora,
and Tootsie
Hunks of 1982: John Stamos, David Lee Roth, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and the Soloflex Guy
PSA of 1982: Time for Timer "Sunshine on a Stick" PSA
Then and Now 1982: Cats, Scott Schwartz, and Concert Tickets for The Who
Mr. & Ms. 1982: Eddie Murphy and Heather Locklear
Born in 1982: Kirsten Dunst, Prince William, Diet Coke, Public Enemy and liposuction
End Credit Video is The Human League's "Don't You Want Me"
1983
- National Lampoon's Vacation
- Family Ties
- Diff'rent Strokes
- Cabbage Patch Kids
- Michael Jackson's Thriller
- Flashdance
- Duran Duran
- Valley Girl
- Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield"
- Scarface
- The A-Team
- Def Leppard's Pyromania
- Eddie Murphy Delirious
- Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen"
- Jerry Falwell vs. Larry Flynt
- Knight Rider
- WarGames
- Wacky WallWalker
- Styx's "Mr. Roboto"
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- Return of the Jedi
Babes of 1983: Maud Adams, Vanity, Joan Collins, Christie Brinkley and Rebecca De Mornay
Hunks of 1983: Lee Horsley, Rob Lowe, Marvin Gaye, Bruce Boxleitner and Chewbacca
PSA of 1983: Smokey Bear - Mask of Joanna Cassidy
Then and Now 1983: Talent Shows, Cellular Phones, and Home Video Cameras
Mr. & Ms. 1983: Tom Cruise and Ms. Pac-Man
Born in 1983: Michelle Branch, Bon Jovi, the Nintendo Entertainment System, Taylor Hanson and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
End Credit Video is Madness' "Our House"
1984
- Breakdancing and Breakin'
- Footloose
- Madonna
- Corey Hart's "Sunglasses at Night"
- "Where's the beef?"
- Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.
- Mary Lou Retton
- Webster and Punky Brewster
- Huey Lewis and the News
- Miami Vice
- The Terminator
- Transformers and Care Bears
- Wham!
- Prince
- Sixteen Candles
- Cyndi Lauper
- Lionel Richie's "Hello"
- This Is Spinal Tap
Babes of 1984: Paulina Porizkova, Daryl Hannah, Tina Turner, Heather Thomas and Geraldine Ferraro
Hunks of 1984: Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Duran Duran and Tom Hulce
PSA of 1984: "Don't let your lungs go to pot." - Cast of Fame
Then and Now 1984: Recreational Family Vehicles, Super Bowl Tickets, and The Mac
Mr. & Ms. 1984: Boy George and Boy George
Born in 1984: Mandy Moore, Freddy Krueger, Kelly Osbourne, hair mousse and Punky Brewster
End Credit Video is Nena's "99 Red Balloons"
1985
- WrestleMania
- MacGyver
- Back to the Future
- Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home"
- The Goonies
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure
- Small Wonder
- Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69"
- Big hair
- Fletch
- "The Super Bowl Shuffle"
- Bartles & Jaymes
- Cocoon
- Til Tuesday's "Voices Carry"
- Live Aid
- The Facts of Life
- Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time"
- The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire
- Day-Glo and oversized message T-shirts
- Pound Puppies
- "We Are the World"/Hear 'n Aid
Babes of 1985: Kelly LeBrock, Kelly McGillis, Rosanna Arquette, Grace Slick and Tipper Gore
Hunks of 1985: Sylvester Stallone, William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Robert Redford, Jim McMahon and Pee-wee Herman
PSA of 1985: Contract For Life
Then and Now 1985: Hit Soft Drinks, and Pro Wrestling
Mr. & Ms. 1985: Dolph Lundgren and Brigitte Nielsen
Born in 1985: Zac Hanson, Air Jordans, Frankie Muniz, Lee Press-On Nails and VH1
End Credit Video is Tears for Fears' "Shout"
1986
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Wheel of Fortune
- Hands Across America
- Teddy Ruxpin
- ALF
- Pretty in Pink
- Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach"
- Swatch
- 1986 World Series and the Bill Buckner fielding error
- The Cosby Show
- Baby On Board
- "Crocodile" Dundee
- Celebrity marriages
- Whitney Houston
- Comic Relief
- Janet Jackson
- Stand by Me
- Run-DMC and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way"
- Top Gun
Babes of 1986: Susanna Hoffs, Kim Basinger, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler and the Statue of Liberty
Hunks of 1986: Tom Cruise, Walter Payton, Paul Hogan, Keith Hernandez and Howard the Duck
PSA of 1986: "Vote With A Friend. Make It Count More" with Quincy Jones and James Ingram
Then and Now 1986: Highest Baseball Salary, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, and Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer
Mr. & Ms. 1986: Mike Tyson and Oprah Winfrey
Born in 1986: Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, the Goo Goo Dolls, Jolt Cola, the Pixies and the disposable camera
End Credit Video is Mr. Mister's "Kyrie"
1987
- Dirty Dancing
- Tiffany and Debbie Gibson
- Hair crimping
- Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
- Fatal Attraction
- Hair metal
- FOX
- R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It "
- Controversial extra-marital affairs
- Wall Street
- Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right"
- Acid wash and Converse
- Cheers
- Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It"
- Hollywood Shuffle
- Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love"
- The two Coreys
- U2's The Joshua Tree
Babes of 1987: Lisa Bonet, Sheena Easton, Jody Watley, Tawny Kitaen and the Church Lady
Hunks of 1987: LL Cool J, RoboCop, Dennis Quaid, Harry Hamlin and Harry from Harry and the Hendersons
PSA of 1987: Anti-Drug "I learned it by watching you!"
Then and Now 1987: Richest Person in America / Baby Jessica, and Axl Rose
Mr. & Ms. 1987: Bruce Willis and Cher
Born in 1987: Lil' Bow Wow, Aaron Carter, Nirvana and condom commercials
End Credit Video is Wang Chung's "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"
1988
- Mike Tyson
- Child's Play
- Roseanne
- Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up"
- Guns N' Roses
- The Wonder Years
- Modern Rock
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy"
- California Raisins
- Perfect Strangers
- George Michael's Faith
- Pictionary and Win, Lose or Draw
- UB40's "Red Red Wine"
- Working woman's wardrobe and Color Me Beautiful
- Yo! MTV Raps, "Parents Just Don't Understand", and N.W.A and the rise of gangsta rap
- Who's the Boss?
- Terence Trent D'Arby
- The neo-hippie movement
- Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey"
- Rain Man
Babes of 1988: Jessica Rabbit, Kari Wuhrer, Samantha Fox, Julia Roberts, and Divine
Hunks of 1988: John F. Kennedy, Jr., Donald Trump, Kevin Costner, Joe Montana, and Dan Quayle
PSA of 1988: Buckle Up
Then and Now 1988: A Year of Tuition at Harvard, Ricki Lake, and 100-Meter Sprint
Mr. and Ms. 1988: ALF and Debbie Gibson
Born in 1988: Haley Joel Osment, Teddy Grahams, Miami Heat, En Vogue, and Prozac
End Credit Video is INXS' "Mediate"
1989
- New Kids on the Block
- Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
- Milli Vanilli
- Game Boy and Tetris
- COPS
- Rob Lowe's sex video
- Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time"
- Do The Right Thing
- Madonna's "Like a Prayer" music video and the ensuing Pepsi controversy
- Say Anything...
- The Arsenio Hall Show
- The B-52's "Love Shack"
- Bobby Brown
- Afrocentric clothing
- Baywatch
- Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator"
- Heathers
- Saved by the Bell
- Tone Loc's "Funky Cold Medina"
- The fall of the Berlin Wall
Babes of 1989: Winona Ryder, Paula Abdul, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Claudia Schiffer, and Barbara Bush
Hunks of 1989: Batman, The Joker, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, and Leonardo
PSA of 1989: AIDS Prevention
Then and Now 1989: Bushes, Justin Timberlake, and World Wide Web
Mr. and Ms. 1989: Fab Morvan and Meg Ryan
Born in 1989: Daniel Radcliffe, Hole, Hootie & the Blowfish, Lil' Romeo, and American Gladiators
End Credit Video is Madonna's "Express Yourself"