The 80's

NatGeo’s The 80’s was both a sickening exploration of Capitalism and exploitation, as well as an inspirational story, which is unfortunately outlining the turbulence that we face in the now. War, a struggling economy, the allure of money, greed, and power. Looks like things never change.

Narrated by Rob Lowe, The 80’s brings us to the cusp of a more inventive time with names like Ronald Reagan, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Tony Hawk, Ben & Jerry, and Jane Fonda, to just name a few. It outlines the bleak times of America as our world was threatened by Communism, the workforce of Japan, and the economy losing steam. When a bleak enough picture is painted the show strikes back with inspiration as American’s from the era rise up and make history.

The very first story you’re going to hear is about the U.S. Hockey team going up against the Russian’s during the Olympics. The Russians had grabbed the gold four games running, had a massive win record, and basically trained all year round just for this event. The American’s, a bunch of working class kids who loved the game, were basically entering a David and Goliath scenario. When America won it was exactly the type of boost our country needed.

As inspired as I was by the story I was a bit taken aback when one of the original players says that he got a random call from someone back in the states who told him, “Just beat those Commie bastards”. Talk about taking a step backwards. It just reminded me that when times are tough for our country, they throw an enemy at us, legitimate or not, and we produce hatred. All of the nicknames we’ve given our enemies that have stuck and been used long after war time, rushed through my head brining me to the now.

Later we see more of a look at Capitalism and how it brought our countries economy to life. The introduction of the VCR, the Walkman, Video Games, Home Video, MTV, and more. It was a time when invention and ingenuity produced power and money. Pac Man was eating billions of quarters, Jane Fonda was selling millions of workout video’s, and MTV gave music a face.

The MTV segment was a real downer. Apparently, even in the 80’s, racism was alive and well. Protested by David Bowie, Rick James, and others, MTV refused to play Non-White music, not even Michael Jackson. It took a pretty powerful threat to make the station change their minds.

After that we take a look at the rise of Rap. Another pretty disturbing look at race relations. Of course, to round out the story on a positive note the show talks about the revolutionary match up between RUN DMC and Aerosmith. It was funny but disturbing as well. RUN DMC would have nothing to do with the song, Aerosmith were reluctant to allow it. Rick Rubin was the real hero of this tale as he brings both groups of performers together. I laughed till I cried when they first met and RUN DMC, who weren’t big on rock music, thought Aerosmith were The Rolling Stones.

That chapter of the show was pretty interesting but just reminded me that thirty years ago race relations were still pretty messed up and that even in this day and age things haven’t changed much due to an atmosphere of fear and lack of facts. 

My advice to you when you watch The 80’s, which really is a remarkable show, is to forget about the now. Try and get lost in the information that will more then likely go in one ear and out the other, but don’t get hung up on how times haven’t changed for our country and our mindsets. It’s a real downer.