Fourth Grade Nothing

Rated R in 1984 - Ralph Macchio in Teachers

2012-02-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

Ralph Macchio in Teachers in 1984.

In October, 1984 I was 12 and head-over-heels in love with Ralph Macchio. Back in June of that year I was smitten after Karate Kid. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of 1984 is Ralph Macchio. Even my name was sort of borrowed from Elizabeth Shue’s character who sweetly tells Daniel her name is, “Ali with an ‘i!’” I was, “Ally with a ‘y.’” I told all of my new friends at Girl Scout camp that summer.

Once Karate Kid was no longer in theaters, I kept my eyes glued to the teen magazines. I anxiously awaited the 411 on Ralph’s next film. Tiger Beat and 16 were all abuzz about Teachers, a movie costarring Nick Nolte and Judd Hirsch. Big deal, Ralph Macchio was the only guy I cared about.

Ralph Macchio with Nick Nolte in Teachers, 1984.

Teachers centered around a rough and tough high school filled with delinquents. The trailer was peppered with shocking, explosive classroom scenes we suburban kids never actually witnessed in our own quiet, sleepy schools. Well, at least that’s how it was for me back then. My dad taught high school on Long Island and has some wild stories of '70s and '80s gangs and whatnot.

The point of this blog is to share with you my childhood heartache. Teachers was RATED R. I wasn’t allowed to see any RATED R films. I remember my mom (also a teacher) telling me, "You aren't even close to age of 16. It just wouldn't be right for a child to see such adult content."

The tears and diary entries caused by this tragic event were unbelievably dramatic. My life was over. I was like a Justin Bieber fan without a concert ticket. It was probably the most devastating travesty during the fall of 1984. Ralph, how could you do this to your young fans? That was the end of my crush, I believe I was all about Growing Pains’ Kirk Cameron from then on.

Thanks for listening.

Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton

2012-02-21T09:14:00.004-05:00

Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton

"Butterfly in the sky! I can go twice as high!" ... "Take a look! It's in a book! A reading rainbow!" We loved the song. We loved the graphics. We loved to read thanks to Reading Rainbow. Reading Rainbow, hosted by the lovable LeVar Burton, is an award-winning (26 Emmy Awards!) 30-minute PBS TV program. LeVar recently told Mashable that a Reading Rainbow app and more is coming soon for today's readers.

Five Fun Facts Behind Reading Rainbow

Reading Rainbow was introduced back in 1983 and continued to enlighten and educate children through 2006.
Each episode focused on a different imaginative book and was narrated by a noted celebrity.
Famous for its easy-to-remember theme song, Chaka Khan sang the intro in later episodes.
Reading Rainbow has won more than 200 awards.
On March 19, 2010, LeVar Burton tweeted that a Reading Rainbow 2.0 is in the works.

Vintage & Retro McDonald's Playground

2012-02-17T15:25:00.000-05:00

I loved the McDonald's
playground in the late 1970s.

Growing up on suburban Long Island, there was nothing more exciting than a McDonald's birthday party. It was basically a rite of passage. My brother and I both had one when we turned six. I remember the choice of cheeseburger or plain hamburger with fries. They did not have nuggets back then.

I LOVED the phenomenally delicious chocolate cake with white icing. If I close my eyes, I can still see Ronald McDonald’s smiling clown face staring back at me. His gloved hand wrapped tightly around perky colorful balloons. I remember making a wish that Ben would fall in love with me that year. Instead he tore up my birthday invitation. Oh well. I was a weird kid even back then. Who has crushes in first grade? Me of course.

I remember my classmates happy faces and fun gifts. Best of all, I remember running through the McDonald’s playground on my sugar high. Today the playground is indoors and made almost entirely of plastic. Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, the McDonald’s playground was outside of the restaurant. Oversized McDonald’s characters such as Grimace and Mayor McCheese in the form of slides, monkey bars and more created a fun place for kids to play. Such simplicity ... Such joy.

Anyone remember having a birthday party at McDonald’s or playing in their hometown’s old school retro McDonald’s playground?

Old school, vintage McDonald's
Playground items.

Friday Night Videos - For Kids Without MTV

2012-02-15T06:47:00.004-05:00

Teens tuned in to
Friday Night Videos on NBC.

Back in the early 1980s, cable TV was a luxury to most kids. For teens without MTV, NBC's late night music video show, Friday Night Videos, was the next best thing. With celebrity hosts ranging from Hulk Hogan and Pee Wee Herman to Sean Lennon and Yoko Ono, Friday Night Videos aired the latest and greatest music videos.

Friday Night Videos was a staple for most American teens throughout the '80s. The first thing that comes to mind for me are sweet memories of sleepovers with friends. We'd set our hair in those long colorful rollers, wash down Doritos with New Coke and of course, tune in to the hottest videos from Van Halen, Tears for Fears, Madonna, Billy Joel and more.

Don't remember Friday Night Videos? Here's a sample from 1986 featuring one of my personal favorite teen '80s stars, Jason Bateman and his sister Justine Bateman.

Land of the Lost - Chaka!

2012-02-13T21:31:00.001-05:00

Land of the Lost - 1970s TV show

Sid and Morty Krofft's Land of the Lost first aired on NBC between 1974 to 1976. I was too young for the original broadcast, but remember watching the show after school at Grandma's in the early 1980s. The show focused around Rick Marshall and his two children, Holly and Will and their strange encounters into the bizarre prehistoric world they fell into.

I wasn't a big fan of Land of the Lost, the corny special effects and the family's adventures outsmarting dinosaurs and cavemen. One particular caveman they befriend is young Cha-ka or Chaka. This freaky looking beast scared the heck out of me. Check him out.

Chaka freaked me out back in the days.

View the intro video to refresh your memory.

Gnip Gnop Game from the '70s

2012-02-09T21:05:00.003-05:00

Gnip Gnop anyone?

Introduced by Parker Brothers in 1971, Gnip Gnop was ping pong spelled backward. The object of this two-person tabletop game was to hit tall six balls into your opponent's side first. Although I was very small when this game was popular, I know I've played it. I'm guessing someone's older brother or sister had it.

Anyone remember Gnip Gnop?

Check out this vintage Gnip Gnop commercial.

Ginsu Knives Commercials | Tomato Hand Chop

2012-02-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Ginsu Knives always had the most convincing commercials.

The other day someone mentioned Ginsu Knives and this vision of a man's hand karate chopping a tomato came rushing back to me. Ginsu were serious knives that could handle anything. They could slice and dice anything in, not just your kitchen, but your garage. Tin can? Lead pipe? No problem.

If you were a '90s child you were still exposed to the tomato karate chop, but a shoe and a pipe are also sliced with ease. Remember this commercial? Check it out.

Did your parents own a Ginsu? I never knew anyone to actually buy them, but years later my husband bought the Ron Popiel Six Star Knives. Ron Popiel was part of the original Ginsu crew, but sadly in 2007, Ron filed Chapter 11.

Electron Echo | Little Mini Pocket Piano Keyboard

2012-02-04T11:49:00.001-05:00

The Electron Echo mini piano was so cool.

Who remembers the Electron Echo little mini pocket keyboard pianos?

I honestly have no recollection of when these vintage mini pianos were popular, I'm guessing very early 1980s or late 1970s. I'm having trouble finding any info about them. They came in pink for girls and blue for boys. They were packaged in a little inexpensive plastic case which included a simplistic music song book.

Please post a comment if you had one or recall seeing them back in the days. I'd love to find one of these Electron Echo tiny mini pocket keyboards.

We are Flintstones kids, 10 million strong, and growing!

2012-02-01T22:54:00.000-05:00

Flintstones Vitamins go way back.

Growing up, I remember popping Flintstones chewable Vitamins every morning. I also remember that they didn't taste as good as baby aspirin and they're definitely not as tasty as today's gummy vitamins. Miles Laboratories first introduced Flintstones Vitamins way back in 1968 (acquired by Bayer in 1979) and they are still popular with kids and parents today. The vitamins were the most successful product spawned from the Hanna-Barbera Productions.

I'm surprised to see that Flintstones Vitamins are still going strong and are even being advertised with the old school late '80s commercial jingle, "We are Flintstones kids. 10 million strong and growing!" I always loved the little kid at the very end. They would sweetly sing (solo) "... and growwwwwwing."

Cool fun fact: Martin "Marty" O'Donnell is the awesome composer behind the famous Flintstones Vitamins jingle. His children were part of the children's choir heard in the original commercials. He's now known for sound design behind video games such as Halo.

Check out Martin O'Donnell's classic jingle in this 1987 TV commercial for Flintstones Vitamins.

Fingerless Gloves | 1980s Accessory

2012-01-31T22:04:00.000-05:00

I loved fingerless mesh gloves.

Fingerless gloves. We all had them. If you say you didn't, you're a dirty liar. Neon pink or green mesh fingerless gloves were all the rage in the mid 1980s. Paired with a neon top and rubber bracelets, I felt so cool and stylish. I'd spike my hair and put on my cutest new wave earrings. In addition to the mesh gloves, I also loved my Madonna style lace fingerless gloves. Did you or your sister have a pair?

Lace fingerless gloves

Dressy Bessy & Dapper Dan Dolls

2012-01-26T12:54:00.000-05:00

Dressy Bessy was so cool in 1976.

At around age four or five, I loved playing with my Dressy Bessy doll. Dressy Bessy and her brother Dapper Dan were soft rag dolls with a purpose ... To teach small children how to button, zip and tie.

Dapper Dan was equally adorable.

I loved Dressy Bessy's colorful clothing, bright orange yarn hair and rosy cheeks. Dapper Dan was obviously targeted to male children. I remember playing with Dapper Dan at nursery school, but I didn't own him. He was as adorable as Dressy Bessy with his ginger hued hair, red vest, pleather yellow boots and blue and white gingham pants.

These 1970s teaching toys were classic and Hasbro continued to produce the dolls updating their style. There are many imitations available, but I will always remember Dressy Bessy and Dapper Dan as the original version.

Out Of This World | TV Series

2012-01-24T06:54:00.000-05:00

Maureen Flannigan as Evie in Out Of This World.

Out Of This World was a silly scifi NBC comedy show which ran between September, 1987 through May, 1991. The stories focused around a teenage girl, Evie (Maureen Flannigan) raised by her mom Donna (I loved her mom, played by Donna Pescow of Saturday Night Fever fame).

Where was her dad? Well, he was an alien who lived far, far away. Her dad, Troy spoke to her via a special communicator cube. Evie finds out she has special supernatural powers when she turns 13 and shares her experiences and concerns with her dad in daily conversations with him over the colorful cube.

Click here to view an episode of Out Of This World to refresh your memory or to see what you missed out back in 1987.

I ate all the Frusen Glädjé

2012-01-22T15:47:00.002-05:00

Frusen Gladje brand ice cream from the 1980s.

The other day I asked my Facebook friends about an old commercial for eyeglasses. The commercial had an annoying naggy voice saying, "Get glasses Alice, get glasses." Many of my New York-area friends commented about how they totally remembered it. One buddy reminded me of another annoying TV commercial for a product I had completely forgotten about.

Frusen Glädjé was a very fancy, upscale, modern ice cream famous for these silly commercials featuring numb nuts acting all serious as they confessed, "I ate all the Frusen Glädjé." I did some research on Frusen Glädjé and found out it translates to "frozen joy" or "frozen delight" in Swedish.

Frusen Glädjé was founded by an American in 1980 and was popular until about 1985. I vaguely remember the snobby frozen treat mentioned in the 1991 Bret Easton Ellis book, American Psycho.

Please take a minute to watch this commercial for Frusen Glädjé.

Topps 1980s Orange Juice Gum

2012-01-20T22:05:00.005-05:00

Topps 1980s Orange Juice Bubble Gum

If you've been following my blog for a while, you may have noticed I am a bit of a sucker for funky flavored bubble gum. I've told you about my Hamburger Gum obsession and 'fessed up about my fascination of Gatorgum, Hubba Bubba and Freshen Up.

I have recently rediscovered a traditional Florida souvenir I loved as a child, orange juice flavored gum. Back in the early 1980s, we could purchase this gum at our local candy stores. Cutely packaged in tiny orange juice cartons, Topps brand Orange Juice flavored bubble gum was so juicy and delicious.

You would open the carton like you would a normal-sized juice carton and pour the candy into your mouth. I think the gum came in the form of tiny nuggets and although each nugget was packed with orange flavor, that flavor, like most bubble gums, faded within a few minutes.

Anyone remember this?

Tina Yothers' Book | Being Your Best Guide For Girls

2012-01-15T22:25:00.001-05:00

Being Your Best: Tina Yothers'
Guide For Girls book was great!

I was always a major fan of Family Ties. To this day, my husband and I watch it every week night in repeats. There was something endearing about the family and the way they interacted together. The story lines were interesting and super 1980s.

Growing up, I loved reading helpful books for girls. It must have made me feel all grown up or some shiz. What better book for me than a helpful book for girls penned by the famous Jennifer Keaton, Tina Yothers!

Does anyone remember this gem, Being Your Best: Tina Yothers' Guide For Girls from 1987? I would love to read this again. May be time to hit up eBay for a copy.

Six Pack | 80s Movie with Kenny Rogers

2012-01-12T20:33:00.001-05:00

Kenny Rogers in Six Pack.

In the early 1980s, my parents spoiled us by having HBO in our Long Island home. Other than Fraggle Rock, I remember certain movies repeating incessantly. Six Pack staring Kenny Rogers was one of them. Oh, how I loved this 1982 film about a white haired, bearded race car driver named Brewster Baker and six southern tag-along kids.

The movie featured six orphaned kids who meet up with Kenny Rogers' character by stealing a brand new engine from his race car while he's in a small Texas town rest stop. Long story short, Kenny takes the kids on the road as his pit crew. The cast included a very young Anthony Michael Hall and Diane Lane alongside Erin Gray.

A spin-off TV version of the show with Don Johnson as Brewster Baker and Leaf Phoenix (now Joaquin Phoenix) didn't last very long in 1983.

Here's a tribute video someone made using clips from the Kenny Rogers' movie, Six Pack.

The Battle of the Network Stars

2012-01-11T12:29:00.000-05:00

Howard Cosell hosting
The Battle of the Network Stars

The other day, I asked my husband if he recalled watching The Battle of the Network Stars on TV as a kid. He had no idea what I was talking about. Doing some research, I was surprised to see this competitive two-hour ABC show actually aired from 1977 all the way through 1988.

Basically it reminded me of sports day at my grammar school only it involved our favorite '70s and '80s television stars. Hosted by the famous sports announcer Howard Cosell and managed by celebrity team captains, actors from the three major networks ABC, NBC and CBS would compete against each other in different obstacle courses and other activities.

I hate sports, however I loved watching famous folks such as Melissa Gilbert, Erin Gray from Silver Spoons, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers from Three's Company, Scott Baio and many more battle against each other. Does anyone remember The Battle of the Network Stars? Here's a video clip to remind you.

Kids Incorporated Jerry Sharell

2012-01-08T10:05:00.002-05:00

Jerry was my favorite Kids Inc. cast member.

Like most kids in 1984, I loved morning TV. I have reminisced about how while growing up I wanted to be a famous singer, dancer or actress. I would dance around to the Annie soundtrack in 1982 and Footloose in 1984.

Kids Incorporated was the best show ever for a kid like me. I would fantasize that I too was part of the group. I knew all of the songs they covered such as Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson -- basically all of the popular radio hits. I wrote to all of the cast members and even got a reply from Mario Lopez. Although I loved all five members of the original cast, one cast member really wowed me.

Jerry Sharell played Mickey. Although he was only in the first season of Kids Incorporated, he was my very favorite. Jerry was tall with dark hair and had such a charismatic way of performing. I could tell he was very well trained, professional and took his singing seriously. This wasn't just a job to him, this was Jerry's dream. I Googled him recently to see what he might look like today. Wow, he's all grown up and even more handsome than he was as a teen. Check him out.

Jerry Sharell today, wow!

Check out this video with Jerry singing the lead and Mario Lopez on drums.

Jaws Game by Ideal | 70s Game

2012-01-03T19:47:00.002-05:00

The Game of Jaws from 1975

Remember the 1975 Jaws game by Ideal? The game, probably not as popular as the movie, worked similar to Operation. Jaws came with 13 pieces of random junk you'd have to shove in his mouth, then fish out using a long hook. If your hook got caught in the mouth of Jaws, you lost. Simple concept, kinda boring.

Doogie Howser, M.D. Kid Doctor

2012-01-02T21:25:00.001-05:00

Who didn't watch
Doogie Howser, M.D. in 1989?

As you know, I'm addicted to The Hub and their weeknight lineup. I especially enjoy watching Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie (Douglas) Howser, M.D. and his silly sidekick Vinnie Delpino played by Max Casella.

The ABC comedy drama aired for four seasons from 1989 to 1993 and focused on the life and times of a young prodigy doctor who finished med school at age 14. It was somewhat unbelievable, but that's what we loved about the show ... The idea that this cute kid close to our age was out there and doing the Saint Elsewhere/Quincy thing.

I have to admit, whenever I hear synthesizers without lyrics, especially at wedding cocktail hours, I always think of Doogie. Do you?

The Batman Theme Song Still Freaks Me Out

2011-12-29T21:49:00.003-05:00

The worst theme song ever!

When I was a little kid, repeats of the 1960s TV series Batman aired after school. Not only did I hate the show, which was clearly for boys, but I hated the theme song. It actually freaked me out.

Fast forward to today. I am much older (MUCH) and every night we watch The Hub and the final show of the night is Batman and the song STILL creeps me out. The sound of the instruments and the women chanting "Batman" over and over again. I just cannot take it.

I can't listen, but go ahead, brave the song and click play to hear it for yourself.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Will Smith

2011-12-26T09:09:00.001-05:00

In 1990, Will Smith and The Fresh Prince
of Bel-Air was a TV fave.

It's the morning after Christmas and I'm sipping a delicious cup of Sumatra in bed, playing Words with Friends and watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. What better way to spend a day off? Don't be jealous, I have plenty of chores planned for the day. I'd never let a day off go to waste without vacuuming, mopping and laundry.

Remember Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Remember Will Smith before he became a mega star? Before he had babies? Before divorce announcements? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air came just in time for Will Smith. He had been in trouble with the IRS for underpaying his taxes. The show financially saved him and helped his career big time!

Here are some fun facts about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first aired in September of 1990. I was a freshman in college. Life was one big party back then.
Twenty-two years later, I can sing along to the theme song. In the late 1990s, I interviewed Tatyani Ali who played Will's little sister, Ashley. Like me, Ashley was from Long Island.
Who could forget first lovin' Alfonso Ribeiro from Silver Spoons?

Underoos Are Fun To Wear | 70s Underwear

2011-12-20T05:30:00.000-05:00

Underoos are fun to wear!

If you were a kid back in 1977, you most likely owned a pair of Underoos. I, however, did not.

Underoos were marketed by Fruit of the Loom after Hanes turned down the idea. Wow, whoever made that executive decision must feel like the ass from Mars who refused to use M & M in E.T.

Underoos were super popular back in the days. They're an integral part of 1970s pop culture. Underoos let kids have fun in their undies. The early characters were all super hero themed and I was never big into DC Comics or Marvel Comics. I wasn't really into comics so maybe that's why it wasn't a big deal to me at the time. I think that the cooler Underoos characters such as E.T. and Pac Man were only available for boys. Otherwise, I totally would have sported them!

I especially loved the commercial and jingle for Underoos. Remember it? I do recall feeling a bit awkward during the boys' Underoos commercial -- like cover up! Ya know?

NKOTB Cartoon Series on ABC

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Remember the New Kids on the Block cartoon?

Between 1990-1991, New Kids on the Block had their own animated ABC TV show featuring the band in teen sitcom style situations. The group appeared in live bits before each cartoon began, but due to legalities, actors voiced the different members of the group.

I was too old and too cool for NKOTB, however I remember the younger kids lovin' on them big time. By the time this cartoon aired, I was off to college. Does anyone remember watching Donnie, Jordan, Joe, Jonathan and Danny in cartoon form?

Though the cartoon was only on for about a year, Disney Channel picked the series up and aired the repeats.

Here's a clip of the New Kids on the Block cartoon for you.

Press Your Luck | No Whammies

2011-12-17T16:43:00.002-05:00

Press Your Luck! No Whammy!

Television in the 1980s ruled. With so many entertaining dramas and silly sitcoms, from Love Boat and CHiPs to Family Ties and The Greatest American Hero, I truly loved TV back then!

I wasn't super into game shows, however Press Your Luck stands out in my mind as being loads of fun. The CBS game show ran from 1983 to 1986 and kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Folks would exclaim, "No Whammy!' and "Big bucks" or "Big Money!" as contestants prayed they wouldn't hit upon those ugly whammies and lose all of their winnings.

When contestants would hit upon a Whammy, there would be this "Wah Wah" musical sound and an animated ugly Whammy would creep onto the screen and make an insulting joke and giggle in a voice similar to a gremlin.

Check out this YouTube video of Press Your Luck contestants who hit upon some creepy Whammies.