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People who had a meaningful effect in the 1980's pertaining to certain issues, beliefs or notoriety. |
Clara Peller "Where's the Beef?"
Clara Peller is an essential part of the '80s because her famous commercials generated such notoriety that led to Wendys' business thriving and millions of people were going to the fast food establishment if not for the size of their burgers then for the attention she produced. In spite of the fact that Clara Peller is no longer with us there's not a time I pass by a Wendy's without thinking of her. |
David Horowitz "Fight Back!"
By David Horowitz campaigning for consumers' rights he helped to expose faulty products along with shady businesses and by suggesting tips for people to use they may have avoided becoming victims themselves therefore benefitting tremendously. Though the series is no longer on I still have fond memories of Sunday nights watching "Fight Back! With David Horowitz" while eating Steak-Um's, Tater Tots and drinking a Capri Sun and becoming so involved with the program that I would often yell the words "Fight Back!" |
Nancy Reagan "Just Say No"
Nancy Reagan's role in the fight against drugs along with celebrities' encouraging messages may have actually had a positive influence on children to stop and think of the outcome affiliated with such unfavorable acts resulting in children saying No! |
Pee-wee Herman
In 1985 Pee-wee Herman starred in the movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure about a grown-up man exhibiting childlike behavior while dressed in a gray plaid suit, red bow tie, white shirt, white shoes and socks wearing red lipstick who's treasured bicycle is stolen so he embarks on a cross-country journey to find it. Pee-wee Herman became so well-liked he even got his own Saturday morning children's program titled "Pee-wee's Playhouse" which also starred several relatively unknown actors at the time such as Phil Hartman, Laurence Fishburne and Natasha Lyonne that ran from 1986 to 1991. The show had a number of different character in addition to objects that spoke and was enjoyed by both children as well as adults. While his new show was not as risqué as his previous stage show had been it did have double entendres along with subtle adult toned innuendos while continuing to maintain a children's program. In 1988 Pee-wee Herman made another movie called Big Top Pee-wee which was not nearly the crowd-pleaser as his previous film was about a boy who lives on a farm and one morning following a tornado a traveling circus lands in his backyard so in an attempt to impress a trapeze artist (despite the fact that he's engaged to someone else) he takes a job as an acrobatic performer and when the circus faces bankruptcy he comes up with an idea to have an extravaganza showcasing his agricultural experiments. Pee-wee's Playhouse was still doing well in ratings until July 26, 1991 when Paul Reubens (who was not dressed as Pee-wee) was arrested in a Sarasota, Florida adult movie theater for indecent exposure and as a result his television program was immediately cancelled in addition to all re-runs which were taken off the air. On November 15, 2002 Paul Reubens was arrested once again this time on charges of possession of child pornography that were later dropped as he continues to act in television shows and movies. Regardless of what has happened in Paul Reubens' personal life his alter ego Pee-wee Herman is a substantial part of the 1980's in that many children and adults were and still are entertained by both his television series as well as the movies he has acted in due to his unusual and comical mannerisms. |
The "Brat Pack"
The "Brat Pack" had a huge impact on the 1980's because it consisted of some of the hottest actors and actresses at that particular time who starred in movies in which people not only enjoyed and could relate to then but are still able to today some 20+ years later. |
Valley GirlsValley Girls had a colossal effect on the '80s between the years 1980 through 1983. They were teenagers from mostly wealthy parents who lived predominantly in the areas of San Fernando and Encino, California and spoke in a dialect referred to as "Valspeak" using words that forever changed the English language as we know it. Such words included:
Their outfits which were totally tubular consisted of florescent and pastel colored miniskirts, mesh tops, long sweaters worn with large belts, fishnet stockings, white frilly socks and pumps just to name a few. The blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick they wore added allure to their inventive appearance. Valley Girls were so trendy they inspired Moon Unit Zappa and her father Frank to write and record the song "Valley Girl" in 1982. A year later the movie Valley Girl was released but the song did not appear on the soundtrack. At one time Sherman Oaks Galleria in Sherman Oaks, California was the most famous mall in America and the Galleria was not only mentioned in the song "Valley Girl" it was also used in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High only furthering the mall's popularity. It is believed to be at the Galleria where Valspeak began. It's extremely unfortunate that Valley Girls no longer exist and were favored for only a short time as they were something many girls wanted to be including me. I remember as if it were yesterday listening to the song "Valley Girl" and wanting to move to Southern California so I could be a "Val" except at the time I was in grade school which made it impossible. Even though many movies and television programs feature young girls attempting to act like "Valley Girls" they can never compare to the real "Vals" who personified the 1980's. *Rightful Acknowledgment While Moon Unit Zappa did not originate the term Valley Girl she certainly popularized it turning a fashionable style into a complete fad that swept the country by storm resulting in countless girls emulating and trying to talk, act and dress just Valley Girls. Her righteous song is most definitely the reason why Valley Girls were so favored. |
Wayland Flowers and "Madame"
"Madame" was so popular she even had her own T.V. show called "Madame's Place" which premiered in 1982 (despite the fact that her creator did not appear in it) and ran for less than a season. Each week "Madame" hosted her Late Night Talk Show from her Hollywood mansion and interviewed various celebrities while using witty double entendres and crude remarks in addition to hysterically insulting her guests as her wardrobe included fabulous evening gowns, feathered boas and dazzling jewelry. What made the comedy even more entertaining was that while "Madame" was the only puppet on the sitcom the other characters were actual people making it seem as if "Madame" herself was real. In 1984 the talented duo released the movie titled Madame in Manhattan Starring Wayland Flowers. Since the loss of Wayland Flowers in 1988 no other ventriloquist or puppet has nor will be as comically suggestive as he and "Madame" were. *Though many rumors circulate surrounding the fact that "Madame" is buried with Wayland Flowers while other stories report it to be untrue either way the two are not completely forgotten. |
In 1984 eighty-two-year-old senior citizen and retired manicurist from Chicago Clara Peller created tremendous publicity for Wendy's fast food restaurants by starring in their commercials and asking the ever-famous question, "Where's the Beef?" referring to competitors' small burgers and how Wendy's burgers were much bigger. The reason she shouted the catch phrase, aside from it being exceptionally funny was as a result of her being half deaf and her motto had been written about in magazines, newspaper articles, spoken about on television and discussed by countless people. Clara Peller's overnight stardom did not last long; however, due to the fact that shortly after the airing of Wendys' commercials she appeared in a Prego commercial saying the words "I Found It" in reference to the "Where's the Beef?" slogan resulting in Wendy's terminating her. Following her dismissal Clara Peller appeared in movies such as Moving Violations and the Stuff, was a guest on Saturday Night Live and even played a part in Wrestlemania 2.
David Horowitz is a former T.V. reporter turned consumer advocate who hosted a weekly syndicated series called "Fight Back! With David Horowitz" and fought for the public's rights against defective products, dishonest practices and who would confront companies regarding customer complaints. The show, which premiered in 1976 and ran until 1992 was most popular in the early '80s in addition to winning 15 Emmy Awards during its sixteen year run and by testing various products David Horowitz would uncover whether or not they really worked or if they were just a scam and would then warn viewers about such activities followed by offering people tips to prevent them from getting ripped off. The best part of the program was when David Howoritz, along with the audience would bend their right arms while clenching their right fists into the air as they shouted the words "Fight Back!" referring to what to do if someone became a victim of fraud and at the end of every episode the host would say, "Remember to stay aware and informed and don't let anyone rip you off." 
During the early to mid '80s Nancy Reagan went on a nationwide campaign in order to prevent children from taking drugs and adopted the slogan "Just Say No." The First Lady organized rallies, had celebrities as spokespeople and even went on favorite television shows to spread the emphasis of her message to adolescents of the dangers of not only the use of drugs but also to "Just Say No" to violence and other negative activities that may have been a temptation to young people.
Paul Reubens' acting career began in the mid 1970's when he began appearing in stage shows, comedy clubs and was even on "The Gong Show" but it wasn't until he became part of an improvisational comedy group called The Groundlings that he introduced audiences to the odd yet likeable character Pee-wee Herman in the later part of the '70s. Pee-wee Herman started to become popular when he starred in the stage show (which was adult humor) called The Pee-wee Herman Show at L.A.'s The Roxy Theatre in 1981, had a role in the movie Cheech & Chong's Next Movie the same year, appeared as a guest several times on Late Night with David Letterman and even performed to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall in 1984.
A group of young actors and actresses ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-four starred in movies similar to each other that defined the '80s. The term the "Brat Pack" which was taken from the nickname the "Rat Pack" came from a journalist named David Blum who had written a seven-page cover story about them in New York magazine on June 10, 1985 and was something the media had an absolute craze with in reference to the actors and actresses. To this day some people from the ever-popular circle are still associated with that name in spite of the fact that they do not wish to continue being labeled.
Ventriloquist Wayland Flowers along with his old eccentric and extremely risqué puppet "Madame" began their career in the '60s by performing in nightclubs and bars and later went on to make guest appearances in Laugh-In in 1969, were featured in the 1976 film Norman. Is That You? as well as other television programs such as Hollywood Squares maintaining the center square from 1976 to 1981 and were the hosts of Solid Gold from 1980 to 1984.