Afternoon 80's Break - Tom Tom Club "Genius Of Love"

Afternoon Dance Break - Bring Me Edelweiss

Thanks to DustBunny Peter Maria for reminding me about this early video bar staple.


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Afternoon Dead Or Alive Break - "Lover Come Back To Me"

80's Flashback: Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina

This was the JAM during my college bar-hoppin' days.

80's Flashback: Cyndi Lauper - She Bop

Friday Flashback: Neneh Cherry - “Buffalo Stance”

No money man can win my love. It's sweetness that I'm thinking of.

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Afternoon Disco Break: Divine - "Shoot Your Shot"

The 80's

Afternoon Flashback: Vanity 6 - "Nasty Girl"

Close your eyes and imagine a cherubic, strawberry-blond gay boy from Pennsylvania lip-synching these lyrics alone in his bedroom:

That's right, it's been a long time

Since I had a man that did it real good

If you ain't scared, take it out

I'll do it like a real live nasty girl should

"Rich Looks For Peaches"

Although this AWKWARD slow-dance clip isn't identified, I recognized it immediately as being from Dancin' On Air - an 80's teen dance show which was based in Philadelphia. The show was HUGE in  Central Pennsylvania (where I grew up) - and the regular dancers became mini-stars, with their own fanclubs and fanzines...

OMG - Bobby Catalano!!!! Take off your glasses - we wanna see your eyes!!!!! Sorry ... old habits...

Anywhore, Dancin' On Air was picked up by the fledgling USA network in 1986 and renamed Dance Party USA - but at that point I was in college and too drunk busy to care anymore.

BTW - did the girl in the cheerleader outfit at 0:16 look familiar?? That's Jersey girl and Intense Staring Champion Kelly Ripa - one of Dancin's "regulars".

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Don't Hate Them ...

... 'cause they're beautiful.

And in case you're wondering - I TOTALLY would. With any (or all). Don't judge! Things have been a little lot slow around here over the past few months years...

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Afternoon 80's Flashback - Just Got Lucky

One of my favorite songs from high school - Just Got Lucky by The JoBoxers. Anyone else remember this little ditty??

80's Flashback: Scritti Politti - Perfect Way

During my week at home I had plenty of time to watch things on TV I wouldn't normally watch. And one of these things was Hot Tub Time Machine. Don't judge! Besides, I've always thought Craig Robinson was kind of adorable. For you damn dirty RACISTS (you know who you are), Craig is the "the black guy" from The Office.

Anywhore, Hot Tub Time Machine features a bunch of 80's songs - including Scritti Politti's Perfect Way. Hearing that song brought back memories of my intense love for Scritti Politti. This love affair probably lasted 10-12 days (give or take), until Wham or Spandau Ballet came out with a new album and I forgot all about them. You know how teenagers are...

Facts Of Life Reunion!

Cloris Leachman (84), Mindy Cohn (44), Kim Fields (41), Charlotte Rae (84), Geri Jewell (54), Lisa Whelchel (47) and Nancy McKeon (45) reunited for the taping of the TV Land Awards here in New York on Sunday night. A couple of thoughts:

• You all know that Geri Jewell recently came out, didn't you? Yep - GERI ... not Nancy McKeon!
• I don't have any recollection of Cloris Leachman ever being on Facts of Life, but my goodness she looks fantastic. Actually, they all look pretty good.
• I once saw Charlotte Rae walking down the street in NYC. Scratch that - I HEARD Mrs. Garrett, looked up, and there was Charlotte Rae talking to a friend. Her voice is unmistakable.

And here is Mrs. Garrett and the Girls back in the day...

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Afternoon Dance Break - Trapped by Colonel Abrams

Colonel Abrams was one of the favorite musical acts at NYC's famed Paradise Garage club in the early 80's - he performed there often, and Abrams' music could be heard on the massive dance floor on any given night. In fact, it is said that back in 1984, DJ Larry Levan spun Abrams' song "Music Is The Answer" for an entire hour - sending the dancers into a complete frenzy.

Here is Colonel Abrams performing his biggest U.S. hit - "Trapped".

Afternoon 80's Break - Hazell Dean: "Searchin"

Searchin' - looking for love

all the time I can.

Searchin' - looking for love

I've got to find a man.

Afternoon Erasure Break - Sometimes

Today Joe.My.God linked to a short story he wrote back in 2005 about his late friend and their shared obsession with Erasure (read it HERE). This touching story reminded me of yet another favorite Erasure song - Sometimes - which I dedicate to Joe's friend Barney ...

Times Square - Circa 1986

Yesterday Gothamist did a "flashback" post with some great photos of a gritty Times Square - circa 1986. This was the Times Square I fell in love with during a day trip to NYC as a child - and a Times Square that is VERY different now...

However, one of the "artistic venues" pictured in the Gothamist's photo essay is actually still in operation to this very day - or so I've heard ...

Also, Gothamist did a non-scientific poll asking people if they prefered the Giulianified/Disneyfied Times Square of today, or the dangerous and seedy Times Square that Sick Tickets like me fell in love with. Results:

The current one, Olive Garden 4-ever! 34.89%(292 votes)

The gritty one, Pre-Disneyfication 65.11% (545 votes)

Total Votes: 837

Yep, 65% of those voting were Sick Tickets NOSTALGIC for the old Times Square, just like Moi. That makes me feel a little better.

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Afternoon Flashback - Relax

It was YEARS before I finally saw this version of Frankie Goes To Holloywood's biggest hit - Relax. This video was banned by the BBC and MTV for being obscene (AKA "gay") - and another, less controversial version was produced to protect us impressionable children from catching "The Ghey". Which didn't work out so well, I guess.

But hey, you gotta love a catchy dance tune that's all about TheButtSeks ...

Afternoon Dance Break - My Heart Goes Bang

That last post got me thinking about the 80's, and specifically Dead or Alive - which was fronted by Tranny-Before-Trannies-Were-Cool Pete Burns. Here they are performing My Heart Goes Bang...