The hangovers have subsided. The noisemakers–returned to the junk drawer. And now that it’s 2006, things sort of feel different–or do they? Well, as you attempt to mount your dusty elliptical trainer, with your crusty New Year’s duds still hanging off the handles, your latest resolutions for change require the inevitable: deep retrospection. In anticipation of new trends for the coming year, we’ll take a look at last year’s patterns, which will give us a clue for what’s to come.
Before fully closing the chapter on 2005, let’s take a trip back and forth in time to unearth a key inspiration: 1985! Undeniably, there’s an apparent twenty-year cyclical pattern when it comes to trends, fashion and culture due to an unspoken dialogue that happens between the generations. The year 2005 was no exception to the theory.
As children and teens of the ’80s continue to come-of-age as professionals and consumers, their past holds high influence over our present-day livelihood from culture to commerce. So, those shaping the media and entertainment can’t help but revert back to the good ol’ days. Twenty years seems to be the perfect amount of time for ‘pop’ trends to live strong, die fast and start their process all over again.
For further evidence of this 2-decade cycle, just glance at the pop history books. Twenty years removed from the emergence of ’70s disco and Bubblegum pop–music genres exalted for their catchy melodies and hypnotic beats, but blasted for their shallow, repetitive lyrics—The Spice Girls, notorious boy bands and other dance/pop groups of that ilk flooded the market with a similar mission to entertain with a light, derivative touch. Audiences were pushed to let loose, ignore the masters of thoughtful songwriting, and just ‘shake their groove thangs’.
The disco genre inspired a rebellious culture of nightlife very reminiscent of the age that gave birth to rock n’ roll in the 1950’s, twenty years earlier. Sure it was a little heavier on the illicit drugs and sex in the 1970’s, but in terms of youth rebellion the parallels were clear.
The ’70s, aside from a nod to fashion and lifestyle, also celebrated the ’50s by way of TV shows. With the popularity of Happy Days, came the simultaneous revival and worship of the ’50s way of life. Roller-skates, soda pop jerks, the hip skirt-chasing rebel with the chiseled haircut who both frightened and charmed the girls were all concepts that flew out of style in the ’60s. But, lo and behold twenty years later, it was perfectly acceptable, recommended even, to say “Ayyy!” alongside the Fonz.
With all of this in mind, it comes as no surprise that ’80s worship appears to be still in style at the moment. A feat that the decade, itself, didn’t even pull-off while it was happening.
For those who somehow evaded VH1’s grating obsession with airing I Love the ’80s programming, 1985 was, nonetheless, chock-full of good entertainment. In television, Cagney & Lacey, after being cancelled at the end of the 1982-1983 season, was reinstated in 1984. The beloved cop-drama went on to all but sweep the Emmy’s in 1985. And American classics, such as Cheers, The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls launched with a steady fury.
Elsewhere, in ’85, much attention was focused on the continent of Africa. The Academy’s choice for movie of the year was Out of Africa, Sydney Pollack’s tale of love on an African plantation; and simultaneously, the Grammy-winning Song of the Year, “We Are the World,” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie–and performed by dozens of the music scene’s heavyweights–dominated the radio airwaves, and raised significant money for famine relief in Ethiopia. With Quincy Jones as the producer/maestro, new-wave musician turned political activist, Bob Geldof sat in on the “We Are the World” sessions, and later put together 1985’s wildly successful Live Aid concert. For its twentieth anniversary, in the summer of 2005 he organized the new millennium’s grandest worldwide concert, with performances by Coldplay, The Who, a reunited Pink Floyd and Madonna–again intended on placing the eyes and attention of world leader’s onto Africa’s continuing economic struggles.
Teenage hijinx ruled the day. Seminal Brat pack viewing classics had far-reaching tentacles. The Breakfast Club, in which Molly Ringwald’s uptight character, Claire, lets loose in janitor’s closet, perhaps pioneered such ideas as seeing Vince Vaughn’s Jeremy Grey get some under the table lovin’ in Wedding Crashers. And in Weird Science computers helped two nerdy teen males artificially create the perfect woman from head to toe. Yup, it was all about Kelly LeBrock. The thick sexual insinuations of the Brat Pack, helped pave the way for today’s Frat Pack to run amok. Needless to say, the extensive focus on the Hilary Duffs and Lindsay Lohans (in the sexed-up Herbie: Fully Loaded) and the 2005 crop of teen starrer flicks, will give rise to a new pack in 20 years to come.
Many of the stars roaming around Hollywood in ’85 are still generating headlines themselves. Who among us guessed that Burt Reynolds would have had another career resurgence in 2005 in Tinsel town? In 1985, Reynolds was still a borderline major player when he directed the ex-con, mystery film-flop, Stick.
With declining popularity and practically no solid, recent films on his resumé, it was Paul Thomas Anderson who took a chance on the mustached icon for his 1997 ode-to-porn Boogie Nights. Since then, it’s become cool to have Burt pop-in for a role or cameo in a movie. This year he enjoyed prominent roles in The Longest Yard and The Dukes of Hazzard, getting rambunctious with red carpet journalists along the way.
Yes, The Dukes of Hazzard certainly should sound familiar. As a TV series, the popular show ended its run in 1985. But thanks to 2005, and such young stars as Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott–and the year’s headline grabbing champion Jessica Simpson–we were treated to a good ol’ fashioned throwback.
Not even close to the only throwback though.
“I had a horrible nightmare. I dreamed that I went… back in time. It was terrible.” So blurts panicked Marty McFly in the 1985 classic Back to the Future… Well, thanks for putting on your time travel suits for the purposes of this article, but do yourself a favor and keep them on, because 2005 marked the beginning of negotiations to bring back Marty McFly and his faithful DeLorean. Details are still being worked out. Will it feature a younger cast, with Michael J. Fox in a senior role, or will it just be the old cast that remains? No need to speculate just yet, it’ll be a year or two before plans being to take shape.
The same can be said for Sylvester Stallone, who in 2005, both confirmed the return of Rocky Balboa, and also hinted at the return of Rambo. In 1985, it was Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV that thrilled audiences with action-hero excellence. Well, the almost 60-year-old Stallone can now be seen at a fitness club near you, getting his relaxed figure in shape for these two huge undertakings.
Trends come and go…and then come again. Walking down a cold city street this winter, I can’t count the number of leg warmers I see, a piece of apparel almost synonymous with the ‘80s. Which eventually makes me think of where we are, and what last year has meant. As far as decades go let’s start with a name, do we even have one? Are we in the Zeros? The 2000’s?
[PAGEBREAK]Will 1986 hold the key to some of the coming year’s entertainment trends? Are we originating, or merely replicating from our past? And how will we be influencing the culture twenty years from now? The answers have yet to be seen. But, most certainly 2006 will hold the key to that answer.
I do have one standout gripe, however: Where are all the flying cars and servant robots I was told would be here by now?
Since it always boils down to a competition, let’s take a trip back and forth in time to see how far we’ve come, and how backwards we’ve traveled. The contenders are presented by categories…
1985 vs. 2005 – The Final Round:
Musician-Turned-Thespian
50 Cent vs. Madonna — Both celebrated artists in the music world made major motion picture breakout roles in their respective years. Madonna, who played the city-wanderer Susan, in 1985’s Desperately Seeking Susan, was very believable. Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, had trouble even playing himself in the 2005 autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin. With Desperately Seeking Susan, a star was born (and yes, though that star later burnt out in 2002’s Swept Away is neither here nor there).
The Winner: 1985 — Given the frenzy surrounding her character’s fashion impact, the credible Madonna definitely left a much larger footprint.
Queen Oprah
The Color Purple (film) vs. The Color Purple (Broadway debut) — Cinema magic was created when Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey joined forces in 1985’s The Color Purple. In December of 2005, a new musical version, presented by Oprah Winfrey opened on Broadway.
The Winner: It’s a Tie –Both versions celebrate a great and important work. The heart and soul of the story transcend all genres, and mediums.
Farewell My TV Friends
The Jeffersons vs. The Barones — In 2005, the two families bade farewell to their dedicated audience, George and Louise in 1985, and Ray & co. in Everyone Loves Raymond. Both had a different take on family relations, and told their weekly tales from a unique point of view.
The Winner: 1985 — In addition to being a comedic sitcom, The Jeffersons also explored class and race relations in a thoughtful manner.
Headlines From Neverland
Purchased the Rights to the Entire Beatles Catalog in 1985 vs. Acquitted of All Child Molestation Charges in 2005 — For the love of Bubbles, Michael please stay out of the worldwide news! We’re relieved to hear of your move to Bahrain, hopefully it brings a period of reflection, and ultimately grants you the talent to produce an album in 2006 that could top “Off the Wall.” Oh so doubtful, I know.
The Winner: 2005 — Michael Jackson averted disaster this year as all charges in his child molestation trial were dismissed. If you missed the actual verdict, you would have been clued-in that he was ‘not guilty’ by the sight of a maniac throwing white doves in the air outside the courtroom. I vote for the trial because Michael should know, as a songwriter, that buying the Beatles catalog and fighting with Paul McCartney over whom the songs rightfully belong is, indeed, a crime against humanity.
The King of All Media
Howard Stern signs with K-ROCK terrestrial radio vs. Stern signs with Sirius satellite — Stern broadcast his first show on K-Rock radio in 1985, much to the delight of morning commuters everywhere. Not only did he have his last show at that station in December of 2005, but another landmark date happens quite soon thereafter as he makes the move to uncensored Sirius satellite.
The Winner: 2005 — Whether you’re a Stern fan, or a hater, it’s tough to deny that when he grabs the microphone at an unregulated station, a new form of entertainment is inevitable.
Creatures of Hollywood Habit
Godzilla 1985 vs. King Kong — Hardcore Godzilla fans may have been the only ones to check out this installation of the Godzilla series. King Kong…well I’m sure you know the story.
The Winner: — Godzilla 1985 looks like a finger puppet show by comparison.
INXS in Excess
1985’s Album: Listen Like Thieves vs. 2005’s Switch with a new line-up — In one of the surprise reality hits of the year, Rock Star: INXS capitalized on the American Idol craze by setting up contestants with an actual band. The same band, with the late Michael Hutchence, released Listen Like Thieves in 1985.
The Winner: It’s a Tie — While the old record is a great example of why INXS became a successful act, they deserve applause for taking a chance on an unknown lead singer.
Sequels Crossing the Pond
National Lampoons European Vacation vs. Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo — Chevy Chase made an art out of acting uncomfortable, and aloof in the 1980’s. In this brilliant follow up to the Griswold’s summer trip to Wally World, the crew brings their brand of humor to Europe. Every time I find myself driving in circles, and passing the same building twice, I will never hesitate to throw out a “Hey look, Big Ben guys.”
The Winner: 1985 — The other movie really isn’t even worth mentioning.
Let’s hope in next year’s competition, 2006 far outweighs the one-two punch of 1986!
