Stuck in the '80s is a blog and podcast produced by Steve Spears based in Orlando, Florida. Stuck in the '80s covers the music, movies and pop culture of the 1980s. It features interviews with musicians, actors and celebrities of the 1980s, top 5 lists, CD and movie reviews. It began in July 2005. The blog is updated daily. Originally residing on the website of the Tampa Bay Times, the podcast is now part of the CLNS Media network. Listeners access the show through multiple streaming platforms including Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and I Heart Radio.
History
Spears came up with the idea for a podcast shortly before his 20 year high school reunion. He was writing a blog for the reunion website and once it was over, he missed doing the blogging and storytelling. He wanted to do a podcast, but he wanted to do it on a topic that did not even feel like "work" to him. Spears approached Gina Vivinetto, who grew up in Tampa Bay the same time he did, and asked if she'd be interested in co-hosting a podcast. She agreed. Spears thinks the name of the podcast came from one of their original sign-offs. He said goodbye with "we'll be here, stuck in the '80s" and it seemed to fit. The podcast was supposed to only 5 or 6 minutes and they were going to use it as a "segment" in another podcast the paper was producing called the TBT Tiki Lounge. But their first show came in closer to 15 minutes, so it was decided to just break it out as its own show. As time went on, the length of shows grew longer and the average show is now 45 minutes. The movie commentaries are usually 2 hours. Gina left the show after 27 episodes and Sean Daly, the music critic for the St. Petersburg Times took over. Daly and has been working on the podcast since episode 28. They are sometimes joined by guests including Cathy Wos, Stephanie Hayes and other writers for the St. Petersburg Times. In November 2012, Steve left the Times for a job in Orlando, but the podcast continues with co-host Brad Williams. The most downloaded shows remain the Breakup Show, Brian Johnson interview and Steve Perry interview. Stuck In The ‘80s has been the official host of trivia on The ‘80s Cruise since its inaugural sailing In 2016. The podcast’s 500th episode was recorded live aboard the 2019 cruise and featured Interviews with original MTV VJsNina Blackwood, Mark Goodman and Alan Hunter.
Awards
Journalism Award Wins • 2006 Best Online Commentary, Online News Association • 2007 Best Media-Affiliated Entertainment Blog, Eppy Award • 2010 Innovation in Driving a Digital Audience, Florida Society of News Editors
