Lovin the 80′s – The Year is 1981

It’s 1981 and newly elected President Reagan was shot in the chest outside a Washington D.C. hotel by John Hinkley Jr. Johnny Carson hosts the 53rd Academy Awards as Robert Redford’s directoral debut of Ordinary People snatches awards for Best Picture and Best Director. MTV is launched on cable television and a new band named Metallica is formed.  Peter Sutcliffe is found guilty of being the Yorkshire Ripper, as he murdered 13 women and attacked several others. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention report the first recognized case of AIDS, found in California from 5 homosexual men with pneumonia-like symptoms and a weakened immune system. Muhammed Ali fights his last fight, losing to Trevor Berbick.

MOVIES

Top 10 Grossing Films in the US

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark – $209 Million
2. On Golden Pond – $119 Million
3. Superman II – $108 Million
4. Arthur – $95 Million
5. Stripes – $85 Million
6. The Cannon Ball Run – $72 Million
7. Chariots of Fire – $59 Million
8. For Your Eyes Only – $55 Million
9. The Four Seasons – $50 Million
10. Time Bandits – $42 Million

Academy Awards

Best Picture: Chariots of Fire
Best Director: Warren Beatty (Reds)
Best Actor: Henry Fonda (On Golden Pond)
Best Actress: Katharine Hepburn (On Golden Pond)

Notable Births

Jan 28th – Elijah Wood
Apr 19th – Hayden Christensen
Apr 28th – Jessica Alba
Jun 9th – Natalie Portman
Sep 12th – Jennifer Hudson

Notable Deaths

Nov 12th – William Holden
Nov 29th – Natalie Wood

TELEVISION

Events

Feb 20th – Comedian Andy Kaufman ruins sketches & starts a brawl, live on the air, during ABC’s Fridays.
Mar 6th – After 19 years, Walter Kronkite resigns as Head Anchor of CBS Evening News & is succeeded by Dan Rather.
Aug 1st – MTV debuts on Cable Television, showing 24 hours of music videos (whatever happened to those days?)
Dec 25th – Chuck Woolery hosts his last episode of Wheel of Fortune after a salary dispute & is replaced by Pat Sajak.
Jul 4th – Showtime goes from part-time to 24 hours of programming.

Television Debuts

Jan 12th – Dynasty (1981 – 1989)
Jan 15th – Hill Street Blues (1981 – 1987)
Mar 18th – Greatest American Hero (1981 – 1983)
Sep 12th – The Smurfs (1981 – 1990)
Sep 15th – Entertainment Tonight (1981 – Present)
Oct 28th – The Fall Guy (1981 – 1986)
Oct 29th – Gimme a Break (1981 – 1987)
Nov 24th – Simon & Simon (1981 – 1989)
Dec 4th – Falcon Crest (1981 – 1990)

Top 10 TV Shows

1. Dallas
2. 60 Minutes
3. The Jeffersons
4. Joanie Loves Chachi
4. Three’s Company
6. Alice
7. The Dukes of Hazzard
7. Too Close for Comfort
9. ABC Monday Night Movie
10. M*A*S*H

MUSIC

Top Billboard Hits

Just Like Starting Over – John Lennon
Celebration – Kool & The Gang
9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Rapture – Blondie
Kiss on My Lips – Hall & Oates
Morning Train – Sheena Easton
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
Jesse’s Girl – Rick Springfield
Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Ritchie
Physical – Olivia Newton John

Notable Births

Jan 31st – Justin Timberlake
Feb 27th – Josh Groban
Sep 4th – Beyonce Knowles
Dec 2nd – Britney Spears
Dec 13th – Amy Lee

Notable Death

May 11th – Bob Marley

VIDEO GAMES

Ms. Pac-Man (Midway)
Frogger (Sega)
Donkey Kong (Nintendo)
Ultima
Stargate (Williams Electronics)