Did a 1980s TV Movie Save the World...?

Did a 1980s TV Movie Save the World...?

Author: Jamie Logie | 1980s Pop Culture & Nostalgia May 21, 2025 Duration: 48:09

There are only a handful of broadcasts in the history of television that became must-see, cultural events. The ABC movie, 'The Day After', from 1983, is one of them.

In the early 80s, as fear of Nuclear War ramped up, ABC planned to air a Sunday night movie that dealt with what nuclear war would really look like.

In November 1983, this kicked off a firestorm of attention--both good and bad--that resulted in one of the biggest viewing audiences in TV history.

This is a look back on the movie that not only terrified the public, but became a watershed moment in the history of the Cold War...


Step back into a world of neon, synth-pop, and big hair with Everything 80s. Hosted by Jamie Logie, this podcast is a deep, affectionate dive into the decade that shaped modern pop culture. It’s less a formal history lesson and more like rifling through a time capsule with a friend who remembers every detail. Episodes explore the films, television, music, and toys that weren't just entertainment-they were the shared language of a generation. You’ll hear specific discussions on everything from the rise of MTV and the cinematic magic of John Hughes to the toy-box revolutions of Transformers and the fantasy realms of He-Man. The conversation naturally spans the iconic, like Michael Jackson’s Thriller era, to the foundational moments of home gaming with Nintendo. This isn't just about listing favorites; it's about understanding why these cultural artifacts from the 1980s still resonate so powerfully today. For anyone feeling a pull of nostalgia or a curiosity about the era's lasting impact, this podcast offers a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in to rediscover the sounds, stories, and sensations that defined an unforgettable ten years.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Everything 80s
Podcast Episodes
The Everything 80s Christmas Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
It's time for a very 80s Christmas as we travel back to revisit the holiday season during the 1980s. In this episode, we look back at the holiday movie that was a surprise hit and then the story of a beloved TV special t…
The 10 Best 1980s Christmas Specials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:54
Some of the all-time great TV Christmas specials go all the way back to the 1960s. But it's easy to forget how many memorable ones came from the 80s. Today we look back at ten of the best specials the 80s had to offer. S…
From VHS to LaserDisc: The History & Importance of Physical Media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:21
If you grew up in the 80s, you grew up in the era of physical media. Our videotape collections allowed us to watch our favorite movies and TV shows over and over, allowing us to develop a deep appreciation for the things…
The War on Video Games: When Arcades Were Almost Banned [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
It seems funny to think, but in the early 80s, a gigantic industry almost came to a grinding halt... Video games--and arcades--had grown so quickly, and on such a wide scale, that many began to ask if it was ok for our k…
The Balloonfest '86 Incident [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
In late 1985, Disney had just set the record for the most helium balloons ever released. As a way to kick off their 1986 United Way campaign, the city of Cleveland thought breaking this record would be a great way to dra…
Family Ties: From Hippies to Yuppies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
On September 22, 1982, a new show debuted on NBC. It felt like a throwback to the family sitcoms of yesteryear, but, at the same time, felt like a big risk... The early 1980s seemed to be a time when the family sitcom ha…
A Look Back at the Year 1984 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
It's a year that, thanks to George Orwell, had been in the public consciousness for decades. But when it finally came around, 1984 ended up being memorable for many different reasons... Today, we look back on the movies,…
The Everything 80s Halloween Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:03
Welcome to the Everything 80s Halloween Spooktacular! Today, we travel back to revisit Halloween in the 80s and take a look at three things: The first is one of the goriest and most violent video games ever made up to th…
The Bizarre History of Monster Cereals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
It's just not the Halloween season without them... Today, we go back to witness the creation and release of everyone's favorite breakfast monsters. it's a story that goes back to the early days of cereal, the silent film…
Australia Takes the 80s by Storm! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
The Brits had taken over music and pop culture in the 1960s, and then--to a lesser extent--they did it again in the early 80s. But now, it was time for the Aussies to take over... This is a look back on the 1980s Aussie…