BuzzSugar

NBC Gets Itself Lost in the '80s With Wonder Years-Style Show

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:35:22 PDT

Imagine The Wonder Years, but with Jordache jeans, mall hair, and music with heavy synthesizers. That's part of what NBC has in mind for its new drama pilot called Lost in the '80s.

The project comes from Bob Brush, who won an Emmy for his writing on The Wonder Years and envisions this pilot as a companion piece to the earlier series - not a remake, just a show with a similar feel set 20 years post-Kevin Arnold. A couple of other notable things about it:

In addition to the Wonder Years tone, the show is being described as Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets The Ice Storm.
Among those who have signed on to produce is Arrested Development's Mitchell Hurwitz.

My first thought was, "Sounds like Freaks and Geeks with a voiceover." But having tossed it around for a while, I think this show could be a great idea. After all, I watched the '60s-set Wonder Years while growing up in the '80s; now, 20 years later, why shouldn't today's tweens get to connect with a next-generation Kevin and Winnie?

Do you think a Wonder Years-style show about the '80s has potential?

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3 Reasons Earbuds Are Unsafe on Outdoor Runs

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:42:59 PDT

Music is one of the all-time best motivators when it comes to working out alone, but if you're also exercising outdoors, wearing earbuds isn't exactly the safest choice, and here are three reasons why.

You can't hear cars or attackers: Whether crossing a busy street or running in the woods alone, you need to be completely aware, and not just with your eyes. Since you can't see what's coming from behind you, you need to rely on your sense of hearing to help you anticipate any possible danger headed your way. On a lighter note, running sans headphones makes it easier for you to share the trail with runners who might be trying to pass you.
Beyoncé is distracting: Music evokes certain emotions and can bring up memories sending you into a nostalgic zone, making you unaware of your surroundings. This daydreaming puts you at risk for tripping, getting lost, and losing track of time.
Permanent ear damage: If you blare your '80s playlist so loud that you can't hear anything around you, and you do it every time you work out, you're putting yourself at risk for some degree of hearing loss.

You don't have to break up with your iPod, so keep reading to hear some ways you can listen to your tunes safely.

What '90s Decorating Trends Did You Subscribe To?

Julia Walsh — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:05:00 PDT

The houses I grew up in were all very sophisticated, but looking back, there were certain trends my parents subscribed to that have definitely lost their appeal. As with all trends, some were more pervasive than others, some were fleeting, and some were only taken to by "modernists." Looking back at the '80s and '90s, there are a few common interior design trends, like stage bulbs and chintz, that stick out in my mind the most. I'm curious what your exposure to these styles was, so come take a few polls and we'll see!

The Eagle: A Battle to Stay Awake

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:05:00 PST

Channing Tatum's Roman Empire drama The Eagle emerges beneath the shadow of many other battle epics before it. It begs the question: Can Tatum and his film possibly stack up against benchmarks like Russell Crowe's Gladiator? The movie capitalizes on the opportunity to attract a younger audience with Tatum and his costar Jamie Bell (all grown up since his Billy Elliott days), and with their requisite physiques and boyish exuberance, they intrepidly wield the swords and shields of the time.

Tatum stars as Marcus Aquila, an officer of the Roman army with a lot to prove. His father, an officer before him, had led his soldiers (the ninth legion) into battle in Northern England, never to be seen again. Lost with them was a golden emblem of an eagle, representing the legion and Rome's honor. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the army unit haunts Marcus for multiple reasons: he grieves the loss of his father and bears the disgrace of his family's name. He's convinced that if he can search out and find the eagle, and figure out what happened to the lost legion, he'll restore his father's honor. It's a plot that may play out well in the novel the film is based on, The Eagle of the Ninth, but Marcus's personal quest isn't compelling on the big screen. Find out why The Eagle doesn't take flight when you

read more. Due to the danger of the journey - the destination, Caledonia, was a deadly place for a Roman soldier in those times - Marcus brings just one companion, his slave Esca (Bell). Esca hails from the territory Marcus is about to infiltrate, and hates his master based on the Roman/Briton rivalry. However, once the men take on the perils of the expedition together and must resort to teamwork to survive an encounter with the savage "seal people," they forge a deep bond. It's a predictable development, but it's ultimately the movie's sole source of entertainment. The plot progression to this friendship is mind-numbingly boring; the film rolls along at a snail's pace, punctuated occasionally by battle scenes that are remarkably unexciting. Which brings me to the film's other major problem: the dialogue. The script is dumbed down so much that even though the story is easy to follow, you can't help but feel insulted. Beyond that, some lines are so cheesy my jaw dropped, including a closing exchange between the two main characters that feels lifted from an '80s buddy comedy. The Eagle tries hard to be an epic film, but the only thing epic about it is how dull it is.

Buzz Blabber: Game of Thrones Wins a Following

BuzzSugar — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:05:00 PDT

You guys got chatty this week when it came to some topics you were passionate about. This week, that included the conclusion of one of TV's awesome new series, a cheesy trailer, and the eliminations of a certain dancing show.

Game of Thrones' first season gets your stamp of approval

"I'm definitely hooked, and no one is more surprised about that than me! I didn't even like LOTR (sorry, everyone, don't kill me) but as the season went on Game of Thrones just got better and better. During the last few episodes, I found myself thinking about the show almost nonstop, something I haven't done since Lost. Yay for good storytelling and a genre that feels totally new and different." - jadenirvana
"Next year can't come soon enough. Game of Thrones is probably the best thing on TV right now, too bad the season is so short. I can't wait to find out what happens now that Dany is the Dragon Queen and if Tyrion is gonna go to King's Landing and slap Joffrey upside the head a couple more times. Hooked, I tell yah!" - maiirs
"I am completely hooked; I already was in the first episode. And the development of the story lines just makes me even more interested in it. Think the cast is beyond fantastic and that it's a great hit that George R. R. Martin is a main part of the direction of the show, too. Now I am so excited about what's coming next season, and can't wait for more Joe Dempsie (Gendry)!" - pss

To see what else got you guys talking, just

"I completely disagreed with the judges. I would have kept the couple who they were initially going to save, Iveta and Nick. I also disagreed with their opinion regarding Wadi's solo, I thought it was great, and he did an amazing job. Ah, c'est la vie!" - Tari007
"I really wish they'd done a bottom-four couples to give more options for elimination. Nick got the boot far too soon. If they'd had one more couple in there I think he and Missy would have both been safe. Or if they'd made eliminations last week, the bottom three would have been completely different this time around. Having said that, there's no way they could let Ricky go after his solo. It was probably one of the best I've seen throughout the show's existence." - demarco11
"It's a shame that Iveta isn't on the show anymore. She's amazingly talented and she really showed us that she's great. I think that it's hard with her, though, since she's a world champion already, but I think that she should have stayed. You knew that the judges would keep Ryan, though - they have a special place in their hearts for her (right now at least)" - ilanac13

The Footloose trailer offers up some cheese

"I love the original - I don't think it needed a remake, and it really isn't relevant to today (I agree with what you say, no town now would ever have a ban on dancing)." - littlemunchkin
"It looks exactly identical to the original. Exactly. But insert hip-hop music for awesome. cheesy '80s music. Dang, Hollywood is lazy! Oh, but I am still totally going to go see it, which makes me very angry." - emilylastr
"I have not seen the original and I do not want to see this. It looks so cheesy, corny, and it would never happen today. But the dancing does look good." - Gdeeaz

Photo courtesy of HBO