The 80s Weekly - Issue 44

A Goodbye to Pee-Wee Herman, Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 Details, 'Shout at the Devil' 40th Anniversary, and a Dark Crystal Giveaway

Jason Gross
August 06, 2023

The 80s Weekly is your source for the latest news, nostalgic headlines, and giveaways related to 1980s pop culture.

Pee-Wee Herman

Editor’s Note: The big news this past week was the passing of Paul Reubens who many of us remember as Pee-Wee Herman. He decided to not let the public know that he was battling cancer. While it seems he robbed himself of his fans’ support, in a way, this was one last gift to remember him more as the host of the Saturday morning kids show.

I had a really weird experience when I heard the news. I was visiting another department in my office building and found the supervisor on his lunch break. He was watching Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday on his phone when I walked in his office. He asked me if I had seen it and indeed I had. He was chuckling at the part when Pee-Wee is at the diner making food. We exchanged our sentiments for Pee-Wee and I walked back to my office. About 10 minutes after this encounter, I see a message that Reubens had passed away. I texted my colleague immediately and told him that Pee-Wee had died. He couldn’t believe it and I told him to check the news. I walked back over later and we both marveled at the coincidence.

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse and his movies (particularly Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure) really had an impact on me as a kid. I remember renting Big Adventure often from the video store and Pee-Wee’s Playhouse was typically the finale of my Saturday morning TV marathon. Pee-Wee was a fun-loving character that I think many of us wanted to be. Yet, with all the gadgets and fun at his fingertips, he never seemed like a person that wouldn’t be your best friend. So, for all the entertainment and laughs over the years I thank you, Mr. Reubens.

Goodbye, Pee-Wee.

Beyond Pee-wee: 30 Eclectic Paul Reubens Movie and TV Roles - Ultimate Classic Rock

A gallery of some of Paul Reubens' best film and TV roles.

Tim Burton Pays Tribute To Paul Reubens Who “Helped Me At The Beginning Of My Career”; “I’ll Never Forget” - Deadline

Tim Burton will never forget Paul Reubens. Burton has shared a tribute to Reubens, who starred in and co-wrote Burton’s feature directorial debut Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, following Reub…

How Twisted Sister Ended Up in 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' - Ultimate Classic Rock

Twister Sister's Dee Snider looked back at how he was inspired by Paul Reubens in July 2023.

News

Everything We Know About GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE 2 - Nerdist

Because bustin' always feels good, we're getting another Ghostbusters movie. Here's everything we know about Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 so far.

Motley Crue Announces 'Shout at the Devil' 40th-Anniversary Box - Ultimate Classic Rock

Motley Crue will celebrate the 40th anniversary of 'Shout at the Devil' with the 'Year of the Devil' box set, out on Oct. 27, 2023.

Read the New Nostalgic Rom-Com Novel 'Back to the 80s' - Rediscover the 80s

If you love watching '80s romantic comedies or reading the occasional romance novel, then read the new book Back to the 80s.

Culture

10 Best Vintage Masters of the Universe Action Figures - The Retro Network

A 40 year old and a teenage collector rank the 10 Best Masters of the Universe action figures from the 80's.

The Brat Pack: When ‘Parker Lewis Can’t Lose’ Took on ‘Ferris Bueller’ - Mental Floss

In the fall of 1990, two shows about meta high-schoolers premiered. Only one would last through the holidays.

The Mystery of the Lizard Man with the Ghoulie Hands - Plastic Rocket Pop!

Exploration of a lunchbox for a property called The Cave Warriors released sometime in 1985.

Retroist Twins Podcast - Retroist

Only their mother can tell them apart.

Cult Film Club Episode 80: North Shore (1987) - Cult Film Club

In this episode hosts Shawn. Pax, and Jaime travel all the way to the NORTH SHORE of Hawaii to talk about some radical surfing and kooky barnies in the 1987 film North Shore staring Matt Adler and Nia Peeples.

‘JUST A Bit Outside’: 15 Trivia Tidbits About ‘Major League’ - Cracked

Charlie Sheen did NOT care for that haircut.

Score some ‘80s swag in the new RD80s Store on Amazon!

Giveaway Zone

The Giveaway for Issue 44 features a great prize that has not quite been released yet! I had the opportunity this past week to review the brand new The Dark Crystal Tarot Deck and Guidebook from Insight Editons. You can pre-order now on Amazon and is set to be released on Aug 22. In the meantime, I’m giving away my advance copy to one lucky subscriber. Watch my review below and click the button to get your entries in the contest.

REMINDER: Subscribers are not automatically entered in the weekly giveaway. You must click over and use the King Sumo widget to earn your entries. Contest open to US and Canada residents only. Please confirm your entries by clicking through the confirmation email you’ll receive. This helps me determine your entries are legit and not some spam bot.

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