TV - The 80s: Top Ten

Get a blast from the past with National Geographic's latest series, The '80s: Top Ten with Rob Lowe, coming to Disney+ on New Year's Eve ...

Press Release

The series will feature pop culture icon Rob Lowe as he takes viewers down memory lane with six fun and nostalgic top 10 countdowns of the 1980s. The countdowns were decided by a panel of experts, including author and financial educator Alvin Hall, pop culture biographer Brian Jay Jones, pop culture critic and author Jen Chaney, TV host Katie Puckrik, music professor Jason King, senior editor of Adweek and author Robert Klara, chef and TV host Carla Hall and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Lowe revisits the most memorable moments, gadgets, toys, fast foods, commercials and streetwear of this iconic decade to see which items our panel of experts put at the top of each list. From the launch of MTV and the Apple Macintosh to the tale of Teddy Ruxpin and Wendy's Super Bar, go back in time with new interviews with iconic stars and industry mavens; including Ridley Scott, Tony Hawk, Amber Riley, Kevin Smith, Joan Collins, Tiffani Thiessen and Meat Loaf; as they take viewers to the heart of the '80s action. Get first-hand insight and hear little-known stories on iconic '80s moments and fixtures like why Apple's iconic "1984" commercial nearly didn't air, the Cabbage Patch Kids craze, how there was a secret second wedding dress made for Princess Diana and more. THE '80s: TOP TEN will remind you why the aftershocks of the '80s are still felt today. 

Episodes include the following:

Watercooler Moments

Reliving the most memorable watercooler moments of the '80s. From Charles and Diana's wedding, the mystery of who shot J.R. and Queen's iconic Live Aid performance to the desperate fight to save Baby Jessica and Madonna's unabashed performance at MTV's first "VMAs," Rob reveals the stories behind the events that defined the era.


Streetwear

Looking back at the greatest streetwear fashions of the '80s, revealing the inside stories behind Air Jordans, Ray-Bans, shoulder pads, Vans sneakers, Spandex, the "Miami Vice" look and other styles that exploded during the decade.


Fast Food

Revealing the fascinating stories behind the creation of the top 10 fast foods of the 1980s. Learn how the sizzling success of the Hot Pocket relied on cutting-edge '80s technology, why Domino's 30-minute guarantee was a risky gamble, and how the McDonald's Happy Meal got its start.


Commercials

Running through the 10 greatest commercials of the '80s as he explores how the global marketing success of MTV owes a nod to one great idea from 1956, learns why Apple's iconic "1984" ad nearly didn't make it to air, and uncovers the origin of one of the most famous slogans ever, Nike's "Just Do It."


Gadgets

Exploring the 10 best gadgets of the '80s, including iconic inventions like the Apple Macintosh, Sony Walkman, Nintendo Gameboy, mobile phone and camcorder and how they helped shape the trajectory of the modern world.


Toys

Counting down the top 10 toys of the 1980s, revealing the surprising origin stories behind He-Man, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids and more. Inventors, insiders and consumers explore why toys like the Rubik's Cube and Transformers are still a big part of life today, while others, like Teddy Ruxpin and Care Bears, stayed in the '80s.

THE '80S: TOP TEN is executive produced by Jane Root, Matt Edmonds, Nicola Moody and Sara Brailsford for Nutopia. Lowe is also executive producer.

All episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ from 31st December

Image - National Geographic