Get ready to break a sweat as Spunky and Wolfman dive into the wonderfully awkward world of physical education! In this episode, our hosts reached out to fellow pop culture podcasters to share their most memorable—and most cringe-worthy—gym class experiences from the 70s and 80s.

From the brutal battlefields of dodgeball to the stick-wielding chaos of floor hockey, our guests don’t hold back. You’ll hear tales of rope climbing victories and defeats, the mysterious allure of parachute day, and those unforgettable moments when athletic prowess (or lack thereof) was on full display.

But perhaps nothing sparks more nostalgia and confusion than the age-old question: What was the deal with mandatory square dancing in gym class? Our podcasting friends weigh in on this peculiar tradition that somehow found its way into gymnasiums across America.

As if the gym class stories weren’t enough entertainment, an unexpected Spotify game showdown erupts between Wham! and Wang Chung that nearly breaks the format entirely. Which 80s band reigns supreme? The competition gets heated as our guests battle it out with their musical knowledge.

Whether you were the kid who dominated the Presidential Fitness Test or the one who strategically “forgot” your gym clothes, this episode will transport you back to those polyester-clad days of physical education. Dust off your sneakers and join us for a trip down memory lane that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying.

*Warning: May cause flashbacks of climbing ropes and the lingering scent of gymnasium air.*

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In this fast-paced episode of The 70s Vs The 80s, we drop the puck

(and the puck-shaped paddles) on two iconic arcade games: Bubble Hockey

and Air Hockey. We ask the experts: where do these legendary tables rank

in the all-time pantheon of games? You might think of them as glorified

rec room relics—but wait until you hear how high one of them scores on

the leaderboard of greatness. Spoiler: one has a cult following you

didn’t even know existed.

Then in our People Who Died segment, we remember a football player

who did almost everything right—until he made perhaps the most infamous

mistake in NFL history. A play that haunts highlight reels and defined a

career in one fateful moment.

Next up, we pay tribute to a rock star who blurred every line and

broke every rule—funky, fearless, and decades ahead of his time. And we

close with a salute to a songwriter so legendary that even your favorite

band probably covered him… whether they admit it or not.

Puck drops now. Let’s play.

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This week’s episode is a wild ride through unexpected musical

theories, fast food rivalries, and a heartfelt tribute to a classic TV

star. Buckle up for a multi-course serving of nostalgia and surprises.

Segment 1: “Raspberry Seger?”

Prince’s Raspberry Beret turns 40 this summer, but here’s the

question we can’t stop asking: Did Prince write that song in the style

of… Bob Seger? Is this a legit theory or a full-on Mandela Effect

hallucination? We investigate their shared Midwestern roots, the

surprising musical similarities, and the strange-but-true story of why

these two icons were supposed to meet—but never did. Also: Wolfman Mike

shares a deeply personal (and very gross) tale of eating a mystery

burrito in front of Prince—in the dark.

Segment 2: “Burger Wars: Chapter 3 — Where’s the Beef?”

We’ve covered McDonald’s. We’ve covered Burger King. Now it’s time to

give the other burger chains their shot. In Chapter 3 of our Burger

Wars series, we spotlight Wendy’s and the other 70s and 80s fast food

joints that dared to challenge the Big Two. Can a square patty and a

little old lady shouting “Where’s the beef?” change the game? Is this

the round where we finally declare a winner?

Segment 3: “Goodbye to a 70s/80s Star”

A beloved actress from our childhoods has passed away. Known for her

beauty—but was that all she brought to the screen? We take a look back

at her roles, her impact, and why she meant more than just a pretty face

on TV. It’s a tribute filled with heart and surprising insights.

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This week!

From iconic wheels to flame-broiled beef

to beloved comedic legends, we’re covering it all.

Segment 1: Pop Culture’s Most Iconic Vehicles

The cars that became characters themselves

We tackle the burning questions that keep pop culture nerds up at night:

• What makes a vehicle truly iconic in pop culture? We debate the

criteria that elevates a car from simple transportation to cultural

phenomenon

• The ultimate tragic hero on four wheels - Which beloved

automotive character met its devastating end in season three? (RIP to the only car to ever get whacked?)

• Battle of the Batmobiles - From Adam West’s sleek 60s

ride to the tank-like Tumbler, we rank which Dark Knight got the best

wheels

• Plus deep dives into other legendary rides that defined their eras

What’s your pick for most iconic pop culture vehicle? Let us know!

Segment 2: Burger Wars Part 2 - Burger King

“Have It Your Way” and the chip on their shoulder that changed fast food forever

The King takes center stage as we explore:

• The eternal runner-up complex - How being perpetually #2 to McDonald’s shaped BK’s entire identity

• The birth of the Burger Wars - Why Burger King’s aggressive 1980s

marketing campaigns literally ignited the fast food battlefield

• Flame-broiled vs. fried - The taste test that launched a thousand commercials

• “Have It Your Way” philosophy - Revolutionary customization or just good marketing?

Will Burger King finally get the respect it deserves? We’re doing it our way to find out.

Segment 3: People Who Died - NOOOORM!

Remembering a comedy legend

Another emotional round of “People Who Died” as we pay tribute to:

• The man behind the iconic “NORM!” entrance - Celebrating the life and career of a beloved comedy icon

• His impact on television comedy and pop culture

• Memorable moments and the legacy that lives on

• Why his character became shorthand for the perfect neighborhood regular

Grab a cold one and raise a glass - this one’s for you, Norm.

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This week, we uncover the mysterious disappearance of beloved McDonald's

characters, debate whether Sid and Marty Krofft shows were "good-bad"

or just plain bad, and kick off our sizzling summer "Burger Wars"

segment with a deep dive into the Golden Arches.

### SEGMENT 1: "The McDonaldland Massacre" (00:00-23:30)

- Introduction to McDonaldland characters: Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, etc.

- Timeline of characters' prominence in commercials and PlayPlaces (1971-2003)

- The sudden disappearance from marketing campaigns

- **THE BIG REVEAL:** The 1973 lawsuit by Sid & Marty Krofft against McDonald's

- How McDonaldland characters suspiciously resembled characters from "H.R. Pufnstuf"

- The $50 million copyright infringement case

- McDonald's defense and eventual $1 million settlement

- Legacy of the characters in pop culture

- Where are they now? (Ronald's charity work, Grimace's 2023 brief revival)

### SEGMENT 2: "Krofft Power Hour"

- Background on Sid and Marty Krofft Productions

- Overview of major shows:

- H.R. Pufnstuf (1969-1970)

- Lidsville (1971-1973)

- Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-1975)

- Land of the Lost (1974-1976)

- The Krofft Supershow (1976-1978)

- Electra Woman and Dyna Girl

- Budget constraints vs. creative vision

- Practical effects and puppetry: impressive for their time or nightmare fuel?

- Cultural impact and influence on modern creators

- The "Good-Bad" debate:

- Case for "Good in a Crappy Way": Imaginative concepts, memorable characters, cult following

- Case for "Just Crappy": Cheap production, questionable writing, bizarre storylines

- Final verdict from hosts

"Burger Wars" McDonald's

*Summer Feature Introduction*

**Host Showdown Categories:**

1. **Best Menu Items of All Time**

- Arguments for: Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Filet-O-Fish, Fries

- Dark horse contender: Hot Mustard Sauce

2. **Worst Menu Items Ever**

- McPizza debate

- Arch Deluxe failure analysis

- McLobster horror stories

- McSalad Shakers trauma

3. **Best Discontinued Items**

- Fried apple pies vs. baked version

- McDLT ("keeps the hot side hot and the cool side cool")

- McRib debate: Is it actually good or just good marketing?

- Szechuan Sauce: Pre and post Rick & Morty phenomenon

4. **Breakfast Cutoff Controversy**

- Historical timeline of McDonald's breakfast hours

- The game-changing "All Day Breakfast" experiment (2015-2020)

- Current breakfast hours (varies by location - typically ends at 10:30am or 11:00am)

- Philosophical debate: Why is society against hash browns at 2pm?

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Join Spunky Comstock and Wolfman Mike as they trade city lights for cornfields and hit the Iowa backroads to settle the ultimate 70s vs 80s showdown—Midwestern style!

🏁 00:00 | Welcome to the Roadtrip

Spunky and Wolfman rev up the engine in a vintage Mini Van

Roadtrip rules: no GPS, all gut instinct, and plenty of ’80s power ballads

🛞 03:30 | Flat at the Field of Dreams

Unexpected detour: a flat tire right in the shadow of Shoeless Joe’s diamond

Is Field of Dreams Kevin Costner’s finest baseball flick of the ’80s… or does it bow to Bull Durham ? Spunky and Wolfman duke it out

🤘 22:10 | Barn-Raisin’ Rock ‘n’ Roll

Deep in rural Iowa, they crash an open-air barn show by an ’80s legend—widely hailed as the Godfather of ’90s grunge

Live riffs, backstage tales, and the secrets behind that signature guitar tone

👻 38:45 | Ghost-Hunting at Buddy Holly’s Crash Site

Pilgrimage to the gravel road where “The Day the Music Died”

On to the Surf Ballroom: can Spunky and Wolfman kick up any paranormal activity?

Unpacking the hidden meanings and historical context of Don McLean’s “Bye Bye Miss American Pie”

🏍️ Mini Van vs. Biker Bar

Final leg: they roll into a rugged Iowan biker bar

Hilarity ensues when our duo tries to blend in with leather-clad locals and requests a "Diet Coke."

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In this episode, it’s a battle of the titans as Mean Mark from the Or Is It podcast joins Wolfman Mike and Spunky Comstock to settle the ultimate nerd debate: Marvel vs. DC. Who’s got the better cinematic universe, and which brand rules the small screen? Then, in segment two, we dive deep into the heroic history of Underoos and ask the important question—what Underoos would be age-appropriate (and socially acceptable) for grown men today? Finally, we wrap things up with a round of The Name Game that starts off strong… and then completely flies off the rails.

Caped crusaders, TV junkies, and nostalgic weirdos—this one’s for you.

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In this episode of The 70s Vs The 80s, we step up to the plate for a wild ride through Little League memories, boxing greatness, and the ultimate baseball bat battle!

Segment 1: Bad News Bears vs. Brian & Mike’s Little League Antics

The 1976 classic The Bad News Bears set the standard for misfit baseball teams, but how does it compare to Brian and Mike’s real-life Little League stories? Spoiler alert: their experiences might be even zanier than Walter Matthau’s beer-fueled coaching and Kelly Leak’s motorcycle-riding heroics. Expect tales of bad coaching, chaotic plays, and unforgettable diamond disasters.

Segment 2: George Foreman – From Warrior to Grill King

Few athletes have had a career arc as dramatic as George Foreman. In the 70s, he was a brooding, fearsome knockout artist who took down Joe Frazier and battled Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle. By the 80s and 90s? He was a lovable, smiling pitchman selling us the greatest kitchen gadget of all time. We break down Foreman’s transformation from boxing titan to grill-slinging icon.

Segment 3: 1970s vs. 1980s Shootout Spectacular – Wood Bats vs. Aluminum Bats

It’s the great bat debate! We go deep into the differences between the classic wooden bats of the 70s and the rise of aluminum bats in the 80s. Which had the better feel? The better sound? The greater environmental benefits? And most importantly— which made you look cooler at the plate?

Buckle up for another action-packed episode filled with nostalgia, sports, and a few unexpected detours.

Batter up!

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