Watch The '80s Greatest

The '80s Greatest, a show produced by National Geographic (UK), is a fascinating, nostalgic exploration of the cultural, political, and technological events that shaped the decade. The show is hosted by Huey Morgan, a musician, and broadcaster, who is joined by special guests Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and journalist Kurt Andersen.

The show takes viewers on a journey back to the decade of big hair, bright colors, and neon lights, where music and fashion ruled the world. Through interviews, archive footage, and expert analysis, the program paints a vivid picture of the times when Michael Jackson was the king of pop, Madonna was the queen of disco, and Guns N' Roses were the bad boys of rock.

The first episode focuses on the birth of MTV and the rise of music videos. Huey Morgan and his guests reflect on how MTV changed the music industry, paving the way for new artists and genres while creating a new visual language that was as important as the music itself. The show takes viewers back to the early days of MTV, when music videos were in their infancy, and shows how they evolved over the years into cinematic masterpieces that became the defining symbols of the '80s.

The second episode explores the impact of pop culture on politics and society. Huey and his guests look at how movies, TV shows, and video games shaped the way we see the world and influenced our beliefs and values. They discuss how the movies of the '80s became politicized, tackling issues such as the Cold War, nuclear war, and social inequality. They also examine how the rise of video games changed the way we interact with technology and each other and how the fashion and design of the decade reflected the social and political trends of the time.

The third episode focuses on the technology of the '80s, which was an era of rapid technological change, with the advent of personal computers, video games, and mobile phones, among others. Huey and his guests explore how these innovations changed the way we live, work, and communicate, and how they laid the groundwork for the digital age that followed. The show looks at the early days of computing, the rivalry between Apple and Microsoft, the creation of the World Wide Web, and how the technology of the '80s led to today's interconnected world.

The fourth episode is a trip down memory lane, as Huey and his guests revisit the music, movies, TV shows, and fashions that define the decade. They discuss the legacy of iconic shows like Miami Vice, The A-Team, and Baywatch, and how they influenced popular culture. They delve into the world of big hair, shoulder pads, and neon-colored clothing, which defined the fashion of the era, and how it continues to influence designers today. They also look at the music of the time, from the rise of hip hop to the birth of new wave, and how it impacted popular culture.

Overall, The '80s Greatest is an entertaining and enlightening program that immerses viewers in the sights, sounds, and culture of the decade. With its mix of celebrity guests, expert analysis, and archive footage, the show provides a fascinating snapshot of a transformative era that continues to shape our world today.

The '80s Greatest is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between August 13, 2018 and on National Geographic (UK)