Dreamland: The RetroBlasting Podcast

Melinda and Aaron have fought through the COVID-19 malaise and are each back with a surprise topic. Melinda delves into what makes a great cover song, with a handful of interesting examples, while Aaron recalls our hopeful visions of space travel from the 80s.

In another fun foray into Australian pop culture, Melinda gets Aaron to watch one of her all-time favorites, Dot and the Kangaroo. Is it really as sad as she remembers? Does the Bunyip actually exist and is it coming for us? Will there be a special mention of Dead Can Dance? Listen and find out.

Michael joins Aaron and Melinda to discuss his favorite Christmas special, the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Rankin-Bass from 1985. Based on the 1902 book by L. Frank Baum (you know, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), it adds a pagany, Tolkien-esque, Dickensian feel to the holiday in an animagical way.

Melinda and Aaron delve into their favorite anthropomorphized cartoon animals in this 50/50 episode. First we reveal the origins and backstory of the groundbreaking animation classic The Secret of NIMH, followed by a discussion of themes in the 90s’ Rocko’s Modern Life.

We’re still in 1986, this time with TerrorVision directed by Ted Nicolaou. This B-movie is filled with slimy space monsters, swinger parents, and machine guns. Melinda and Aaron ask the question, is there more to this 80s cult classic, or is everything exactly as it seems?

Melinda and Aaron revisit 1986, but a very different film this time! They discuss Crocodile Dundee - the good, bad, ugly, and possibly true story. Put on your teeth hat and grab your knife, we’re going back to the Bush!

Melinda and Aaron delve into the world of crazed cults, serial killers, and arguably the most underrated Cannon film ever made- Cobra, starring Sylvester Stallone from 1986. Also - Brian Thompson is in it!

Of all the amazing vehicle TV shows to choose from in the 80s, Stingray was the best one you probably didn’t watch. Featuring a classic ‘65 Corvette, a lone-wolf hero who is smarter and tougher than everyone and who has a heart of gold, and the most memorable music of any 80s show - if you haven’t seen it, you don’t know what you’re missing! Melinda and Aaron walk you through the pilot.

This week Melinda and Aaron delve into the darkness and talk about two weirdly similar incidents from the 80s: Chernobyl, as seen in the HBO miniseries, and Mike Warnke as an originator of Satanic Panic. Note: while we don’t use profanity, due to content listener discretion is advised.

From 1977 to 1982 Leonard Nimoy guided us through a wide variety of strange phenomena on the syndicated, half-hour show “In Search Of.” On this episode of Dreamland, Melinda and Aaron learn a ton about Bigfoot from Spock himself, as well as special guest Tom Berges from I Grew Up Star Wars. In this episode we discuss four episodes spanning “Bigfoot,” "The Swamp Monster," "Monster Hunters," and "The Abominable Snowman."

In the 80s, "primetime soaps” were definitely a thing, but you may not remember the 1985 Dynasty spinoff, “The Colbys.” An Aaron Spelling project, this show was Dynasty but more expensive, with slightly fewer catfights, but slightly more alien abductions. And let’s not forget that it starred none other than Charlton Heston. Melinda and Aaron marvel at this 80s masterpiece.

Melinda and Aaron talk about the uncomfortably accurate and hilarious cult classic, Office Space by Mike Judge.

Melinda and Aaron delve deep into Melinda’s favorite teen movie, Heathers (1988) and describe why it’s not a “chick flick.”

As part of our MixTape format, Aaron and Melinda each pick a cool topic and discuss. This week, Aaron tells us about Echoes, the ambient music show on Public Radio, and Melinda shares the crazy story of New Jersey’s Action Park.

First there was Knight Rider, then there was Airwolf, but then came STREET HAWK! Airing for 13 episodes on ABC in 1985, the series showed us what it would be like to ride a motorcycle at 300 mph and stop on a dime. Melinda and Aaron give you the backstory of the show’s production, and walk you through the extra-long Pilot episode, so even if you’ve never see it, you can say you have experienced: Street Hawk!