South Glens Falls Class of 84

South Glens Falls Senior High

Comments or questions?

You know you're a child of the 80's if:

The phrase "Gag me with a spoon" actually means something to you.

You not only know what Atari is, but you once thought it was a state of the art game system.

You've actually uttered the words "Jane, you ignorant slut" and everyone laughed, including the person you said it to.

Safe sex meant "My parents won't be home for hours".

You thought leg warmers were the ultimate fashion accessory.

Reese's Pieces still conjure up images of strange looking aliens.

You once snickered at your parents 8-track collection while thinking how cool you were with your "state of the art" cassette walkman.

You still have flashbacks while driving at night of trying to find that stupid little high beam button which was located on the floor.

You once thought Michael Jackson was hot.

A casual get-together once meant wine coolers and a beer ball; an elaborate get-together involved a keg in the woods.

1984

The 80's are known for big hair and over-the-top Dynasty inspired tacky glitz--too much make-up, too big hair, huge shoulder pads, too much everything! Yuppies came onto the scene worshipping their BMW's, designer clothes, designer furniture, designer drinks, designer everything!!, and embarked upon an endless quest for more and more money. Yuppies gleefully proclaimed that excess was best and greed was good.

Top Ten TV Shows in 1984

1. Dynasty
2. Dallas
3. The Cosby Show
4. 60 Minutes
5. Family Ties
6. The A-Team
7. Simon & Simon
8. Murder She Wrote
9. Knots Landing
10. Falcon Crest

1984 Billboard Music Hits

1. Thriller, Michael Jackson
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Cyndi Lauper
3. Footloose, Kenny Loggins
4. Legs, ZZ Top
5. Like A Virgin, Madonna
6. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Wham
7. Against All Odds, Phil Collins
8. Kharma Chameleon, Culture Club
9. I'm So Excited, Pointer Sisters
10. Jump, Van Halen
11. What's Love Got To Do With It, Tina Turner
12. When Doves Cry, Prince
13. Pride (In The Name of Love), U2
14. Let's Hear It For The Boy, Denise Williams
15. I Just Called To Say I Love You, Stevie Wonder

The emphasis on greed and mass consumption glamorized by shows such as Dynasty and Dallas was countered by the emphasis on family values, morals, and ethics portrayed in shows such as The Cosby Show and Family Ties. Movies and books such as Bright Lights, Big City, Less Than Zero, From Rockaway, St. Elmo's Fire, and The Breakfast Club all explored the detrimental downside to greedy, self-indulgence and the relentless pursuit of money and power, while illustrating the necessity of connecting in a real and caring way with those around you. By the late 80's the term Yuppie became derogatory and people took great offense at being identified as one.

It wasn't all about greed and narcissism, though. Despite the negative Yuppie message of self-absorption, the 80's included many altruistic and caring acts. 45 singers joined talent to sing "We are the World", an effort designed to help end world hunger. Band Aid produced a chart-topping single "Do They Know It's Christmas" to benefit famine relief in Ethiopia. This proceeded to grow into Live Aid, a concert series featuring dozens of artists from which all proceeds benefitted Ethiopia. Dow Chemical and 6 other chemical companies established the "Agent Orange Victims Fund", an endowment of $180 million that provides assistance to Vietnam Vets. In 1985 the US and the UK imposed trade restrictions against South Africa in an effort to end its practice of apartheid. After 14 years of violence and rioting and under the guidance and leadership of imprisoned Nelson Mandela, South Africa repealed most of its apartheid laws in 1990.

Best Picture: Amadeus
Lead Actor: F. Murray Avraham; Amadeus
Lead Actress: Sally Field;
Places in The Heart
Supporting Actor: Haing S. Ngor
The Killing Fields
Supporting Actress: Peggy Ashcroft; A Passage to India

1984 Oscars

1984 World Series
Detroit Tigers, 8
San Diego Padres, 4

1984 Superbowl
Los Angeles Raiders, 38
Washington Redskins, 9