From the beaches of California in the 1960s to the empty swimming pools of the 70s, the two board-based niche hobbies had really grown in popularity.

But the 1980s took it to a whole new level--literally and figuratively.

Not only were surfing and skateboarding growing in popularity during the 80s, but they were beginning to have a major impact on music, fashion, movies, TV shows, and a lot of youth culture.

The two activities--specifically skateboarding--were becoming an identity as much as an activity.

Today, we revisit the origins, growth, and impact of surfing and skateboarding, some of the groundbreaking figures, and how the two sports quickly influenced all aspects of pop culture in the 80s.

• War Games movie Review: Patreon.com/80s

Hard-hitting, intense, and sometimes difficult to watch--but it was can't-miss TV. This was the world of After-School specials in the 1980s.

After being created by ABC in the 1970s, the after-school special continued to rise to prominence in the 1980s, where it became a television institution for an entire generation of kids.

From its unique origins and the numerous awards to the breakout performances of actors who later became major stars, the ABC After-School Special left a lasting impact on television history.

• Get access to new shows early and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

It may seem like you were just watching some of these shows yesterday, but they are now, somehow, forty years old.

Today, we look back on the TV shows of 1985, a year that gave us some of the very best of the decade.

They include several beloved animated classics, a few era-defining sitcoms, and one of the biggest action-adventure shows of the decade.

• Extended episode covering 8 additional shows: Patreon.com/80s