History of the 90s: Recent Episodes
Curiouscast
On History of the 90’s we’ll travel back in time through the stories that defined a decade. The last 10 years of the 20th century was a time like no other, from Columbine to Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Seinfeld, Air Jordan, and the Spice Girls …if it happened in the 90’s you’ll hear about it on this podcast. Join Kathy Kenzora as we journey through the History of the 90's every other Wednesday.
Jury selection has started at the Las Vegas murder trial for Duane Keefe D Davis and lot’s happened on day one including a few unexpected mentions of Sean Diddy Combs. Plus Davis waived his right to be sentenced by a jury if he is found guilty of first degree murder in connection with the drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur in September 1996.
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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The trial of Duane "Keefe D" Davis is set to start this morning inside the 8th Judicial District Court in Las Vegas. Davis is facing a charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in connection with the 1996 drive-by shooting death of rapper Tupac Shakur. The first order of business in the court today will be selecting the jurors who will decide the fate of 63 year-old Davis who prosecutors say ordered the killing in retaliation for a gang fight.
History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora is in court and will provide daily updates on the trial that has been 30 years in the making.
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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For nearly 30 years the question of who killed Tupac Shakur has remained unanswered. During that time a cottage industry of books, documentaries, podcasts, conspiracy theories, and on-line sleuthing has grown up around the unsolved murder. Now we are just days away from the beginning of a Las Vegas trial that may finally answer the question who killed the rapper. Here's everything you need to know about the case before it starts.
History of the 90s will be in court covering the trial and providing daily updates in this feed beginning August 10
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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Beginning August 10, 2026 the only person to be charged in connection with the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur will go on trial in Las Vegas. Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996 and for nearly 30 years the murder has gone unsolved. Now 63-year-old Duane Keefe D Davis is accused of arranging the hit and getting the gun in retaliation for an attack on his nephew earlier that night. History of the '90s host Kathy Kenzora will be in Las Vegas covering the case and provide daily updates and analysis in one of the most anticipated celebrity trials in decades.
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In July 1996 TWA Flight 800 took off from JFK Airport headed for Paris. Just 12 minutes later, the Boeing 747 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean killing all 230 people on board. The search for what caused the crash led to one of the biggest investigations in aviation history and birthed some of the internet's first online conspiracy theories.
Guest info:
Christine Negroni, aviation journalist and author of: Deadly Departure - Why the Experts Failed to Prevent the TWA Flight 800 Disaster and How It Could Happen Againwww.christinenegroni.com
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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It's been 30 years since a back pack bomb rocked the Summer Olympics in Atlanta killing one person and injuring over 100 others.
The bomb had been left under a bench in the middle of Centennial Olympic Park on the eighth day of the games. Security Guard Richard Jewell discovered the bomb and helped to start clear the area before it went off. Jewel was hailed a hero until he became the number one suspect.
In this previously aired episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the tragedy that struck the 100th games and the police investigation that followed.
Show Contact:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Guests:
Kent Alexander, former US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Twitter: @Kentbale
Kevin Salwen, Journalist
Twitter: @KevinSalwen
They co-authored: The Suspect: An Olympic Bombing, The FBI, The Media and Richard Jewell, The Man Caught in the Middle.
www.TheSuspectbook.com
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This year marks 30 years since the groundbreaking rock opera Rent opened on Broadway and revolutionized American musical theatre. In this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora is joined by Rent's longtime musical director Tim Weil to trace Jonathon Larson’s long journey to create a musical that celebrated the lives of marginalized young artists in New York's East Village.
Guest Info:
Tim Weil, musician, composer and musical director. His new book is called "Making Rent, The Story Behind the Musical that Changed Broadway"
www.tim-weil.com
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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The 1990s is considered by many to be the golden age of sneaker culture and there was one catalogue sneakerheads could not get enough of. The Eastbay Catalogue was a portal into an exclusive community no matter where you lived in the world. In this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora talks to the founders of the mail order publication that is remembered as the sneakerhead bible.
Guest info:
Rick Gering and Art Juedes cowrote The Book of Eastbay with Brandon Sneed
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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Presenting an episode of American Criminal, a podcast that takes a deep dive into the stories of America’s most fascinating, devious and shocking criminals. The show is currently running a special five part season on Eric Rudolph. He’s the guy who planted a bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and you may not know this but he also bombed an abortion clinic and a couple of gay bars before hiding out in the Appalachian wilderness for five years.
In this episode host Jeremy Schwartz looks back at Rudolph’s early days to try to understand how he became a bigoted anti-government extremist.
You can listen to the whole series as well as many other great episodes of American Criminal wherever you stream podcasts.
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In April 1996, a gunman killed 35 people in what was and still is Australia's worst mass shooting. The attack by Martin Bryant devasted the nation and inspired the government to quickly enact tough new gun laws that have been a model for other countries ever since.
Guest info:
Claire Braund, in 1996 she was a reporter for The Examiner Newspaper in Tasmania. Today she is the Executive Director of Women on Boards, an organization she co-founded in 2006
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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This year marks 30 years since Backstreet Boys released their debut album and kicked off the '90s boy band craze. In this episode of History of the 90s, originally broadcast in 2020, we look back at the rise of boy bands, from screaming fans and synchronized dance moves to the fierce rivalry between Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.
Documentaries referenced in this episode:
Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of (2015)
The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story (2019)
Guest info:
Maria Sherman, author of Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS
www.mariasherm.com
Show info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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If you were a kid, a young teen or even a parent in the early 1990s there’s a pretty good chance you spent most Friday nights sitting in front of the TV watching a two-hour block of programing that included some of the most iconic family friendly comedies of the era.
In this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at ABC’s blockbuster Friday night line up. From Full House and Family Matters to Dinosaurs and Sabrina the Teenage Witch -- this is the story of TGIF.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90sW
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In November 1999, a 5-year-old Cuban boy was found clinging to an innertube in the waters off the coast of Florida after surviving a tragic boat journey that took the life of his mother and ten others.
Elian Gonzalez and his mother were among tens of thousands of people who attempted to escape Cuba on small rafts and boats during the 1990s.
In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the Cuban Rafter Crisis and the international custody battle over Elian Gonzalez.
Guest Info:
Lillian Guerra, Professor of Cuban and Caribbean History at the University of Florida
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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It’s been 30 years since FBI agents finally captured the man who mailed more than 16 bombs to unsuspecting victims in the US, killing 3 and injuring 23 others. For two decades officials searched for the elusive terrorist known as the Unabomber. His victims appeared random, his motives unclear and the only sighting of him resulted in a nowfamous composite drawing of a man in a hoodie with aviator sunglasses.
In this episode, originally broadcast in 2021, we explore the investigation and capture of Ted Kazinski.
This is The Long Hunt for the Unabomber.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
GUEST INFO:
Max Noel, retired FBI Special Agent
Terry Turchie, retired FBI Special Agent and former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division
They co-authored with their colleague Jim Freeman;
Unabomber: How the FBI Broke Its Own Rules to Capture the Terrorist Ted Kaczynski
Capturing The Unabomber: The FBI Insiders' Story
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In the 1990s there was a new wave of improvisational rock groups known as jam bands.
By far the biggest was the genre defying foursome Phish from Burlington, Vermont.
In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at their rise from college band to a touring sensation capable of attracting tens of thousands of obsessed fans to far flung locations.
This is the story of Phish and the 90s jam band explosion.
Guest Info:
Brian Weinstein: Host of the podcast Attendance Bias which invites Phish fans to talk about the band’s most memorable concerts.
www.attendancebias.buzzsprout.com
Mike Ayers: Journalist and author of Sharing in the Groove: The Untold Story of the 90s Jam Band Explosion and the Scene that followed.
www.mike-ayers.com
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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In July 1991 President George HW Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the US Supreme Court. Initial reaction to the nomination suggested there would be a contentious Senate confirmation battle that would probe Thomas’s conservative views on issues such as abortion and affirmative action. But there was no real concern that Bush’s pick might not be approved. That is until one woman’s testimony threatened to derail the entire process.
In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the moment when the little know concept of workplace sexual harassment was catapulted into public consciousness. This is the testimony of Anita Hill.
Guest Info:
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West; Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School in Madison, NJ
www.traciwest.com
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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Snowboarding exploded in popularity during the 1990s, but its road to legitimacy was anything but smooth. On this episode of History of the 90s, Kathy Kenzora traces the rebellious roots of snowboarding, from outlaw status at ski hills to its mainstream breakthrough and eventual Olympic debut. Joining the show is Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, who made history at the 1998 Nagano Games by winning the very first Olympic gold medal in the sport. Together they trace snowboarding’s wild early days, the cultural clashes with the skiing establishment, and what it was like to stand at the center of a sport redefining winter athletics. It’s a deep dive into how the 90s helped turn snowboarding from counterculture to global phenomenon.
Guest info:
Ross Rebagliati
Instagram: @rossrebagliati98
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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In one of the most shocking scandals in sports history, figure skating collided with true crime. This episode dives into the bitter rivalry of Olympic skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, and the 1994 attack that stunned the world just weeks before the Winter Olympics.
Kathy Kenzora unpacks what really happened, how the media shaped the narrative, and why this story still sparks debate more than 30 years later.
Guest Info:
Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz host the podcast: Keep the Flame Alive
www.flamealive.com
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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The 90s delivered iconic moments year after year and 1996 was no exception.
It was a year marked by tragedy and triumph at the Atlanta Summer Olympics -- as well as high profile murders that continue to be surrounded by questions and conspiracy theories decades later.
In this episode of History of the 90s we pick up where we left off at the end of the last episode as we continue counting down ten of the most unforgettable events from 1996.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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Like every single year in the 90s, 1996 was jam packed with unforgettable events and cultural moments. It was an era when the world seemed smaller and slower because without social media, news stories lasted longer and dominated headlines for weeks and months as information came to us in dribs in drabs.
In this episode of History of the 90s we are going to dig a little deeper into the stories that captured our attention thirty years ago.
These are 10 of the most memorable stories from 1996.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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Whispers echo through the halls of this 1840 resort and not every footstep belongs to the living. The Briars Resort and Spa in Georgina, Ontario is a beautiful location for a Christmas getaway and a perfect place to savour what the season has to offer.
It is also a fabulous go-to destination if you wish to experience unexplained phenomena or to perhaps see a ghost or two.
Support the Show:
Donate: buymeacoffee.com/hauntedcanadapodcast
Donate: Click Donate to Haunted Canada Podcast
Email: hauntedcanadapodcast@gmail.com
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For more information about this podcast please visit us at:
http://www.HauntedCanada.com
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http://www.EdmontonGhostTours.com
Find out more by visiting https://www.briars.ca/
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The 1990s were loaded with great holiday movies. From "Home Alone" to "A Nightmare before Christmas" there was something for everyone.
In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at five Christmas classics that have stood the test of time.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
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In the early 1990s David Duke became one of the most famous racists in the United States.
After winning a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives the former leader of the KKK, mounted multiple political campaigns seeking higher office, including President of the United States. His rising popularity revealed a growing racial divide in the United States.
In this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at the rise and fall of the man who tried to mainstream Neo-Nazism and White Supremacist beliefs in US politics. Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
Guest Info:
Tyler Bridges, author of: The Rise and Fall of David Duke
www.tylerbridges.com
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After winning the World Series in 1992 Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick did another major overhaul of the Toronto baseball team in an effort to win the Commissioner's Trophy for a second year in a row.
In this episode of History of the 90s we continue looking back at Canada's baseball team with Part Two of The Toronto Blue Jays.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
Guest Info:
Greg Brady, host of Toronto Today on 640 Toronto
X: @gregbradyx
Instagram: @gregfbrady
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In the early 1990s the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series with legendary players like Joe Carter, Roberto Alomar and John Olerud. Over the next two episodes of History of the 90s we look back at the first Canadian team to win the Major League Baseball championship.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
Guest Info:
Greg Brady, host of Toronto Today on 640 Toronto
X: @gregbradyx
Instagram: @gregfbrady
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Taj Khyber Rowland knows he’s not who people think he is but he can’t quite remember how his life went so off course.
He decides to spool backwards, to his younger self. A daredevil seven year old Chellamuthu, living happily, but in abject poverty, with his large family in rural India.
But when Chellamuthu disobeys his mother and goes to play at the bus station, he’s persuaded to board a bus with some bigger boys.
He’s kidnapped. And there’s no going back.
Contact:
Facebook: @BlanchardHouseStories
Instagram: @BlanchardHouseStories
X (formerly Twitter): @BlanchardTweets
Blanchard House website: blanchard-house.com
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If you were around in the 90s it may have felt like the Y2kcomputer problem came out of nowhere. But in fact it was something that programmers were always aware of. In this episode of History of the 90s we’re looking back at the steps taken to make sure a problem with the world’s computers didn’t wreak havoc on society on January 1, 2000. And depending on who you talk to it was either a major success or a massive hoax.
Show Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 1995podcast@gmail.com
Tik Tok: 90spodcast
Substack: @historyofthe90s
Guest Info:
ZacharyLoeb, Assistant Professor of History at Purdue University
Robert David Loblaw
Nancy P. James
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On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at an unprecedented legal battle that put heavy metal on trial in the summer of 1990. British heavy metal icons Judas Priest spent three weeks in a Nevada courtroom defending their music after they were accused of experimenting with subliminal messages that caused two young men to form a suicide pack. GUEST INFO: David Van Taylor, Emmy Award winning Showrunner/Director creates non-fiction television and audio content. His 1992 film about the Judas Priest lawsuit is called Dream Deceivers and is available on YouTube and Tubi Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
First released in 1991, The Heritage Minutes collection are a bilingual series of history-focused public service announcements running about 60-second and depicting a significant person, event or story in Canadian history. These short vignettes opened millions of Canadian's eyes to their and inspired a young Craig Baird, host of Canadian History Ehx on his own journey. Today on History of the 90's we share that story with you. Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the rise of video game violence. Games like Doom and Mortal Kombat brought a new level of blood and gore, and they captivated players like never before. They also caused moral panic for parents and politicians who were shocked by the violence. Guest contact info: Alyse Knorr, associate professor of English at Regis University, co-editor of Switchback Books, and co-producer of the Sweetbitter podcast. She is the author of several books including Goldeneye 007 and Super Mario Bros. 3 which are both for Boss Fight Books. Twitter: @alyseknorr www.alyseknorr.com Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the abduction and murder of two-year-old James Bulger, a crime so shocking that it continues to reverberate more than 30 years later. James was lured away from his mom at a shopping mall near Liverpool, England by two 10-year-old boys who tortured and killed the toddler. They became the youngest people in the UK to be convicted of first degree murder. This episode contains details that may not but suitable for all listeners. Guest info: David James Smith, journalist and author of The Sleep of Reason: The James Bulger Case www.davidjamessmith.net Twitter: @davidjamessmit5 Show contact info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
James Cameron’s epic movie Titanic captured the hearts of millions and changed just how big a blockbuster could actually be. After opening in December 1997 the movie stayed at number 1 for 15 weeks in a row and became such a massive cultural phenomenon that it didn’t close in theatres until nearly one year later in October 1998. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the making of Cameron’s juggernaut and explores the controversial question, could Jack have fit on the door with Rose. Guest Info: Jessi Cruickshank, host of the podcast Phone a Friend Instagram: @jessicruickshank Facebook: @jessicruickshank www.jessicruickshank.com Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This historical, true crime podcast hosted by Kru Williams from History Television's hit original series Deadman’s Curse: The Legend of the Lost Gold investigates the curse and legend surrounding the lost gold mine of Pitt Lake. On their quest they're joined by members of the Stó:lō and Katzie First Nations, historians and cultural experts of diverse backgrounds, as they sort fact from fiction and give Slumach a voice from the other side of the veil. You'll hear about how an Indigenous prospector, accused of murder set a curse on anyone who searched for his hidden gold just before he was hanged. Over a century later, a prospector, a mountaineer, a truth-seeker and a way-shower band together to walk the same paths of those who went looking for Slumach’s cursed gold and never returned find how a single bullet was the catalyst for a 150-year-old mystery. Click here to find it on your favourite podcast app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the life and career of three of the best comedians of our generation. John Candy, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman all died in the 1990s and in their absence each one left us with a trove of material that will keep us laughing for decades to come. Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When the Aaron Spelling show Beverly Hills, 90210 debuted on the Fox Network in September 1990, it was panned by TV critics who called it shallow and stereotypical. Some predicted it would be cancelled before the end of the season. Instead, the show went on to dominate the TV landscape for the rest of the decade and along the way redefined the teen drama genre. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks at how Beverly Hills, 90210 went from the bottom of the ratings barrel to an international pop culture phenomenon. Guests: Tara Ariano and Sarah D. Bunting, co-hosts of the podcast: Again With This: Beverly Hills, 90210 & Melrose Place and co-authors of the book: A Very Special 90210 Book: 93 Absolutely Essential Episodes from TV’s Most Notorious Zip Code www.againwiththis.com To hear the full interview with Tara and Sarah please visit www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was a classic battle between good and evil and it gave us one of the greatest toys of all time. Today, we journey back to revisit the history of the iconic Transformers. From their early days in Japan to dominating TVs and toy shelves in North America, this is another defining 1980s toys franchise that was also a masterclass in marketing. So hit play and let's roll out! Support the show and get bonus audio content at Patreon.com/80s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 1992, George H.W. Bush was still the US President….The Canadian Prime Minister was Brian Mulroney….Roseanne was the number one sitcom……Hook was the number one movie…..and the Super Nintendo was the hot new gaming system everyone wanted. In this episode, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at a year when musicians made history, ventured into new territory, proved their worth in ways that made us jump. These are the number one singles from 1992. Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 1990s was a tumultuous era for British singer George Michael. He began the decade as one of the biggest popstars in the world, riding high on his wildly successful debut solo album. But secretly the singer was struggling with many personal demons including coming to terms with his sexual identity, something he was forced to confront after an embarrassing arrest in 1998. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the life and career of George Michael. GUEST: James Gavin, author of George Michael: A Life www.jamesgavin.com Twitter: @jamesgavinbooks To hear my full interview with James Gavin please visit www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the 1990s a vicious turf war between the Hell’s Angels and rival bike gang The Rock Machine turned the streets of Montreal into a deadly battleground. Over an eight year period bombings, arsons and brazen shootouts terrorized Quebec, leaving more than 160 people dead including innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the Quebec Biker War. GUEST: Julian Sher, investigative journalist and author of The Road to Hell: How the Biker Gangs are Conquering Canada Angels of Death: Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire Twitter: @juliansher Facebook: www.facebook.com/juliansher To hear the full interview with Julian Sher please visit www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the early 1990s millions of people around North America were swept up in an unprecedented sports trading card boom. As prices for rare baseball and hockey cards soared, the hobby which was once just for kids was suddenly being looked at as an alternative to investing in stocks. To match the demand, a record number of trading card companies cranked up production, offering a dizzying array of options. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks at the reasons for the boom and why it eventually went bust. Guest: Jon Waldman, author of Got ‘Em, Got ‘Em, Need ‘Em: A Fan’s Guide to Collecting the Top 100 Sports Cards of All Time. Twitter: @jonwaldman To hear the complete interview with Jon Waldman please visit www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca For exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's been 25 years since Princess Diana was killed in a car crash along with her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul. The shocking news that the “People’s Princess” was dead was made even more unbelievable by the fact that she was killed following a high speed car chase by aggressive photographers. On this episode of History of the 90s, first broadcast in February 2021, we look back at the relationship between Princess Diana and the paparazzi and the changes that followed her tragic death. Guest: Mark Karloff, Los Angeles Photographer, and co-host of Paparazzi Podcast www.paparazzipodcast.com Twitter: @Papsouljah Instagram: @Paparazzipodcast Contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca For exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Women helped changed the face of ROCK as hair metal from the 80’s gave way to brand new sounds and VERY different attitudes in the 90's. On this episode of "Driven by Her" presented by our friends at Porsche Canada we're showcasing amazing, driven women like Alanis Morrissette, Ani DiFranco, and Bikini Kill. They carved their own path and created the seismic shift in music that came with Generation X because the 90's couldn't have rocked at the level they did without their influence along with the other women who helped define a generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In October 1998 a gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming was brutally beaten by two men he met in a local bar. The men pretended they were gay to lure 21 year old Matthew Sheppard into their truck where he was pistol-whipped and robbed. Matt was discovered barely alive 18 hours later tied to a fence in the middle of a rural area. He never regained consciousness. Matt’s murder stunned the world and ignited a movement that changed gay rights in the United States. Guest: Jeff Mack, Executive Vice President, Matthew Shepard Foundation www.matthewshepard.org To hear the complete interview with Jeff Mack please visit www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Following the success of The Cosby Show and its spinoff A Different World in the 1980s,TV networks were eager to include more Black programming.
In particular they wanted more Black sitcoms and that eventually lead to a flood of new shows. Some were on the big three networks but many more on new upstarts, FOX, UPN and The WB.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora continues looks back at some of the best Black sitcoms from the golden era of Black television.
Guest:
Kristal Brent Zook: author of Color By Fox: The Fox Network and the Revolution in Black Television
www.kristalbrentzook.com
Patreon subscribers can hear Kristal’s entire interview at:
www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s
Show Contact Info:
Twitter: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
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In April 1990, the first episode of In Living Color aired on Fox TV changing the face and tone of television.
The half hour sketch show created by Keenan Ivory Wayans was called a Black Saturday Night Live for the hip-hop generation.
It ran at 9:30 Sunday night on Fox right after the networks two hit shows The Simpsons and Married with Children.
Thanks to that placement and hype around the show, 23 million viewers tuned in to the inaugural episode.
Nearly 30 years since In Living Color went off the air its impact can still be felt throughout today’s film and eco-system.
Resources used in this episode include: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/living-color-oral-history-fox-censors-spike-lees-disdain-1219192/
Guest:
David Peisner, journalist and author of Homey Don’t Play That! The Story of In Living Color and the Black Comedy Revolution www.djpeisner.com
Patreon subscribers can hear David’s entire interview at: www.patreon.com/historyofthe90s
Show Contact Info:
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1972, a seven-part historical audio drama series detailing the powerful story of Shirley Chisholm and Angela Davis, two highly respected Black women who dared to hold a mirror to the systemic racism and sexism within the United States. The show portrays the often overlooked true story of two women refusing to be ignored and silenced by a society comfortable with the status quo.
1972 brings the politically turbulent landscape of 1970s America to life. Chisholm fights to be heard on the campaign trail during her historic run for president of the United States, while simultaneously Davis struggles to receive her basic rights as a citizen in a system designed to suppress her.
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In 1992 HIV/AIDS hit a grim milestone in the United States when it became the number one cause of death among men ages 25 to 44.
Since there was still so much stigma attached to the illness, people were often dying without even telling their closest friends and family that they were sick. They died alone because of the shame they felt about having contracted HIV.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the people and events in the 1990s that helped shaped the fight to remove the stigma and shame that surrounded HIV.
Guest:
John Maxwell, Executive Director of the Aids Committee of Toronto (ACT) www.actoronto.org
Show Contact Info:
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During the early days of the AIDS epidemic, the North American blood supply became contaminated with HIV from infected donors. As a result, by the mid-1980s, about 10,000 hemophiliacs were infected with HIV. 13-year-old Ryan White from Kokomo, Indiana was one of those who contracted the virus through a tainted blood product and after he was barred from attending school, he became a crusader to end the stigmatization associated with HIV/AIDS. On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the life and legacy of Ryan White.
Thanks to Ryan’s mother Jeanne White-Ginder who gave permission for use of the audio heard in this episode. It is available to listen to in its entirety here: Who Was Ryan White? | Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (hrsa.gov)
GUEST:
Nelson Price, author of The Quiet Hero: A Life of Ryan White
Show Contact Info:
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Sheryl Leach, a working mom in Texas was stuck in traffic when she dreamt up the idea of a plush-toy dinosaur that comes to life and entertains a backyard full of kids with songs and games.
Within a few years the big purple dinosaur was loved by millions of children around the world and hated by their parents who were forced to watch the T-rex on his hit PBS show.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the story of how Barneychanged kids tv programming and why he was so hated by adults.
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Guest:
Rob Curran, founder of the I Hate Barney Secret Society
Show Contacts:
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Before the streaming wars began, or YouTube and Vine gave rise to social media as we know it, there was a different, albeit surprising, force dominating pop culture: basic cable. On Basic!, go behind the scenes of a glorious time in pop culture, when shows like MTV’s The Real World, ESPN’s SportsCenter and AMC’s Breaking Bad made basic cable a must-have for every American home. With the help of guests like Jimmy Kimmel, Cindy Crawford and Amy Schumer, hosts Doug Herzog (former network executive at MTV, Comedy Central, Fox) and tv critic Jen Chaney (New York Magazine/Vulture) will take you through an oral history of basic cable television—stretching all the way from the dawn of MTV to the small screen’s Mad Men obsession.
Basic! is out now! Listen on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.
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Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee were one of the most famous celebrity couple of the 90s. So when a homemade sex tape from the couple’s honeymoon was stolen from a safe in their garage it became the biggest viral video of the era. For many years most people assumed the couple had leaked the tape themselves in a weird publicity stunt. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora talks to the journalist who revealed the real story in a 2014 Rolling Stone article.
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Guest:
Journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis
Twitter: @msamandalewis
www.amandachicagolewis.com
Pamela Anderson Sex Tape: Tommy Lee & the History of the Infamous Porn - Rolling Stone
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The World Series has been a reliable tradition since 1904. It’s been played during both World Wars, the Depression, after 9-11 and more recently during the COVID pandemic. But there was one time that the Fall Classic was cancelled in what is considered to be Major League Baseball’s most catastrophic and embarrassing moment. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the 1994-95 MLB player’s strike.
Thanks to Erica Vella, host of Global News' podcast What Happened To…? for sharing the interview she did with former Montreal Expos Pitcher Jeff Fassero.
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In the early 1990s reality TV as we know it today didn’t yet exist.
Then everything changed when a cable channel known for music videos put cameras inside a New York loft with 7 strangers.
The Real World which premiered on MTV in 1992 set the stage for the scores of reality shows we are all familiar with now, everything from The Osbournes & The Hills to Survivor and just about everything on Bravo.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the groundbreaking show and the rise of reality TV.
Contact:
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Guest:
Professor Danielle J. Lindemann, author of True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us
Twitter: @djlindee https://daniellelindemann.com
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We’re thrilled to share a special preview of the Broken Record podcast from Pushkin Industries. In honor of the Red Hot Chili Peppers new album, Unlimited Love, the band members sit with their legendary producer Rick Rubin to share exclusive insights about the band’s dynamic. In this preview, Rick, John, and Anthony discuss John rejoining the band after a 10 year hiatus and how right it felt to be playing together again. You can hear the full episode, and more from Broken Record at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/brokenrecordrhcp?sid=ongoinghistory.
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In 1996 Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey won gold at the Atlanta Olympics, breaking the world record in the 100 metre event. The achievement helped Canada climb out from behind the shame of the Ben Johnson steroid scandal following the 1988 Olympics. It also meant that Bailey was the fastest man in the world. To everyone, it would seem, except one nation. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora talks with Donovan Bailey about his Olympic achievement as well his fastest man showdown against Michael Johnson a year later.
Guest info:
The Podcast - Hosted by Donovan Bailey & Jason Portuondo Donovan Bailey’s podcast Running Things With Donovan Bailey is on Acast (acast.com) and can be heard anywhere you stream audio.
Twitter: @donovanbailey
Website: www.donovanbailey.com
Contact:
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Newsletter: History of the 90s | Substack
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When the television show Twin Peaks began airing in 1990 it didn’t just push boundaries, it shattered them completely. A mix of murder mystery, nighttime soap opera and dark comedy all rolled into one, it was like nothing ever seen before on network television. By the end of the first season Twin Peaks was an escapable pop cultural phenomenon and today a piece of its DNA is in nearly every TV show. On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora takes you on a journey to the town of Twin Peaks.
Guest:
Andy Burns, author of Wrapped in Plastic: Twin Peaks and publisher / editor-in-chief of the pop culture website BiffBamPop!
Website: www.biffbampop.com
Twitter: @biffbampop
Contact:
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Thirty years ago, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights, a car accident set off four days of unrest. Two people died. Dozens were injured. Hundreds were arrested. In this Pineapple Street Studios series, journalist Collier Meyerson explores what came to be known as the “Crown Heights Riot.” It’s a story about immigration, New York City’s first Black mayor, the rise of Rudy Giuliani, and the Lubavitch Jewish and Caribbean-American communities sitting at the center of it all. To Meyerson, the Crown Heights Riot can help us unlock and understand so many of our modern dilemmas: from police violence and racism to the persistence of antisemitism.
Check out Love Thy Neighbor wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Randy Weaver and his family moved to a remote cabin in Northern Idaho when their extreme views on race and religion became an issue with friends and family back in Iowa.
They wanted to live off the grid, isolated from society but after Weaver failed to appear in court on charges of selling illegal sawed-off shotguns, law enforcement began a surveillance operation on their property.
In August 1992 the operation exploded into a deadly firefight and ignited an 11 day siege that became a rallying call for the radical right.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the events at Ruby Ridge and explains how they sparked the birth of the modern militia movement that still exists to this day.
Guest:
Lane Crothers, Professor at Illinois State and author of Rage on the Right
Twitter: @LaneCrothersISU
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In the 1990’s there was a generational battle between Gen Xers and Baby Boomers as snowboarders began taking over ski resorts. The sport which had been underground since the early 80s was finally becoming mainstream and skiers weren’t happy about it. They complained that snowboarders were loud, rude and dangerous. But they were also what ski resorts needed to keep the industry alive.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at where snowboarding started and what happened when it became the fastest growing winter sport.
Guest:
Ross Rebagliati
Instagram: @rossrebagliati98
Contact:
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In the 1990’s director David Fincher brought us classic movies like Seven and Fight Club, making his mark on the industry as one the best film makers of his generation. But Fincher’s impact on the decade stretches beyond movies. Through dozens of TV commercials and music videos Fincher helped style the 90s. On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the auteur director’s impact on the decade.
Guest:
Adam Nayman, author of David Fincher: Mind Games
Twitter: @brofromanother
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Twenty Thousand Hertz, a podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds, today's episode looks at the show about nothing... Seinfeld.
If you like what you've heard check out their other episodes where they’ve also explored music sampling in hip hop, whether dinosaurs really sounded the way they do in Jurassic Park, and the surprisingly controversial story behind the McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" jingle.
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On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora is looking back at some of the best Simpsons episodes from the 1990s.
From Who Shot Mr. Burns to Homer at Bat we revisit 10 Simpsons episodes that stand the test of time with help from listeners of the podcast.
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From riots in the streets of Los Angeles and the siege at Ruby Ridge to the election of Bill Clinton and the Late Night TV wars, 1992 was a year of incredible transformation, excitement, devastation and tragedy.
It was filled with seismic changes that continues to reverberate through our lives 30 year later.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back and counts down ten of the most memorable stories of 1992.
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In the early morning hours of December 26, 1996, a 39 year old stay-at-home mom in an upscale neighbourhood of Boulder, Colorado made a shocking discovery. Her 6-year-old daughter had been kidnapped while the family slept and a mysterious ransom note had been left in her place.
The handwritten 2-and-half page letter demanded $118,000 and instructed the family to wait for a call later that morning from the kidnappers. They warned that any contact with police would lead to their daughter’s murder.
It was the beginning of one of the longest and most baffling true crime whodunnits of all time that continues to raise questions 25 years later.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at back at the mysterious case of JonBenet Ramsey.
Contact:
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Guests:
Stephen and Joyce Singular, authors of Presumed Guilty: An Investigation Into the JonBenet Ramsey Case, the Media, and the Culture of Pornography. www.stephensingular.com
Twitter: @StephenSingular
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When The Simpsons debuted in December 1989 it was a radical move by the Fox TV Network. There had not been a successful prime-time animated sitcom for adults since The Flintstones in the 1960s. Plus The Simpsons was a lot edgier than the clean family sitcoms on the air at the time.
But not only was The Simpsons an instant hit, it became a cultural phenomenon that continues over 30 years later.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the creation of the ground-breaking show and some of the controversy it created with help from Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson.
Guests: Yeardley Smith - Twitter: @Yeardley Smith www.smalltowndicks.com Mathew Klickstein www.mathewklickstein.com Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons by Mathew Klickstein and Mike Reiss
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For 100 days in 1994 evil descended upon the small country of Rwanda. A long simmering conflict between Hutus and Tutsis boiled over after the country’s president died when his plane was shot down by a missile.
Police stood by as approximately 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis were killed by violent mobs armed with clubs, sticks and machete’s. From the capital city of Kigali to small rural villages, unspeakable crimes were committed by militia groups, soldiers and neighbors against neighbors. During that time the international community largely remained on the sidelines.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the Rwanda Genocide.
Contact:
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Guest:
Allan Thompson, former Toronto Star Reporter and now the Journalism program head at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Twitter: @Profallan
Resources about Rwanda:
Media and Mass Atrocity: The Rwandan Genocide and Beyond, Edited by Allan Thompson
Rwanda Chronology | FRONTLINE | PBS
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity, By Romeo Dallaire
Hotel Rwanda
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In the 1990s the most violent thing on television wasn’t wrestling, or NHL hockey it was The Jerry Springer Show. The daytime talk show regularly devolved into wild physical fights between guests that were excitedly cheered on by riled up audience members
During the 90s more than two dozen similar daytime talk shows, that ranged from provocative to downright trashy, ruled the airwaves.
Big names you probably remember like Jenny Jones, Geraldo Rivera and Maury Povich and others you may have forgotten about like Ricki Lake & Montel Williams were adored by millions of fans until a shocking tragedy turned the industry on its head.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the era of trashy daytime talk shows.
Contact:
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Guests:
James Nadler; Graduate Program Director, Masters of Arts in Media Production at Ryerson University
Laura Grindstaff; Professor of Sociology at UC Davis & author of The Money Shot: Trash, Class and the Making of TV Talk Shows
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After the home video game industry crashed spectacularly in 1983 one company rose from the ashes and helped breathe new life with a new 8 bit video console.
The Nintendo Entertainment System with games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda ruled the console market until another Japanese company started going after older and more serious gamers.
For the first time the Sega Genesis console and the company’s blue mascot Sonic The Hedgehog took a bite out of Nintendo’s supremacy in the North American market. And that was just the beginning of the Nintendo vs Sega Console War that dominated the 90s.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes you through the twists and turns of the epic battle that defined a generation of gamers.
Guest:
Blake Harris, author and director of The Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo and the Battle That Defined a Generation. www.blakejharris.com
Twitter: @blakejharrisNYC
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In the late 1990s two unexpected musical genres that centered around big bands with horns and retro clothing burst back onto the scene in North America.
Third wave ska and retro swing with breakthrough mainstream hits infiltered pop culture from movies and video games to the Gap’s famous khaki swing commercial.
Life was good in the 90s and the music reflected it. The fun upbeat sounds of Ska and Swing were the perfect fit for the time.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the rise of 90s ska and swing.
Guest:
Kenneth Partridge, author Hell of a Hat: The Rise of 90s Ska and Swing
www.kennethpartridge.com
Twitter: @kenpartridge
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There was change and excitement in the air when the lights came up on Gianni Versace’s 1991 fall fashion show in Milan. For the show’s finale, a group of four beautiful young women linked arm-in-arm and made their way down the catwalk lip-synching the words of a pop song that blasted from the speakers.
It was the launch of a 90s phenomenon that is as symbolic to the decade as tabloid television and the creation of the internet.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the reign of the 90s supermodel who transcended the fashion runway and became full service celebrities.
Guests:
Rachel Burchfield; writer, editor & host of Podcast Royal.
www.rachelburchfield.com
Randi Bergman; writer, editor & host of Capsule 98.
Instagram: @Capsule98
www.capsule98.com
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New season of History of the 90's coming Sept. 08.
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The case of Paul Bernardo captured media and public attention in the mid-1990s at a time when the United States was focused on the O.J. Simpson case in a similar way.
But Bernardo’s trial, for the murders of teenagers Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, wasn’t televised, so hundreds of people lined up to get inside the downtown Toronto courtroom to witness Canada’s version of the O.J. trial.
Others poured over the media coverage that blanketed newspapers or paid close attention to TV and radio stations which provided hourly updates of the proceedings.
I was in the courtroom everyday for four months in the summer of 1995 as the horrific crimes against Bernardo were revealed including graphic videotaped evidence.
On part two of our look back at the infamous case and trial of Paul Bernardo we dive into Canada’s trial of the century.
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If you Google most notorious killer in Canadian history, Paul Bernardo’s name will appear at the top of nearly every list.
There have been other killers who have taken more lives and eluded police over a longer period of time but the case of Paul Bernardo, at first as the Scarborough rapist and then later as the killer of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, has left a deep and painful scar on Canadian society.
His case captured media and public attention in the mid-1990s at a time when the United States was focused on the O.J. Simpson case in a similar way.
But Bernardo’s trial wasn’t televised, so hundreds of people lined up to get inside the downtown Toronto courtroom to witness Canada’s version of the O.J. trial. Others poured over the media coverage that blanketed newspapers or paid close attention to TV and radio stations which provided hourly updates of the proceedings.
Over the next two episodes of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora will recount the case, drawing from her experience covering the trial as a reporter for a Toronto radio station. A warning that this episode may not be suitable for young or sensitive listeners.
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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From the moment grunge music went mainstream in the fall of 1991 the clock was ticking down toward its tragic end just a few years later.
But in the meantime, the huge success of Seattle bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and SoundGarden led to a frenzy by record labels to sign other grunge type bands.
And as the Seattle area was picked dry of talent the search for half-way decent bands wearing flannel and playing detuned guitars expanded beyond the Pacific Northwest.
At the same time, the bands that pioneered the movement were struggling with mainstream fame and were trying desperately to distance themselves from commercial success.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes a look back at the final days of grunge with the help of Alan Cross, host of the Curiouscast podcast, The Ongoing History of New Music.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Guest:
Alan Cross, host of The Ongoing History of New Music
www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com
Twitter: @alancross
For more about the life and death of Kurt Cobain listen to the Ongoing History of New Music’s episode on the 25th anniversary of his passing. Available anywhere you stream audio and here: https://omny.fm/shows/ongoing-history-of-new-music/kurt-cobain-25-years-later
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For the uninitiated, grunge begins and ends with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Maybe sprinkle in a little Pearl Jam or Sound Garden and a few flannels and that’s grunge. A moment in time that has long passed, but frozen in our memories because of Cobain’s early death.
But grunge is so much more than one band, and one singer who may have had an outsized impact on the movement but was just one of piece of a genre of music and an attitude that captivated the world at the beginning of the 90s.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora takes a look back at the birth of grunge with the help of Alan Cross, host of the Curiouscast podcast, The Ongoing History of the New Music.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Guest:
Alan Cross, host of The Ongoing History of New Music
www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com
Twitter: @alancross
A note on sources:
For more information about the birth of grunge and some of the pioneers of the movement check out Northwest Passage, a project dedicated to the music scene of the Pacific Northwest region of the 80s and 90s. This website was a great source for information and facts contained in this episode.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you grew up in the 1980s or 90s chances are you watched a lot of Nickelodeon or at least some of the fun kids shows made by the cable network.
During its golden years, Nickelodeon not only had over 50 per cent of the kid audience share, but it was also one of the most profitable cable networks out there. Plus it revolutionized kids programming with new and innovative game shows, variety shows, cartoons and sitcoms.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the rise of the cable channel dedicated to kids and the period between 1983 and 1995 known as Nickelodeon’s Golden Age.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Guests:
Mathew Klickstein, author of Slimed! An Oral History of Nickelodeon’s Golden Age
www.mathewklickstein.com
Chris Morgan, author of The Nickelodeon ‘90s: Cartoons, Game Shows and a Whole Bunch of Slime
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the 1990s the FBI’s most wanted criminal was an elusive mystery bomber who had been mailing dangerous and deadly packages to executives and university professors since 1978.
The UNABOMBER had left a trail of destruction around the United States, but the FBI had very little hard evidence that could help solve the case.
Then in 1993 after a six year hiatus the UNABOMBER was back on the scene and the devices he sent were more powerful and sophisticated. Officials worried it was only a matter of time before something terrible happened.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at one of the largest and most expensive manhunts in FBI history.
You’ll hear from two of the FBI agents who were instrumental in the investigation that finally led to the capture of the Unabomber.
Proud Sponsor of SickKids VS: https://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/podcast
This episode of History of the 90s is supported by Command Line Heroes.
Command Line Heroes: Season 7: The Internet Class of ‘95 (redhat.com)
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Guests:
Max Noel, served as an F.B.I. special Agent for thirty-one (31) years. He retired in 1999.
Terry Turchie, retired from the FBI in April 2001, having served as the first Deputy Assistant Director of the newly created Counterterrorism Division of the FBI from March, 2000 to April, 2001.
Along with their colleague Jim Freeman they co-wrote; Unabomber: How the FBI Broke Its Own Rules to Capture the Terrorist Ted Kaczynski.
They have written a sequel to the book which includes some of Kaczinski’s own writings. Capturing the Unabomber: The FBI’s Insider Story is scheduled to be released in May 2021.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the summer of 1987 four young DJs from London took a trip to the Mediterranean Island of Ibiza for a birthday celebration.
On their first night they attended an ecstasy-fueled party at club Amnesia, dancing under the stars to a mix of techno and house music played by legendary DJ Alfredo.
The experience was life changing and when the four DJs returned home to London they organized some of the city’s first all night raves and were instrumental in pioneering a massive youth culture movement that spread from the UK, through Europe and around North America.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the rise and fall of 90s rave culture and how the movement continues to be felt today.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Guests:
Scott Fraser: Club Owner, Manager, Entrepreneur in the entertainment scene in Toronto in the 80’s & 90’s including legendary clubs THE FACTORY & OZ.
Twitter: @Hogtownsmoke
Scot Turner: Radio broadcaster who worked at alternative 102.1 CFNY in the 80’s and was Program Director for dance music station Energy 108 in the 90’s.
Twitter: @Scotturner
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On November 30, 1999, thousands of protestors locked arms and marched into downtown Seattle.
They surrounded a convention center where a conference organized by the World Trade Organization was set to take place over the next four days.
Most of the demonstrators were peaceful but among their ranks was a small core of protestors dressed in black clothes and ski masks waiting for the right moment to unleash violence and mayhem.
It was one of the largest acts of mass civil disobedience in US history and marked the unofficial start of the anti-globalization movement. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the rise of anti-globalization and the Battle in Seattle.
Guests:
John Sellers: Executive Director & Co-Founder of The Other 98
www.other98.com
Twitter: @other98
Norm Stamper: Former Seattle Police Chief & Author
www.normstamper.com
Twitter: @normstamper
Lesley Wood: Associate Professor of Sociology at York University & Author
Twitter: @lesleybikes
Show Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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In an era before podcasts and satellite radio, the 1990s was the peak of the shock jock genre on terrestrial radio.
Big names like Howard Stern, Don Imus and Rush Limbaugh attracted legions of devoted fans with their controversial shows that often ran afoul of the FCC and special interest groups.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at three of the most famous radio shock jocks from the 90s and the impact they had on radio and society at large and considers whether shock jocks still exist today.
Guest:
Mario A. Murillo, Professor of Radio, Television, Film & Journalism and Vice Dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University.
Twitter: @marioradio99
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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The 30th anniversary of Woodstock was supposed to celebrate the iconic music festival known for peace, love and happiness but instead Woodstock ’99 turned into a weekend of violence and mayhem.
The weekend ended with a fiery riot and reports of numerous sexual assaults, some taking place in the mosh pit.
On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at the 1999 event in Rome, New York with the help of someone who was there. A former MTV employee tells us about price gouging, overcrowding, scorching heat and misogynistic behaviour spurred on by aggressive nu-metal bands.
Guest:
Jeff Cornell, freelance journalist
Woodstock '99: A Reporter on the Ground Remembers the Chaos - Variety
Twitter: @jeffcornell56
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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The 90s were an era filled with new and inventive tech toys. It seemed liked every year another new gadget hit the market causing a buying frenzy at toy stores.
Some were fads that quickly fizzled out while others were so revolutionary that they continue to impact us to this day.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora is looking back at some of the most memorable tech toys and gadgets from the 1990s.
Guest:
Brandon Saltalamacchia
www.retrododo.com
Twitter: @iambrandonsalt
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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When Princess Diana, along with her boyfriend and driver were killed in a car crash on August 31, 1997, the course of history changed. The ‘People’s Princess’ and the mother to a future King was dead and a reckoning with the paparazzi was about to begin. From the moment Diana began dating Prince Charles she was stalked by aggressive photographers who she would later say made her life unbearable. Diana’s brother said at her funeral that every editor in the UK who paid for intrusive photographs of the princess had blood on their hands following her death. On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at the relationship between Princess Diana and the paparazzi and the changes that followed her tragic death.
Guest:
Mark Karloff, Los Angeles Photographer, and co-host of Paparazzi Podcast
www.paparazzipodcast.com
Twitter: @Papsouljah
Instagram: @Paparazzipodcast
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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When the X-Files debuted in 1993 no one could have predicted it would become one of the defining TV shows of the decade.
The show about a couple of FBI agents investigating aliens and other supernatural creatures was nothing like the other one-hour TV shows that were on the air at the time.
But within a couple of years the show became a phenomenon that kick started internet fandom and influenced the TV landscape for years to come.
On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora is looking back at the creation and growth of The X-Files and the legacy that continues to this day.
Guest:
Zack Handlen, author of Monster of the Week: The Complete Critical Companion to The X-Files.
Twitter: @zhandlen
Contact:
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Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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Like every year in the 90s, 1991 was a year of incredible change. From the fall of the Soviet Union, to the birth of the World Wide Web, it was a roller coaster ride of exciting new paths being forged as we were barreling toward the end of the century. And more and more we were being consumed by a new type of round the clock news coverage that permeated our lives like never before.
On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back and counting down ten of the most memorable stories of 1991.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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Every generation seems to have its own version of an iconic boy band but the 90s was the first-time boy bands essentially took over pop music.
On this episode of History of the 90s were looking back at the magical era of 90s boy bands as we dive deep into two of the biggest boy bands of all time.
Both the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC had to pay their dues in Europe before breaking through in the United States. But when they finally broke through, there was no stopping their rise to the top, and along the way they changed the way we view male performers and masculinity.
We’ll also take a look at Lou Pearlman, the man who created both groups and eventually conned them out of millions of dollars.
Documentaries referenced in this episode:
Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of (2015), available on YOUTUBE
The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story (2019), available on YOUTUBE
Guest:
Maria Sherman, author of Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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You’ve heard the stories. You’ve felt for the people involved. But what happens after the cameras shut off and the reporters walk away? Just because a story disappears from the news doesn’t mean it’s gone. So whatever happened to the nuclear disaster at Fukushima? or the trapped Chilean Miners? And did anything actually come out of the Ice Bucket Challenge?
Join Global News reporter, Erica Vella on this unique history podcast as she takes you inside these stories and talks to the people at the heart of each one to find out exactly what’s happened since.
Listen now at https://link.chtbl.com/wht
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The 1990s are consider by many to be the last great era of heavyweight boxing. Fighters like Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Riddick Bowe dominated the sport. But there was one boxer who stood out from the rest. Mike Tyson was a goliath in the boxing world in the 80s and into the early 90s until his career and personal life fell apart.
On this episode of History of the 90s we will take you through Tyson’s downward spiral in the 90s which started with a shocking defeat to Buster Douglas and ended with the now iconic “bite fight” against Evander Holyfield. In between it all Tyson was convicted of raping an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant and sent to jail for nearly three years.
Guest:
Mark Hebscher, veteran sports broadcaster and host of Hebsy on Sports podcast
Hebsy On Sports: The Podcast
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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At the beginning of the 1990s it seemed as if the world was taking a new turn toward peace. Germany was reunited, Nelson Mandela was released from prison and an historic peace deal was reached between the Israelis and Palestinians.
The Middle East Peace Agreement, signed in 1993 on the lawn of U.S. White House, was the first major step toward ending a decades old deadly conflict. But just two years later the agreement fell apart after the shocking assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at a time when peace in the Middle East almost seemed possible and take you through the night when a Jewish extremist gunned down the man who almost made it happen.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Blog: www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
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The deadliest shooting spree in Canada’s modern history left us with far more questions than answers. Join Sarah Ritchie, a reporter for Global News in Halifax, as she tries to unravel how something like this could happen there.
Sarah will take you through every hour, as it unfolded and together you’ll try and piece together what happened, what could or should’ve been done to prevent it and what we can learn to make sure a tragedy of this magnitude never happens again.
13 Hours: Inside the Nova Scotia Massacre: Listen NOW! https://link.chtbl.com/13hours
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at the decade’s obsession with witches. From The Craft to Charmed, witches were everywhere in popular culture with a slew of movies and tv shows that showcased wiccan rituals and magic.
The witch craze in the 90s was nothing new. Studies show that with every wave of feminism, there is a renewed interest in the witch. It happened in the 60s, the 90s and its happening again right now in 2020.
But the 90s, seemed extra witchy and thanks to nostalgia many of those movies and TV shows remain popular to this day.
Just in time for Halloween, join us as we look at some of the best witches of the decade.
For a full list of 90s witch movies check out www.historyofthe90sblog.ca
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
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Ride along with 25 year veteran Crime Reporter Nancy Hixt, from Global News, on her award winning podcast Crime Beat as she takes you through some of Canada’s most high-profile criminal cases. Real People, Real Crimes, Real Journalism. Each episode takes you deep inside cases she has worked to give you detail you didn't hear on the news.
Season 3 is available NOW - LISTEN
Crime Beat is the 2020 winner of the Edward R. Murrow Podcast Award (RTDNA).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the complicated legacy of Vanilla Ice who was the first rapper to have a number one song on the Billboard music charts.
His album To the Extreme, featuring Ice Ice Baby, sold 12 million copies and earned him an American Music Award for best new pop/rock artist in 1991.
But Ice’s rising star quickly crashed to the ground when it was revealed that his back story was made up. Plus, many in the hip-hop community criticized his homogenized style of rap and accused Ice of trying to cash in on black culture.
And if that wasn’t enough, Ice also found himself in some hot water with hip-hop outlaw Suge Knight over writing credits on Ice Ice baby.
Check out Vanilla Ice performing Ice Ice Baby on the 1991 American Music Awards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAJyqXSoY4
Contact:
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most historic moments of the 1990s. On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany were reunited after 45 years of cold war separation.
The reunification process was set in motion a year earlier when border crossings along the Berlin Wall were unexpectedly opened, finally allowing friends and family who had been divided by the concrete barrier to reunite. Who can forget the glorious celebrations that took place on top of the Berlin Wall which marked a turning point in modern history?
On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the tumultuous events that led up to the toppling of the Berlin Wall and ultimately the reunification of East and West Germany.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
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On this episode of History of the 90's we look back at an era when unprecedented violence against abortion providers gave rise to a serial shooter, known as the abortion sniper.
Abortion doctors in Canada and the US were targeted by a lone gunman who lurked outside their homes, often for days, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
It was all part of a rise in violence in the 1990's lead by anti-abortion groups like the Army of God and Operation Rescue who used destructive tactics like arson and bombings to get clinics shutdown and prevent abortions from taking place.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Jon Wells, journalist and author of Sniper: The True Story of Anti-Abortion Killer James Kopp
https://www.harpercollins.ca/author/cr-176244/jon-wells/
Twitter: @jonjwells
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode we continue our look back at the stand-up sitcom boom of the 1990s. Following the success of shows such as Roseanne and Seinfeld, networks scrambled to find more comics who could become television stars. Some up and coming comics were discovered on Star Search or Johnny Carson while others got their big break at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal.
Soon networks were filled with sitcoms starring previously unknown stand-up comedians. On part two we look back at Everybody Loves Raymond, The Drew Carey Show, The Sinbad Show, All-American Girl, Grace Under Fire and Bless this House.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Paul Brownfield, magazine writer, former TV critic at LA Times
Twitter: @paulbrownfield
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the 1990s there was a massive flood of stand-up comedians making the leap to television to star in their own stand-up sitcoms thanks in part to the success of the Cosby Show and Roseanne.
Those shows were followed by other massive hits like Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Martin, Ellen and The Drew Carey Show. All of them featured a previously established stand-up comic who had been scouted from the comedy club circuit.
But there were lots of other shows starring comics that had high expectations but went down in flames like Grace Under Fire starring Bret Butler, All American Girl starring Margaret Cho and anything featuring Andrew Dice Clay.
On the next two episodes we are going to take a look back at some of the hits as well as some the failures from that decade. On part one, we look back at the stories behind Roseanne, Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Martin and Ellen.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Paul Brownfield, magazine writer, former TV critic at LA Times
Twitter: @paulbrownfield
Greg David, TV critic and partner at www.TV-Eh.com
Twitter: @greg_david
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 years ago, this September, a long simmering dispute over First Nations’ territory in Southwestern Ontario turned deadly when police shot and killed an unarmed protestor. Dudley George was among a group of protestors who occupied Ipperwash Provincial Park to assert their claim to the land they believed contained sacred burial grounds.
On the night of September 6th, 1995, heavily armed police officers marched up a dark road toward the park to confront the protestors. Within 30 minutes a band councillor was severely beaten by police and George was dead.
On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the confrontation that has become known as the Ipperwash Crisis, and the years long search for justice and answers that followed.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Monica Virtue, Researcher and Filmmaker
https://monicavirtue.com/
Twitter: @VirtueintheCity
Peter Edwards, author of One Dead Indian
https://peteredwardsauthor.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90's we look back at the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the various factors that led to the largest and most violent case of civil unrest in United States history.
The acquittal of four police officers in connection with the brutal video taped beating of Rodney King wasn’t the only reason people went into the streets of South L.A. looting and burning buildings over a six day period in April 92.
The Black community was also reeling from a judges’ decision not to send a Korean shopkeeper to jail in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins. Plus, South L.A., which was 50 percent Black in the early 90s was hit hard by unemployment, gang violence and the crack epidemic. As you’ll hear in this episode. the conditions were ripe for unrest.
A note on sources:
The information in this podcast about the timeline of events at the intersection of Florence and Normandie was based on reporting in a 1998 article by The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/01/26/worlds-collide-at-florence-and-normandie/5bfed605-0da1-4bfd-b69f-bc1cef8b7cc8/
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Brenda Stevenson, Professor of African American Studies at UCLA. Author of The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins: Justice, Gender and the Origins of the L.A. Riots
https://www.drbrendastevenson.com/
Ryan Gattis, author of All Involved
https://ryangattis.com/
Twitter: @ryan_Gattis
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we finish up our look back at Doomsday Cults at the end of the 20th century with the story of the Branch Davidians and the complicated legacy of the deadly siege in Waco, Texas.
In February 1993, ATF agents raided the Davidians compound in Waco, Texas after learning they were stockpiling weapons. Agents expected to execute a typical arrest warrant but instead ended up in a deadly gun battle with Branch Davidian leader David Koresh and his followers.
A 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Davidians ended when flames swept through the compound after tear gas was fired into the buildings. 75 people died, including 25 children.
Charges and counter charges followed the incident and questions about how the fires stared and whether federal agents or Davidians were responsible for the deadly outcome remain to this day.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Dick Reavis, author of The Ashes of Waco: An Investigation.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/author/dick-reavis/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we continue our look back at the rise of doomsday cults in the years leading up to the new millennium.
In March 1997, Heaven’s Gate made headlines around the world when 39 members died by suicide and today it remains one of the most recognizable and notorious cults of the 20th century.
The group was formed in the 1970’s by Marshall Herf Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles who combined their belief in extra-terrestrials with Christian theology. They traveled around the country, collecting a loyal following of like-minded people.
By the 1990’s they settled in California and began to prepare for the end times. When the Hale-Bopp comet was discovered Applewhite told his followers that a spaceship was traveling behind the comet and would pick them up and take them to the Next Level. But the only way followers could join the spaceship was by committing suicide.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
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Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Alan R. Warren, author of “Doomsday Cults: The Devil’s Hostages”
https://www.alanrwarren.com/
Facebook: @radiocub
A note on sources:
The description of Officer Robert Brunk’s discovery of the crime scene was included in an article by Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune on March 26, 2007.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-i-lost-count-at-10-encinitas-deputy-recalls-day-2007mar26-story.html
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we continue our look back at the rise of doomsday cults in the years leading up to the new millennium.
The Japanese doomsday cult, Aum Shinrikyo, killed 13 people and injured over 5,000 others in a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo Subway System in March 1995. It’s believed they were trying to bring about a world war that would result in an all-out nuclear war. Aum’s leader Shoko Asahara convinced his members that only they would survive the nuclear war and would transcend to a new utopian society.
Aum Shinrikyo reportedly had 40,000 members in countries around the world including Japan, Russia and the United States. In Tokyo, the majority of their members were highly educated young men who had grown disillusioned with Japanese society’s pressure to succeed. With the help of these followers, Asahara was able to build a network of chemical labs and computer companies worth a billion dollars.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Paul Midford, Professor and Director of the Japan Program at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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On the next few episodes of History of the 90s we are looking back at the doomsday cults and their rise to infamy in the years leading up to the new millennium.
During the 1990’s the world began to seem more dangerous with war, environmental destruction and social breakdown becoming part of the everyday fabric of society. As a way of coping some people turned to new religions and cults for guidance and support. In some cases that decision ended with deadly consequences.
On part one we uncover the little-known story of the Order of the Solar Temple. The religious sect had branches in Canada, Switzerland and France and its members included politicians, journalists, executives and police officers. We’ll look at how members hoping to start a new life instead found horrific and tragic ends.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Michael Kropveld, Executive Director of Info-Cult
https://www.infosecte.org/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s, we look back at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a cataclysmic weekend that shattered lives of many and permanently reshaped Formula 1 racing.
This is more than a story about fast cars –it’s a story about cutthroat competition, money, deceit, love, tragedy and the search for justice.
Over the course of three days, starting on April 29, 1994, in Imola, Italy, two drivers were killed, and another driver was seriously hurt. It was a watershed moment for F1 which had not seen a death in 12 years.
Formula One was never the same after that weekend, because one of the drivers lost at that event was one of the greatest drivers of all time, the legendary, Ayrton Senna.
Host, Kathy Kenzora takes you back to the historic San Marino race and the impact it had on one of the most prestigious sporting event series in the world.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Brendan Dunlop, Sports Journalist
Twitter: @Brendan_Dunlop
Ibrar Malik, author of 1994: The Untold Story of a Tragic and Controversial Season
https://www.1994f1.com/
Twitter: @ibsey1
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode we continue our look back at some of the great movies of 1999. The last year of the 20th century is considered by many to be one of the greatest movie years ever with a flood of innovative and provocative films like never before.
On part one we took a deep dive into; Fight Club, Election, Three Kings, Boys Don’t Cry, The Blair Witch Project and Being John Malkovich. Part two we take apart some more 99 classics including The Matrix, Office Space, American Beauty, American Pie, 10 Things I Hate About You and the Sixth Sense.
For a full list of 1999 movies check out this site:
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1999/?grossesOption=totalGrosses
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Brian Raftery, author of Best. Movie. Year. Ever: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen
www.Brianraftery.com
Twitter: @brianraftery
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
During this time of self-isolation, we thought you might need some viewing recommendations to help fill the time and take your mind off COVID-19. So, on this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora is looking back at some of the best movies from 1999. The last year of the 20th century is considered by many to be one of the greatest movie years ever with a flood of innovative and provocative films like never before.
For a full list of 1999 movies check out this site:
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1999/?grossesOption=totalGrosses
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Brian Raftery, author of Best. Movie. Year. Ever: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen
www.Brianraftery.com
Twitter: @brianraftery
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mexican American singing sensation Selena Quintanilla was on the verge of becoming an international superstar when she was gunned down at a Texas motel by her fan club president.
25 years since her death, Selena continues to be immortalized by the Latinx community who look to her as a source of inspiration and hope.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks at the life and tragic death of the Latina icon, who in her short life became the best-selling Latin artist of all times.
Songs mentioned in episode:
Como La Flor, by Selena Y Los Dinos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsUt2jsLM1k
Amor Prohibido, by Selena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1O59SHpMxk
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom (Live at Astrodome), by Selena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPkNVMtMXyc
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Deborah Peredez, author of Selenidad: Selena, Latinos and the Performance of Memory
https://www.deborahparedez.com/bio
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 years ago, on April 19, 1995, the face of terrorism in the United States changed forever when Timothy McVeigh detonated a 5-ton truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building. 168 people were killed in the blast, including 19 children who attended a daycare centre on the second floor of the building.
Initially, media and others speculated that that the explosion may have been the work of Islamic terrorists, but Americans were shocked to learn it was a former US soldier who had taken aim at his own country.On this episode Kathy Kenzora looks back at the devastating story of the Oklahoma City Bombing and you'll hear from a woman who survived the blast that killed many of her work colleagues and learn what it was like to be buried under mounds of concrete and granite hoping that rescuers would find her.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the '90s, host Kathy Kenzora is looking at some aspects of the anti-apartheid struggle that you might not know; pirate radio and protest songs.
Pirate radio was a weapon used by the African National Congress to inspire black South Africans and counter propaganda and misinformation by the apartheid government. While protest songs performed by western musicians played a pivotal role in raising awareness in the rest of the world about the injustices in South Africa.
Pirate radio and protest songs inside and outside South Africa helped put pressure on the South African government and help end apartheid.
This led to the release of Nelson Mandela from a prison in Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most memorable events of the 1990s. We all remember the day he walked arm and arm with his wife and then raised a fist in victory after surviving 27 years behind bars.
Following Mandela’s release, apartheid was dismantled, and he became the first democratically elected President in a free South Africa.
It had been a long walk to freedom for Mandela and a long fight by all South Africans to end apartheid.
Songs mentioned in episode:
Biko, by Peter Gabriel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVpsM3YAgw
Free Nelson Mandela, by The Special AKA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMV7Buj5g0
Sun City, by Artists United Against Apartheid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BIvf-ZlJNc
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Sekibakiba Peter Lekgoathi (Ph.D.)
Associate Professor of History
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Between 1997 and 2002 professional wrestling’s Attitude Era broke boundaries in ways like never before with risqué programming, adult oriented content and larger than life superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock, Bret Hart, The Undertaker and Sean Michaels.
Throw in the Monday night ratings war between the WWF and the WCW and it was the perfect storm of wrestling greatness.
WWF’s Monday Night Raw and the WCW’s Monday Nitro aired each week at the same time forcing fans to choose between the two. On June 17, 1996, Monday Nitro won the battle of the Monday night ratings for the first time. And It would go on to win the ratings war for the next 84 weeks in a row.
It would take WCW two years to claw its way back to the top thanks to the outrageous programming of the Attitude Era.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes a look back at some of the most memorable moments of the Attitude Era as we try to understand why fans can’t get enough of 90s wrestling.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Kevin Michie, Senior Broadcast & Content Associate, Anchor, Sportsnet.ca Contributor
https://www.sportsnet.ca/author/kevin-michie/
Twitter: @kevinmichie
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Somalia was struck by a famine of staggering proportions which was made worse by the fact that militia leaders were stealing foreign aid that was shipped from other nations.
The Canadian military was part of a UN humanitarian peacekeeping mission to ensure food and medical supplies got to desperate Somali’s. Canada’s elite Airborne Regiment was deployed as part of the mission in December 1992 and within months would become involved in one of Canada’s ugliest moments in history.
In March 1993, a 16-year-old Somali boy was beaten and tortured to death after he was caught by soldiers sneaking into a military compound. Soldiers took photos posing with Shidane Arone after he had been brutalized for hours.
The same regiment would come under fire two years later when homemade videos were released to the media which showed Airborne Commandos making racists remarks and taking part in a disturbing hazing ceremony.
On this episode, host Kathy Kenzora, looks back at these events as well as the court martials and public inquiry that followed what has become known as the Somalia Affair.
To read more about the report mentioned in this episode entitled, Dishonoured Legacy: The Lessons of the Somalia Affair: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia follow this link:
https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/handle/1974/6881
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Scott Taylor, editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine
http://espritdecorps.ca/
Twitter: @EDC_Mag
Facebook: @EspritDeC
Instagram: @espritdecorps_magazne
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On August 20, 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez were brutally murdered inside the home of their Beverly Hills Mansion. The scene was so gruesome that early speculation focused on the possibility of a mob hit. But soon the focus shifted to the couple’s handsome young sons.
Lyle and Eric Menendez were eventually arrested for the murders and their sensational televised trial kicked off an era of high-profile criminal trials that captured the public’s imagination through the ‘90s.
In fact, it was the Menendez case that cleared the way for the trial of the century, the OJ trial, and foreshadowed our fascination with true crime docuseries and reality TV.
On this episode we’re taking a second look at the murder trials of Erik and Lyle Menendez and ask the question, if the brother’s stood trial today, would there be a different outcome in light of our current understanding of sexual abuse and family violence?
You’ll hear from Robert Rand, a journalist and author who has been working on the Menendez story for 30 years and recently uncovered incredible new evidence regarding the brother’s allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Robert Rand, author of The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Inside Story of an American Tragedy.
www.menedezmurders.com
Twitter: @Menendezrand
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Depending on who you talk to, the introduction of online dating in 1995 either revolutionized society or destroyed it.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the creation of online dating and how it became such a normal part of our lives.
We talk to the creator of Match.com and the first mainstream dating website about what inspired him to use the internet to solve the age-old problem of finding a perfect match.
And we unpack the data that has been collected by sociologists who have been studying online dating to understand how swiping left and right has impacted how we meet and who we meet.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Gary Kremen, pioneer of online dating.
Twitter: @gkremen
www.kremen.com
David Kushner, author of The Player’s Ball: A Genius, A Con Man, and the Secret History of the Internet’s Rise
Twitter: @davidkushner
www.davidkushner.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If 1990 was anything, it was a year of incredible change -- Sure it was the beginning of a new decade but more than that….much more….it was the start of a new era in human history. The decade that followed ushered in the end of communism, and apartheid. It saw the beginning of technological wonders that would both bring the world together and divide it …..and along the way change the very way we communicate with each other ….. It was also a time for some of the greatest achievements in music, television, and sport.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back and counts down 10 of the most memorable events from 1990.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In July 1996, a back pack bomb rocked the Summer Olympics in Atlanta killing one person and injuring over 100 others. The bomb had been left under a bench in the middle of Centennial Olympic Park on the eighth day of the games.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the tragedy that struck the 100th games and the police investigation that followed. Security Guard Richard Jewell who discovered the bomb before it exploded was first hailed a hero. Then just a few days later he was identified as the main suspect by the media who had a field day with his reputation.
This is the story of Richard Jewell, a cautionary tale about what happens when the police and the media rush to judgment.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Kent Alexander, former US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Twitter: @Kentbale
Kevin Salwen, Journalist
Twitter: @KevinSalwen
They co-authored: The Suspect: An Olympic Bombing, The FBI, The Media and Richard Jewell, The Man Caught in the Middle.
www.TheSuspectbook.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How did Beanie Babies go from boom to bust?
On this episode of History of the 90s, Host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the cute, colorful bean bag animals that started off as a toy but soon became an obsession for collectors who were buying and selling the furry creatures on this new thing called EBAY. Beanie Babies were traded like stocks and even became long term investments for some optimistic buyers.
Of course, where there’s money to be made there’s also crime and deception and Beanie Babies were no different. We’ll look back at how greed and hysteria over the 5-dollar plush toy also led to a wave of theft, fraud and fakery.
We’ll trace the Beanie Baby Bubble from start to finish and try to figure out if the man who invented the toy was a genius or an accidental billionaire.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Zac Bissonnette author, The Great Beanie Baby Bubble: The Amazing Story of How America Lost its Mind Over a Plush Toy – And the Eccentric Genius Behind It
Twitter: @ZacBissonnette
Peggy Gallagher
https://peggyg.com/beanie-baby-authentication/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In October 1993, Saskatchewan farmer, Robert Latimer, pumped exhaust fumes into the cab of a pickup truck ending the life of his severely disabled 12-year-old daughter. He claimed it was a mercy killing and that he only wanted to end Tracy`s constant pain.
Host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the heated debate that surrounded the death of Tracy Latimer.
The subject of euthanasia was fiercely debated in the 90s. It seemed every few months we heard news that Dr Jack Kevorkian had helped another terminally ill person end their life in the United States.
In Canada, Sue Rodrigues asked the Supreme Court to let a doctor help her die. When the court said no Rodrigues did it anyway forcing the government to take a look at whether society was ready for legalized euthanasia.
But the case of Tracey Latimer was different because she was a child and her parent made the decision for her leading to one of the most polarizing court dramas in Canadian history.
Disabled activists weigh in on this issue along with the author Gary Bauslaugh who has written extensively about Robert Latimer’s lengthy legal battle.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Gary Bauslaugh author of: Robert Latimer: A Story of Justice and Mercy
https://www.garybauslaugh.com/
Krista Carr, Executive Vice President of Canadian Association for Community Living
Twitter: @KristaCarrNB
https://cacl.ca/
Pat Danforth, Vice Chair of Council of Canadians with Disabilities
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the ’90s, Scream, the movie directed by legendary director Wes Craven gave new life to the horror genre and inspired a generation of teen movies.
In the mid 90’s, the horror movie genre was almost dead, thanks in part to a slew of badly received sequels to iconic franchise like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th.
Then Scream, with its “Ghostface” serial killer, slashed its way into theaters.
Scream was like no other horror movie before because it wasn’t just terrifying, it was also incredibly self-aware.
From the opening scene when Drew Barrymore is asked, “What’s your favorite scary movie?” it was pretty clear this wasn’t what we were used to. Scream was unique. The characters knew about slasher movies and ironically recognized they were in the middle of one.
This episode looks back at how Scream came to be, including the little-known story of its inspiration. Also did you know that scream was originally called Scary Movie? But studio execs thought it was too on the nose so they suggested Scream…which was the name of a hugely popular song and video released in 1994 starring Michael Jackson and his sister Janet.
We’ll cover all this and we’ll try to understand why it became the most successful slasher movie franchise in history and how it continues to influence horror movies over 20 years later.
If you enjoy History of the ’90s, please take a minute to rate it, tell us what you think and share the show with your friends.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
John Kenneth Muir author of Horror Movies of the 1990s
http://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @JKMuir
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the cultural impact of John F. Kennedy Jr. After the assassination of US President Kennedy, John Jr, grew up as a living national treasure who was expected to carry on the hopes and dreams of his father.
in addition to his family’s political legacy, he was a legitimately good-looking guy who was not afraid to flaunt it.
John’s fame peaked in the 90s, after being deemed the Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine. His every move was chronicled by the tabloids, with the media keeping close tabs on him, whether it was at work or play.
On this episode we’ll take a closer look at, George, the political magazine he founded in 1995 as well as his marriage to Carolyn Bessette.
We’ll talk to people who knew him and you’ll hear new details about his life and his short marriage that ended in tragedy in 1999 when John and Carolyn, along with her sister Lauren were killed in a plane crash.
Their deaths not only marked the end of Camelot they also marked the end of a paparazzi driven 90s celebrity culture that existed in a world before social media.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Steven M. Gillon author of: The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr.: America’s Reluctant Prince
Randy Taraborrelli author of: The Kennedy Heirs: John, Caroline, and the New Generation –A Legacy of Tragedy and Triumph
jrandytaraborrelli.com
Twitter: @JRTaraborrelli
Instagram: @jrandytaraborrelli
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at one particular day in 1995 that was the climax of a trial that gripped the public’s attention. October 3rd marks 24 years since 95 million people watched live on TV as the verdicts were read in the OJ Simpson Murder Trial.
After an eight month trial, the country waited anxiously to find out what would happen on the streets of Los Angeles If OJ was found guilty. Police were on standby outside the L.A. county courthouse in case there was a riot similar to the recent Rodney King related riots.
Host Kathy Kenzora takes a look back at that day from a special perspective. She was outside the L.A. County courthouse with a microphone and tape recorder covering the reaction for a Toronto radio station. This episode, which first aired on her previous podcast The History of 1995, recreates a day that lives on in infamy.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the History of the 90s, Host Kathy Kenzora looks back at Girl Power, a 90’s phenomenon that introduced a generation of young girls to feminism and empowerment.
If you think of the Spice Girls when you hear Girl Power, you are not wrong. But before the Spice Girls were kicking it for the girls with hit songs like “Wannabe,” the Riot GRRL movement in the Pacific Northwest was advocating for Girl Power.
We’ll talk to authors Alison Yarrow and Anne T. Donahue as we track the Girl Power movement from Riot Grrl to the Spice Girls and try to understand how it impacted music and society in the 90s and today.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Anne T. Donahue
Twitter: @annetdonahue
Instagram: @annetdonahue
Allison Yarrow, author of 90s Bitch: Media, Culture and the Failed Equality Promise of Gender Equality
Twitter: @Aliyarrow
Instagram: @Aliyarrow
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode we are digging into the archive of Host Kathy Kenzora’s previous podcast the History of 1995 to bring you the incredible life and death story of the Toronto subway crash.
On August 11, 1995, a TTC subway train crashed into the back of a stopped train killing three women and injuring dozens of others in Canada’s deadliest accident on a rapid transit system. The driver of the train that caused the crash was on his second day on the job after receiving just 12 days of training.
Rescuers worked for hours to free trapped passengers from the twisted metal, in unbearably hot conditions. A trauma doctor had to be called in from a nearby hospital to amputate the legs of two passengers who could not be freed by firefighters.
Kenzora covered an inquest into the crash that revealed that the rookie driver at the centre of the crash ran three red lights before his train smashed into the back of the stopped subway. The inquest also revealed a host of safety problems and malfunctioning equipment at the TTC which all played a part in the collision.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We take a deep dive into Friends, one of the most Iconic TV shows of the decade. Host Kathy Kenzora will try to understand how the show about six 20-somethings in New York became a global phenomenon and why it continues to capture the hearts of fans around the world 25 years later.
Friends was created by three ex-New Yorkers who remembered what it was like when they were trying to navigate an uncertain future after college when friends were family. We’ll take you behind the scenes as creators put together the cast and prepared for the pilot episode which aired on September 22, 1994.
We’ll look at all of the ways that Friends impacted culture, from fashion and music to the legendary Rachel haircut. We’ll also talk to author Kelsey Miller about the surprising impact that Friends has had on people around the world who have learned to speak English by watching the show.
We’ll address some of the questions and controversies that have arisen about Friends, since the recent resurgence of the show and try to explain why it still stands up for an entire new generation of viewers.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
Kelsey Miller, author of I’ll Be There for You: The One About Friends
Twitter: @mskelseymiller
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes you back to the shootings at Columbine High School. She'll share the timeline and details from documents released by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and will talk to people who were there that day. She also addresses some of the myths about Columbine and look at the profound impact of one of the most tragic school shootings in US history.
After the shootings started, student Laura Farber, hid under a table in the cafeteria, unsure if it was real or a prank. Farber and others eventually ran from the cafeteria into a nearby neighbourhood, banging on the front door of several houses before someone let them in to safety.
Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis, came face to face with one of the shooters as he escorted a group of students into the gym change room. Later he would assist police outside the school as they worked to contain the situation.
While all this was happening the world watched the drama unfold live on TV. A school shooting in the era of 24 hour news coverage created continuous coverage which left a permanent scar on our collective psyche.
Immediately following the drama the media reported that the shooters were bullied loners who were part of a group called “The Trench Coat Mafia.” It was suggested that they were taking revenge on jocks and others who had picked on them.
Professor James Densley from the Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, explains that in the years since the shooting we have learned that this narrative was incorrect and that the notoriety given to the shooters has reared a Columbine Generation.
If you enjoy the History of the 90s, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and share it with your friends.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guests:
Laura Farber, Columbine survivor and documentary film maker
Twitter: @Lionessprod
https://wearecolumbinefilm.com/
Frank DeAngelis, Former Columbine Principal and Author of They Call Me “Mr. De”: The Story of Columbine’s Heart, Resilience and Recovery
Twitter: @FrankDiane72
https://www.amazon.ca/They-Call-Mr-Columbines-Resilience-ebook/dp/B07NRDDZK1
James Densley, Professor of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University
https://www.jamesdensley.com/home
Twitter: @theviolencepro
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of History of the '90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks at the story of the ultimate underdog or maybe...under cat? This is the little known story of the 1994 animated feature, The Lion King.
Despite being one of Disney’s most cherished movies of all time, the Lion King was never expected to be such a massive hit. The Lion King was considered a filler movie to tide people over until Disney released Pocahontas.
Lion King was the first Disney animated movie based on a completely original story, it had a smaller budget and lesser known directors working on the film.
Most of Disney’s “A-Team” animators chose to work on Pocahontas instead of Lion King because they worried a movie about a talking lion cub would be a flop.
Those that ended up working on it were so dedicated that when an earthquake shutdown Disney studios in 1994, animators worked from their homes to make sure the film was completed on time.
Despite these obstacles, The Lion King was a massive hit, making nearly a billion dollars at the box office and winning several awards including two Oscars. In addition, it spawned the highest grossing Broadway production of all time and of course this year’s live action reboot with Beyoncé and Childish Gambino.
The original Lion King also attracted its fair share of criticisms, including concerns that it portrayed hyenas in a negative light and some suggested it was knock off of a Japanese made American cartoon called Kimba the White Lion.
If you enjoy the History of the 90s, please take a minute to rate it on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, tell us what you think and share it with your friends.
Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode Host Kathy Kenzora is looking back at how tabloid media had a feeding frenzy on the Long Island Lolita.
In May 1992, a high school senior on Long Island, New York, went to the home of her much older ex-lover and shot his wife in the face.
17 year old Amy Fisher had been having an affair with 37 year old Joey Buttafuco for 18 months and was angry that he wanted to end the relationship.
Within days, Amy was dubbed “The Long Island Lolita” and the story exploded in the media around the country. Amy and the Buttafuco’s became household names overnight and tabloid newspapers and TV shows scrambled to dig up dirt on anyone involved with the story.
This type of down and dirty pseudo-journalism was extremely common in the 90s, just think Lorena Bobbitt, Tanya Harding, Heidi Fleiss, Hugh Grant, George Michael and Peewee Herman.
David Kamp, a contributing editor for Vanity Fair Magazine, wrote about the phenomenon in 1999 and dubbed the 90s the Tabloid Decade.
Kamp, explains in this episode that the coverage of tabloid stories in the 90s was weirdly out of proportion thanks in part to the popularity of tabloid TV shows like A Current Affair, Hard Copy and Inside Edition.
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Contact:
Twitter: @1990shistory
Facebook: @1990shistory
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest:
David Kamp
Twitter: @MrKamp
www.davidkamp.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On History of the 90’s we’ll travel back in time through the stories that defined a decade. The last 10 years of the 20th century was a time like no other, from Columbine to Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Seinfeld, Air Jordan, and the Spice Girls …if it happened in the 90’s you’ll hear about it on this podcast. Join Kathy Kenzora as we journey through the History of the 90's every other Wednesday starting July 17.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.