PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More

The Ultimate Holiday Trivia Challenge

On this holiday-themed episode of Past Tens: A Top 10 Time Machine, Dave and Milt crank up the festive vibes with a full-blown pop-culture trivia throwdown—covering Christmas songs, movies, TV episodes, and other seasonal nonsense we all pretend not to love (but absolutely do).
Along the way, they pause to address the elephant in the studio: the growing list of celebrities who’ve inconveniently passed away shortly after being mentioned on the pod. Is it coincidence? A curse? Or just the most unfortunate branding accident in podcasting history? (Welcome back to the Murder Pod™.)
The trivia pulls heavily from ‘80s-style music bar trivia, beloved TV shows like The Office and Friends, and classic holiday films and specials—some heartwarming, some traumatic, all fair game. There’s also a little holiday housekeeping, a stroll down Past Tens memory lane, and a tease for next week’s Second Annual Tennies Awards, because yes, we are absolutely giving trophies to songs again.
Festive? Yes. Educational? Occasionally. Slightly unhinged? Always.
Topics:
00:00 Welcome back to Past Tens
02:02 Holiday vibes & trivia setup
04:24 The ongoing “Murder Pod” situation
10:17 Holiday pop-culture trivia kicks off
30:50 Christmas movie trivia (brace yourself)
31:44 Bill Murray’s many brothers in Scrooged
34:24 Broadway Christmas movies (somehow a thing)
35:19 Christmas Movie PTSD
36:28 Classic Christmas songs & TV nostalgia
37:51 The Office and Friends holiday episodes
46:05 The Star Wars Holiday Special and other mistakes
56:37 Bonus questions & the wrap-up

Do You Know Where You Are? You're in 1988, Baby!

Fire up the flux capacitor, because this episode of Past Tens: The Top 10 Time Machine drops Dave and Milt straight into December 1988—a moment in pop history when power ballads were mandatory, New Jack Swing was kicking down the door, and Welcome to the Jungle somehow coexisted with Two Hearts on the same chart.
The guys break down the Billboard Top 10, taking respectful (and occasionally reckless) swings at songs from Guns N’ Roses, Bobby Brown, Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Poison, and more. Along the way: personal war stories from the era, cultural detours through VH1 lists and The Simpsons, and a spirited debate over which songs still slap—and which ones are just riding muscle memory.
Also on the docket:
Milt returns from the Dominican Republic with vacation tales, sunburns, and karaoke decisions that may not age well
A pop quiz involving songs with the word “heart” (because 1988 loved feelings almost as much as synthesizers)
Diane Warren doing Diane Warren things
Chicago… late-period Chicago… that Chicago
And yes, Every Rose Has Its Thorn, because of course it’s here
It’s music analysis, nostalgia, gentle roasting, and genuine affection for a wildly eclectic Top 10—exactly the way December ’88 deserves.
 
Topics
00:00 – Welcome back to Past Tens 00:37 – Vacation tales, sunburns, and bad decisions abroad 03:04 – Karaoke: regrets may vary 04:32 – Strap in, time machine engaged 05:53 – Setting the scene: December 1988 12:43 – The Top 10 countdown begins 21:46 – Eddie Money goes full pop 29:37 – The Bangles flirt with psychedelic pop 35:34 – Guns N’ Roses kick in the door 40:39 – Welcome to the Jungle as an opening statement 41:35 – VH1’s “greatest hard rock song” debate 43:19 – The Simpsons enters the chat 45:48 – Phil Collins’ Two Hearts (and Buster) 48:27 – Phil Collins + Lamont Dozier = hit math 51:54 – Heart-themed song quiz (feelings everywhere) 01:05:03 – Boy Meets Girl: pure late-’80s yearning 01:10:25 – Anita Baker delivers, as always 01:14:56 – Late-era Chicago: brace yourself 01:16:11 – The “adult contemporary” era explained 01:17:03 – Diane Warren’s invisible fingerprints 01:21:03 – Bobby Brown and the New Jack Swing takeover 01:25:02 – Top 10 hits with spelling-bee energy 01:32:32 – Every Rose Has Its Thorn (yes, that one) 01:37:43 – Recaps, swaps, and second thoughts 01:40:07 – Final thoughts and the ride home
 

Duran Duran, Fountains of Wayne: The Starter Kit

On this very special episode of Past Tens, your beloved hosts — one recovering from surgery, the other recovering from life — roll out something brand new: The Starter Kit. Think of it as the musical tasting menu nobody asked for but absolutely needed.
We each pick a band.We give you the essentials.You pretend to take notes.Everybody wins.
Dave kicks things off with Duran Duran, because nothing says “starter kit” like a band that basically invented the MTV era and then refused to leave. Yes, we hit Hungry Like the Wolf — the song that launched a thousand hair products — but we also dig into the weird, wonderful, and criminally underrated corners of their catalog.
Then Milt, bless him, grabs his power-pop heart and heads straight into Fountains of Wayne, a band that somehow packed more storytelling into three-minute pop songs than most novelists manage in 400 pages. And yes, we go far beyond Stacy’s Mom. (If you know what I mean. And I think you do.)
It’s all here: music geekery, nostalgia, sideways humor, and the occasional moment where we accidentally sound like we know what we’re talking about.
Episode Breakdown (aka: Pretending This Is a Real Show With Structure)
00:00 – Welcome! 00:43 – Health updates and the Past Tens community proving once again they’re nicer than we deserve 01:25 – Surgery stories — because nothing pairs with pop music like anesthesia flashbacks 05:27 – Listener shout-outs and general podcast tomfoolery 09:15 – Introducing The Starter Kit (trademark pending, MFers!) 14:19 – Dave’s Duran Duran Starter Kit: hits, deep cuts, Bond themes, oh my 45:16 – Surprise: Public Enemy’s “911 Is a Joke” enters the chat 46:12 – Best pop-culture use: The James Bond theme that actually slaps 49:24 – Milt opens the Fountains of Wayne vault 56:36 – The hits, the almost-hits, and the “why didn’t anyone listen to this?” tracks 58:13 – Hidden gems and critic candy 01:01:23 – The comedy, the lyrics, the stories — this band was funny on purpose 01:13:56 – Live performances and unexpected covers 01:20:41 – The legacy and why they still matter 01:28:00 – Wrap-up, listener love, and an open invitation to argue with us online
 

70s/80s Trash TV! The Battle of the Network Stars

Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to experience is nothing less than a rollicking romp through the gilded pantheon of televised tomfoolery! In this extraordinary edition of “Past Tens: The Top 10 Time Machine,” your indefatigable host Dave, with the unparalleled, inimitable chartmeister Milt sidelined by injury, in steps a stupendous subsititution, the incomparable Mark Gerber! The duo embark upon a triumphant return to that most spectacular, most ludicrous, most magnificently melodramatic of American institutions: The Battle of the Network Stars!
Dave and Mark seize the moment, diving headlong into the swirling waters of nostalgia. They revisit — with the reverence of historians and the joi de vivre of carnival barkers — the unforgettable competitions of the '70s and '80s: the sinew-straining tug-of-war battles, the kayaking cataclysms that defied physics, the controversies that shook the nation, and the races that left audiences gasping for breath.
Marvel as Debbie Allen storms back from adversity on the obstacle course! Tremble as kayak after kayak — piloted by celebrities who had no business in watercraft — spirals into beautifully chaotic disaster! Relive the titanic clash between Gabe Kaplan and Robert Conrad, a showdown that echoed through the annals of competitive fluff!
And through it all, you’ll hear the resonant ghost of Howard Cosell himself, narrating each triumph and tragedy with Olympian gravitas and trademark incredulity.
This is no mere recap, friends — it is a celebration of Trash TV in its purest, most incandescent form. A reminder of why this bizarre, charming, star-studded spectacle remains etched into the hearts of millions.
 
Topics 00:53 Declaring the Golden Age of Trash TV 01:12 Enter Mark Gerber — a man ready for battle 02:28 Time Machine engaged: Destination, Network Stars 04:35 Celebrity titans reviewed 10:23 The Voice of God: Cosell’s commentary 13:54 Countdown ignites 26:39 Crystal vs. Letterman — an unlikely duel 32:34 Debbie Allen triumphs heroically 36:02 Ow! Injuries aplenty 36:49 Debbie Allen’s unquenchable spirit 37:03 Celebrity connections revealed 38:25 Mark Harmon: athlete among mortals 40:02 “Summer School” reveries 42:48 Kayaks of chaos 1:00:02 Tug of war tension mounts 1:07:21 The climactic heave-ho 1:08:30 A plunge into Real People 1:10:36 CBS vs. NBC — a struggle for the ages 1:15:45 Cosell’s iconic crowning moments 1:30:28 Conrad vs. Kaplan: The myth, the matchup 1:38:09 A wistful farewell to the magic of Network Stars
 

Ultimate 1980s Music Trivia!

Just when you think you know the answers to 80s music trivia, we start changing the questions.
Here you go, Machiners. 5 rounds. 5 questions each round. 
Choose wisely.

Hits of 1981: Getting Physical

Strap in, Time Travelers — Dave and Milt are firing up the chart-powered DeLorean and punching in the week of November 21, 1981, a glorious moment when MTV was still shiny and new, Hall & Oates ruled with feathered fists, and your boombox was probably eating AA batteries like Milt eats pretzels.
We kick things off with the Hill Street Blues theme — because nothing says “Let’s rock!” like a soft-focus keyboard stroll through cop drama melancholy — and roll straight into gems like the Stones’ “Start Me Up” and ONJ’s gym-class megabanger “Physical.” Along the way, we unpack the significance of each track, including the ones we love, the ones we pretend to love, and the ones we loudly and publicly shame.
Naturally, the listener mailbag makes an appearance: grievances, duet arguments, strong opinions delivered politely (and occasionally not). We even dive into the “Should this have been Top 10?” cul-de-sac, where great songs go to be judged and mocked with affection.
And yes — we address our brief hiatus, courtesy of Milt’s upcoming surgery, which he insists is “minor,” yet has somehow required him to create a 14-page Google Doc labeled “My Brave Journey.”
Timecoded Play-By-Play
00:00 – Welcome back to Past Tens, the podcast that keeps the time machine running on sarcasm and soft rock.00:34 – Boogie Nights and the fine art of fake rock songs.02:14 – Listener mail: duet debates, arguments, and emotional damage.10:16 – Time Machine locked on Nov. 21, 1981. Hold onto your parachute pants.20:31 – The Hill Street Blues theme wanders in with a soft jazz shrug.39:31 – Monica’s haircut catastrophe. Blame the ’80s.41:46 – The Police take the stage. Sting begins brooding.42:40 – The origin story of The Police — including Sting’s hair, which absolutely deserves its own prequel.47:12 – The Office vs. The Police: musical connections you didn’t ask for.52:20 – Little River Band tries to rock. It goes… okay.58:36 – Bob Seger goes live and proves he only needs two chords and a throat made of sandpaper.01:04:16 – Listener trivia time: where humiliation meets celebration.01:16:48 – Air Supply floats in with a cloud made of soft rock and perms.01:19:28 – The Stones drop their last great song — Dave said it, fight him.01:22:39 – Stones music video analysis: men running in place and wearing things they shouldn’t.01:24:03 – Early demos of “Start Me Up,” before it became a sports-arena mandatory.01:25:09 – Commercial success, i.e., the part where Mick bought another house.01:26:48 – Trivia bonding — yes, it’s adorable.01:27:37 – Foreigner melts faces with “Waiting for a Girl Like You.”01:32:38 – Hall & Oates slap on the trench coats for “Private Eyes.”01:40:54 – Olivia Newton-John gets physical, and so do we.01:45:47 – Looking back at 1981: the hits, the misses, the hair.01:58:36 – Sign-off and a preview of things to come… after Milt survives his lifetime-movie surgery arc.

The Greatest Duets of All Time

There once were two hosts, Milt and Dave, Whose duets made the time charts behave. From Loggins and Nicks, To Bowie’s slick mix, They delivered the hits that we crave.
They told tales of songs that still shine,Shared memories, both yours and mine.From the gems underplayed,To the legends they made,Each chorus a perfect design.
Then came a fast lightning round—More duets, more magic they found!With laughter and cheer,They wrapped up the year,In sweet, two-part harmony sound. 🎙️
 
topics
00:59:10 Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson — Say Say Say 01:00:05 Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper — Shallow 01:01:20 Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb — Guilty 01:02:10 Johnny Cash & June Carter — Jackson 01:03:05 Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson — Jam (Heavy D cameo love) 01:04:05 David Bowie & Bing Crosby — Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (improbable and perfect) 01:05:10 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell — Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing 01:05:45 Natalie Cole (with Dad) — Unforgettable (goosebumps/AI-free tears) 01:06:15 Stevie Nicks & Don Henley — Leather and Lace (this was the wedding duet!) 01:07:00 JAY-Z & Alicia Keys — Empire State of Mind (NY anthem; Boston politely nods) 01:09:00 The Jacksons & Mick Jagger — State of Shock (Freddie demo rabbit hole unlocked) 01:11:00 Don Henley & Axl Rose — I Will Not Go Quietly (this pairing weirdly slaps) 01:14:00 Kenny Loggins & Steve Perry — Don’t Fight It (ambiguously great duo)
The Official Top 10 (ranked)
Queen & David Bowie — Under Pressure
Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty — Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond — You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
Meat Loaf & Ellen Foley — Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Tina Turner & Bryan Adams — It’s Only Love
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell — Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John — You’re The One That I Want
Elton John & Kiki Dee — Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Philip Bailey & Phil Collins — Easy Lover
Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks — Whenever I Call You “Friend”
Running bits & quotables
“This podcast is a duet. End of list.”
“You don’t bring me McDonald’s Diet Coke anymore. It’s over.”
“Nerds Gummy Clusters: the Reese’s Cup of candy collabs.”
“Grease’s flying car? My only note: call the tower.”
Homework for Time Travelers
Hit us with your missing duets (yes, we know, Endless Love fans).
Nominate a “Worst Duets Ever” for the inevitable roast episode.
If you have the Freddie + MJ ‘State of Shock’ demo link, share it. We’re already halfway down that rabbit hole.
Keep the harmony coming
Email: Top10TimeMachine@gmail.com
Site: TimeMachinePod.com (updated every time we post; still rocking the cheese-fries photo)
 

1990 Tunes: When Ice Was Cool

Strap in, time travelers — Dave and Milt are firing up the Time Machine and heading straight back to a world of ripped jeans, Aqua Net, and questionable rap credibility. It’s November 3, 1990, and the Billboard Top 10 is a glorious mashup of hair metal hangovers, pop perfection, and one dude named Vanilla who made us all say “Yo, VIP, let’s kick it.” Cool, Vanilla. Wax those chumps, bro.
The guys chew over Warrant’s sticky-sweet “Cherry Pie” (spoiler: it’s aged like a dessert left in the sun), Janet Jackson’s rock-star moment with “Black Cat,” and, yes, the cultural phenomenon that was “Ice Ice Baby.” There’s a detour into bar mitzvah memories, a look at early-’90s musical growing pains, and even a round of trivia celebrating songs that kick off with iconic sound effects.
Expect the usual blend of nostalgia, nonsense, and “Wait, that was this year?” revelations. It’s another totally rad trip through time with your favorite chart-chomping duo.
Episode Breakdown:00:00 – Welcome to Past Tens01:15 – Weekend shenanigans04:54 – Remembering MTV’s Remote Control06:37 – November 1990: a magical, mulleted time15:34 – The countdown begins37:47 – That one wildly inappropriate wedding song39:13 – Alias and the slow death of hair metal40:07 – New Jack Swing is here to stay42:04 – Teen slang and nonsense words (we blame Color Me Badd)43:29 – Babyface and the silky sound of After 749:34 – MC Hammer: Can’t touch his chart dominance57:33 – James Ingram makes everyone cry01:08:20 – Janet shreds with Black Cat01:18:20 – The Sound Effects Song Quiz begins01:22:39 – Somehow, Billie Eilish and The Office show up01:24:03 – From Love in an Elevator to Civil War: sound effects galore01:29:57 – The inevitable Ice Ice Baby moment01:36:46 – What happens when AI meets pop music01:38:32 – Countdown recap01:51:57 – Dave and Milt say goodbye (until the next time warp)

Remembering MTV’s Remote Control!

Dave and Milt reminisce about MTV's cultural impact following the announcement of its shutdown after 44 years. They share personal stories and memories from appearing on the classic MTV game show 'Remote Control.' Dave and Milt each recount their episodes, including detailed behind-the-scenes antics, their interactions with other contestants, and hilarious moments with Colin Quinn and other cast members. They even encounter a young Adam Sandler. The duo wraps up by honoring MTV's significant influence in their formative years and its transformation over time.
SEE THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/-p9ejRP97Bc?si=vSNrff8QYA09-Bpu
Topics
00:57 Remembering MTV's Legacy
03:56 MTV's Remote Control Game Show
11:24 Auditioning for Remote Control
16:15 Milt's Episode on Remote Control
31:57 Behind the Scenes and Final Thoughts
42:28 A Day of Filming: The Struggles and Surprises
44:55 The MTV Play Date: Trivia Time
50:09 Dave's MTV Experience: A Memorable Journey
51:48 The Game Show: Highs and Lows
58:18 Behind the Scenes: Funny and Awkward Moments
01:14:41 Reflecting on the MTV Days
01:18:02 Conclusion: Nostalgia and Farewell

The 1973 Albums Draft

Fire up the time machine, because Dave and Milt are cranking it to 1973—the year rock gods walked among us. Joined by fellow music geeks Scott Ziegler and David Kaufer, the crew dives headfirst into a snake draft of pure, analog glory. From Billy Joel finding his voice on Piano Man to Elton painting the sky on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and from Pink Floyd’s cosmic masterpiece Dark Side of the Moon to Zeppelin’s mythic Houses of the Holy—this draft’s got more classic riffs than your uncle’s record shelf.
Expect heated debates, shameless nostalgia, and more name-dropping than a ‘70s liner note. There’s strategy, there’s sentiment, and yes—there’s a few questionable picks that’ll have you yelling at your cassette player. The guys also round things out with movie soundtracks and TV themes from ‘73, because apparently, we couldn’t stop humming even when the radio was off.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Here's the 2021 episode where Milt and Dave rank the top 10 editions of Schoolhouse Rock (a 1973 debut): https://timemachinepod.podbean.com/e/top-10-of-schoolhouse-rock-recalling-the-kitsch/
 
Topics
00:00 – Cue the time machine and the dad jokes
01:23 – The rock draft begins (and chaos follows)
11:07 – First-round fireworks: everyone wants Floyd
33:52 – Aerosmith enters the chat
40:15 – George Harrison quietly crushes
44:40 – Elvis says “Aloha,” literally
57:19 – American Graffiti brings the feels
01:24:16 – Paul Simon rhymes his way home
01:39:32 – Honorable mentions and a few dishonorable omissions