Daily Dirt: Memories of Debra Winger, Joan Jett and the late, great Christine McVie from 40 years ago

Daily Dirt for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

Retro Week continues today as we look at pop culture items and pop music from 40 years ago. If that seems just like yesterday, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 464 of The Daily Dirt.

1. 1982. It hardly seems possible it was that long ago that the following were three of the most-talked about items of the day:

• Gold medal: Two movies in particular dominated much of our movie-going conversation that year: “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Porky’s.” Richard Gere and Debra Winger were the cinematic couple of the year for their roles in the first, a romantic drama that provided Winger with a second blockbuster for her resume (she had wowed us previously in “Urban Cowboy” in 1980). The movie also spawned the No. 1 song, “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. “Porky’s” was the teen sex comedy that influenced numerous other offerings that decade, plus setting the stage for two sequels. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Wait a minute. Porky’s was one of the three most talked-about items of 1982? Porky’s? Seriously? I was a high school junior in 1982. A couple of memorable scenes, sure, but hardly a noteworthy movie. From a pop culture perspective, the debut of “Late Night With David Letterman” far surpasses “Porky’s.” To put it in perspective that Steve would understand, Letterman is Aaron Judge. Porky’s is Paul DeJong. DA)
• Silver medal: The Vietnam War Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. At the time, the site’s design was highly controversial, a 246-foot long black granite wall that featured the names of more than 57,000 U.S. soldiers who perished in the conflict.
• Bronze medal: Seven people in the Chicago area died from taking Tylenol laced with potassium cyanide. No one was ever charged with the murders, but the incident brought about tamper-proof packaging that is still in use today.

2. Musically speaking, 1982 was important for the following reasons:

• Gold medal: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became a household name with two monster hits, “I Love Rock and Roll” and “Crimson and Clover.” Forty years later, Joan is still rockin’. (For the record, her real name is Joan Marie Larkin.)
• Silver medal: In August of ’82, Fleetwood reaches No. 1 with “Hold Me.” The late Christine McVie shared lead vocal work with Lindsey Buckingham. McVie died early this week of natural causes at age 79. For anyone who might care, this is my all-time favorite Fleetwood Mac song. And I always thought McVie was one of the classiest vocalists of her time. Rest in peace, Christine.
• Bronze medal: The song that held the No. 1 position for the longest period in 1982 was the late Olivia Newton-John’s memorable “Physical.” The song topped the charts for four weeks.

3. It’s Thursday, and that means Geoff Eighinger (aka “Young Eighinger”) is back with his ranking of the top-five NFL teams. If you are wondering where the “rest” of his weekly post might be, you’ll have to wait until early next week.

“The NFL season is two-thirds complete, and the top teams are making themselves known,” reports Young Eighinger. 

Here is his new top five: 

• 5. Miami Dolphins (8-3). Last week: NR. I believe they are slightly better than the other 8-3 team in the AFC East, Buffalo, right now. A big test comes on Sunday when the Dolphins head to San Francisco. 
• 4. Minnesota Vikings (9-2). Last week: 5. Bill Belichick and the Pats provided Minnesota a heck of a Turkey Day opponent, but the Vikes came out victorious after a Cousins-to-Thielen TD pass late in the fourth. 
• 3. Dallas Cowboys (8-3). Last week: 3. They were clearly the better team on Thanksgiving against their division rival Giants. Their next three games are a cakewalk before seeking revenge against Philly in Week 16. 
• 2.Philadelphia Eagles (10-1). Last week: 2. Although the Packers made it a competitive Sunday Night Football match-up, the stronger Eagles team took charge in the fourth quarter to pick up their 10th win. 
• 1.Kansas City Chiefs (9-2). Last week: 1. KC kept its top spot with a dominant win this past week. After five straight victories, Andy Reid and gang are swimming in momentum. Beware. 

Steve Thought O’ The Day
I’m not sure if I have ever been swimming in momentum. For one thing, I can’t swim.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Thank goodness Steve can’t swim. That eliminates the chance of any photos of him in a Speedo.