Matthew Getic was the first person to ever appear on Crushgasm because he’s my guy and the easiest person to get to sit down with me for any sort of experiment. He came through initially to talk about his first crush and since then has been keeping busy with Happened in the ‘90s, a podcast dedicated to delivering you everything from wrestling events to ‘Quantum Leap’ and everything in between. So he was a fitting guest to come back and talk about the year that started it all, 1990.
We talked about his favorite thing, the first ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’ movie as well as his issue with ‘Ghost.’ You can listen to that conversation here – and while ‘Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ was probably my favorite thing about that year, I couldn’t leave 1990 without talking about a short-lived series, the album that would eventually spawn an obsession, my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movie and more from that year.
Wilson Phillips “Hold On”
When I think of an infectious one-hit-wonder that drives itself under your skin, travels through your body, and settles down into your brain – “Hold On” is one of the first songs that come to mind. And not in a bad way. As far as pop music goes, this ticks all of the boxes for me. Plus, years later it was the icing on the cake in one of my top 10 movies, ever, ‘Bridesmaids.’
Edward Scissorhands
This was definitely the first movie I remember Johnny Depp from, and it was his performance as this Robert Smith-esque man with shears for hands that just stuck with me until he walked the plank in the ‘00s. Well, that and ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,’ but as far as ‘Edward Scissorhands’ as a whole…I guess I’ve always leaned toward the tales of outcasts.
The Bradys
This show didn’t last long nor was it the most groundbreaking, but I enjoyed this one years down the road in syndication because I’m a big advocate for catching up with beloved characters. I don’t need a whole reboot series, but something like this – a season, or even a TV movie like ‘The Brady Bunch’ was known for as well – those I want for all shows that last at least four seasons and have a proven fanbase.
Kindergarten Cop
What was the 10th highest-grossing movie of 1990? None other than a movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cop who has to go undercover as a kindergarten teacher. Today, that would not make it past Tubi, but in 1990 the beauty of cinema was that we let everything roll with the punches, and for that – I am grateful because this movie is comedy gold.
Blossom
As a kid, this was merely watched for Joey Lawrence’s cuteness, but as I got older I realized how necessary it was. ‘Blossom’ centered around a teenage girl living with her single father, recovering addict brother, and Joey Lawrence who I don’t remember having any legit issues. Blossom endured a lot on the series and along the way captured the female teen experience in a way that felt new and groundbreaking at the time. A handful of years before I’d see Lucy on ‘7th Heaven’ talk about her period, there was Blossom with a whole half hour about needing pads. Blossom, the teen angst trailblazer.
Garth Brooks ‘No Fences’
It would be a while before I started to appreciate full albums, but looking back – thank gawd Garth Brooks went and dropped ‘No Fences’ this year because it really helped propel him to be the mainstream artist that he is today. His debut, self-titled, did well on the charts but this album broke the top 10 thanks to singles like “The Thunder Rolls” and “Friends in Low Places,” and the rest is history.
Home Alone
Macaulay Culkin is and will forever be on my Mount Rushmore of ‘90s icons and so much of that is because of this movie. Today, it’s far more than a nostalgic watch – it’s transcended to be a holiday must-watch for families around the world.
In Living Color
My household was an ‘In Living Color’ home. Perhaps because there were way more Black people and my mom thought the small screen representation would be good for me. I’ve never asked. I will say though, I’m grateful because while that other sketch comedy series is wonderful, I enjoyed my time with Homey D. Clown.
Pretty Woman
What’s more ‘90s than taking the fairy tale concept and putting a prostitute in it? ‘Pretty Woman’ was introduced to me a few years later, at the ripe old age of five, and since then has been one of those movies that if it’s on, I’m going to stop and watch. Julia Roberts is so endearing as Vivian, and her chemistry with Richard Gere’s Edward is unparalleled. Always and forever in my top 5 RomComs, always.
Tiny Toon Adventures
There was nothing like racing home from the bus stop after school to catch ‘Tiny Toon Adventures.’ It was silly but at the same time pulled so many references to old Hollywood and pop culture that it really helped set up a generation to be the kind of people who live for nostalgia.
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