Top Ten #314; Special "Olympics may be winding down, but BOTNS continues" Edition!

1) The 1984 Summer Olympics: As the 2024 Olympics come to a close, revisit the 1984 Games with this week's podcast, in which we talk about the ABC coverage, the notable moments of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and, yes, even some of the sports!

2) The 1984 Winter Olympics: Hey, why not? We barely mentioned them on the podcast. Sarajevo was not the resounding USA-fest that Los Angeles was, but it happened. It just didn't have poppers and lockers and Lionel Richie and possible extraterrestrial visitors (Really, check out the podcast).

3) Hot Lips Houlihan: Our friend Steve responded to last week's bowling-themed Power Rankings with an omission: Hot Lips Houlihan, who comes through for the 4077th against the Marines in "Sons and Bowlers." We give her (and Steve) props here! Her technique may not be textbook, but you can't argue with results. You can see a glimpse of her and others mentioned in the post in this cool clip I found:

4) Carl Lewis: I could have sworn Carl and Emmanuel Lewis collaborated together in, oh, 1985 or so. Maybe a Bob Hope special? If it happened, I can't find it.

5) Jim McKay: The consummate pro did his usual excellent work at the 1984 Olympics. Plus us he introduced a grateful nation to breakin'.

6) Showtime: I saw an interesting piece in The New York Times from 40 years ago today touting the success and prospects of the pay cable network. "I promise we will not be seen as merely a weak alternative to HBO for the next 30-plus years," then-VP Peter Chernin says. 

No, he actually praises an adaptation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones.

7) CBS News Special: The Trouble with Rock: 50 years ago tonight, this program took a look at the economics of the music industry and the corruption that plagued it. Also, Canadian Morley Safer explores what the heck BTO has to do to get a #1 single in the States.

8) Lionel Richie: I continue to marvel at what a sensational run Lionel Richie had in the mid-Eighties. After seeing The Greatest Night in Pop about the making of "We Are the World" and revisiting the '84 Closing Ceremonies and seeing him sing "All Night Long," I think I'm ready for a feature-length Lionel documentary. 

9) Saturday Night: The trailer for Jason Reitman's upcoming film about the debut of the show on NBC has me excited, and not just because J.K. Simmons is playing Milton Berle.

10) R.I.P.: Kevin Sullivan, Mitzi McCall: