For kids who grew up in the 80's, the Japanese style of animation known as "Anime" might have seemed like a new genre. Of course, it was only new to us. Animation had been integral to the Japanese film industry for most of the preceding century, and crept into the American scene as a sort of best kept secret.

The Japanese were creating animated films as far back as 1917, and the first feature length film of the genre came out in 1944. Disney films of the late 30's, notably "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs," inspired the development of animation techniques in Japan, and by the end of the 20th Century, American animators were adopting the Japanese Anime style. Back in the 80's, the younger crowd was watching Japanese animated shows like "Speed Racer" on TV, while the adult crowd could check out more underground Anime films at video clubs (especially if the legendary DJ "Mohawk" Adam was spinning.)

One of the shows that turned up toon television back in the 80's was a repackaged space drama that followed the efforts of the Star Force to save the Earth from the blue skinned Gamelons. Much of the show was heavily modified as it was transformed for the American audience, but basically the Star Force must journey to the planet Iscandar to retrieve a device that will cleanse the earth of the radiation the Gamelons have been using to destroy the human race.

Their space ship is called the Argo, and it looks very much like an ocean going battleship (right down to the keel), because it has been built from the salvaged remains of the Battleship Yamoto. So what was the name of (the Americanized version) of this Japanese animated series?

Bonus Question: If you were a kid in France, Belgium, or Quebec back in the late 70's/early 80's, you may have been exposed to another animated series that was quite popular in those places. It featured a staple of the Anime genre: huge battling robots! The show was brought over to France and overdubbed in French, which helped it become popular in French speaking Quebec.

The robot in question had golden colored horns sticking out of his head that shot lightning, arms that turned into rockets, a bladed lasso of sorts, and a circular spacecraft that he fit into the front of for long trips. What was the name of the show?

Pop culture, like the art world it aspires to emulate, has an unbreakable bond with sex and human sexuality. Ian Dury placed it above drugs and rock & roll, Berlin placed it above everything, Marvin Gaye sought it's healing effect, and Thrill Kill Kult put it on wheels. Janet Jackson called out the Nasty Boys, while Vanity proclaimed herself a Nasty Girl.

Sex and pop had an odd relationship during the new wave era, though. Some artists, like Madonna and Prince, embraced the subject without hesitation (and often without tact). Others like Howard Jones, A-ha, & Erasure kept their distance. Artists like Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Soft Cell, and even George Michael managed to get their videos banned in some places (resulting in big notoriety and sometimes big sales) for being a tad too overt.

Depeche Mode managed to approach the subject without coming off as exploitative. On their first few albums, the band relied on subtle references and analogies. On their fourth album, however, the band included a dance floor favorite that addressed the subject of domination in both sexual relationships and in society at large. So what was the name of this new game Depeche Mode invited listeners to play, as described in the title of their 1985 club hit?

Bonus Question: Funny how things that were shocking for the previous generation often seems tame for the current one, but I guess that's a perpetual cycle. Frankie Goes To Hollywood stirred up enough of a fuss with "Relax" that the song was banned by the BBC. Beyond the controversy over the lyrics, though, the song probably had more different videos shot for it than any other from the era.

There was the MTV-safe laser version, there was the much racier shaving cream version, and there was the 'live' version. And there was one more version, the footage for which was taken from a film that used the song as a centerpiece for one of its dramatic sequences. The plot device that makes it possible is when the main character, on the trail of a murderer, investigates the set of an adult film shoot. The film makers basically embedded their own version of the "Relax" video smack in the middle of their film, complete with all the Holly Johnson and all the other members of the band. This was subsequently edited and released as yet one more version of the video. So what was the name of this movie?

I've been Rickrolled - on numerous occasions in the last few weeks! But unlike humorous internet links, when real 80's fans play Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up" video, it’s they enjoy the song. May I humbly suggest that the follow up phenomenon should be Minoguerolling. After all, Rick and Kylie would have been perfect for each other: they had the same producers and (therefore) stylistically similar hit singles.

Anways, you know that Rick Astley’s never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you, but can you remember the name of Astley’s debut album?

Bonus Question: Rick Astley’s 80’s hits may seem a little kitschy and dated now, but they were all the rage back then. And the level of success the young artist achieved was impressive. At the tender age of 21, his debut single went to 1 on the U.K. charts and stayed there for five weeks. Even more amazing is the fact that Rick Astley would go on to have all of his first 8 singles reach the U.K. Top 10, a feat which got him a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Not bad for a guy who was singing in a local pub band 2 years before. So what was then name of the pub band Rick Astley was singing for when he was first approached by producer Pete Waterman with a record deal?

And, of course, we cant leave you without the infamous video to enjoy:

Another hit song from the 80’s has turned up in a T.V. commercial. It seems that Chevrolet has decided to give Bob Seger and John cougar Mellencamp a rest for the moment, and instead has licensed a classic funk tune from the 80’s: "Word Up!" The song was first released in 1986 and made it to 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as 1 on the R&B and Dance charts. The version used in the commercial is a cover version, done in a more rock and roll style. The song has been covered at least a few times, and I can’t nail down exactly who’s version this is. But in this Angel’s opinion, nothing can hold a candle to the original. So what was the name of the funk band who originally recorded "Word Up" back in the 80’s?

Bonus Question: Elton had the glasses, Michael had the glove, Pete Burns had the eye patch. If you’ve figured out the answer to the first part of tonight’s trivia challenge, you might remember that the singer/producer for that band had a an article of ’clothing’ (maybe ’fashion accessory’ is more appropriate) that he made his own trademark. He is seen wearing it in the "Word Up" video, and the only other hint that I’ll give you is that it’s bright red. What is it?

The Hooters were a big part of the Philadelphia scene in the early 80’s, and were the first band to take to the stage at JFK Stadium for the American half of the Live Aid concerts. Rolling Stone named the Hooters Best New Band, and they placed three songs on the Billboard Top 40 from their major label debut. But it was and continues to be songwriting skills that brought success to the Hooters. The band’s principle songwriting team, Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian, penned numerous tunes for other artists. Joan Osbourne’s "One Of Us" was one of theirs, and they also wrote for Sophie B. Hawkins and Jon Bon Jovi. Back in 1984, Rob Hyman wrote a song with Cyndi Lauper that went to 1 on the charts and got a Grammy nomination. What was the song?

Bonus Question: There was another organization from the 80’s that used the name ’Hooters’: the infamous restaurant chain. Hooters restaurants started showing up right around the same time as the band did, ironically. The source of the chain’s name and notoriety didn’t come from melodicas, though, and probably didn’t have a whole lot to do with the food. It was the nature of the service personnel that brought Hooters its fame, as well as a fair amount of controversy. For better or worse, the Hooters girl is the restaurant’s central icon, and was created for its earliest advertising campaigns. The very first Hooters girl was a former cheerleader who used the celebrity status she obtained to launch a successful career in modeling, acting, and radio. What was her name?

Sometimes pop stars will mention the names of other celebrities in their song lyrics, and there are many examples from the 80’s. Bananarama were relieved to know that "Robert DeNiro’s waiting, talking Italian." Kim Carnes acknowledged the power of "Bette Davis Eyes." Joe Jackson’s song "Memphis" made ’em "think about Marlon Brando on T.V." But the best example of Hollywood name dropping on an 80’s song has to be Madonna’s "Vogue." The song mentions a host of well known actors and actresses from the golden age of cinema, including Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, James Dean, Rita Hayworth, Greta Garbo . . . (you can almost hear the lyrics in your head at this point). There is one person mentioned in the list at the end of the song who was not an actor, aside from a single film role back in 1940. But he was a part of the show biz elite at the time, and his name did rhyme well with the name of his famous former wife (also mentioned in the song). And for a period of time between the 70’s and the 80’s, he was the spokesman for Mr. Coffee! What was his name?

Bonus Question: Infectiously groovy 80’s ska band Madness used the name of a famous actor as the title of one of their songs, and even got a recording of this same actor introducing himself, and used it in the song. Word has it the band approached him in a bar with a tape recorder, and then used the recording in the studio later on. So what was the name of this actor/Madness song title?

Author Kurt Vonnegut might have appreciated the Thompson Twins. Just as his novel "Cat's Cradle" came to the conclusion that there was "no damn cat and no damn cradle," the Thompson Twins included no persons named Thompson, and no persons who were twins. But the band did manage to produce some memorable tunes, and they had a look and sound that was oh-so-very 80's. Just recently, several Albums from the band's most prolific period have been rereleased on expanded CD sets, complete with extra tracks and remixes. Included in this reissue is the groups crowning achievement, the 1984 album that included the hits "Hold Me Now," "Doctor, Doctor," and "You Take Me Up." The album entered the U.K. charts at 1, and peaked on the U.S. album chart at 10. What was the title?

Bonus Question: The album mentioned above, as well as the one that preceded it, were both recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, under the production of Alex Sadkin. Sadkin was working with another artist at the time, who ended up doing guest vocals for one of the songs from their 1983 album release. Who was it?

It's time for another round of 'everything old is new again,' with NBC's recent revision of the classic 80's crime fighting show "Knight Rider!" First "American Gladiators," now this! Will we see a return of "Manimal?" Seriously, though . . . last Sunday night NBC aired an updated version of "Knight Rider," starring Justin Bruening as Mike Tracer (the new driver/crime fighter) and Val Kilmer as the voice of the new car. Now, the angel didn't get to see the two hour movie event, but word has the 'Hoff made an appearance, reviving his role as Michael Knight. K.I.T.T. is back too, but this time around it's a Mustang (Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, to be precise). So what kind of car was the original K.I.T.T., as seen in the original 80's Knight Rider series?

Bonus Question: Back in the 80's, David Letterman used to go through the T.V. Guide and point out shows where the main character faces his or her own 'evil twin.' It was a plot device that got used quite a lot, and "Knight Rider" was no exception. In one episode, David Hasselhoff and his amazing computer controlled car actually had to battle another amazing computer controlled car. It turns our that K.I.T.T.'s evil nemesis was actually the first prototype of a talking automobile, produced by Knight Industries before they got their act together. It was slated to be dismantled due to flaws in its programming, but somehow it escaped the scrap heap and it's out to settle the score! So what was the name of K.I.T.T.'s evil twin? (And you have to get the spelling right!)

As the saying goes "everything old is new again." In this case, it's the show "American Gladiators" that's been brought back for another run (and yet there's no effort to revive "Puttin On The Hits?" Go figure.)

The original "American Gladiators" debuted in 1989, and featured athletes and body builders competing in oddball events that might be considered the precursor to X-treme sports. The combatants had nicknames like Zap and Nitro, and a few have turned up in reality shows in recent years. The host of the original series was sportscaster Mike Adamle, and he was joined each season by a co-host.

Adamle's co-host for the first season in 1989 was a former NFL quarterback who started out playing college football for Notre Dame, and went on to become starting quarterback for our own Washington Redskins. He lead the Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XVII, and he was the NFL's MVP in 1983. What was his name?

Bonus Question: Speaking of those nicknames, one of the original six Gladiators on the first season back in 1989 was a former pro racquetball player named Deron McBee. As an American Gladiator, he had the tanned surfer dude persona. During the 90's he scored small parts in the Batman sequels, guest appearances on "Walker, Texas Ranger," and a visible role in the second "Mortal Combat" movie. What was Deron McBee's nickname on American Gladiators?

Advertisers will pay big money to license pop tunes for use in commercials because they want to tap into the easy recognition that a well known song provides. Pop music may also trigger a feeling of identification for a particular demographic (no doubt the use of 80's tunes is meant to target the Gen-X'ers). And if the songs lyrics connect to the product in some way, so much the better. "What's New Pussycat" was used to sell cat food, "Sugar Sugar" was used to sell artificial sweetner, etc. etc.

Some pop songs make for questionable choices, though. Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" and the Violent Femmes "Blister In The Sun" both contain drug references, but were used in very visible advertising campaigns (who listens to the words, right?) Then there's the times when the use of a song to push a product is just . . . weird. Currently there's a advertisement that uses a re-recorded version of the 1984 hit "We're Not Gonna Take It" to sell birth control pills.

The song was originally an anthem of teen rebellion against oppressive parents, and . . . well, I can see how birth control might play a role in such an insurrection. But I don't think that's the message that the advertiser is trying to send. But whatever the connection is, the song was the biggest U.S. hit for the band who first recorded it, what was the name of that band?

Bonus Question: I can't help notice that the birth control pills mentioned above go by the name 'Yaz,' and I wonder if the company contemplated licensing a song by the legendary 80's synthpop duo Yaz. Of course, that might have been even stranger, as many of the groups best songs are rather melancholy. But I guess that didn't bother J.C. Penny, who used a re-recorded Yaz tune for a Mother's Day commercial last year (thus taking melancholy to maudlin, glad I missed it). The song used was the group's first ever single, and it made it to 2 on the U.K. charts back in 1982. What was the name of the song?

Speaking of car commercials that use songs from the 80's, KIA is airing a commercial right now that uses the song "Maniac." The song originally became a hit when it was included in the 1983 film "Flashdance." The video for the song was a montage of scenes from the film, and the images of dancers being doused with water and chased by strobe lights are about as 80's as it gets. The fact that the video barely showed any shots of the artist responsible for the song didn't stop him from becoming one of the great one hit wonders of the decade.

The artist who co-wrote and recorded "Maniac" was a seasoned session musician, who collaborated with stars like Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, New Edition, and George Benson. So what was his name?

Bonus Question: It's a fairly well known fact that "Flashdance" star Jennifer Beals didn't do any of the dance routines in the film herself, instead they were performed by body doubles. But the breakdancers were real. In fact, one of the breakers featured prominently in the film and the music video was New York native 'Crazy Legs' (a.k.a. Richard Colon).

Crazy Legs had come up through the earliest incarnations of the New York b-boy scene, when battling other breakers with dance moves was the pathway to glory and street cred. He would eventually become president of one of the best known breakdance outfits, a group that brought breakdance performances from the Roxy Nightclub in NYC to stages in London and Paris, and even to an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance for Elizabeth the second, Queen of England, in 1983. So what was the name of the famous 80's breakdance group that Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon presides over to this day?