Barb Oates

As a child of the ’70s, my go-to toys were Mrs. Beasley and the Sunshine Family. I enjoyed pretending with my grade school classmates that we were the girls’ version of the Bay City Rollers, but the British rockers stood little ground against my love affair with Andy Gibb and Donny & Marie. As for TV and movies, don’t even get me started on Little House in the Prairie and The Outsiders. As for other things pop culture, I’m still trying to figure out the Rubik’s Cube, and I’m still hoping the Captain’s Steak Joynt and that fabulous cheese fondue will see their return. Hope the memories and stories we share bring you a smile and good laugh.

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Collection of images from C. Thomas Howell's movie career

Cigarettes Got Him His ‘E.T.’ Role as a Kid? Fascinating Stories About C. Thomas Howell

Taking a punch (for real) in ’The Outsiders’ is just one of many stories about the down-to-earth actor/singer.

OUTSIDERS, THE, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, 1983

What Did Ralph Macchio Say to Make the Cast Laugh in ‘The Outsiders’ Infamous Photo?

They were supposed to look tough, but they couldn’t hold back the laughs after one comment.

I DREAM OF JEANNIE, from left: Larry Hagman, Barbara Eden, 1965-1970. ph: TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection

‘I Dream of Jeannie’s’ Barbara Eden on Why She Did Not Want to Wed Larry Hagman (Exclusive)

The wedding, which occurred 55 years ago, divided fans.

Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, yacht rock graphic

Who Is the King of Yacht Rock? It’s Not Christopher Cross!?

Almost all yacht rock is soft rock, but not all soft rock is yacht rock: here’s the history behind the beloved music genre.

SIDEWAYS, Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Paul Giamatti, 2004,

20 Years Later, the Cast of ‘Sideways’ Has Aged Like a Fine Wine

The Academy Award-winning film that had everyone talking about pinot noir starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh celebrates 20 years.

THE RAVEN, from left: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, 1935 artictic image

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Bela Lugosi & Boris Karloff’s Monster Life

Over a century later, these two Hollywood horror icons continue to fascinate.

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Bob Denver, 1964-1967. photo: Gene Trindl/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Who Remembers: Did Gilligan Get Off the Island?

Fans had to wait almost 15 years to find out the answer.

BEWITCHED, Elizabeth Montgomery

How Well Do You Remember ‘Bewitched’: Take Our Quiz!

Which Dick came first? Test your wits with some ‘Bewitched’ trivia.

Lassie, Jon Provost on set

(Exclusive) Whatever Happened to Lassie, Timmy’s Beloved Dog?

Lassie and Jon Provost had an amazing bond. “I mean, we grew up together,” Provost shares. “I loved the dog and he loved me.”

Baywatch, Nicole Eggert, red swimsuits

‘Baywatch’ Stars Had Only Two Swimsuits? Nicole Eggert Gives Us the Real Behind the Scenes

“You have two hangers in your dressing room and it’s just two suits and a robe.”

American bassist David Brown (left) performs with the other members of Santana, including drummer Michael Shrieve (behind drums), Mexican-born bandleader Carlos Santana (with guitar, center), and percussionists Michael Carabello (2d right) and Jose Areas (far right), at 'Woodstock,' a large rock and roll music concert, Bethel, New York, August 16, 1969. (Photo by Tucker Ransom/Getty Images)

Original Woodstock Stage Found Deep in the Woods

You can now get a piece of the original stage!

Larry Mathews and Rose Marie from Dick Van Dyke Show collage

Exclusive: Larry Mathews on Sneaking Cigarettes, Dick Van Dyke & Sharing a Birthday With Rose Marie

We recently caught up ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ tyke, who shared some very fun stories from the set.

Celebrity Family Feud, Donny Osmond, Debbie Osmond, Merrill Osmond, Chris Osmond, Dylan Osmond,

Beware of Donny Osmond: He’s In It to Win It on ‘Celebrity Family Feud’

“I don’t think Steve Harvey knew what he was getting into when they booked me.”

Judd Nelson now and then, The Engagement Plan

Judd Nelson Passed on Brat Pack Doc, But Finds Feel-Good Romcom

The former ‘Breakfast Club’ star is in new TV romcom.

Miss Cleo Her Rise and Fall, Credit Lifetime, Robin Allen

Who Was the Real Miss Cleo? Original Movie Sets Out to Tell Her Story

Miss Cleo’s rise and fall is shared in an emotional biopic.

American singer and songwriter Barry Manilow, December 1980. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

8 Things to Know About Barry Manilow (At Least 1 Will Make You Cry)

“I invited everybody I ever met in my life to that concert, and Grandpa was there.”

Donny Osmond beat Kevin Bacon in Six Degrees of Separation

Does Donny Osmond Have Kevin Bacon Beat in 6 Degrees of Separation?

Donny Osmond is one competitive guy! In between touring he makes a stop on ‘Celebrity Family Feud.’ We also chatted about all the famous faces he has met.

Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga in Melrose Place

Exclusive: Original ‘Melrose Place’ Stars Reminisce & Chat About New ‘Rewatch’ Podcast ‘Still the Place’

“Still The Place” will revisit every hookup, every scandal, every backstab, blackmail, explosion and every wig removal… together! Secrets are revealed as the hosts share the behind-the-scenes moments with fans.

George Geary, Made in California Vol. 2

Chuck E. Cheese. Panda Express. Cheesecake Factory. Yum Yum Donuts. Where Did These Restaurant Chains Start?

A fascinating look at the people and history behind America’s most iconic restaurant chains.

Rocky Sylvester Stallone, 1976

How Many Times Has Sylvester Stallone Watched ’Rocky‘?

The almost 78-year old talks about his most famous role.

Dick Van Dyke, Daytime Emmy winner courtesy: NATAS/Associated Television International/CBS

“I’m 98 Years Old!” Dick Van Dyke Wins Emmy and Makes History

Where to stream the episodes of Dick Van Dyke’s role on ‘Days of Our Lives.’

FAMILY, Kristy McNichol, 1976-80

Kristy McNichol to Make Rare Appearance at Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention

A new venue, new dates and big-time celebrity guests (including Vicki Lawrence) are planned for the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention.

FAMILY AFFAIR, from left, Johnny Whitaker, Sebastian Cabot, Brian Keith, Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, 1966-71. courtesy Everett Collection

Exclusive: Mrs. Beasley Is Making a Comeback! The Most Iconic Doll in Television

It took a strong upbringing to survive playing Sissy and Hollywood, but Kathy Garver is still acting and on a mission to share Mrs. Beasley.

Actress Jane Seymour and Actor Christopher Reeve take a break during filming of 'Somewhere in Time' on the veranda of the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan in May, 1979.

You’ll Never Guess the Biggest ‘Somewhere in Time’ Fan! Jane Seymour Shares, Plus the Star Heads Back to Mackinac Island

“It was the happiest and ultimately the saddest experience filming ever in my life.”

1950s FAMILY STATION WAGON & TRAILER PARKED JACKSON LAKE GRAND TETON MOUNTAINS WYOMING USA (Photo by D.Corson/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

Remember Those Family Vacations? You Can Live Stream a National Park (This Week Only)

Take a live virtual road trip to Yosemite, Death Valley, Zion and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25: Billy Joel performs at Billy Joel In Concert - New York, New York at Madison Square Garden on May 25, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Why Did Billy Joel Concert Get Cut Short During ‘Piano Man’?

Fans are outraged that the concert ended abruptly.

Billy Joel performs at Madison Square Garden on January 7, 2016 in New York City

Enjoy Your FREE Front-Row Ticket to Billy Joel Concert Special

“Billy is a working-class guy, and we all come from Sunday night appointment TV … Billy loves the idea that we are doing this for free and it’s basically a give back.”

Far Haven credit INSP, Bailey Chase and A Martinez from Longmire reunite

It’s a ‘Longmire’ Reunion For Bailey Chase and A Martinez in ‘Far Haven’

“It’s such a clear story about redemption and about the power of courage under difficult circumstances,” shares A Martinez.

Billy Joel and Sting

Sting & Jerry Seinfeld Are Surprise Guests at Billy Joel 100th Concert

Sting performed hits with Billy Joel, including “Big Man on Mulberry Street” and “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.”

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25: Billy Joel performs at Billy Joel In Concert - New York, New York at Madison Square Garden on May 25, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Billy Joel Celebrates 100 at MSG Tonight! Where You Can Watch It!

There are three stars of the Billy Joel Show at Madison Square Garden: “There is obviously Billy, there is the Garden, and there is the audience. The three of them, the sum is greater than the parts.”