Writer of Pop Culture

Cool and refreshing news about pop culture and entertainment.

This Day in Pop Culture for January 22

On this day in pop culture history, Apple shocked the nation, John Lennon’s shocking photo appeared on Rolling Stone, and Tucker and Dale fought evil.

January 22, 2020

2–3 minutes

1984: Apple’s Macintosh Changes Everything

Most American’s were introduced to Apple’s Macintosh personal computer during the Super Bowl on this day in 1984. The promo commercial, simply titled 1984, was created by Ridley Scott for $1.5 million and was only shown once. Some have called the commercial a “masterpiece” and “more successful than the Mac itself.” The futuristic commercial (alluding to George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four) was in a way trying to show how Apple could “save humanity” by giving them a choice besides and IBM computer. (Images: Wikimedia Commons)

2010: Tucker

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is a movie with a twist of misconceptions. The scary backwoods guys turn out to be the heroes – if only those college kids would just give them a chance.

1983: Mama

Vicki Lawrence was just 24 years old when she first played the role of Thelma Harper (Mama) on The Carol Burnett Show. Ten years later, she headlined her own show in Mama’s Family.

2018: Minnie

In celebration of her 90th anniversary, Minnie Mouse received a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame in California. In 2022, she became the captain of a Disney cruise ship.

1981: The Infamous Portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono and John Lennon *(Wikimedia Commons modified)*

Many have seen the Annie Liebowitz portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine that was published on this day in 1981. It featured a naked John Lennon curled up in a fetal embrace of a fully clothed Yoko Ono. However, many are unaware that this photo was taken on December 8, 1980 – 12 hours before Lennon was shot to death.

Liebowitz was given instructions from the editor of the time to get some pictures without Yoko, but when she arrived at the Lennon’s home, he told her that he wanted the pictures to include Yoko. While not happy with this arrangement, Liebowitz went along with the request, and it turns out this portrait is one of her most famous.