“Rock music continues to have a close connection with contemporary politics,” host Pat Prescott says at the top of this newly restored "Take Off" episode. From Bob Dylan’s political symbolism to Nena’s apocalyptic pop, this 1984 episode traces the music and politics across a rapidly shifting global landscape.

Emmy-winning director Stephen Hopkins navigates this harrowing journey of four suburban men into the nightmarish neighborhood of Chicago's crime-infested underworld. When four young men take a wrong turn, they witness a murder. Now, the killers cannot let them live... With a powerhouse cast including Young Guns' Emilio Estevez, Oscar winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., a maniacal Denis Leary, and Blade's Stephen Dorff, this edge-of-your-seat thriller takes viewers on a life and death road-trip into terror.

“Their music was devil’s music: high decibel, tortured, frenzied songs about Death, Destruction and Black Magic.” Welcome to Night Flight’s 1984 Take Off to Heavy Metal History with a look at metal forgers Black Sabbath. We go back to the 1970s for classic Sabbath, trace the development of Ozzy Osbourne and Ronny James Dio from their days as Black Sabbath’s lead singers to their solo careers in the mid 80s as “Rock’s Top MadMen.” We’ve heard from many of you that your first exposure to BS was late at night on Night Flight, so consider this your return trip home to some 35 years ago. If you are a Black Sabbath original line-up purist and Dio isn't your thing, may we suggest the Black Sabbath Video Profile for another excellent episode?

Examining and monitoring LA's new music renaissance with host Peter Ivers. "Welcome to New Wave Theatre. Monitoring the new music scene is a discovery into the minds and artistic souls of its artists... one of the last roads to freedom left is through the world of art and entertainment." Featuring Fear, Powertrip, Carnival of Souls, Red Wedding and more…

"New Age music is a global sound that reaches for the stars," says Pat Prescott in tonight's brand new Night Flight Short Cut. The best in New Age music is rounded up in this bite-sized Night Flight episode, featuring classics from Bowie collaborator Carlos Alomar as well as Yellow Jackets and Al Di Meola.

A man threatens to commit suicide off a tall building.

Kicking off with a clip from the U.S. Senate's 1985 "Porn Rock" hearings, Night Flight Takes Off to Right-Wing Rock in this classic episode. "Parents hate it and politicians ban it, but ironically today's Rock is not the subversive cry of revolutionaries it once was..." Pat Prescott laments, while pointing to the right-wing co-option of rock in the '80s. The episode weaves a unique tongue and cheek video playlist featuring Van Halen/Blue Angels, the "Top Gun" Anthem, Christian Rockers Stryper and unabashed capitalist image makers Sigue Sigue Sputnik's homage to the Military Industrial Complex "Love Missile F1-11."

This special ‘90s syndication episode feature host Tom Juarez introducing multiple classic Night Flight segments. PAL Tape 5 (Parts 1 & 2) feature a “Take Off” to Irish Rockers, a Tom Waits Video Profile, and Dire Straits.

“Rock ’n’ Roll has always had a strong political perspective,” says Night Flight host Pat Prescott introducing a politically-charged "Take Off" episode from 1985. The quintessentially '80s video mix starts with a puppet caricature of Reagan from the British TV series "Spitting Image," leading into a compilation of music videos (with some definitely carrying a stronger political resonance than others.) Featuring Culture Club's "The War Song," Eurythmics' "Sex Crime" theme from the film 1984, the socially conscious montage of Bruce Cockburn's "If I Had A Rocket Launcher," and The Specials' (then known as Special AKA) anti-apartheid anthem "Free Nelson Mandela." Concluding the episode is a brief cooking segment featuring our beloved (and oft-mortally wounded) friend, Mr. Bill!

Tonight, we look at the progenitors of the music video genre. Night Flight was born at bleeding edge of the music video era, and tonight's exhibit of gorgeously preserved early adopters shows it. Within you'll find slices of video brilliance from some of the pioneers of the genre including Michael Nesmith (whose "Rio" kicked off the music video art form), Devo, David Bowie and Todd Rundgren.

In tonight’s original episode of Night Flight (Air Date 4/19/85) we Take Off to Rock Documentaries. Hop on board for a journey through some of the most famous Rock Films in history starting with the 1964 T.A.M.I. Show up through the Talking Head's Jonathan Demme-directed classic "Stop Making Sense." In between we'll cover Rock Docs like Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps (Distributed by Night Flight creator Stuart Shapiro), Bob Dylan's "Don't Look Back," and much more.

Tonight, we return to 1994 for a Night Flight syndication episode covering the rise of iconic synth band Depeche Mode. "Of all the synthesizer bands that rose in the 1980s, one band has enjoyed repeated success in both their music and popularity while still retaining their unique sound and style." Syndication Host Tom Juarez tells us. This is another wonderful entry into the Night Flight episodes that feature commercials. Check it out!

Welcome to Night Flight "Goes to the Movies," where we'll go behind the scenes with Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride and other films from '87. The This is Spinal Tap director takes us the set of his large-scale fantasy adventure film or as Reiner calls it: a slightly "bent fairly tale.” Featuring interview clips with Reiner, Wallace Shawn, and Carole Kane. This episode's side B features a Flash Tracks section that includes Mick Jones's Big Audio Dynamite, dance reggae act Amazulu (above), and Thrashing Doves.

Return to March 1986 for a full 2-hour episode of As Aired Night Flight. This broadcast was brought to you by 501 Levi’s Blues, Sun Country Wine Cooler, Lee Press-On Nails, Hostess Pudding Pies and so much more. How do we know? The commercials are still in the master tape! Enjoy the full immersion.

New from the vaults: Night Flight's Fourth Anniversary show, featuring a Special Top Ten video countdown from NF’s panel of music experts. Focusing more on the artistry of the filmmaking than the song’s themselves, Night Flight honors videos from The Cars, Art of Noise, Jean-Luc Ponty, Herbie Hancock and more. Little bit of trivia: Night Flight was the first television program to add the names of the Director’s to the music video Chyron.

Episode 272. An original episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Tracy Ullman, Devo and Lisa Robinson's interview with Mick Jagger.

Tonight’s Night Flight Original Episode is a mystery mix of lost video treasures; a rapid fire sampler of short films, animations and music videos. This full episode with commercials intact kick offs with Rik Carter’s 1987 short “Horror Brunch,” a long forgotten cult masterpiece that Bloody Disgusting had the following to say about: “If you love gory ’80s flicks, you absolutely need to watch this one, as it’s essentially a blood-soaked love letter to the era… and it was actually made during that era!” Couldn’t agree more! We'll let you discover the rest of the episode yourself.

In this original episode of Night Flight, we take a look at the mysterious art rock project the Residents and have a profile of the San Francisco Rock scene that includes. music videos from Santana, Starship, Grateful Dead and more. Original Air Date: 2-18-86

Welcome to Night Flight. Tonight we Take Off to Rock and Roll Cowboys, original air date 1988. Sharpen your spurs and saddle up as Night Flight shows you how many of today’s rockers take their musical and visual style from the Wild Wild West. Kicking off with Martini Ranch’s “Reach,” The Damned’s Cinescope spaghetti-western themed cover “Alone Again Or,” and more from Robbie Robertson, Kool Moe Dee, and more!

Ann Magnuson's performance art video piece in character as "Fallopia," the latest in a line of sexy Prince protégés — which she describes as "a classroom lesson in "How to Become a New Wave Video Slut"-- was produced exclusively for Night Flight in the 1980s, and you can now watch it in its entirety in this episode from 1986. "My rise to the top was pretty much standard stuff, same as everyone else's. First there was the live sex acts, then the stag parties, then the sleazy piano bars and conventions, then "Star Search." And then after, gosh, I don't know how many 'dates' with record company executives, I was signed to a major label, and my own rock video, and today I'm one of the BIGGEST New Wave Sluts in the industry!!"

A rhythmic collection of sounds, textures and images.

"Coming up tonight, we have some of the heaviest metal ever!" - Twisted Mr. Bill. Welcome to tonight's edition of Hit Parader Magazine's Heavy Metal Heroes from April 1985 featuring music from Ratt and Iron Maiden, a revealing interview with Gene Simmons (sans makeup) and all the latest news on all your favorite headbangers.

In a tense but illuminating interview in 1988, George Michael opines on sex, his image, and pop stardom.

You can truly appreciate the value of our library as you see in our April 13th, 1983 episode, Lisa Robinson talks about a secretive Talking Heads film in the works, a certain "concert film." Of course, that title in question is 1984's Stop Making Sense. Revisit this time capsule covering '80s fashion trends and music from Eddie Rabbitt, The Waitresses, Blancmange, Lords of the New Church, Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty. 

Tonight on Night Flight Originals, we’re prepared the best slice of nighttime TV you’re going to find anywhere on the dial. Put down that remote! You’re about to experience Video Profile’s of two of 1980s most intriguing dance rock bands: The Thompson Twins and OMD. Packed with rare deep cuts, sentimental favorites and behind the scene’s interviews, this two for the price of one special is a knockout!

"TV 2000's a different kind of video show: We've got everything!" The 1985 music series and Night Flight sister show hosted by John Kassir (voice of the Cryptkeeper) and Joe Gallo includes a top ten countdown, home movies, artist conversations with Night Flight & Radio 1990 resident interviewer Lisa Robinson, and some fantastic sweepstakes (sorry, entry is now closed!). Tonight's show, dubbed Episode 1 in the library, features videos from Duran Duran, Til Tuesday, Lisa Robinson on location with model Jerry Hall and a sizzling video Hot Pick of the Week. Commercials included!

Get ready for an epic border-crossing original episode of Night Flight. In this Take Off special from 1985, Night Flight heads north for a special survey on Canadian Rock. Featuring Bryan Adams, Corey Hart, Platinum Blonde, Honeymoon Suite, Parachute Club, Idle Eyes, Rush, Loverboy, and Canadian super-charity-group Northern Lights. This episode is rich with Canada’s unique input in ‘80s music landscape. Enjoy!

Night Flight's innovative "Take Off" series dispensed with playlists, bland VJ set-ups and the usual tired video countdown format and instead cleverly programmed music videos and performance clips by theme. The series regularly featured hits from Eighties pop icons juxtaposed against obscurities from many not-ready-for-MTV cult favorites. Original Air Date: 4-13-84 This episode "Take Off to Androgyny" premiered in 1984 and takes a provocative peek at gender-bending styles and comic cross-dressing in vintage video from the vaults featuring many pop icons such as David Bowie, Eurythmics, Grace Jones, Culture Club & Queen.

Night Flight’s 1985 Video Profile of The Eagles begins with Pat Prescott introducing an epic performances of “Hotel California,” the ultra-hit that was the beginning of the end for the band. What follows is likely the most comprehensive and thorough review of the former member's solo careers before the band’s reunion in 1994. Patt Prescott takes us through Glenn Frey’s Miami Vice spin-off special single “Smugglers Blues,” Timothy Schmit’s 1983 “Playing It Cool,” Joe Walsh’s psychedelic cowboy odyssey “The Confessor,” (above) and of course Don Henley’s French New Wave-influenced video for the massive hit “Boys of Summer.” 

Night Flight looks at the roots of Irish rock 'n' roll tonight in this original “Take Off” special from the mid-1980s. With Bodhrán, Fiddles, Uilleann pipes and Irish Harps in hand, we kick off with the Chieftans' "Irish Anthem" before looking at the Ireland’s strong music tradition. Dating back to Celtic culture, when poets were elevated to the status of aristocrats, we take a closer look at the island that produced '80s era acts like the Pogues, Van Morrison, Cactus World News, Bob Geldof, Zerra 1 and more. Stick around afterwards for some very rare animated cartoons & short films, including Ellen Foley in "Headshot."

Tonight’s new Night Flight Short Cut features one of the most iconic interviews from the original series: our exclusive sit-down with Ozzy Osbourne. Coming across as disarmingly self-aware, Mr. Osbourne sets the record straight on the infamous bat-biting incident, the media frenzy that followed, and more. Featuring vintage performance clips and classic Night Flight flair, this addition to our Short Cut Collection is a MUST-WATCH!

"Welcome to Comedy Cuts, the most original comedy show on TV today starring Nancy Parker, Dennis Blair, Adrianne Tolsch, Night Flight brings you new sounds with Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Human League, Level 42, Art of Noise and so much more.

Night Flight's take off to Rock and Cult films. This is A special preview of some of the films Night Flight showed in 1985 including Rude Boy (starring the Clash), Breaking Glass, Smithereens, Debbie Harry in Union City, Warhol's Frankenstein and more...