Keep those cards and letters coming in, because this is what you've been asking for. Featuring Nina Hagen's "New York New York," Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al," a full version of Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms," clips from Genesis and of course, Prince. You can't ask for a better snapshot of the musical times than this special edition of Night Flight viewers choice.

Welcome to Night Flight’s tribute to the 1986 Oscars which explores nominees for Best Original Song. For that year, nominees included Quincy Jones for The Color Purple, "Surprise Surprise" by Greg Burg, Huey Lewis and The News #1 hit from Back To The Future “The Power of Love,” all of which are covered within. We go deeper with an interview with director Taylor Hackford about White Nights, which is one of the few films in Oscar history to receive two nominations for best song ("Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie was the eventual winner). Then Night Flight looks ahead to some of the upcoming films from 1986 in the genre that Pat Prescott lovingly refers to as The Sensitive Years. It’s a Who's Who of '80s child actors with looks at Crossroads, Pretty in Pink, Smooth Talk, and Lucas, which offers the bonus clip of an exclusive interview with none other than Corey Haim. This is pure ‘80s Hollywood, folks, Night Flight style.

Night Flight rocks regional tonight as we travel to Asbury Park and beyond to explore the sounds of The Garden State. Featuring music from, of course, the Boss, blues revivalist Southside Johnny, Hackensack’s Joe Lynn Turner, Clarence Clemons and more!

“They’re the flashiest bands in Rock ’n’ Roll” Pat Prescott says at the start of tonight’s new ‘Take Off’ arrival from the archives, “Musicians who express themselves as much through packaging as playing.” What follows is a high chroma, technicolor video mix featuring Fishbone’s “Modern Industry,” We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It!, Kid Creole and The Coconuta, and more.

“Millions have seen their work,” host Pat Prescott says, “but only a handful of people know who they are.” Tonight, we “Take Off” to Music Video Directors circa 1983 on Night Flight. The episode covers the music video work of two prolific leaders of the art form: American Bob Giraldi (Michael Jackson, Diana Ross) and British David Mallett (David Bowie, Joan Jett).

A classic "Take Off" episode highlighting European rock including videos from Peter Schilling, Nina Hagen, Scorpions and more.

Tonight, we "Take Off" to the Motown Sound, the most successful independent record label in the world. Former boxer and auto mobile assembly line worker, Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown in 1959 and created the sound of young America with Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Little Stevie Wonder (pictured above), and Diana Ross and the Supremes. Gordy ran Motown like an assembly plant, churning out hits all through the 1960s, eventually making Motown the largest black-owned corporation in America. Unlike most music television programming, Night Flight went beyond genre when curating and tonight’s episode is one of our crown jewels!

Pure 1989 Metal has returned. <cue amped up ‘80s metal announcer> Welcome to Hit Parader Magazine's "Heavy Metal Meltdown," tonight we go into a private rehearsal with Jake E Lee's band Badlands in Los Angeles, outrageous tour stories from BulletBoys, and if that's not enough, stay tuned for tonight's main story, a visit to legendary KISS frontman, Gene Simmons.

Like a Black Mirror episode from 1980, here’s Sing For Your Life the kind of Night Flight vault discovery we love the most. What kind is that you ask? The kind that has absolutely no internet trail whatsoever. This 18 minute short finds an out-of-town Rockabilly crooner hoping to hit it big on a talent show that gives the “Axe” to the bad act! We won't give any more away!

Take off with an hour long special episode of New Sounds from 1986, starting off with Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Big Audio Dynamite, BoDeans, Hüsker Dü, Jane SiBerry and provocative political rockers, Lords of The New Church.

Resurrecting the sizzling pre-punk R&B attitude of British pub rock, The Godfathers came slamming onto the scene in 1986. Tune in for an interview with founders the Coyne brothers and hits from the band's discography, including '87's existential anthem "Birth, School, Work, Death."

“Female impersonator Divine portrays women from the sleazy to the sublime,” Pat Prescott says at the start of Night Flight’s “Take Off to Drag.” The episode is another timeless Night Flight classic that also features Joey Arias, David Bowie and more. It begins with scenes from 80s Canadian Drag star Craig Russell in clips from the film Too Outrageous! (1987), also featuring impersonations of Mae West and Barbara Streisand.

A look into the films and music of John Carpenter, including an exclusive interview where he discusses his influences for films such as The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China, as well as his pioneering work on his own film scores.

Beyond Graceland tells the story of South African musician Joseph Shabalala and his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who became worldwide sensations after powering Paul Simon's landmark and massively successful Graceland album. Bathed in Ladysmith's powerful music, the documentary covers the full breadth of the band's career, from early years in rural South Africa to the height of global success and Shabalala's passing in 2020.

Welcome to an original 1980s episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts starring stand-up stars from across the country. This installment features Wayne Federman on tiny NYC kitchens and Stallone movies, Nancy Parker’s brassy beauty-salon matriarch, a chaotic “hand-puppet” singalong sketch, Motown-loving bits from Mike Langworthy, and more. Viewer discretion is advised.

Welcome to an original 1980s episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts starring stand-up stars from across the country. This installment features Steve Oh, Frankie Pace, Taylor Mason, George Calfa, Bill Shepp, and Adrian Tull performing club sets mixed with sketches and music cues. Viewer discretion is advised.

Welcome to an original 1980s episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts starring stand-up stars from across the country. This installment showcases Judy Tenuta, Dennis Blair, Jack Simmons, Mario Cantone, and Scott Blakeman, plus quick-hit sketches and music parodies. Viewer discretion advised.

Welcome to an original 1980s episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts starring stand-up stars from across the country. This installment features David Naster, Mike Egan, Scott Blakeman, Nancy Parker, and Dennis Blair. Viewer discretion is advised.

Welcome to an original 1986 episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts, featuring stand-up from Judy Tenuta, Joy Behar, Wayne Federman, Scott Blakeman, and more, interspersed with surreal comedy sketches, offbeat shorts, and vintage Night Flight weirdness.

Welcome to an original 1987 episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts featuring Joy Behar, Wayne Federman, Jack Simmons, and more, alongside absurd comedy sketches, fake commercials, and classic Night Flight interstitials.

Welcome to an original 1986 episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts, featuring Joy Behar, Jack Simmons, Larry Amoros, and more in a rapid-fire mix of stand-up, movie parodies, fake commercials, and offbeat sketches.

Welcome to an original 1987 episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts, featuring Bill Scheft, Steve Skrovan, Frankie Pace, Joe Vega, Adrienne Tolsch, and more in a rapid-fire mix of stand-up, character comedy, musical interludes, and offbeat sketches.

Welcome to an original 1987 episode of Night Flight’s Comedy Cuts, featuring Chris Rock, John Mendoza, Margaret Smith, Jimmy Tingle, and more in a fast-moving mix of stand-up, street comedy, celebrity interviews, and absurd sketches.

Explore a review of Motörhead's creative output with a look behind the scenes from the early days at Chiswick Records to the smash album Orgasmatron.

Beyond Graceland tells the story of South African musician Joseph Shabalala and his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who became worldwide sensations after powering Paul Simon's landmark and massively successful Graceland album. Bathed in Ladysmith's powerful music, the documentary covers the full breadth of the band's career, from early years in rural South Africa to the height of global success and Shabalala's passing in 2020.

Classic Night Flight profile of avant-garde experimentalist Laurie Anderson. Featuring an incredibly candid interview with Anderson about her background and work.

Check out segments from our interview with the always classy Lemmy. Lemmy sat down with Night Flight host Al Bandiero in 1984 to talk about Motörhead's upcoming US tour, how he maintains his no-sleep, hard-drinking lifestyle and much more. Members only for this absolute gem from the archive!

The segment is guided by a candid Radio 1990 interview with Robert Smith about the inspiration for the "Close To Me" video, fame and more. In true Night Flight fashion, the British band's "ever-evolving visual image" is explored through director Tim Pope's videos throughout the piece.

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!

“It’s a quiet storm…” Nigerian-born fashion designer turned singer Sade is the subject of tonight’s Video Profile. Pat Prescott starts us off with an introduction to the “smooth and sexy high priestess of soul,” before jumping into a Sade mega-mix cut with exclusive interviews with the artist from the Night Flight studio (originally filmed in 1985). In her interview segment, Sade talks about her record Diamond Life and finally provides instructions to the American audience on how to pronounce her name.

In 1965, as leader of the NY Band: The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed became Rock's first leather-clad social outcast. At the age of 20, Reed took violence, drugs, sadomasochism, and sang about them in a rock context creating music as painful as it was compelling. He set the stage for the punk revolution. Night Flight tells the story of Reed with music videos, live footage and amazingly candid interviews discussing his love for performance, writing and his unique approach to recording.

"Viewer discretion is advised" Pat Prescott tells us at the start of tonight's 1988 Take Off episode to Controversial Videos. "Sex, Drugs, Religion, Politics..." what more can you want from Night Flight's curated collection of controversial music videos. Everyone knows that while other fledgling music networks from the era avoided controversy, Night Flight actively courted it. Just ask creator Stuart Shapiro about what happened the first time we aired The Clash's "Rude Boy" completely uncut :). This episode brings you music from Billy Idol, Motley Crue, Slovenian avant-gardists Laibach, Sheena Easton's fantastic "Sugar Walls", the always classy George Michael and maybe one of the best sequencing decisions ever: a transition from the "Ballad of Jim and Tammy Bakker" to a Raucous Dead Kennedy's performance with Jello Biafra compelling the audience to "Shoot Up With God." Then, stayed tuned for two films from the Glasshouse Production Team, Tom Stern & Alex Winter: "Aisles of Doom" and "Squeal of Death." CLASSIC NIGHT FLIGHT.

Night Flight profiles rock’s 'rude boy' Billy Idol in this classic segment from 1985. “I don’t want to see the no flabby, boring old Billy Idol trying to be what he was when he was 21… I’m young, I need to move about.” he tells Night Flight in an excellent, candid interview, in which he talks about the role of New York City on his art, how he views his critics, and what inspired his name change. Classic and essential Night Flight right here folks.

Night Flight presents a special 30 minute video documentary profiling Cabaret Voltaire, who original host Pat Prescott describes as “England’s most provocative experimental band.” This seminal 1984 Video Profile features interviews with members Steven Mallinder and Richard H. Kirk, as well as exclusive edits of the Sheffield band's enigmatic music videos.

"Mama warned me about wild music at parties... she said music would lead to loose behavior and uncontrollable urges!" AWW YEAHH. Tonight, get ready video music according to Playboy Magazine on Hot Rocks (circa 1983) featuring uncensored videos from David Bowie, Queen, Doug and The Slugs, The Tubes, Marty Ballin, and newcomer Peter Godwin in a Playboy Exclusive. While the sexuality of these videos was novel for the time and presented in true '80s glory, their are some rarely seen music history gems tucked into this special episode, some of which don't appear to be anywhere near Youtube. Welcome to the hottest party tape on TV -  video music that goes farther than ever to please you.

Welcome to Night Flight’s exclusive Video Profile of Kate Bush. “This multimedia performance artist has combined dance, music, literature and mime on her way to becoming Britain’s most popular female star,” Pat Prescott says to introduce the pop polymath. Featuring Bush’s candid interview from the Night Flight studios (recorded in November 1985), this episode is an immersive survey of her creative vision and premiered as “Running Up That Hill” was topping the charts. A timely treasure from the archive in 2022!

Tonight Night Flight profiles one of Rock’s great renegades: Neil Young. The essential episode features a candid NF studio interview with Young discussing his origins and inspirations and features some of Young’s more esoteric deep cuts on Geffen Records in the '80s including 1982’s techno track “Sample and Hold” and his Rockabilly ballad “Wonderin'.” Night Flight creator Stuart S. Shapiro's independent film distribution company International Harmony distributed Young's film "Rust Never Sleeps," a regular title in our early days on the air. It’s great to have the icon back on Night Flight.

During Night Flight’s second season, interviewer Al Banderio sat down with the “Queen of Sass” Millie Jackson for a ribald interview that is emblematic of Night Flight's unique approach to music television. Jackson discusses her disdain for FCC, the qualities she looks for in a man (“nice feet, and a nice round ass,”), her love of Country and much more while promoting the release of her Hard Times album. This episode's B-Side is the video for Albany band Blotto's "Metal Head," a Night Flight and Dr. Demento favorite!

In 1965, as leader of the NY Band: The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed became Rock's first leather-clad social outcast. At the age of 20, Reed took violence, drugs, sadomasochism, and sang about them in a rock context creating music as painful as it was compelling. He set the stage for the punk revolution. Night Flight tells the story of Reed with music videos, live footage and amazingly candid interviews discussing his love for performance, writing and his unique approach to recording.

"Take Off To Animation" takes a colorful look at the use of animation in music video over the previous few years in styles ranging from experimental camera technique to 'Saturday morning cartoon'. Many of the videos compiled for this episode first became well-known due to their repeat exposure on Night Flight. Bona fide Night Flight classics here include Tom Tom Club's "Pleasure of Love", Randy Andy's "The People (Livin' in the USA)", Machinations: "Pressure Sway" & Will Powers: "Adventures In Success". 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 not-ready-for-MTV cult favorites. Original Air Date: 2-17-84