For most of you, last weekend was merely the Easter holidays. In my household, however, we also celebrated another big event – the premiere of a new iCarly episode. They’re like red carpet affairs around here and my kids wouldn’t dream of missing one. Fortunately for them, I actually like iCarly. It’s clever and pop-cultured for my generation. And don’t even get me started on Spencer. The man slays me. So, in addition to our usual Easter Eve traditions, my family also took in this new episode, featuring the latest and greatest teen sensation, One Direction.
Later that same night, they were on TV a second time as the SNL musical guest. They’re just starting to take off in America and I’ve decided to excuse the fact that they’re classified as a boy band because their British/Irish accents are so cute. I suspect we’ll be seeing them covering bedroom walls everywhere very soon. (I miss Tiger Beat.)
Anyway, it made me start thinking about all of the famous faces I’ve fallen for over the years. Some names have stood the test of time while others … well, I’ll let my teenage bedroom walls do the talking.
What can I say? My parents were obviously very cool.
So, at the expense of my dignity, I’m sharing a sometimes-embarrassing-but-always-honest glimpse at some of my favorites over the years. Please enjoy laughing at my childhood.
Donny Osmond (1976-79) And I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Shaun Cassidy (1977-78) Okay, I’m a little ashamed.
Christopher Reeve (1978-1983) Who doesn’t love SUPERman?
Greg Evigan (1979-81) He worked with a chimp. What was not to like?
John Schneider (1979-82) Don’t judge. He was the style at the time.
Christopher Atkins (1980) Remember the naked guy from Blue Lagoon?
Rick Springfield (1981-85) For his music and the General Hospital thing. Truth be told, I just saw him again in concert in 2008. Oh, and in 2009 & 2010.
Maxwell Caulfield (1982) Remember the British guy from Grease 2? Yeah, me neither. When I learned he was married to an actress who was 18 years his senior, I moved on. He was 23 and she was 41. I guess Demi isn’t quite the pioneer she’s credited to be.
John Stamos (1982-83+) As long as I was already watching General Hospital, right? And he’s actually one of the few who still hangs on for me today. He’s just so pretty.
Adam Ant (1982-84) I loved his two big albums of the early 80s and some of the earlier Antmusic stuff. Alas, I never got to see him in concert when he came to New Orleans. I had a ticket to the show but was punished (for a sizable infraction, I might add) that very night. Fortunately, I somehow managed to pick up the pieces and get on with my life.
Duran Duran (1982-85) All five of ’em. I once won a contest for being able to rattle off the names Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and the Taylors (Andy, Roger & John) in rapid succession. None of the Taylor boys are related. You know these things if you’re a real D2 fan.
Rob Lowe & C. Thomas Howell (1983) I saw The Outsiders four times at the movie theater. And with prices averaging $3.15 per ticket that year, that means I spent more than $12 on that one film! I can still recite from memory every word of the Robert Frost poem used in the movie. But I honestly never saw the allure of the other five guys. I don’t think they did much of anything else after that anyway, right? (Wink.)
Bart Conner & Mitch Gaylord (1984) What? I had Olympic fever. I think it was very patriotic of me.
Kevin Bacon (1984) But only in Footloose.
David Lee Roth (1985-87) From VH’s Jump to his own Just A Gigolo. I have no idea why. Please forgive me.
Davy Jones (1986-87) Thanks to MTV’s decision to air his old series. I loved these guys and even managed to see them in concert on a few reunion tours. (ODNT Trivia – They played, ironically, at the Audubon Zoo here in NOLA back in the day and one lucky girl got to kiss him for a photo. Guess who? Don’t tell my Dad!)
Harry Connick, Jr. (1990-93+) An amazing New Orleans talent who actually ran in similar circles to mine in high school. I listened to his music a lot back then and even used it at my wedding. And I loved his stint as ‘Leo’ on Will & Grace. He still hangs on for me today, too.
Johnny Depp (1993+) I’m not even going to put an end date here as he’s stayed at the top of the list. He didn’t catch my attention in Elm Street or Jump Street. But once he appeared in the back-to-back films Benny & Joon and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape I was sold. And I’m still buying nearly 20 years later.
Brad Pitt (1998) But only in Meet Joe Black (which oddly I never even saw in its entirety). Although all of his post-Katrina New Orleans work has put him back on the list in recent years.
Ewan McGregor (2001-2003) His song and dance stuff like Moulin Rouge & Down with Love are what put him on the list.
Orlando Bloom (2003-2007) But only in the Pirates movies. He’s Johnny Depp, Jr.
Sportacus (2004) From the God-awful children’s show, LazyTown. Not the (Icelandic) actor, the character. Make of that whatever you want.
Hugh Jackman (2004+) And, oddly, it all began with his unpredictable turn to play Peter Allen in the Broadway production of The Boy from Oz. What can I say? I love a song and dance man. Apparently, even a flamboyantly bedazzled one.
Patrick Dempsey (2007) But only in Enchanted.
Zac Efron (2007) He’s the new Rob Lowe.
Will Arnett (2009) It wasn’t until after Arrested Development ended that I learned to really appreciate this guy. Sorry, GOB.
Robert Downey, Jr. (2009) Honestly, he’s probably been on and off the list for years, but I’ve only recently started to admit it.
Bret McKenzie (2009+) The cuter half of Flight of the Conchords.
Robert Pattinson (2009) When my friend dragged me unwillingly to see New Moon. Fine, whatever. I’m Team Edward.
Josh Duhamel (2010) Starting with Ramona & Beezus. And my girl wonders why I’m willing to watch that movie again and again with her.
Flynn Rider (2010) From Tangled. What? Is it THAT weird that I’m including a cartoon character? You know what? Don’t answer that.
John Gordon Levitt (2011+) Based purely on his likable character in 50/50.
Wow. You’re still here? Well, if you actually made it through MY whole list, I want to know about YOU. Who was on YOUR walls? Boys can play, too.
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Wanna see this post in dreamy Tiger Beat technicolor? Click here, ODNT readers!
OldDogNewTits 
Hey, I had mine on the ceiling too. My room looked just like yours growing up. I even had the gigantic Andy Gibb poster with satin jacket and no shirt!!
My ceiling was vaulted and popcorn-finished so it was unavailable to me as viable real estate. I love your Andy Gibb reference. He wasn’t noteworthy enough in my life to make the list, but I DID have his ‘Love is Thicker than Water’ 45.
Impressive list!
I have nothing to say on the grounds that there’s no way in hell I’ll come off looking good.
Chicken …
Sigh…
Daisy Duke
Becca (from Life Goes On) (Girls in glasses are hot.)
Samantha Fox
Many others, but I’ve just filled my shame quotient for the month.
(1) Daisy Duke – canceled out by my John Schneider, so relax.
(2) Becca – you just endeared yourself to women everywhere. Guessing you also like Scully’s specs?
(3) Samantha Fox – I don’t know much but she’s older than me so extra points are awarded here.
Was that so bad? 🙂
And seriously … I said the dude from Grease 2 so there was no way you were going to out-humiliate yourself here.
I am so not having this conversation. 😉
I was fascinated with Tim Curry of the Rocky Horror Picture Show….I know, a shrink would have a field day with that one. He was just such a departure from all the rugged mountain men and cowboys I grew up with in Nevada. And you know what’s cool….I had a poster of him on my wall and my parents didn’t even freak out (maybe they were too busy smoking pot).
Well, it was the David Bowie/Iggy Pop gender bending era …
And why is the Beautiful Bowie not on your list? Hmmmm? I see him on the wall o’ pics!
You’re not the first to ask. I love him. I do. Ever since he sang with Bing, which I saw the night it was first broadcast. I just don’t LOVE him love him, you know?
And your favorites would be …?
A lot of your list would also make my list but I have to ask…Orlando Bloom only in the Pirates movies? Not as Legolas in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy?!
Um, I never saw the Trilogy. Please don’t stone me. That Gollum guy scared me away. Very, very away.
Bart Conner? Really??? I love the country and the ’84 Olympics too, but I wasn’t getting within back flipping distance of Mary Lou Retton.
I think it was a girl thing. 🙂
I am drooling.
I had that same pic of Michael Jackson in the yellow sweater vest on my wall too.
I like you, No, I love you-love you longtime!
It’s a great picture, isn’t it?
Seriously? All at once? I was a one at a time girl, myself! And #1 was Jon Bon Jovi!!!!!! He still makes me all tingly down there…
My list spans 35-ish years, which is weird considering I’m only 30. And JBJ didn’t surface until the 80s so I’m guessing you have a few others you could share. That is, if they’re not too embarrassing. 🙂
I’m only 30, too! *coughing into hand* Wayne Gretzky. There! I said it! Still pissed he didn’t marry me…
What? You didn’t like Kevin Bacon in Tremors? Oh no! Such a travisty!
Ok My list: In mind wandering order
Heather Grahm in one of those teen age driving movies I think. Not Austin Powers
Linda Carter in Wonder Woman
Booke Shields
Aliciia Silverstone in Clueless, Batman and Robin, and Beauty Shop
Barbara Bach -Guess (I do think I liked the car more though)
Tiffany the singer Yes I admit it
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Ann Wilson for the song, “Alone”
Genevive Gorder
Terresa Strasser from the show, “While you were out”
Drew Barrymore in….. Bad Girls (They so need to make a sequel)
Jewel Staite in Firefly
Kriss from GHI
Bobby from GH (just for you ODNT)
and I’m sure I could come up with more if I put any thought into it. 🙂
Hey! I saw Tremors. And it sucked … all three times I watched it.
Barbara and Linda are awesome. And I love that you admitted to Tiffany.
And Bobbie Spencer from GH? LOVE that. Thanks for playing.
Had to play along and don’t worry, if we ever meet I’ll have all four Tremors movies ready to go. LOL!
There are FOUR?!!?
Wait. Look what I found. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewrNqUHkGuI&feature=fvsr
So…do not ever,
Ever,
EVER be ashamed of Shaun Cassidy. I loved him almost as much as I wanted to marry Parker Stevenson.
I’m sorry, Julie. I don’t know what I was da-doing. I should’ve just run run with it.
Girl…We should talk about Bobby Sherman. The first 45 rpm record I EVER owned was given to my by my grandparents, and it was the single, “Julie, Do You Love Me?” THAT is an embarrassing crush, LOL…I was what? Five?
I am a huge Depp and Orlando Bloom fan as pirates.
When I was little, I had an MJ picture of him in a white suit. I wasn’t allowed to hang things on my walls, though.
Patrick Swayze- Dirty Dancing-holy cow. He was hot and I loved him a lot.
Dean Cain when he was on that Superman show in the late 90’s. I still think he is so handsome.
I think Seth Meyers is the cutest thing ever.
Orlando Bloom- he deserves to be on my list twice.
Justin Timberlake- he’s good looking, can sing, act and is funny. Great qualities. Hot.
Great list, M. Did I see a David Bowie poster? 🙂
ODNT Fun Fact: My brother has often been told he looks like Dean Cain.
I agree about Justin Timberlake. I didn’t realize how funny he was ’til he started showing up on SNL all the time.
And David Bowie? Yes, you actually see two. Love him. Always have. But not in a crushy kind of way. 🙂
Umm, yep. That is a FUN fact. *sigh*
It’s on in my house, but I have two things to say:
1) Carly = 17 or so in the series. Her brother is in his 30s? Or late 20s? Kinda creepy. The actor is in his late 30s.
2) You actually like Jerry O’Connell, not Spencer. Think about it.
Also, I never had any pictures of any women on my walls. Before you ask, no men either, except for Iron Maiden.
They’re supposed to be about 10 years apart. It happens. And I assure you that it’s Spencer I like. I’ve seen him in other shows. 🙂
And so you didn’t hang pictures on your wall. You still had crushes, right? Dish ’em, Hotspur.
I used to have a Donny and Marie Osmond Barbie Doll. I’ve never seen the Outsiders! Was it any good? Fun list!!
I had the Barbies, too. I even had their “studio.” Did yours wear pink and purple outfits?
And you need to see The Outsiders.
I think. I don’t know. I made my husband watch movies he’d never seen like The Breakfast Club and Better Off Dead not long ago. Not sure they resonated with an adult.
Purple. I was huge fan of their variety show. I remember one year for my birthday — everything including cake was Donny and Marie Osmond. LOL. I will have to rent Outsiders. Love The Breakfast Club & Sixteen Candles. I grew up with those.
Nice list! We didn’t watch much on tv besides the local channels, so most of my crushes were from the various boy bands of the 90’s.
Oh and we love iCarly here too–Spencer is my fave!
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My obsession as a teen was Wesley Crusher – there, I said it! Ha. Though I’d never admit it. 🙂 Only now do I see how bad an actor Will Wheaton was/is. Can’t stand him now.
This is a great list. I see Johnny Depp is on yours as well. I do have a funny story about John Schneider (sp). My sisters boyfriend was on a flight to Louisiana couple weeks ago and ended up sitting in the seat next to him. My mom absolutely loves him. So messages boyfriend had him sign an autograph for her. He signed it on a barf bag. But since it’s made out to her she treasures it.
That’s awesome. She should frame it. What a great story. I actually met him once before, too. That dude is HUGE!
I actually think she did frame it!
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