Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for Accidental Legends
TV & FilmFilm HistoryMusicMusic History

Accidental Legends

Dirk Smith & Matthew Brent

Before they were iconic, they were underrated. Join us as we uncover the true stories behind the '70s and '80s pop culture that weren't expected to succeed. We'll explore the classic movies, chart-topping songs, and binge-worthy TV shows that were dismissed, doubted, or almost abandoned—and yet, against all odds, became legends.

Play
Open in
  • 29 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 49 min
  • English

Episodes 29

NewestOldestLongest
All9Unplayed9In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S2 · E17
    June 2 · 46 min

    Episode 17: Judy Del Rey

    Think back to the very first fantasy or sci-fi book that completely consumed your imagination. You stared at the cover, lost in another world, before you even read the first page. But have you ever wondered why that book existed in the first place?...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E15
    April 1 · 49 min

    Episode 15: Spies Like Us

    In this episode, The Legendary Misfires hosts explore the rise and fall of the 1985 comedy 'Spies Like Us,' delving into its production, cast cameos, cultural impact, and why it didn't meet expectations despite its star power and ambitious scope.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E14
    March 24 · 39 min

    Episode 14: Flash Gordon Part 2

    In the final installment of this special two-part series, Accidental Legends dive into the technical artistry and enduring cultural footprint of a film that visually defied the gritty realism of its era. This episode moves beyond the plot to explore...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E13
    March 17 · 35 min

    Episode 13: Flash Gordon Part 1

    In this opening installment of our special two-part series, Accidental Legends dives into the neon-soaked, high-flying chaos of a 1980s space opera that was never supposed to be this weird—or this beloved. We explore how a legendary hero from the...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E12
    March 10 · 49 min

    Episode 12: Walk This Way

    What happens when a "washed-up" 70s rock band and a trio of hip-hop pioneers are forced into a room with an $8,000 check and a sledgehammer? In this high-energy episode of Accidental Legends, hosts Matt and Dirk dive into the 1986 remake of "Walk This...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E11
    March 3 · 47 min

    Episode 11: Big

    Ever wonder how a movie about a 12-year-old in a 30-year-old’s body didn't end up as a total disaster? On this episode of Accidental Legends, we dive into the 1988 classic Big—a film that, on paper, sent studio executives into a cold sweat. Long...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E10
    February 24 · 55 min

    Episode 10: Just The Way You Are

    Don't go changing to try and please us!  In this episode of Accidental Legends, Matt and Dirk take a nostalgic (and slightly sarcastic) trip back to 1977 to deconstruct the song that jump started Billy Joel’s career: Just The Way You Are. Before this...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E9
    February 17 · 57 min

    Episode 9: Airplane!

    In this episode of Accidental Legends, Matt and Dirk celebrate the enduring legacy of the ultimate spoof masterpiece, Airplane!. The discussion centers on the film’s unique ability to stay timeless by leaning into pure, unadulterated silliness. Rather...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E8
    February 10 · 55 min

    Episode 8: Safety Dance

    In this episode of Accidental Legends, hosts Matt and Dirk take a nostalgic bike ride back to 1982 to dissect the synth-pop phenomenon "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats. What started as an angry response to lead singer Ivan Doroschuk being kicked...

    • Transcript
Showing 21–29 of 29 episodes