I Dream of Genie (Frances)

November 02, 2006

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Why do I remember all the details of their storyline? Why, 25 years later, do I still feel a connection to Luke and Laura, while other pop culture personalities of that era (for example, E. T., Scott Baio or Brooke Shields) just seem like has-beens?

Luke and Laura still serve as symbols of that era, and I have a few theories about why they have had such a lasting impact: Did we just need any escape in the early 80s? I remember ABC News briefs interrupting the show that reported a harsh series of headlines: The Iran hostage crisis, John Lennon murdered and President Reagan shot, not to mention the beginning of AIDS.

Soaps became raunchier in those days as they competed for attention with the proliferation of cable (including the emergence of MTV and music videos). There were suddenly prime time soaps like “Dallas” and “Dynasty.” Did we watch because they were a particularly hot younger couple? That was still a rarity in those days amidst much older baby boomer and World War II generation co-stars.

Maybe the adventures of Luke and Laura served as a centerpiece for a Gen Xer's shared experience, a sort of precursor for the experiences of the fans of MySpace, “Lost” or reality TV like “Laguna Beach.” For me, keeping up on the twists of Luke and Laura gave me an excuse to initiate conversations with the cute girls in study hall or on the bus.

25 years later, Laura is a grandmother and looking a little rundown from that case of catatonia. I'm still rushing home to see her, but now I’m rushing home from work, and I’ve got the whole thing set up on my TiVo. I am, without a doubt, in 80’s flashback heaven.