Last Night on Watching Wyrd: Bar Fights, Big Hair & Peak 80s Chaos

If there’s one thing Watching Wyrd does exceptionally well, it’s lovingly tearing apart the movies that shaped us—while admitting we’d absolutely watch them again. Last night’s episode delivered that energy in spades as we tackled three pillars of 80s bar mythology: Cocktail, Road House, and Urban Cowboy.

From the jump, Rich came in hot—armed with peak snark and zero mercy. No movie was safe. Not the bartenders. Not the bouncers. Not the wildly irresponsible life choices disguised as swagger. Rich’s running commentary turned the night into a master class in side-eye, and honestly? The fan base was living for it.

Cocktail was the rare moment of group alignment. Allen and I found ourselves surprisingly united in our take: yes, it’s ridiculous, yes it’s deeply unserious, and yes—it’s still wildly entertaining. There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a movie that treats flair bartending like a spiritual calling. It’s chaotic, it’s earnest, and it perfectly captures that very specific era where ambition was fueled by cocktails, confidence, and questionable decisions.

Then came Road House, which gave us… a lot. Dive bars. Bouncers with philosophies. And enough 80s hair to single-handedly deplete the ozone layer. Allen and I both enjoyed the nostalgia of a movie that treats bar security like an elite profession and violence as a customer service strategy. Is it absurd? Absolutely. Is it still fun? Also yes. Sometimes a movie is just a vibe—and Road House is a mullet-filled mood.

But the night truly peaked with Urban Cowboy.

While Rich continued his snark crusade (to the point where our special guest Jenn literally walked out at one point—iconic behavior, honestly), Jenn and I bonded over our shared love of the messy, dramatic, emotionally combustible relationship between Bud and Sissy. Say what you will about their choices—and there is a lot to say—but the drama is undeniable. It’s passionate, immature, loud, and somehow still compelling. Add in one of the greatest soundtracks of the era, and it’s no wonder this movie still sparks debate.

And speaking of soundtracks—all three films delivered. From pop anthems to country classics, the music did heavy lifting across the board, grounding even the most ridiculous moments in pure nostalgia. These weren’t just movies; they were mixtapes for an entire generation.

Of course, no Watching Wyrd episode would be complete without the peanut gallery jumping in—lovingly giving us a hard time, calling out our hot takes, and making sure the kids stay off Mr. Restucci's lawn. The back-and-forth with our community is half the fun, and last night they showed up ready to stir the pot.

In the end, the episode was everything we love about Watching Wyrd: smart snark, genuine nostalgia, wildly different perspectives, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Three movies. Three soundtracks. Endless hair.And a reminder that the 80s were… a lot. 🍸🐂🔥