Ah, the magic of Christmas in 1983. I remember it so clearly: the excitement of tearing open the package and finding The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller on VHS. It was like getting a golden ticket. That tape had everything—behind-the-scenes commentary, production notes, stage directions, interviews. It was as if we’d been handed a backstage pass to a world we could only dream of. From that moment on, I was hooked.
Until then, our household had been a battleground when it came to the TV. My sisters and I never saw eye to eye—I was all about Gilligan’s Island, and they were glued to The Brady Bunch. I’d beg for Bugs Bunny and they’d insist on Care Bears. We were complete TV nerds, with our own little rivalries. But this? Thriller? We all agreed on that.
The holidays that year became a marathon of Thriller replays. We couldn’t get enough. Hours upon hours went into memorizing every step, every move. I must have looked ridiculous trying to mimic that iconic dance. But I’ll admit, for a kid, I wasn’t half bad.
Greatest video of all time? Absolutely. And every Halloween since, I can’t help but smile.
Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!
