VHS Memories

In 2006, Variety published an article with the statement, “VHS, 30, dies of loneliness”, continuing with a snarky postmortem on the half-inch videotape. In retaliation, we published an issue completely devoted to the VHS age, called “VHS R.I.P.” Once I put out the call for submissions, the response was overwhelming and incredibly enthusiastic.  Despite how sarcastic the title may have sounded, the articles we received were anything but. People wrote about a format on the brink of extinction, without a drop of irony.

During its 30-year reign, VHS changed how most people saw movies, as home video offered another life for viewing content.  And instead of people being a slave to time, making sure they were still awake see Kojak on TV at 2AM, everything on the broadcast band suddenly became at their disposal.  These are just some of the fundamental ways that home video altered our lives. As you will read below, VHS permeated our pop culture in numerous, unique ways.

Most of the pieces you can access below are reprinted from that “VHS R.I.P.” issue, with the kind permission of their original authors. But the legacy of VHS will continue to be documented with newer pieces, so check back soon!

For more VHS fun, also check out our recurring feature, VHS Mondays.

Thanks, enjoy.
Greg