"For fifteen years, we have lived here..."

1984-1999

UPDATE: Jay Young of Ghostbusters 2120 provdes us with this quick on the spot sketch of the recent developments on the GB No-Ghost mascot. It seems he was out of control at the official 15th anniversary party and no cameras were on hand. Jay quickly got a sketch of the occurance.

Ghostbusters opens to a roaring audience. the special effects are hailed as some of the best to come from a company other than Industrial Light and Magic. The mixture of comedy and adventure teamed with big personalities like Bill Murray who had just come off of making a big name for himself in Caddyshack and Stripes, and Dan Aykroyd- one of the most beloved cast members of Saturday Night Live and countless motion pictures and television appearances. Ghostbusters quickly sails to the top of the box office as audiences go back for more. They can't get enough of the pulsading soundtrack featuring some of the most popular artists of the 80's as Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" becomes the number one song on the Billboard charts and is played more times than a certain song from a movie about a big sinking boat by some lady named Dion. The catch phrase "Who ya gonna call?" which actually originated in one of Aykoryd's other classic films, "The Blues Brothers" becomes a perminant part of pop culture. Still today when people ask, "who you gonna call?" the natural response is, Ghostbusters.

The introduction of the Real Ghostbusters (hereon referred to as RGB) in 1986 ket Ghostbusters in the American conciousness as the movie still continued to soar overseas. Demand for the Ghostbusters was at an all time high. Filmation decided to cash in on it's ownership of a live-action television show, Ghostbusters by recreating it in a cartoon series. Syndication viewing audiences roared in disapproval, and Columbia Pictures cryed foul. No lawsuits were ever thrown at each other. However during this time Huey Lewis (who would later lend his vocal talents to Back to the Future) slapped a lawsuit on Ray Parker Jr. claiming that the Ghostbusters theme song sounded too much like Lewis' "I Want a New Drug." The suit was settled out of court. Then came a little feat called the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and children began to direct their attention to pizza and yelling Cowabunga. Aykroyd released Ghostbusters II just in time to compete with a small movie called Batman. The result, was an incredible success at the box office. The most popular sequel in motion picture history (later overthrown by Steven Spielberg's The Lost World) was quickly drawfed by Batman (more on this can be found in the Ghostbusters Seen and Heard area) and critics found themselves spoiled with the true American adventure, leaving Ghostbusters II forever locked into the subconciousness.

After eight years of incredible success, The Real Ghostbusters was hurting for a viewing audience and quickly turned it's attention to the more popular character among children, Slimer. The result was a mediocre television show which revolved around the little spud and demonished the "Ghostbusting Spirit" for good. It was then that the Ghostbusters franchise entered what is called by fan enthusiasts as "the dark times." Every series has experienced it, even mega-hits like Star Wars had a dark time in which the fan club shut down. Ghostbusters did the same and the official fan club called it quits.

In 1998, the 80's revival had begun. Suddenly, Culture Club is touring again, films like the Wedding Singer prove that the 80's had an incredible spirit that wouldn't die. Those who were kids during the 80's are now teenagers if not older and find themselves returning to their pasts. An idea is born... Extreme Ghostbusters. The cartoon show slowly builds momentum as fan awareness of the series grows, largly thanks to the internet and websites like The Ghostbusters Homepage, Spook Central, and Ghostbusters Headquarters. The series, though one of the BKN, or Bohbot Kids Network's shows is cancelled after completing just one season's worth of episodes. The production of the show is plagued with indifferences in ideas and lack of organization. The little to no advertising done for the series brings merchandising to a halt and the show is swept under the carpet like a broken toy. But promise of a third Ghostbusters film by Columbia Tri-Star Pictures and Dan Aykroyd himself keeps the Ghostbusters in the subconciousness once again. And again, the fans hold Ghostbusters dearly to their hearts.

To prove this feat and to celebrate the 15th birthday of the Ghostbusters, I have created this area for you and I; the fans of Ghostbusters. As a shrine and dedication to the films which we adore so much. To share our memories of our first Ghostbusters experiences with a whole new generation. This area is built for the fans, by the fans. Here now are your submissions.

-A Look Back on the Past and dedication written by webmaster,
Troy Benjamin

• Egon779406 takes a look back at Ghostbusters and GBHQ
  
  
• FaNBoy takes a look at his childhood with Ghostbusters
  
  
• Dan Phillips takes a look at the future of the Ghostbusters
  
  
• RollerJam seeks answers after viewing GB on Encore and Starz
  
• Dr. Gardoni talks about childhood memories of GB

Would you like to submit a story or artwork for the 15th Anniversary Website? Please drop me an e-mail or send your stories through the direct e-mail form without using an e-mail program and it will be posted here with the greatest of speed. This site will be updated frequently throughout the year, and will also be featuring the memories of cast and crew members of Ghostbusters as well.