Men in Spandex, Mullet Night & Costume Trunks: A Q&A with Alan Hunter
May 1, 2025
TEC: You were one of the original MTV VJs—Did you ever think music videos would become a thing people actually obsessed over, or did it just seem like a weird experiment at the time?
AH: I was a struggling actor in New York when the MTV audition came up. So while I bartended at night, I went to auditions during the day for movies (I was in the musical movie ANNIE and the David Bowie video “FASHION”… see if you can find me). The MTV audition was just another thing for me to lose more self esteem, but what do you know they hired me. For the first many months none of us knew that MTV would become the juggernaut that it became. I was just glad to be able to finally pay my rent and have a little money to buy dinner in a decent restaurant!
TEC: What is one of the most ridiculous things about the 80s that we all just accepted as normal?
AH: Men wearing spandex.
TEC: Who was the most unforgettable artist or band you interviewed on MTV in the 80s?
AH: Too many to recount but interviewing The Edge and Bono from U2 for the first time on MTV was fab. Even tho I called Bono “BOno” as in No No.
Interviewing Madonna for the first time on MTV at The Limelight dance club in New York was brief but exciting. She had not yet broken big, but she knew where she was going for sure.
In 1987, I traveled to Russia with Billy Joel’s historic concerts there. We did a doc[umentary] for MTV called Rock in Russia and I interviewed Billy in Leningrad. It was awesome.
TEC: If you had to survive an 80s movie plot, which one would you have the best chance of making it out alive?
AH: Die Hard. I would have had the good sense to handcuff myself to John McClane. And to keep my shoes on.
TEC: You’ve been part of The 80s Cruise for years now—what’s the most ridiculously awesome thing about it that people just wouldn’t believe until they experience it?
AH: How much guests dress up! I’m talking trunks and trunks of costumes. Can you imagine the baggage fees? I guess they’re not flying Southwest anymore.
TEC: If we let you create one brand-new theme night for the cruise, what’s it called, and what’s the dress code?
AH: It’s called Mullet Night, and however you want to interpret “Business Up Front, Party in the Back” is up to you.
TEC: Imagine you’re putting together the ultimate 80s Cruise Survival Kit for first-time cruisers. What are the must-have items and advice?
AH: Costumes for theme nights, extra of your preferred hangover remedy, and a spirit of adventure. And if possible, schedule a vacation for yourself after this vacation. You’re going to need it.
Check out this rad video from Alan and Mr. Moon Man, too!
Are you joining us in 2026??