Welcome back to the GenX Book Club—and happy New Year! Paul Stroessner, Del Roehling and Suzanne Mattaboni talk about Future Boy by Michael J. Fox, a fast, entertaining behind-the-scenes snapshot of one of the most intense stretches of Fox's career: filming Back to the Future while also starring on Family Ties.
The conversation dives into the pressure of stepping into a role that was already being filmed, the legendary production timeline, and the details Gen X fans love—like the Eric Stoltz "what-if," Fox meeting Lea Thompson just minutes before filming, Marty's iconic wardrobe, the Nike Bruins story, the stunt double moment that sounds too ridiculous to be true, and how Fox's comedic instincts helped shape one of the most beloved movies of all time.
Plus: a fun side-quest into the Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Cookbook (yes, it's real), including how it connects to the Radical Sabbatical event.
Why Future Boy is a perfect GenX Book Club pick
Rewatching Back to the Future (including its return to theaters)
The unbelievable detail: Fox met Lea Thompson about 10 minutes before filming their first scene
TV actors vs. movie actors in the '80s—and how that changed over time
The Eric Stoltz version: how different might the movie have been?
The "no sleep" schedule: Family Ties by day, Back to the Future by night
Stunts, wardrobe, and the real people behind the scenes
Marty's Nike Bruins and the origin story behind the shoe scramble
The Johnny B. Goode performance and Fox's attention to detail
Why the audiobook works so well (Fox narrates, with additional audio clips)
Next month's possible pick: Ordinary People
📖 Suzanne Mattaboni (Author of Once in a Lifetime)
🔹 Get her book anywhere books are sold, including Kindle Unlimited and onceinalifetimenovel.com
🔹 Visit her at suzannemattaboni.com
🔹 Follow Suzanne:
🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of '80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page
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💡 Whether you're a die-hard '80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast app and leave a review. And tell us:
What's your favorite Back to the Future moment—and have you ever seen footage of the Eric Stoltz version?
