A Day in the Life of a Pop Tart - Part 1

The Pop Tarts lived glamorous lives in New York City - performing in clubs, dreaming up inventive publicity campaigns, making personal appearances at fabulous parties - all while holding down responsible jobs at important companies. Nelson Sullivan captured the energy in this 2-part video made one afternoon with Randy Pop

[@Dangerman5]

The gay scene of the 80s is kinda fascinating. In the mainstream being gay was completely outrageous, but in places like New York city, gays seemed to be more open and overtly "out" than even today.

[@Mike____]

Dangerman5 when men used more makeup then women

[@aveuch]

It's easier to be out in a gayborhood. Since then gentrification has forced young, out, gays, to scatter and be less visible, and less engaged in a gay community. Speaking of visibility, in New York fo example, they walk, you have to be out, shopping for your parties and your day to day.

[@blanco7726]

Konga 5000 are you talking from personal experience? Cuz that’s not the usual bar experience🤣🤣

[@lordkanti8260]

In the 80s the gays and queens thrives in the night lights. Vegas and Reno had big scenes. Although Reno was easily violent towards the bars.

[@McPoyleBros]

@@LaOxidada low IQ

[@HowDidIGet3700Subs]

it's exactly like I remember the 80s. People were friendly & had a more positive vibe about them. People in general were far less aggressive. It's good to know I'm not imagining or looking back with rose-tinted glasses. This confirms it.

[@charrua59]

There's been scientific studies about laughter. How much people laughed in a day. Studies that go back for decades. The amount people laugh every day has decreased every decade. Yeah think people hade more joy decades ago.

[@HowDidIGet3700Subs]

@@charrua59 great

[@notsoseriousmoonlight]

These videos are like a time machine. It's like being there. I wonder what I was doing on that day. Sometimes I can remember. I remember most of all how those times felt. I was a teenager, I was just starting to figure out what I might want to do, but there was no rush. I could breathe!! Most of all I could breathe! It felt freer back then. A nice day out in the sun, anything was possible. I keep trying to understand what changed, how it all slipped away when we weren't paying attention or something.

[@thomasc.5219]

9/11 is when all that changed. I felt same things you talking about and after that day everything changed and it's gotten worse since then.

[@adelinewurzer4533]

i was born in 1995 & even i feel like something slipped away without us noticing idk the world was much more magical before 2013

[@McPoyleBros]

Such a great era. I was young. Still a child. 6 Years old here. But I’m always so nostalgic for the 80’s and early 90’s.

[@deluna3372]

My teenage days were back in 2010, I remember listening to Lady Gaga with my friends just chilling, hanging out in a hot afternoon, watching the sun go down. Then we would talk about everything mostly I can't remember anymore.

[@MarvinMonroe]

@Konga 5000 fewer, not less 😘

[@melissaonorati2243]

Dick Richards is such an angel and such an awesome great friend to Nelson; I mean wow Nelson and Dick had such a beautiful loving relationship

[@thegrinch0614]

Nelson was so ahead of his time....

[@spiderreed350]

I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that Line.

[@statenislandprincess]

Wow seeing byc like this brings back such nostalgia feelings.... that sticker that said BRANDON CALL MOM broke my heart and really saddened me in ways i never felt before.... very heart breaking

[@sint5990]

1:13 I’m having a hard time believing this was not an intentional modification to his pants. The placement is simply to perfect 😮

[@ericlopez9107]

Ahhh the days before cell phones, ironically there seemed to be more authentic communication among people....go figure!!

[@matthewmorrison3745]

The internet exposed us to so much...

[@chazb1660]

Randy is so F-ing adorable! Also, I fondly remember 14th St. shopping. You could really walk from one end to the other and always get what you needed.

[@ulovetashi]

Manic Panic!!!! the beginning and still pushing in 2018. Minus the storefront, glad to see the brand still alive and doing well.

[@user-sz6cw2lp7z]

You black nice 🎄🎈

[@jessemiklas4908]

I love this it gives you a look at how simple life was. The mom posting notes around the town to find her son to call her and about how Nelson friend saw and other friends as wave them down and had a convo nowa days it all phone !

[@TM-em9ij]

Back when anyone could buy mid century stuff for practically nothing. There was so much of it then.

[@aaronlane8276]

In today’s world, those things are hard to come by.

[@pumpnix7243]

So awesome to see a glimpse of life and people the year I was born

[@Akenaten1]

These videos are so awesome! Love them!

[@butterflymustfly_1232]

I love that old mans New Yorker accent. ❤

[@mjg239]

9:18 I love how the camera pans in on some cute looking white guy coming out of an MTA bus, and the ad on the side of the bus is one for Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits "Fresh - Crispy - Spicy". When I lived in NYC, even in 2009-10. I was always going to Popeyes on 14th Street near Chelsea and other locations around Brooklyn and Manhattan. So interesting to see Popeyes existed in 1986 in NYC.

[@ironmanspartan9070]

Great video I felt as if I was there!...Bravo!

[@jakehands]

In the past, people left notes on signs to call them; nowadays, people text each other on their smart phones to call them. Times have changed.

[@kim86gurl]

Mind you, that is NOT how most people tried to get ahold of other people "in the past". That's why it's novel, even to Randy and Nelson here. By the 1980s people were leaving voicemails on other folks' home answering machines. Or leaving a note on their front door if they weren't home. Or calling a mutual friend/acquaintance to ascertain their whereabouts.

[@austinflores8552]

​@Hal Colombo wrong 1998 blackberry 😂

[@chrism.2711]

I wonder what Brandon is doing today. And did he ever call his mother lol

[@sharnacollier6056]

This is awesome!

[@kengeorgejones6855]

Randy is so so cute. If I'd been there then I would have had a crush on him. It almost makes up for all the cuts in this making me dizzy...

[@jgm22]

Woooow they're called cover girl! 3:06

[@prosperousutensil8178]

Cover girl , you lost your shoe on your walk

[@mjg239]

The continuous one-shot-pan Nelson did from 9:18 onward, from people getting off the MTA bus, going into a corner shop, seeing the Pop Tart and panning to another guy walking away was also quite impressive technique.

[@Lypno]

Thanks for sharing the legacy

[@stephsonne7941]

Yess a new one!!!

[@Heramitep]

Fantastic!

[@shawnarthurwells5385]

If anyone wants to know who uploaded these videos after nelson passed here is the link his name was Dick Richards he sadly passed in 2018 Dick Richards 1946~2018 www.artsatl.org/obituary-funtone-founder-dick-richards-first-to-televise-rupaul/

[@mjg239]

Thanks for sharing this link. OMG. I didn't know Dick Richards died. I was watching him upload these videos to KZbin actively for years and I noticed he stopped 2 years ago, Now I see why. That means that there are more of these videos that can be updated to KZbin and elsewhere. The videos need to be archived by ONE Archive (Gay & Lesbian organization) and saved. Would love to help somehow.

[@mswhite-ru7fp]

Thank u so much for adding this link for people like me that is doing so much research to understand and embrace the culture that I’m apart of .. and to see stuff like this and then have the actual reference is cool because I like concrete evidence ..

[@bruhlickd]

Thanks a lot

[@arrowcrusher]

3:06. Priceless!!

[@dianadundidit5343]

Randy wearing shorts with holes and now he's so damn wealthy! I hope he sees this video!

[@kithand1106]

What is he doing now?

[@QuelquefoisFois]

Rupaul's show on tv.😁

[@christinecollins6648]

Love when Nelson edits the video away mid story

[@jlee7904]

Who has all of his video tapes? Is it a family member who is uploading these? I'm so curious

[@ChunkRs]

its his friend "dick" hes in the mcdonalds video, not sure of his last name though

[@ChunkRs]

Moss the only one with a million views?

[@ChunkRs]

Moss it’s literally the only video with a million views. I thought most people would know which McDonald’s video I meant since all the other are less than 100k

[@ChunkRs]

it was more me questioning your stupidity, by asking me which mcdonalds video it was, when there's only one main McDonalds video with a million views. Next time, I'll assume you're braindead

[@pagethreemodel]

Chunk don't bother going back and forth with that weirdo. Anyone with a lick of sense could see what you meant.

[@samfroese3788]

Pre 911 was a better time

[@TheRadboy84]

Sam Froese ohhh yes it was! 33yo here yup it was much better.

[@tommyboybr]

I don’t know why I felt this video a little sad, kinda depressing, that’s a first with all the videos that I saw!!! :(

[@MilesAndHeights]

Mk3 maybe Cos Randy ripped his pants ? Lolz

[@tommyboybr]

MilesAndHeights hahaha if they showed more of the ripped shorts it could make it a little more interesting hahaha JK But I don’t know why I feel this vibe from this video, and as I’m watching it again right now to answer you, I’m getting the same vibe :(

[@MilesAndHeights]

Mk3 maybe a part of u wants to be in that era so badly but then u realise it’s long gone and it will never be that way

[@tommyboybr]

Oh no, I don't want to relieve the 80's again hahaha I'm okay in 2018!

[@MilesAndHeights]

Mk3 if u figure out then plz let me know :)

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas933]

This is an interesting one that pop tart is something else I like em.

[@raymondvildosola2739]

Randy pop is soo cute

[@rallyrobb943]

Here we get an intro to the OG Snooki!

[@JRS814]

Who knew, right

[@melissaonorati2243]

When I say loving relationship I meant great friends not lovers; 😄😀

[@meetmeinva]

‘14th street might be cheaper’ my how times have changed

[@blazeaglory]

MANIC PANIC!!

[@FRANCISCOANZALDO1978]

Randy Pop is funny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😘

[@mrmikeyd2]

Randy Barbados was a little doll.......Wish I had met him and was now Mrs World of Wonder.....he would have left me years ago

[@NoName-li9rx]

The cute guy in the video is Randy Barbato: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Wonder_(company) His company is who produces Drag Race

[@louisportalatin2790]

thats Thompkins! I live in my parents old apt on ave c and 10th street! my mom & dad was at studio 54, limelight, club 1018! they did freestyle this is crazy seeing my parents POV

[@xXkoekieXx]

I wanna go to that party

[@zenarcade64]

7:50 That's St. Marks for ya. I dig her. 8:48 I remember seeing Sam Shepherd's Cowboy Mouth around that time. Don't know if it's the same production or not though.

[@jesseinostros5340]

the World of Wonder dad Randy

[@BreakAge]

For anyone who's uploading this. You should claim that he is the first vlogger.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

Break Age you really think the mid 80s was the first guy to do this? I got a camera with a strip of bulbs that popped w each picture in the early 80s, the first thing I did was take a selfie. You think I invented it?

[@holeymattress8128]

99 cents for strawberrys 🍓 , those days are gone forever

[@McPoyleBros]

Punch-Buggy Orange 🤜🏼

[@diorlver]

i wanna know more about randy

[@LordVoldore]

That pop tart is a cutie

[@pussyri0t741]

Most triumphant

[@AndrewsArchives]

7:55 - "our neighbor was stabbed twice in the back right outside here"

[@spiderreed350]

I wonder of the Pop Tarts had to pay any Royalties to Kelloggs?

[@marky1821]

Where is Elio? Hahahah lmao

[@dizzy60527]

I'd love to know the year of this. You should have it in the description.

[@bella.bee333]

it was in the summer of 1986!

[@Fire_Marshall_Bill]

I’m going to tell my kids this was RDJ.

[@TomLohre49]

I was destroyed not being in town all the time but the world beckoned.

[@noongourfain]

Thank You! For the trip down Memory Lane. What went wrong? Did the HBO show "Sex in the City" ruin NYC? That's always been my theory. People from America and the rest of the world came for the shoes and got pregnant. Then got married and all depressed, when they realized NYC is no place for children? That and then rent? Not the play....the actual rent

[@tay7366]

We were fitter back then because we had to shop and walk around to find things 😂 it’s Amazons fault I’m fat

[@dennybenz5846]

Question? More interested in Nelson Sullivan. I am wondering if his aunt outlived Nelson and if so is there any information on his funeral or what happened after his death.

[@kengeorgejones6855]

I think his aunt outlived him, although I'm not sure. Not much was said about his funeral, I don't think. After he passed several of his friends continued to live in the home they'd shared (for a few more years) and took care of his dog Blackout until she passed away about a year later.

[@dennybenz5846]

Ken George Jones I hope they took care of black out well . Sad he only lasted one year later. I wonder who took over his apartment?

[@marthaleyva9585]

According to Rupaul's pod cast he mentioned he moved in with Nelson then roommate at the time if his death

[@jimmywoo7875]

@@marthaleyva9585 It was nelsons house he let ppl stay there.but when he passed away RuPaul and another person took over for 2 more years.Just listend to the pod cast.

[@logicone5667]

I wonder if Brandon ever called his mom..

[@goodowner5000]

I hope he did. That sign made me all kinds of sad. 😔

[@joey662]

8:32 Snooki before snooki?

[@eara8426]

When Grindr was not a thing.

[@meetmeinva]

Before gay men became obsessed with the gym, overly architected hair styles, and tattoos. The complacent arrogance that’s seeped into the community wasn’t there in the 80’s.

[@bruhlickd]

Maybe because being gay was undeground. Today gays are divided in thousands of ghettos and underground culture became mainstream.

[@jdmc1v1c60]

4:25 wonder why he was standing in the road 🤔

[@hannahm9893]

he looks like armie hammer

[@Thomas-fu8vp]

This explains why all Americans are either over weight or obese today. Years ago we walked and walked and walked from small shop to small shop to do routine errands.

[@JordanLedbetter]

That's not why

[@AndrewsArchives]

Most New Yorkers still do plenty of walking

[@mrswiss]

Those purple footprints at 3.40 have a story. Wikipedia Adam Purple and his Garden of Eden.

[@epicwave7060]

Äntligen

[@tanjuyiyitalp6580]

Tomkins Park??

[@mjg239]

3:22 Name of this artist?

[@sarab4851]

poor Brandon's mom...

[@MargotHypnos]

Where is Randy Pop now? I wonder.

[@MilesAndHeights]

Margot still in NY I think. TV producer.

[@MargotHypnos]

Thanks

[@kengeorgejones6855]

Randy and Fenton have a production company called World of Wonder. They made a number of documentaries, and more recently, Rupaul's Drag Race.

[@pobstrel]

MilesAndHeights No Los Angeles. The Wow Presents headquarters are on Hollywood Boulevard.

[@xxxxxxxxxx4345]

14:06 is that ru paul!??

[@jayskingdom9358]

I fell in love with the guy 🤤

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

Nelson loved Ru but I wonder if the other way around abs whether Ru used Nelson for his home and marketing him…

[@aviratica6370]

Yea! a new one and I'm first!

[@hhhoneycomb]

what's a pop tart slang for?

[@lonelypinesroad9214]

Ashley Taylor they’re a band I think

[@mswhite-ru7fp]

A gay man .. hence a pop tart

[@tomislav2814]

michael musto is sick

[@iTonyC]

This Guy Died? If so how did he die?

[@DaNomadLad]

iTonyC According to some sources he was killed by some elite members of some group..I’m not sure tho!

[@butterflymustfly_1232]

iTonyC Maybe he was Ru Paul's blood Sacrafice. lol...never know.

[@planetX15]

Didn't Nelson die of a heart attack?

[@mommailuvu]

iTonyC he died of a heart attack in 1989

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

I think crocodile wrestling

[@toniturnwald9890]

Hi folks, I'm from Bavaria and my English ins't so good. So, I have a question. What's a "Pop Tart". I don't understand that word. So, please explain that word to me. Thank you. By the way, I watched the complete film and it's pretty nice to see the streets in N.Y. in the 80s. bye bye Toni

[@kimlarge4077]

Toni Turnwald Google it!

[@toniturnwald9890]

Kim Large I did, but after that, I'm not more clever than before. But anyway, Thank you and have a nice weekend. bye Toni

[@MilesAndHeights]

Read the description...from Wht I gather they were performers...a more civilized group compared to the club kids I guess

[@MilesAndHeights]

M Perkins I don’t think here it means the food...it was the name of a group but I might be wrong

[@toniturnwald9890]

Thank you very much. Now I understand that what it is. I live in Bavaria ( south Germany ) and I had no idea what that menas, but now I know. Thank you and have a nice day. cheerio Toni

[@Gunzee]

Anyone else assume from the title it was about prostitutes? Most probably male? PS. What's that place at 14:05?

[@ulovetashi]

The Pyramid Club

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

One of the funniest things said !! Don't invite unbalanced people to the Party !! NO ONE WOULD SHOW UP !! THEY ARE ALL " UNBALANCED" !! There would be No Party !! aICONIC !!!

[@hotlanta5521]

I love watching these videos, but I have wondered often to myself why _especially the videos made after 1985_ that nothing is ever discussed about the AIDS Crisis, that gripped NYC, during this time. Its almost as if the bulk of these historical documentary videos center on PARTY....don't get me wrong....its only that I find it extremely odd.... _to say the least_

[@TomLohre49]

This is before.

[@hotlanta5521]

Tom Lohre no its not! This was done after 1985....and beside... _I am speaking about the Bulk of Sullivan's work, which was after 1985-1989_

[@pagethreemodel]

hotLanta yeah they were all on drugs and partying hard. This is the last place to expect any solemn discourse on the AIDS epidemic unless those commenting on the videos want to talk about it.

[@Miau7997]

You realize that’s not always gonna be on topic right? I’m sure there were people in the 40s in Europe who never really talked about the massive war going on

[@BadBoyBobby85]

Tom Lohre this is still now

[@Dimi374]

Armie Hammer could Randy.

[@jameslaumand3686]

She cute date,shop still there ahh

[@Masshole4life]

What is a “ pop tart?”

[@kimlarge4077]

Nancy B Google it!

[@pagethreemodel]

Nancy B a disgusting American sweet-snack.

[@keldraalpine7091]

OMG S'mores flavor!! Toasted.

[@gauloise6442]

Nancy B They were a singing group called the Pop Tarts. "pop" songs (ie popular music). Tart is also a slang word for a flirty, promiscuous person who kind of sleeps around (but it is a fun word, not a judgmental word). Tart is used a lot in gay slang. Pop Tarts are also a breakfast food in the USA. So it is a play on meaning of all those words.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

A poor man’s Toaster Strudel

[@queenqueen977]

how cute is randy !

[@roryonabike5863]

I gather that this is Randy Barbato. See this: www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/27/randy-barbato-fenton-bail_n_5621822.html And do a search for The Fabulous Pop Tarts on KZbin. What is he doing these days?

[@moccalou]

What's a pop tart?

[@bella.bee333]

that’s what i wanna know!!! i googled it & it said a female pop star who is known for her sexuality more than her music, but i feel like that doesn’t make much sense in this context haha

[@moccalou]

@@bella.bee333 I think they might be a singing group in drag. And this is just kind of like their everyday life. I think Nelson had a habit of like hanging out with these people in their personal lives.

[@delaxanexel44]

These gay people Atleast had integrity... they were actually being themselves

[@MarvinMonroe]

Woulda been fun to hang out there with them as a straight guy and get girls. Similar to straight guy joining theater department for the chicks

[@charrua59]

What happened to all fat people back then. They all stayed at home that day? 🤔

[@meetmeinva]

Before High Fructose Corn Syrup and Genetically Modified foods. There wasn’t as much sugar and sodium in foods back then.

[@samfroese3788]

Why do they talk like that

[@yhwhyhwh8197]

They are/were gay

[@BIGDADDYRAY18]

Because they were phedos

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

Abused voice boxes and vocal chords

[@nancyderyl1]

So sad he was killed because of footage he had of very elite people in very compromising positions!! Heart attack my you know what! He was way ahead of his time. He and his friend, the great Keith Haring ...

[@ChunkRs]

please stop with your conspiracy theories, it was a heart attack, friends witnessed it

[@TomLohre49]

Are you killing me?

[@nancyderyl1]

Chunk a heart attack can be inflicted! Have a look at the ice man tapes. He killed by "inflicting" a heart attack on some victims. It's not a conspiracy.. Only the reality of what happens in this sad world. JS

[@ChunkRs]

nutjob...

[@nancyderyl1]

Chunk Ahhhh... says the closed/ narrow minded, mighty Chunk!! Lol As soon as someone says something different than what your thought is they are nuts? Ok I'd rather be nuts with my free thoughts than keep everything one sided 😅

[@jameslaumand3686]

Those cars look dirty yuke yuke dusty sad why

[@logicone5667]

Decorations = drugs

[@jameslaumand3686]

I want money money money playstation 5 Sony vor money gold silver I’m selfish dick

[@shotcallersshoguns4432]

How did nelsonndie??