Newsday: ’80s are back with Debbie Gibson and Tiffany

January 19, 2011 by GLENN GAMBOA / glenn.gamboa@newsday.com

Debbie Gibson says people have been trying to get her and her ’80s teen pop rival Tiffany to work together for years.

“We’re just very different, stylewise,” said Gibson, calling from her home in Los Angeles. “We’ve had very separate careers.”

But when the folks at the Syfy network approached the Merrick native about doing a sequel to her movie “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus” with Tiffany, she jumped at the chance.

“I thought, ‘This is such a ridiculous way to join forces,’ ” Gibson said. “We’re rivals who have to work together to save the world. Why not?”

Their work together on “Mega Python vs. Gatoroid,” which debuts on Syfy Jan. 29, has led to other joint appearances, including their first concert duet in New York – at the Canal Room Saturday. (“We’re each going to do a few of our hits separately,” Gibson said. “But she could totally jam with me onstage for ‘Shake Your Love’ if she wants.”)

However, Gibson is getting ready to mount a musical comeback this year – on her own.

You’re on the short list for an Oscar nomination for best song.It is really surreal. It’s a song called “Rise” that I did for a documentary that my boyfriend [Dr. Rutledge Taylor] did called “3 Billion and Counting.” We don’t really have a campaign to launch for it, but stranger things have happened in my career. It could be the little song that could.

And you’re working on a new album?I’ve been writing a lot in the last year and a half . . . You know, I grew up when Tina Turner and Cher made their big radio comeback and I feel that I’m sitting at that moment where I’m 40 and I feel more empowered than ever, and I can write now from a point of view where I’ve actually lived some life as opposed to writing from my pop-touring bubble.

You also have a song from the movie.Yeah, it’s called “Snake Charmer” and it’s a fun, kitschy dance song. I love that really little kids are now gonna think that I copied Ke$ha.
WHO Debbie Gibson and Tiffany at the “Back to the ’80s Show”

WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Saturday, The Canal Room, 285 West Broadway, Manhattan

INFO $20; 212-941-8100, canalroom.com