The Gen-X-istentialists

Action Figures are Dolls: Settle the Great 80s Toy Debate


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From the tragedy of a discontinued snack to the weaponization of Care Bears—it’s time to settle the 80s toy war.

In this episode of The Gen-x-istentialists, Bunny and Scot mourn the loss of Hussman’s potato chips and the big metal cans that defined Cincinnati childhoods. They tackle the "loneliest hour" of the workday, the bizarre acting techniques of 70s sitcom masters, and why Scott’s favorite Pokemon comes with a warning label.

Inside the conversation:

  • The Hussman Heartbreak: A eulogy for the local chips we’ll never have again and the delivery-run perks of the 90s (including 20 rolls of Gleer's Goetta).
  • Who’s That Pokemon?: Bunny reveals his love for the "retarded looking" Bellsprout and Diglett, while Scott’s pick, Squirtle, is explained through a lens that is definitely not for kids.
  • The 3:00 PM No-Man's-Land: Why the hour before school let out was the peak of childhood—and why it’s the hour adults wish they could eliminate through seppuku.
  • The Sitcom Masters: A deep dive into the subtle facial ticks of Abe Vigoda and Jack Soo, and why 70s stage-trained actors were a different breed.
  • The Toy Gauntlet: A rapid-fire debate on why Matchbox suspension beats Hot Wheels speed, and the terrifying potential of a Care Bear "weaponized" through its chest insignia.
  • The Soul of Legacy: Why chasing online "likes" is chasing ghosts, and why the real legacy is the "echo" you leave in a room when you walk out.

Whether you're a Sega Genesis purist or just an "only child" who spent hours recreating Space Invaders with a bag of pinto beans, this episode is a raw, funny, and bittersweet survival guide.

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The Gen-X-istentialistsBy Bunny & Scot