Enjoy Stuff: A TechnoRetro Podcast

On this Presidents’ Day (Presidents Day, President’s Day), a day designed to give federal employees a three-day weekend (yes, that’s the real purpose of the holiday), the ‘Dads invite all EarBuds to pull their VHS copies of ThunderCats off the shelf, get their LJN action figures out of that dusty old attic, and get into the spirit of Thundera here on Second Earth for a time-traveling trip back to 1985-1989 with the unforgettable ThunderCats!

 

In the NEWS

• Howard the Duck Hulu series greenlit
• Upcoming Muppets series is an ‘80s sequel
• Sesame Street may celebrate 50th anniversary with a movie

 

Saturday Mornings: ThunderCats

From 1985 to 1989, kids were treated to a sci-fi/fantasy cartoon about cat people fleeing their destroyed home planet of Thundera to a futuristic Earth as they battled evil mutants who wanted to get their slimy (or furry) hands on the Sword of Omens.  Lion-O, Tygra, Cheetara, Panthro, Wilykat, Wilykit, and Snarf were pitted against the evil mutants S-S-Slithe, Jackalman, Monkian, Vultureman, and their terrifying undead leader Mumm-Ra.  The combination of a kicking theme song, an amazing style that blended Rankin-Bass designs with Japanese animation, cool characters, fantastic weapons and vehicles, and a story that captured the imaginations of kids, teens, and maybe even some parents for fun afternoon television viewing.

 

Toys in the Attic: ThunderCats

LJN toys produced loads of figures, vehicles, and even a couple playsets alongside the ThunderCats animated series.  More in scale with He-Man figures than Star Wars and G.I. Joe, ThunderCats followed the pattern of Mattel, Hasbro, and Kenner to fill toy aisles with plastic versions of the heroes and villains kids were watching on TV sets in their homes.  Some of these toys can even fetch a hefty price with collectors.  Be sure to watch garage sales and flea markets for bargains on these classic toys.

 

Star Wars Scrapbook

As Celebration Chicago draws ever nearer, and the future of Star Wars is yet to be seen (no trailer or title as of yet), shazbazzar and JediShua dust off Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle in the Star Wars Scrapbook to look into the history of Star Wars and the people and events surrounding the 42 year-old franchise.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to check out episodes you may have missed on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, or at TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to [email protected].

George Lucas pushed to capitalize on cuteness after Return of the Jedi left theaters with two made-for-television Ewok features and two seasons of animated Endorians in Nelvana’s Ewoks. Both shazbazzar and JediShua love every incarnation of the little furry guys and share their appreciation for the tribe from Bright Tree Village before taking another trip through time in the dark comedy/love story/science fiction movie, Time After Time.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure kicked off Keanu Reeves’s career, spawned a sequel, and filled Alex Winter’s mailbox with lots of notes from teachers. As the thirtieth anniversary of the movie approaches and a second sequel lingers on the horizon, shazbazzar and JediShua take a trip back to 1989 to reminisce and revisit this cult comedy.

JediShua and shazbazzar are joined by Superfriend Retro Joe Tavano to talk about Hasbro G.I. Joe toys and the SunBow G.I. Joe cartoon. The kids of the '80s have grown up, but we haven't forgotten the fun and fandom of the 1980s, especially G.I. Joe!

Chris Luby from The Geek State joins shazbazzar and JediShua for The Legend of Zelda and some Funkos before the ‘Dads take on forty year-old vampire movies from 1979.

JediShua and shazbazzar invite SuperFriend Steve Glosson from the GOLiverse up to the attic to play with Mattel's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toys before the TechnoRetro Dads go to the den to watch a "Choose Your Own Adventure book" on Netflix.

The New Year has begun and we’re wondering why they refer to their resolutions as 4K rather than 4,000.

Video games are the hot topic of the week as shazbazzar and JediShua chat about the new Arcade 1UP machines and Super NES.

In the final episode of 2018, shazbazzar and JediShua present some inventive concepts for the perfect Christmas cereal, nonchalantly hint to their families what to get them, play some seasonal video games, and announce the final bracket winner from the EarBud Toy Catalog.

UnScrooged 2018 is your prescription for many ailments you may experience during the holiday season. With SuperFriends' fun and/or funny memories told while they play favorite arcade games from the '70s and '80s, your long-term memory center will be activated, your heart will be lifted, and your attitude will be improved. Share and enjoy!

Bill Murray and Karen Allen were the unlikely couple whose uncoupling caused dire ramifications that nearly destroyed multiple lives in its wake. Add three time-traveling ghosts, skyscrapers, a live television broadcast, and an Olympic gymnast and yule put a little love in your heart with Scrooged.