Greetings, Programs!

Rusty, dusty, dirty and fun-in-the-sun, the swingsets of our childhood backyards were the great play places of youth.  Swings made of wood, plastic, and rubber could make us queazy or launch us into the sky.  Slides were for running up or sliding down trucks and X-Wings.  Teeter-totters and glide swings filled the the gap.  But eventually, every swingset became an object to be climbed.  We all have our memories of summers gone by, and for many of us, those summers included the backyard swingset.

Inside our houses, we were setting up our Star Wars toys for display on bookshelves, serving trays, dressers, and closets.  While Boba Fett was loading Captain Solo in the cargo hold at shazbazzar’s house, TIE Fighters and X-Wings battled above JediShua’s bed with colored yarn.  And Cris Macht beats it all with several curio cabinets in the loft and the basement.

Speaking of Cris Macht, his newest project is currently on Kickstarter.  The Real Fans of the Saga is a serial style reality show about four fans of Star Wars and their families.  You have only two days to help fund this series following Alphie, Beau, Cris, and Sean from Celebration Anaheim to The Force Awakens and beyond.  PLUS: All of Cris Macht’s documentaries will soon be available to stream through Amazon.com.

In the NEWS: John Williams is scoring some of our most anticipated movies while ALF and the Jetsons mourn their losses this week.

Be sure to review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes for your chance to win a signed copy of Ernie Cline’s Armada and voice your opinions about Apple Jacks in our online survey.  As always, you can be a part of TechnoRetro Dads by leaving a message at (209)TR-TRDAD or with an MP3 sent via electronic-M to [email protected].

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!

Archaeologist — A person who searches for Lost Arks, Noah’s Ark, and ark-i-texture while craving adventure and excitement.

When Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered thirty-five years ago, audiences were reintroduced to the kind of swashbuckling adventure stories that had inspired George Lucas and Steven Spielberg as children.  In his alter-ego dressed in tweed, this unassuming college professor masked the heroic adventurer who traveled far and wide in search of artifacts to bring home to the museum.  Since 1981, Indiana Jones has been a household name in homes across the United States and around the world.  With a fifth movie in the works (starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones), the magic of the franchise hasn’t diminished at all, even though many decried Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  JediShua and shazbazzar are joined by SuperFriend Jorbex to take a look back at Raiders of the Lost Ark with  behind-the-scenes interviews from 1981 as well as some well-known and not-so-well-known trivia.

In the FAMILY CIRCLE, the ‘Dads show their kids Raiders of the Lost Ark, some for the first time — others for another glimpse into the edge-of-your-seat excitement that doesn’t get old even thirty-five years later.  The results: no one doesn’t like Raiders of the Lost Ark.  It’s a hit with every generation. 

JediShua digs into his collection of Indiana Jones artifacts in TOYS IN THE ATTIC, with new and old figures and toys, with stories about how he and his brother used to reenact the movie and imagine more adventures from the fantastic archaeologist.  Kids in the ‘80s embraced the 1930s action hero with leather jackets, bullwhips, and fedoras as they journeyed to a place where fact meets fiction with Indiana Jones.

In the NEWS: More Ready Player One cast announcements, a documentary about the Mississippi-based Raiders fan-made tribute, Star Wars fan films, Doc Savage, and the PowerGlove Ultra.

Be sure to review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes for your chance to win a signed copy of Ernie Cline’s Armada and voice your opinions about Apple Jacks in our online survey.  As always, you can be a part of TechnoRetro Dads by leaving a message at (209)TR-TRDAD or with an MP3 sent via electronic-M to [email protected].

Join TechnoRetro Dads for a bonus-length fantastic adventure in the name of fortune and glory beginning with The Ballad of Indiana Jones by High Adventure that is limited only by your imagination.

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!

Remember when rock stars recorded that actually told the plot of the movies?  From 1980’s Flash Gordon to the glut of mid-eighties “on-the-nose” theme songs for Back to the Future, Barry Gordy’s The Last Dragon, Footloose, and more, some of the biggest names in music lent their sound to describing themes and plots of movies in unforgettable lyrics.  Sometimes, we were even left wondering if songs like “Ghostbusters” actually existed in the fictional world on the silver screens (it could have been a jingle for their commercial, after all).  JediShua and shazbazzar welcome back SuperFriend Michael Witwer to explore some of the most glaring examples of plot-literal theme songs as performed by bands like Huey Lewis and the News, Queen, Cheap Trick, and Survivor.  Why don’t we still hear these today?

In the FAMILY CIRCLE, the ‘Dads take their kids to Space Camp, where an all-star cast of ‘80s regulars took a rather unlikely voyage to the stars.  With Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Tom Skerritt, Larry B. Scott, and a breakout performance by a very young Joachin Leaf Phoenix, Space Camp celebrates its 30th anniversary in a very campy ‘80s way — complete with loads of Star Wars references.  

With NEWS about a live-action adaptation of a series of graphic novels and a Red Nose Day Holiday Special with The Walking Dead, your earbuds will blast you with memories of the past and hopes for the future in this extended edition of TechnoRetro Dads.

Be sure to review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes and chime in with your thoughts about Apple Jacks.  As always, you can be a part of TechnoRetro Dads by leaving a message at (209)TR-TRDAD or with an MP3 sent via electronic-M to [email protected].

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!

It’s a three-day weekend for most folks in the USA as the country unites to honor those who sacrificed all for the cause of liberty and self-government, so shazbazzar and JediShua celebrate the occasion with Goose, Maverick, Iceman, and Merlin as these fighter aces take to the skies in Top Gun.  With Tom Cruise enjoying his early prime, Meg Ryan, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Edwards lead this all-star cast for the most profitable movie of 1986, and shazbazzar believes he knows why it was so popular with both men and women.  What do you think?  Is Top Gun an action movie or a chick flick?  Let us know!

The flying continues as the ‘Dads open the Star Wars Scrapbook to remember starships and flying toys from their childhood and today.  From X-Wings to TIE Fighters to Folded Flyers, the pilots in that galaxy far, far away had the machines to satisfy anyone’s need for speed.  

But there is more… lots more!  Angry Birds can be a fun distraction for the day, on your phone, tablet, or in the theater.  Just make sure you prepare yourself for the experience.  Keanu Reeves is attacked in 1897 before playing Wembley stadium with his band Wyld Stallyns in 2001 — on the same day that RoboCop was born.  And if those things don’t seem to fit together, you have a pretty good picture of what’s going on in our minds this week on TechnoRetro Dads.

In the NEWS, Ernie Cline and Steven Spielberg call for talented artists to submit their 3D avatar designs for Ready Player One.  Star Wars Celebration Tickets are scooped up by anxious fans — and a few lucky fans score some highly desirable VIP tickets (let’s hope that no one decides to scalp them).  The equally addictive, entertaining, and frustrating game TETRIS may soon find its way into movie theaters.  And the sounds of Kmart can now be found online thanks to the thoughtful preservation of a former employee.

Be sure to review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes and chime in with your thoughts about Apple Jacks.  As always, you can be a part of TechnoRetro Dads by leaving a message at (209)TR-TRDAD or with an MP3 sent via electronic-M to [email protected].

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!

After a couple weeks of Technological Issues, shazbazzar and JediShua are back in the saddle again.  Join the TechnoRetro Dads as they return to The Jungle Book to reminisce about Disney’s 1967 animated classic as well as make new memories with their families watching Disney’s brand-new live-action version.  Surrounded by elephants enjoying Peanuts on Boomerang, comical Monkees in music videos, high-scoring gorillas named after belligerent horse-like creatures, animated animals jamming in space, 8-Bit centipedes, and a rabbit that used to be a stormtrooper, this Monday morning is sure to be wild and (possibly) dangerous.

PLUS:  New reviews on iTunes give EarBuds a chance to win a signed copy of Ernest Cline’s latest novel, Armada.  So be sure to get on iTunes to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads (hopefully positively)!

Topping this NEWS-heavy episode off with a HISTORY LESSON that travels through time with Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, revisits the release of Star Wars in the long-anticipated 5-25-77, and follows the Earth Space Defense build-up as it has progressed since Independence Day.

If you want to know more about The Jungle Book and its various representations on the silver screen, you can check out shazbazzar’s latest TechnoRetro Connections on RetroZap.com.  From 1942 to 2016, Rudyard Kipling’s book has been represented and reimagined by movie makers for nearly seventy-five years.

And in the meantime, stay out of the jungle after 5:00 PM unless you want to risk being flattened.

Thanks for joining us for another visit to the fun and fandom of youth combined with eager expectations of the future in this episode of TechnoRetro Dads.

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!  

This week we retro'd TechnoRetro Dads with an idea introduced four years ago this week on the show.  With Summer Vacation just around the corner, we want to hear what games our EarBuds played when they were kids and games they're playing today.  Let us know!

But that's not all we're talking about.  No way!  Since JediShua's computer has been a bit on the fritz lately, shazbazzar enlisted a guest co-host for the Lazy Book Club segment.  In fact, he's the busiest member of the Lazy Book Club, because he always has to do the reading for other members.  Enter: Teddy Ruxpin, the bane of Brews & Blasters' existence -- a cuddly sweet Teddy from the '80s that talks to you...as long as his gears are working well and batteries hold out.  Teddy Ruxpin reads a children's story book from Pete's Dragon called The Best of Friends.  

PLUS: In the Star Wars Scrapbook, shazbazzar added his most recent collectible to his scrapbook with a recording of shazzyLuke's 8th Grade Spring Concert while JediShua reads along with the Star Wars Read Along Book & Record.

With summer knocking at the door, TechnoRetro Dads are getting ready to let the sunshine in with loads of fun from the past, mountains of hope for the future, and plenty of laughs in the present.

Share and Enjoy! 

Greetings, Programs!

It’s only May second, but May the Fourth is coming.  Be

Since this Friday marks the release of the latest movie in the

In the NEWS, shazbazzar mentions a couple upcoming releases that

You can be a part of TechnoRetro Dads by leaving a message at

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, PROGRAMS!

Silly Rabbit!  Trix are for kids!  The poll results have been tallied and the more than sixty year-old cereal has divided the ‘Dads.  They told us never to talk money or politics, but who knew cereal could be so polarizing?  Discover whose taste buds didn’t appreciate the “fruity” taste of Trix.

And more tricks are in the lineup as shazbazzar and JediShua remember watching the likes of David Copperfield, Doug Henning, Lance Burton, and Harry Anderson when they were kids and give props to magical duos Penn & Teller and Siegfried & Roy.  Which tricks did you enjoy?  Did you have a magic kit when you were a kid?  Can you still read the back of a marked deck of cards?  Let us know via electronic-M to [email protected].

JediShua pulls his red TONKA Jeep down out of the attic to reminisce about toy trucks.  Who doesn’t think of TONKA when remembering building roads in their sandbox or pushing big metal cars and trucks around their room?  With nods to Nylint and BuddyL, shazbazzar and JediShua take you on a trip down Memory Lane in the back of a green pickup truck pushed down the playground slide.

In the NEWS, Amazon Prime has a Thunderbirds reboot available now and Disney parks will eventually have an immersive Star Wars dining experience.  R.I.P. Colonel Hiller from Independence Day.

So pour yourself another bowl of Trix and invite that silly rabbit to listen in with you for a tasty treat this Monday morning!

Share and Enjoy!

It’s TAX DAY in the U.S.A. and while for some, there is hope for a refund from the government, for most who have put off filing their taxes until today, it’s time to pay.  (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.)

But speaking of NEWS, there has been so much #TechnoRetro News this week that we hardly have time to talk about anything else in this NEWSAPALOOZA episode!  

First, JediShua discovers an upcoming art book that EarBuds are sure to love.  The Art of Atari: From Pixels to Paintbrush is currently being developed by Tim Lapetino as a coffee table book featuring (hopefully) cover art from all 136 game boxes and labels commissioned over the years by Atari.

Next, shAbbeyzzar tweeted her ‘Dad a link to the trailer for this November’s return to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  Not only do we get a glimpse of Newt Scamander and some American magic users, but Hutch from Kyle Newman’s FANBOYS is evidently featured prominently in the film.

SuperFriend Jovial Jay Shepard linked JediShua with an intriguing story about reboot of the Hanna-Barbera Universe.  With a Scooby-Doo animated film set to kick off the promising franchise, DC hopes to challenge Disney’s growing power at the box office with S.C.O.O.B. and more animated features with characters like Jonny Quest, Yogi Bear, and maybe even Space Ghost.

Of course, Star Wars is in the news with recent wins at the MTV Movie Awards, the original trilogy’s return to theaters via The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and the ongoing legal struggles George Lucas has with his proposed Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago.  Discover more from SuperFriend Michael Witwer at EmpireOfImagination.com and sign the petition at change.org.

With warmer weather just around the corner, Sperry hopes to help beach-goers and boaters look their best in a line of shoes inspired by Steven Spielberg’s JAWS.

T-Bird tweeted a bulletin announcing a job opportunity (volunteer only — no salary) with the Roald Dahl Museum in Buckinghamshire, England.  However, the ‘Dads can’t agree on the pronunciation of Buckinghamshire.  But that’s not news to EarBuds, is it?

David Dollar from The Deucecast Movie Show on RetroZap.com chimed in with a recently discovered Easter Egg in Mike Tyson’s Punchout.  For those still playing the nearly thirty year-old game, this clue will help you beat Piston Honda and Bald Bull.

Fans of Ernie Cline will be thrilled to hear about the latest contest that began last week with the paperback release of Armada.  Phaëton, a heretofore fictional video game is now playable online at PhaetonWasReal.com where players can compete to win real prizes, like patches for gamers’ jackets, copies of both of Cline’s novels, or a complete Oculus Rift VR setup with headset and Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog joystick.

With even more news from #TechnoRetro favorites like Animaniacs and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, you’re sure to find something to look forward to this year and in the future when you listen to TechnoRetro Dads!

If you find something that deserves our attention, tweet all about it (#TechnoRetro), post on Facebook, and rate/review the show on iTunes and Stitcher.  You can even leave us a voicemail at (209) TR-TRDad (209)878-7323 or record a message on your computer or phone and send us an electronic-M to [email protected].  Be sure to take this month’s cereal challenge and let us know whether TRIX are just for kids.

Share and Enjoy!

Greetings, Programs!

Sith with us and enjoy the first new Star Wars home video release in years!  The Force Awakens has hit the shelves and promotional displays at various stores in various forms (differences in packaging, not in the discs) and most of us have picked up our copy (or, in the case of some of our friends, a copy of each version), put it into our DVD/Blu-Ray players, and enjoyed the movie (again) and the bonus features.  In the TechnoRetro Dads STAR WARS SCRAPBOOK, shazbazzar and JediShua recount all the various home video releases and play a round of “need ‘em, got ‘em” with all the versions sitting on our shelves.

In the NEWS, another “Star” franchise is in the works.  SuperFriend Jeremy the Spider-Pan from The Neverland Podcast let us know that Shawn Levy (Real Steel, Night at the Museum) is set to direct a remake of 1984’s Starman (a favorite of ours).  Beymax is coming to your TV screen in a Disney XD Big Hero 6 series, Warner Brothers’ Animaniacs are on Netflix, and Dungeons & Dragons tries to find success on the silver screen as producer Roy Lee (The LEGO Movie, The Ring) promises a Guardians of the Galaxy styled film with The Lord of the Rings look.

But the biggest NEWS this week is Star Wars. The highly-anticipated Rogue One trailer is finally released, The Force Awakens comes home, and the ‘Dads talk about the Rebels season finale. With Rex, Maul, Anakin, and Ahsoka, this stellar episode of Rebels measured up to the standard set by The Clone Wars and leaves the question of  “The Fate of Ahsoka” up to interpretation…for now.  JediShua and shazbazzar revisit Ahsoka’s past (with our very first reactions to her departure from the Jedi Order three years ago) and reach their conclusions about her current status.

Building on last week’s comments about Star Wars arising from Lucas’s desire to make a Buck Rogers movie, shazbazzar corrects his former assertion and points out that it was Flash Gordon that George Lucas intended to make. However, the sound effects mentioned in last week’s episode are in both of those classic serials from the 1930s.  

“The FlashBuck Menace” is filled with memories of the past and hopes for the future with loads and loads of Star Wars talk. If you like what you hear, tweet all about it (#TechnoRetro), post on Facebook, and rate/review the show on iTunes and Stitcher.  You can even leave us a voicemail at (209) TR-TRDad (209)878-7323 or record a message on your computer or phone and send us an electronic-M to [email protected].  Be sure to take this month’s cereal challenge and let us know whether TRIX are just for kids.

Share and Enjoy!