Last week our “Roundtable Voltron” discussed how far we’ve come since childhood in the 1980s. From the outset, we decided to break our discussion into 6 distinct topics:
- Video Games – from Atari 2600 to XBox 360
- Movies – from Three Amigos! to Anchorman
- Personal Communication – from letter writing to texting/tweeting/Facebook
- TV – from ALF to Alcatraz
- Comics/Toys/Games – from 5 points of articulation to today
- Wrestling – from Saturday morning Superstars to Monday Night Raw
In Episode #19 we got through the first 3, in Episode #2o it was drinks on Googs as we return for part 2 (TV, Comics/Toys/Games, Wrestling). We touch on the sensitive nature of the meaning behind our site’s name as well.
Join us for another stroll down memory lane (with the typical number of detours). A sample of what we discussed:
Sci-Fi image courtesy of GeneralsJoes.com
Mentioned in the ‘Comics’ segment:
#ItsRealToMeDammit #nicepackaging #UnderScoopFireBrigade #HannahMontanaBorderPatrol #hidetheworm #FreeWilly #Dreyfuss #MisterSerious #pegwarmers #TorpedoRun #DickSlamMonopoly #mysterybox #glassbottomboat
2o episodes in and we have our first corporate sponsor! Well, there was the short-lived Cotton sponsorship, but let’s try to get past that. We are proud to welcome NERDRAGETOYS to UnderScoopFire – check out their site and tell ’em UnderScoopFire sent ya!
Want a FREE UnderScoopFire Brigade Sticker? Follow @slink11 on Twitter and let him know @underscoopfire sent ya!
Listen/Download Episode 20 on iTunes
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I had no intention of staying up this late to listen, but here I am commenting at 1:30 in the morning. Great show as usual guys. Even though it caused me to look up Glass Bottom Boat. Ugghh.
Brian- Thanks for trading in hours of peaceful rest in order to hear our latest podcast! Your dedication is noted!
Ahahahahaa Glass bottom boat!
Ricky The Dragon’s lesser known brother!
That’s impressive dedication! We truly appreciate all of your support Brian.
This podcast was meh to me…. up until you got to the Lansbury “Mystery Box” portion of it!
Another awesome episode, guys!
Ha thanks! Yeah, the esteemed Ms. Lansbury probably deserved better, but as we know no topic is sacred when the USF Voltron is formed!
Wow. I’m not even going to comment on the GI Joe articulation thing.
I think one of the big difference between toys now and then is that you have collectors now. Back in the day, collectors weren’t a major concern at all.
Yeah I figured that discussion would create some dissent. Luckily, you will have your opportunity to state your case on the upcoming episode!
I like the articulation a lot more now, but I’ve found that their hands don’t hold on to accesories quite as well. It’s nice that they all come with stands now too.
The thing I didn’t like about the old hands was snapped thumbs. My original Short Fuze has no thumbs. Not a good look for an explosives expert.
Hahaha. Good Call. It does suck. But I still love my 80s figures over any other figures.
I feel like a celebrity.
You’ve hit the big time, now sir. And by “big time” I mean when anyone Googles “George Lucas Anal Beads” they will be directed to a podcast that you’ve been mentioned on. Never run for office, Bryan. I’m sorry.
Another podcast of me audible saying “I remember that!!” like half a dozen times, which = great podcast. Loved the quiz at the beginning, great fun to play along.
Yeah that was a great idea by Googs to quiz us – it was fun. Glad you enjoyed – you are with us in spirit every week!
Good cast guys, some thoughts:
Most of your comic talk (Speculators, Boom, #1’s) were actually in the 90’s more than the 80’s.
Great calls on the collectors buying the toys, most podcasts try to pass it on to the kids. would have liked to have heard more toy memories than you guys brought up (although knight rider was a cool mention). Also Gobots needs a “That Loser Cy-kill” mention.
Thanks for listening and commenting! Stay tuned for MUCH more toy talk on podcast #21 where we reveal the Top 100 Action Figures of All Time and preview NYC Toy Fair 2012!
Ooh! Looking forward to next week’s cast even more now.
I hope they bring in specialists for that.
I;ve tried to work out a top 100 list for 2 years, just too much to chose from, I can get a top 5 but after that it’s just chaotic as hell.
It was a daunting task. I did enlist the help of 4 specialists, (yes, Engineernerd being one of them) we will discuss at length on EP21 – recording tonight!
Finally got to listen to this show and it was a good time.
One thing I miss about the 80s was the diversity in board games. Nowadays you don’t see games based on a comic/movie/video game unless it’s some $40-$60 game that requires hours and some brain power to play. Did anyone else have the electronic game Dark Tower? I think that has to be my favorite 80s game.
I remember in the 90s a few friends and I had a Star Wars board game triathlon. We played The Adventures of R2-D2, Yoda the Jedi Master Game, and Hoth Ice Planet Adventure. Simple? Oh yeah. But when you’ve got a few competitive friends, they’re still fun.
I have to admit, I never got into wrestling. My parents watched it more than I did and were totally into it.
Speaking of parents. My stepdad was in the USMC and was stationed in Japan for a year in the 80s. When he came home he had a 4′ tall box full of these new toys called Trans-Formers. This was even before the cartoon had started so it was just a totally weird thing to have these toys that changed into other things.
Someone mentioned getting comic from a spindle, I remember like once a week I’d ride my bike around town to check all the local corner stores and newsstands for new comics because there was no such thing as a comic store anywhere near us.
Good times
I never had Dark Tower – will have to check with the others! Hoth Ice Planet Adventure was awesome.
Thats insane about your stepdad comeing back with all of those Japanese Transformers. YOu had the sneak peek every kid dreamed of!
I did a little post on Dark Tower when I was revisiting the coolest Christmas gifts I ever got: http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2011/12/toys-of-christmas-past-dark-tower.html