Enjoy Stuff: A TechnoRetro Podcast

Santa Claus has been around for a long time, but in 1985 we got to see him in his very own movie! Dudley Moore and John Lithgow star in Santa Claus the Movie. Plus, the Earbud Toy Catalog Champion has been chosen!

 

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Santa Claus? We get to find out in Santa Claus the Movie and also learn why commercialism is an evil, greasy mistress. Plus, Christmas memories, arcade toys, and the Champion of the Earbud Toy Catalog. 



TechnoRetro News

  • We say goodbye to another Star Wars legend. Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch, passed away at age 75. We honor his memory and his kindness. 
  • Chris Pine plays Dungeons & Dragons?! Well, he’ll be playing someone in the new D&D movie




Let’s All Go to the Movies

Did you see Santa Claus the Movie in theaters? Or did you decide to see Rocky IV instead? David Huddleston gets to present his interpretation of the man in the red suit, but still gets third billing after Dudley Moore and John LIthgow. Either way, Jay and Josh look back on a legendary movie made by the same people who brought us Superman in 1978. 

 

Toys in the Attic

We remember arcade games we received for Christmas when we were growing up. From LED sports to Pac Man watches, we explain why we had so much fun with toys that were so Low-Def. And the Earbuds join in too. 

 

Earbud Toy Catalog 2020

The final results are in!  The final four found UNO vs Lego and GI Joe vs Big Wheel. Who took the Championship this year? 

 

Christmas Memories

The memories of Christmastime helped to shape who we have become in our lives. And with this year’s holidays being so different than ever, it’s a great time to build special, new memories with your family. We reminisce about the before time, the long, long ago with Christmastime of the past. And Shua shares the great gift that was given to him by Jay. Check it out here: https://imgur.com/gallery/txNflqN 

 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-31.mp3
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Ernest Cline's "Ready Player Two" has arrived. We give our spoiler-free impressions of the new novel. And 40 years ago, the legendary Robin Williams gave us his interpretation of Popeye. Plus, the Toy Catalog and tons of breaking Star Wars news

 

In 1980 Director Robert Altman gave us his idea of the classic comic character Popeye. But it wasn’t quite the blockbuster they expected. And we’ve been looking forward to the release of Ready Player Two. It’s here! What did you think?



TechnoRetro News

  • Back to the Future will get some answers to unanswered questions in a new DeLorean Owner’s Manual. 
  • Breaking! Disney made announcements of TONS of new projects. We give our first reactions of all the Star Wars coming our way

 

Cereal

General Mills announces 16 new cereals for 2021. The Roving Spoonster found us all the scoop of some tasty morning treats. 

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies

He’s strong to the finish, ‘cause he eats his spinach. He’s Popeye the Sailor Man! And in 1980 he was played by the legendary Robin Williams. Director Robert Altman made the film with his own style, and a feel that was reminiscent of the original strip. But despite the attention to detail, the film didn’t hold up to expectations. Was it the writing? The performances? The music? Whatever it was, it launched the movie career of Robin Williams and gave us fun stuff to talk about. 

 

Book Review

Ready Player Two is the follow up to Ernest Cline’s best selling novel Ready Player One. The story hits “continue” right where we left off from the first book. We find Wade dealing with all the pressure of becoming the most powerful man in the world. But not long after he takes control of the OASIS, a new threat emerges and it could spell disaster for the whole world. Jay and Shua review the novel without spoiling it for you. And we want to know what you thought. Send us a message to podcast@technoretrodads.com 

 

Earbud Toy Catalog 2020

This week we break down the Creative Toys Division of the Toy Catalog. Who will be the winner of this round? Rubik’s Cube? Lego? And make sure you vote on the last division “Fun For All!” as we make our way to the Final Four. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-30.mp3
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Flash! Ahhh ahh! He'll save every one of us. Forty years ago we got a modern day interpretation of a classic space hero! Flash Gordon may not have been the hit they hoped, but it has lived on in legendary status. Plus, the December 1980 issue of Starlog on the Magazine Rack.

 

Flash Gordon has been around for 86 years, and the 1980 interpretation has gained a cult following all on it’s own. Let’s talk about his history and celebrate 40 years of Flash. 



TechnoRetro News

  • RIP David Prowse
  • New casting announcements for the Willow series, including Enfys Nest herself 

 

Cereal

Today’s cereal news is brought to you by the letter S for Sesame Street Cereal. Coming soon! We speculate how good the new flavor or Fruity Pebbles is going to be. And for those of you that like to think healthy, Foodnerd may have some new plant-based cereals for you. 

 

Magazine Rack

The December 1980 issue features the new movie Flash Gordon. They show a lot of sci-fi love for it. Plus, mentions of Outland, Heavy Metal, and Escape from New York. 

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies

The 40 year anniversary of Flash Gordon generates all kinds of conversation as Jay and Shua remember their experiences, talk about the making and history of the Character. Sam J Jones and Max Von Sydow star in this 1980 classic.



Earbud Toy Catalog

The results are in for the next division of The TechnoRetro Dads Earbud Toy Catalog! The other divisions; Creative Toys and Fun for All are up now!   Will your favorites make the cut? Share the survey with everyone and check back all week to see which toys are moving to the next rounds. Look on social media and Discord for the links to the surveys

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-29.mp3
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Kevin! Don’t be sad that you’re Home Alone! You have The TechnoRetro Dads to keep you company. We remember the movie on its 30th anniversary and the video games it inspired. Plus, the Mousetrap game that may have just inspired Kevin’s booby traps. And the results of the first matchups in the Earbud Toy Catalog. The holidays are here!

 

We may all be Home Alone this year, but we can still have some fun. We remember Kevin McCallister’s antics and the Mousetrap board game that reminds us that we can play at home. 



TechnoRetro News

  • Ready Player Two is available now! What do you think?
  • Indiana Jones is timeless. Well, we hope so since Indy 5 begins pre production next year. 

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies!

30 years ago Kevin McCallister taught us the true meaning of Christmas while protecting your house from really, really stupid burglers. Home Alone is one of the highest grossing comedies of all time. Let’s look back on all the holiday fun!

 

TechnoRetro Arcade

Home Alone inspired a slew of video game versions for tons of platforms. We compare them and discuss how it could look today.

 

Retro Holiday Shopping

We remember the old stores we used to go to for the holidays and why they stuck in our memories. Do you remember going shopping with Mom or Dad? Let us know your stories!

 

Toys in the Attic

Mouse Trap was a fun board game. Did you know it actually had rules?! Us neither. We though you just set up the Rube Goldberg device and captured your Star Wars figures with it. We look back at the 58 year old game and share our experiences. 

 

Earbud Toy Catalog

The results are in for the first division of The TechnoRetro Dads Earbud Toy Catalog! The next round is Action Figures. Will your favorites make the cut? Share the survey with everyone and check back all week to see which toys are moving to the next rounds. Look on social media and Discord for the links to the surveys

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-28.mp3
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Happy Thanksgiving from The TechnoRetro Dads! Tons to be thankful for even this year. Wacky cereal recipes for your feast, video game mods for the season, and some of our favorite retro Thanksgiving specials. Join us at the table for a holiday week of fun and laughs. 

 

Missing everyone for the strangest holiday season ever? Come hang out with The TechnoRetro Dads! We have cereal recipes, video games, Thanksgiving specials and more!  



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser continues to make progress and we have now been given a taste of what the rooms will look like. Star saving now because you may need to dip into your kids’ college fund to afford it. But one Disney property that won’t break your bank is the Star Wars Lego Holiday Special on Disney+. It’s tons of fun!

 

Cereal 

The Roving Spoonster has shared some adult cereal flavored beverages to indulge in for the holidays. More companies are trying out the snack bags. And you can flavor up your coffee too. Unless you want to just drink it straight. 

And we have some cereal supplements (or straight out replacements) for your Thanksgiving feast. 

 

Earbud Toy Catalog

The TechnoRetro Dads Earbud Toy Catalog is back! This week, we feature retro games!  Share the survey with everyone and check back all week to see which toys are moving to the next rounds. Look on social media and Discord for the links to the surveys



TechnoRetro Arcade

What if some of our classic arcade favorites had their characters replaced with turkeys for Thanksgiving? Join us in the arcade and make sure you don’t get gravy in the Pac-Man machine.



Saturday Mornings

Thanksgiving specials may not be as common as other holidays, but there are still some great ones. From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Charlie Brown Special, we always had some great TV to look forward to. We remember some of the most popular and discuss some more obscure ones. What specials do you remember?

 

Thankful for Thanksgiving

It’s the perfect time to look at our life and truly appreciate all we have to be thankful for. Jay and Shua share some of the most special things in their life and how it’s impacted them even today. And we are always thankful for all of you. 

 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-27.mp3
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We pay tribute to the memory of Sir Sean Connery (and others) when we look back at some of the movies that made a difference to up. And the November 1980 issue of Starlog focuses on Mark Hamill in the Magazine Rack. 

 

Connery. Sean Connery. The legendary actor passed away at age 90 recently. But he left behind a slew of memorable films and set a bar for a generation of machismo higher than just about anyone else. Jay and Shua look back at some of the greatest ones and Shua remembers how his father turned him onto the actor. 



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

General Mills has once again begun to include some toys in their cereal. But how long will Cereal be around? Well, the village of Cereal, anyway. And keep your eye out for the latest cereal flavor in the grocery store aisles as Cinnamon Toast Crunch-flavored milk will soon be a reality. 



Magazine Rack

In November of 1980, The Empire Strikes Back had changed the way we saw Sci-Fi in the cinema, and we couldn’t get enough of it. This issue features the long-awaited interview with Mark Hamill who may have predicted the future of Star Wars almost 40 years ahead of time. Plue, the state of science fiction on TV as Starlog looks at everything available from the point of view of the culture that gave us the foundation for everything we have today. 



The Star Wars Holiday Special!

It’s been 42 years since CBS graced us with the first Star Wars sequel.  It’s aged like a fine cheese. Whether you love it, hate it, or pretend it doesn’t exist, it’s always fun to talk about. But what would it look like if it aired today? We recast a modern day version and speculate what it would look like to a whole new generation to be embarrassed by. 



Mandalorian

Season 2 of Disney+’s hit series is back. Jay and Shua give their brief impressions of how it’s looking so far.



Movie Legends

Did your dad turn you on to Sean Connery movies? Ours did. The late actor left behind a library of movies to inspire your machismo. We look at some of the most memorable roles of Sir Sean that made a difference to us. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-26.mp3
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The TechnoRetro realm turns medieval as we talk with Superfriends Mike Witwer, author of Heroes' Feast: The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook and Antony Soehner, author of After School Adventures. 

 

Hungry? We hope so, because we have some delectable food from the Middle Ages as we welcome Michael Witwer, celebrated Dungeons & Dragons author, whose latest book “Heroes' Feast: The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook” is available now. Plus, author of multiple D & D based novels, Antony Soehner stops by to share his latest series. 

 

In the NEWS

  • We offer best wishes to Jeff Bridges as he faces a health battle. And we are confident he will conquer it!
  • The Portable Atari Mini Pong Jr. is the portable video game you didn’t know you needed
  • The video game that became a board game, now becomes a video game. The Kickstarter success “Space Invaders” will soon entertain you on your table and your electronic device.



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

The Roving Spoonster’s very own Grand Rapids, Michigan is soon getting its very own cereal bar! And more impressive than that, it’s being run by a 17 year old!  We wish all the best of luck to her and can’t wait to hear a review. 



Superfriends

Antony Soehner has written six great novels based in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and he’s not slowing down now. We discuss his work that’s available now, and what may be to come. Make sure you check out his great stories and share them with your friends by going to antonysoehner.com   



Michael Witwer returns to TechnoRetro Dads to share another of his great Dungeons & Dragons literature projects. This time it’s an incredible cookbook with food straight from the realm. Pick up Heroes’ Feast - The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook, available now. 



Would You Rather?  Dungeons & Dragons Edition 

Would you rather have everyone in your D&D party have no hands and only fight with their feet, or have everyone’s weapons be made of seaweed? Mike and Tony use a spell to open the door and enter the chamber when suddenly they are confronted with these types of questions. Their only way out is to decide what they would do in these ridiculous scenarios. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-25.mp3
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Not very scary Halloween specials were a staple as we enjoyed our retro candy choices. Do they stack up against today's sweets?

 

We really enjoyed the “not very scary” Halloween specials that would show up on TV every October. What were some of your favorites? We discuss them as we indulge in a variety of popular 80’s candy and pit them up against today’s choices. 

 

In the NEWS

  • Willow comes to Disney+ as a series with director Jon M. Chu
  •  The Witches gets a remake thanks to HBO Max and Robert Zemeckis, plus some big named stars



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

The Roving Spoonster has shared cereal news that’s good for all!  Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins launches a cereal for charity. Kellogg’s has cereal boxes for the visually impaired. General Mills held a contest with free artistic renderings of our favorite Monster Cereal mascots for anyone that entered. And for those that need a little boost in their taste buds, you’ll soon get a chance to use SpoonTEK. Cereal is the great uniter! 



Saturday Mornings - Not Very Scary Halloween Specials

You know the hype was building in October when the TV stations started playing the Halloween specials. Every episode of Scooby Doo made it seem like Halloween. In 1985 Garfield gave us his first Halloween adventure. And who could forget It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown? But only the Simpsons has given us more than 30 years of special episodes every year. We remember our favorite Treehouse of Horror episodes, plus Earbud ideas too. 



Halloween Candy TechnoRetro Taste Test

We know we loved candy in the 80’s (yes, even Bit-O-Honey). But does it stack up against the candy we have to choose from today? Are the new, fancy ones worth getting in your Trick-or-Treat bag? Jay and Shua push through the sugar sweats as they sample a plethora of sweet treats from the past and present.

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-24.mp3
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As Halloween approaches, get ready for some spooky games in the arcade! Plus, learn a lot about life on the 30th anniversary of Edward Scissorhands.

 

30 years ago, director Tim Burton presented a story of love and acceptance in the way only he can with the classic Johnny Depp movie Edward Scissorhands. And while you prepare yourself for a Halloween like no other, why not revisit some spooky games in the arcade? 

 

In the NEWS

  • Jeff Bridges and his daughter have written a great picture book about their relationship
  • The synopsis for Ready Player Two has been released
  • Alice Cooper is planning a fun Halloween for all the kids!
  • Our Life Day present came early when Disney+ announced the Lego Star Wars Holiday Special 



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

The Roving Spoonster has shared his insight once again! Do you live in Massachusetts? You may be interested in Pixels and Pints where they are beginning to host all you can eat cereal and Saturday Morning Cartoon events. Check it out and let us know! And Post will be releasing some cereal infused bunnies for Easter this year. We can’t wait to try them out! 



TechnoRetro Arcade - Spooky Games for Halloween

Video games have had a rich history when it comes to games featuring scary monsters and situations. From all the way back in 1972 when Killer Shark appeared, the genre has been one of the most popular. We look at featured games such as Atari’s Haunted House, movie-based games like The Evil Dead, Halloween, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Friday the 13th, and Nightmare on Elm Street. Plus, gory additions such as Splatterhouse and Doom. Do you like the Horror genre of games? Let us know! 



Let’s all go to the movies! - Edward Scissorhands

In 1990 Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp were just beginning their illustrious careers. And when now legendary director Tim Burton cast them in his surreal classic Edward Scissorhands, they ended up being the perfect pair to teach us all lessons about kindness, inclusion, and how to treat people that are different from us. We take a close look at the movie on its 30th anniversary and share what it’s meant for us. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-23.mp3
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There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to Dads. We look at Twilight Zone: The Movie, the classic show, and the Golden Earring song and misheard lyrics of 80’s songs. 

 

For more than 60 years the Twilight Zone has given us a ton of stories to fill us with dread and make us think about the world. Jay and Shua look back on the classic TV show, the Movie, and the Golden Earring. But are we hearing those lyrics correctly?

 

In the NEWS

  • Cobra Kai returns in January and it’s been renewed for a season 4!
  • We recommend some great new books featuring art from video games
  • Would you try pumpkin spice Mac and Cheese?
  • We honor the memory of Eddie Van Halen 



Let’s All Go to the Movies - Twilight Zone: The Movie

In 1983 four legendary directors put together some Rod Serling-esque stories to give us Twilight Zone - The Movie. We look back at the origins of Rod Serling’s creation and how it evolved into the movie and future versions of the show. 



TechnoRetro Dads - Vinyl Scratchback

Twilight Zone also inspired (sorta) a classic 80’s song by Golden Earring. This song was a definite product of the 80’s but we may not have been hearing all the lyrics correctly. We figure out what they really said and also share some other wacky misinterpretations of lyrics. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-22.mp3
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October is here! And who better to usher in the spooky month than the Godfather of Spooky himself, Vincent Price!

 

Vincent Price became a legend in all things Halloween. We look back at some of his great roles and appearances in classic movies, TV shows, and songs.  Plus, the TechnoRetro Dads Magazine Rack features the October 1980 issue of Starlog and the dwindling Sci-Fi options on TV.

 

In the NEWS

  • Some very cool stylized Back to the Future figures are now available online and in stores. Just in time for Christmas!
  • Artist Travis Falligant has made some very TechnoRetro Scooby Doo prints featuring classic horror movie villains. 



TechnoRetro Cereal -News

The Roving Spoonster has done it again! Great cereal news. Holiday cereals will be hitting the shelves soon. The newest this year is Elf cereal, based on the Will Ferrell Classic. ARe our cereals going back to basics? General Mills is, even with their recipes straight from the 80’s. And if you’re looking for a new video game, why not check out Cereal Killaz?



TechnoRetro Dads - Vinyl Scratchback

Danny Elfman’s genius has given us a ton of classic music over the years, but one of their biggest mainstream hits was Dead Man’s Party. We look back at the history and influence of the classic whether it’s October or any other month. 



Let’s All Go to the Movies

Vincent Price has hundreds of acting credits to his name over his career. But in 1953 he began developing his trademark type of character in House of Wax. From there he starred in a variety of spooky movies, often parodying himself. Plus, he made appearances in TV shows from Love Boat to the Muppet Show. We talk about our favorites, what are yours?

 

Toys in the Attic - Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture

Vincent Price didn’t stop at the movies. He also endorsed some creepy toys too. All you need is an apple. This would be perfect for Halloween, so get your twisted Mr. Potato Head knockoff now!

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-21.mp3
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Don't look now, but Michael Keaton is moving into your house. We look back at Pacific Heights and movie-based video games that never were.

 

In 1990 Michael Keaton terrified any yuppie that was looking to become a landlord. We look at Pacific Heights. And we think about movies that didn’t get their own video games in the TechnoRetro Arcade.   

 

In the NEWS

  • The Dark Crystal will not be having a season 2 and we’re not very happy about it. 



Let’s All Go To The Movies - Pacific Heights

Suspenseful thrillers were all the rage in 1990. Michael Keaton, in his next movie after Batman, gets into the game with Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine as he channels his not-so-inner sociopath. He is Carter Hayes and he’s making the young couple’s life miserable as he rents out their apartment and proceeds to torment them in a complex scam that threatens to ruin their life. 



31 Days of Horror

Jovial Jay continues his tradition of watching a scary movie a day in October. This year’s RetroZap posts will be a plethora of “H-origins”. With movies like Dracula, The Invisible Man, and Psycho, the month looks to be a promising fright-fest. He tells us some of the movies he’ll be sharing as we prepare for 31 Days of Horror. 

 

TechnoRetro Arcade - 1990 movies that would be horrible video games

James Bond, Batman, Jurassic Park...these movies all got great video games. Why not other 1990 movies. Wouldn’t you love to play a Pretty Woman video game? Or how about showing off your gaming skills as Mel Gibson’s Hamlet? The obscure (and fictitious) Obscure Games room gets some imaginary additions as we wonder what could have been. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-20.mp3
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Slide on those knee pads and pile up the cardboard boxes! The TechnoRetro Dads are preparing movie stunts and look at Lee Majors’s 80’s macho show, The Fall Guy.

 

We might fall from a tall building, we might roll a brand new car. But we should probably leave that up to the professional stuntmen. 

 

In the NEWS

  • The Mandalorian Season 2 trailer is here! We are very excited about the upcoming show. 



TechnoRetro Cereal - News

Are you ready for gingerbread? If so, it’s making its way to your breakfast as Kelloggs introduces gingerbread toaster pancakes. And what is the greatest spinoff in history? We’d say Honey Nut Cheerios. 



TechnoRetro TV

Lee Majors is known for his macho roles. And he got to show off about as much machismo as anyone could handle back in the 80’s with his stuntman-turned-bounty-hunter Colt Seavers. He would catch those fugitives with his partners Howie and Jody and use his Hollywood stunt skills to do it for our dramatic entertainment. Jay and Josh look back at the retro ABC show The Fall Guy. 

 

Let’s All Go To The Movies - Classic Movie Stunts

Hollywood has a rich history of movie stunts. From Buster Keaton to Jackie Chan, the stunt people risk their lives for our pleasure. We take a look at some of the classic, memorable stunts from movies we love. First, Jackie Chan tops our list with some of the craziest stunts you’ve ever seen. And who could forget how many times James Bond has thrown his body all over the place. Plus, we remember the incredible thrills of Speed and Raiders of the Lost Ark. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-19.mp3
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Sports are back! We commemorate the return by looking back at some fantastic sport video games. Plus, we lay out our ideal Saturday Morning Cartoon lineup would be. 

 

We. Could. Go. All. The. Way! ….back to the beginning of video games to look at the sports that kicked all of them off, and how they evolved. Plus, we try to figure out what our ideal Saturday morning cartoon lineup might be. 

 

In the NEWS

  • An update on the progress of the TRON coaster
  • The Princess Bride cast to reunite for a table reading
  • You can get a really cool Sid Krofft jigsaw puzzle, signed by the man himself
  • They Live gets an impressive box set
  • Do you have a golden ticket? If so, you could win your very own candy store!



TechnoRetro Cereal - News

The Roving Spoonster has been working overtime this week. General Mills and Champion team up for some cerealicious clothing. Are you trying to eat healthy? There are some sugar free options out there. Buffalo, New York gets their very own cereal restaurant. And Little Debbie decides to get into the cereal game with a version of their oatmeal cream pies. 



TechnoRetro Arcade - Sport Games

The very first video game was inspired by the real sport of tennis. From their, the games evolved into more and more realistic games. Which is good, because they’ve been the only sports we’ve really had access to lately. Pong, soccer, boxing, baseball, football, hockey, racing...the list goes on. Jay and Shua share some of their favorites from their childhood while looking at some of the history as well. 

 

Magazine Rack - Starlog September 1980

This month’s Starlog had a cover story about a legendary, cinematic special edition. Nope. Even before Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind returned to theaters with never before scenes, but not digitally-added Jabba the Hutt. There were also some great features about Space 1999, Clash of the Titans, and Galaxina. Empire Strikes Back had been out for several months when this issue came out. What was the reaction after it had successfully woven it’s way into the new decade? It may not be what you think. 

 

Saturday Mornings

If you had your own TV station and access to all the cartoons, what would you schedule for your Saturday Mornings? Jay and Shua try to come up with a good 5 hour lineup and find it more difficult than expected. But there’s just so many to choose from!  What would be included in your lineup?

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-18.mp3
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No matter what school looks like this year, we can always make memories that last a lifetime. The TechnoRetro Dads take a look back at their edu-macation and maybe give you a few ideas for using all the retro memories to help today’s kids. 

 

It’s time to head back to some form of learning!  But let’s pause and take a look back at what it was like back in the day. 

 

In the NEWS

  • Our first impressions of Bill and Ted 3
  • And Cobra Kai is making impressions with us
  • Jay is looking forward to a new Star Trek book
  • And there may be a possibility of a movie in your future...



TechnoRetro Cereal - News

A newly graduated student is using cereal to help with some unfortunate circumstances. And was the classic cereal mascot Quisp inspired by a comic book character. Plus, where can you find a bag of just Lucky Charms marshmallows?



TechnoRetro Arcade - The Tech of our Schools 

When did you go to school? The 80’s? The 90’s? No matter what decade you found yourself learning the basics, it is always a big deal when your school gets some new technology. Even having that freshly mimeographed worksheet passed out to you was a sign of modern times. We take a look at some of our early tech exposure such as the Apple ][ computer, or the TRS-80. And who could forget those wonderful filmstrip projectors?

 

Magazine Rack - Starlog September 1980

This month’s Starlog had a cover story about a legendary, cinematic special edition. Nope. Even before Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind returned to theaters with never before scenes, but not digitally-added Jabba the Hutt. There were also some great features about Space 1999, Clash of the Titans, and Galaxina. Empire Strikes Back had been out for several months when this issue came out. What was the reaction after it had successfully woven it’s way into the new decade? It may not be what you think. 

 

TechnoRetro School Supplies

Do you remember getting the chance to go to the store and pick out your new supplies for the upcoming school year? Even today it’s a memorable experience, but we take a look back at some of the more iconic items such as cardboard pencil boxes, Pee Chees, and Trapper Keepers. And then we get ready for lunch by grabbing our legendary tin lunch boxes with a wide variety of pop culture characters. Can we help make this school year memorable in a positive way for today’s generation? Let’s hope so 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-17.mp3
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Who is Darkman? He's everywhere and nowhere, but mostly he's Liam Neeson. 30 years ago we witnessed the birth of a new kind of hero and launched Neeson's career. The TechnoRetro Dads look back at Sam Raimi's classic.

Darkman stepped into the light 30 years ago and helped make Liam Neeson a star. We review the finer aspects of the 1990 film.

In the NEWS
Wil Weaton returns for the audio version of Ready Player Two


TechnoRetro Cereal - Coffee for Breakfast
Hostess introduces the world to two new coffee possibilities. Ding Dongs and Twinkie flavored Latte. Shua thinks it sounds intriguing. But what do you think? Let us know at podcast@technoretrodads.com

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Darkman
In 1990, Sam Raimi wanted to make a superhero movie. Not being able to gain the rights of some of his beloved classic heroes, he decided to create his own. Enter Darkman; the tragic antihero who was viciously attacked and left for dead. His recovery included severing his pain receptors, loss of emotional control, and liquid skin. This movie was Liam Neeson’s first leading role and while it is a product of its time, it is chock full of cinematic history. We take a deeper look at the movie and revisit some of our favorite Neeson films.


TechnoRetro Arcade - Games inspired by Liam Neeson movies.
If you’re going to be a big action star, you better expect a slew of video games featuring your characters. Liam Neeson’s long career gave us some good ones. Krull may be a cult movie, but it inspired a really great, underrated game full of action, rolling rocks, and glaves. Our featured movie, Darkman could be played at home in a variety of versions, Batman Begins was a hit in the cinemas and a stunning cinematic game with Neeson as the main antagonist. And of course we couldn’t leave out Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Grab your quarters and come join us in the arcade.

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-16.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Tech is everywhere! But in the 80’s we looked at it with a little wonder, a little excitement, and a lot of neon. We look at the technology our heroes used to save the day and the toys that helped us grow. 

 

Technology in our favorite TV shows and the tech toys that kept us entertained and edumacated.

 

In the NEWS

  • The Princess Bride is coming to a board game near you
  • A Knight Rider movie is in the works! 
  • TRON 3 gets a new director
  • The last Blockbuster Video is available for a sleepover! Pack those PJs
  • Space Camp may just be around for a bit longer!



TechnoRetro Cereal - Junior Spoonster

Jay brings us news of a new type of breakfast; Mac and Cheese...wait, that can’t be right. Mac and Cheese?!?!?! Would you indulge in this traditional kiddie meal as a morning feast? Let us know. And you’ve gotta check out the Teachable Machine Lucky Charms Marshmallow extractor.  It’s sure to change your late night snacking habits.

 

Saturday Mornings - Retro TV with Tech-Centered Stories

We loved our TV heroes! In the 80’s those heroes often got to use cool new tech to save the day. Automan was a hero straight out of TRON. He is a complex computer construct that partners up with a police computer expert. And he’s got a sweet glowy car! Max Headroom was a one of a kind piece of technology that helped shape the 80’s without ever leaving a TV screen (or having a body). The Street Hawk was a super fast, super cool motorcycle. And Airwolf saved the day from the sky while Stringfellow Hawke piloted the powerful helicopter. Finally, Michael Knight was a faithful partner to KITT, the computer powered super car whose legacy lives on to this day. How cool were they? And how much did they influence the future? 



Toys in the Attic - Tech Toys

Was there anything more exciting for a kid to get a toy that needed batteries? Electronic toys became more accessible to kids in the 80’s. They kept us entertained and helped us learn. The Little Professor calculator was where Shua learned his numbers and the Speak and Spell built his words. Most kids enjoyed their Mattel Electronic sports games, even though it was really just a few little red LED lights. But blinking lights could be fun, and be the basis of games like Merlin and Simon. The Microvision was the granddaddy of the handheld games we love today. And if you like games of fantasy, Dark Tower and Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game sparked our imagination.

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-15.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

The truth is out there. But since we’re hanging out at home, we’ll have it delivered straight to you! Jay and Shua take a look at some classic movies and TV shows that focused on some classic conspiracies. And we’ll take a second look at what our retro board games were really trying to do to us. 

 

Conspiracy movies and TV with some very suspicious board games.  

 

In the NEWS

  • Holidays come to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World!
  • Remembering the legend of Wilfred Brimley

 

TechnoRetro Cereal - Roving Spoonster

Shane shares some tasty stories this week. Tim Hortons has a deliciously sweet looking Froot Loops donut that just bowls us over (or is it a sugar coma?)  Post’s Dunkin Donuts coffee cereal is sure to wake you up. And we look at some discontinued cereal and contemplate which ones should return.

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Conspiracy Movies

Movie goers have always been fascinated with stories with plenty of intrigue. And no genre has more than conspiracy movies. We look back at some memorable conspiracy stories from the 70’s, 80’s, and even 90’s. Do you remember The Parallax View with Warren Beatty? How about some Robert Redford dramas like Three days of the Condor or All the President’s Men? Space was all the rage with the Mars launch hoax of Capricorn One or the Area 51 inspired Hangar 18. Roy Scheider traded boats for helicopters in 1983’s Blue Thunder. And we would never forget Buckaroo Banzai’s contribution to saving the world from aliens. He probably inspired Roddy Piper in John Carpenter’s They Live. And of course, the granddaddy of all the conspiracies would have to be Oliver Stone’s classic cover-up story inspired by true life events in JFK. Which ones do you like? And what did we leave off the list?

 

TV - More truth to be uncovered

Conspiracies weren’t limited to the cinema. TV had it’s share of intrigue. V: The Miniseries had us questioning if we were being invaded by aliens or fascists. Or maybe fascist aliens. But we’ll never stop questioning all the mysteries of the world in Leonard Nimoy’s In Search Of, or Jack Palance’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not. And as we prepared to head into the 21st Century, Agents Mulder and Scully helped us to track down the real story behind mysterious aliens and why you shouldn’t smoke so much.

 

Toys in the Attic - Board Games or Conspiracies

We grew up with so many great board games. But were they given to us to entertain ourselves or control our minds? Take the quiz and listen to the evidence. Can you identify the board game by the conspiracy theorist description?

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-14.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

You don’t have to be a Real Genius to know that Weird Science can get out of control. Science was all over the place in August of 1985. If you want the fiction of it, just look in Starlog Magazine. We take a look at the classic Sci-Fi publication in a new segment called Magazine Rack. 

 

Starlog Magazine, plus the sciencey movies Weird Science and Real Genius 

 

In the NEWS

  • Longtime character actor John Saxon passes away
  • A Transformers/Back to the Future crossover? Could that really happen?
  • We got our first look at the live action Tom and Jerry movie
  • Coming soon: A Back to the Future 4K set, complete with tiny floating hoverboard
  • Please consider helping to save Space Camp for future generations of young scientists by donating to savespacecamp.com

 

TechnoRetro Cereal - Tiger Paws

Jay tries the new Kellogg’s snack and lets us know if it’s worth it. Well, if you like sweetness, it may be for you!

 

Magazine Rack - Starlog August 1980

In a new segment on TechnoRetro Dads, we take a look back at the classic sci-fi magazine Starlog. This month’s cover story is an interview with Harrison Ford, the star of the newly released Empire Strikes Back. There are also some great articles about how the 1980’s sci-fi genre entered the 80’s. Battlestar Galactica left TV, Buck Rogers was grasping for one last chance, and a little science fiction movie from Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford was on the horizon.

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Weird Science/Real Genius

August 1985 was a rich time for science in the movies. Well, science may be a little generous when describing these films, but they certainly felt sciency. John Hughes’s Weird Science starred Anthony Michael Hall, Kelly Lebrock, and Ilan Mitchell-Smith. It tells the story of Gary and Wyatt trying to fit in with their High School peers by creating the beautiful, smart, and magical Lisa from thin air. Aahhh, remember when you did that in high school? Then, watch Val Kilmer at his finest in the classic smart people against the government story Real Genius. Chris Knight helps his roommate Mitch to build a super powerful laser, but must stop it when they realize how it’s going to be used. Both movies featured quotable lines and lots of laughs. And if you want a little science cherry on top, check out the third movie that month, My Science Project. 

 

Vinyl Scratchback - Weird Science/Real Genius Soundtrack

There may have only been a few memorable songs from these movies, but the 80’s vibe was very important to the flow of both. We break down which ones were important, such as Oingo Boingo’s hit Weird Science, and the Tears for Fears favorite Everybody Wants to Rule the World. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-13.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Ever wonder where to go during an earthquake? How about what to do in case of fire? Would you duck and cover at the first sign of a meteor? These disaster and much more made up a good portion of movies in the 70’s and 80’s. Everyone wanted to know how their favorite stars were going to survive and become heroes. It even transferred to the arcade in great games like Missile Command. Get ready to shake and bake as we relive massive destruction!

 

Retro disaster movies and Missile Command 

 

In the NEWS

  • Jim Varney was much more than just Ernest P. Worrell. A new documentary will show off his brilliance
  • We are excited to see how the prequel animated series based on Gremlins will avoid feeding tose little guys after midnight.
  • The hit YouTube series ‘Cobra Kai’ moves every season over to Netflix
  • Hide your skyscrapers because Godzilla vs Kong just release a trailer for the upcoming flick 

 

TechnoRetro Arcade - Missile Command

In 1980, Atari was preparing us for any kind of attack from the sky we may have to face. Missile Command was a new kind of video game for the arcade, with a trackball and multiple firing buttons. And despite the fact that there’s no way to win, the frenetic pace mad it a fun game to play. 

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Disaster Movies

In the 70’s a wave of disaster movies swept through theaters like a hurricane! Audiences were shaken when they watched their favorite stars escape from every danger the world could drop on them. People like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Sean Connery, and Lorne Greene burned their performances into our memories forever. Stay home, away from germs, and listen to our look back at the most entertaining destruction you’re gonna get this side of the fault line!

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-12.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

I’m alright. Nobody worry about me. Because we love watching movies. This week we take a look back at the 1980 classic comedy Caddyshack. For 40 years fans have been inspired by the wacky humor and quotable lines. Plus, it had a cool soundtrack. We also head to the arcade to play a legendary digital golf classic, Golden Tee. 

 

Caddyshack, it’s peppy soundtrack, and the arcade Golden Tee. 

 

In the NEWS

  • The Battlestar Galactica is in energetic preparations on the Peacock streaming service
  • Star Wars animation gets an exciting boost with the announcement of Bad Batch
  • Jon Hamm will star at the title character in the Fletch reboot 



We Love Our Cereal

The Roving Spoonster digs deep once again for the best in cereal news. After far too many years, we will finally be getting a female cereal mascot. Even if she is undead. Will South Koreans enjoy the much anticipated Green Onion Chex cereal? And put the matches away, because you won’t need a campfire to enjoy the new S’Mores cereal. 

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Caddyshack

40 years ago the guys that brought us National Lampoon set their sights on the golf course. Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, and a variety of hilarious actors prove once again that bullies will get their come-uppance in any environment. Grab that 9-iron and be the ball. 

 

Vinyl Scratchback - Caddyshack soundtrack

Kenny Loggins beat out Pink Floyd when got the opportunity to write songs for the movie. And he is still singing about how he’s “Alright” today. Plus, an iconic Journey song made it’s way into the movie. More specifically into Al Czervik’s golf bag. 

 

TechnoRetro Arcade - Golden Tee

Some arcade games have medieval action. Some have enemies from space. Some have plumbers chasing turtles. But if you’re ready for something a little slower-paced, then we have a golf game for you. In 1989 Incredible Technologies gave us the strategic golf simulator “Golden Tee”. The series continued for years and was popular with those that would rather stay inside and swing the clubs. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-11.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

July is JediShua’s top month because he gets all the attention for his birthday! To celebrate the TechnoRetro Dads find some fun facts about the 35 year old favorite, Back to the Future. What makes the best cereal cake? We want you to tell us. We’ll wait, but in the meantime let’s play a little Dig Dug and remember some cool birthday gifts from the past. 

 

Back to the Future fun, cereal cake, Dig Dug, and birthday toys from days gone by. 

 

In the NEWS

  • Great big news as we get some very promising news about TRON 3! Shazbazzar stops by briefly to celebrate
  • What was the top movie at the box office on Independence Day weekend? It’s not what you may think! 
  • Your chances of getting your very own two-wheeled, perfectly balanced, transportation system just got slimmer because Segway will be ceasing production. 
  • We are enjoying Gary Larson’s return with new Far Side comics out now
  • And more great news in the future of retro entertainment as Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player Two” gets a release date. 




We Love Our Cereal

JediShua tried to make an ice cream cone out of Cinnamon Toast Crunch with mixed results. For Shua’s birthday he wants a cereal cake. But which one? There are 3 really good ones to choose from. Why not make one and let us know which one would be best? Here’s some links with recipes. 

Fruity Pebbles Cake

https://www.popsugar.com/food/Cereal-Cake-Recipe-44091253 

Froot Loops Rainbow Cake

https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Rainbow-Cereal-Cake-1542919 

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cake

https://livforcake.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-cake/ 



TechnoRetro Arcade - Dig Dug

Go underground in the 1982 classic arcade game Dig Dug. It’s fun to sadistically pump up Figars and Tookas as you create crazy mazes in the dirt. Both Jay and Shua liked the gameplay, the music, and the fact they could actually play the game well. Let’s revisit Dig Dug. 



Let’s All Go to the Movies - Back to the Future

35 years ago we experienced a movie that’s changed our lives. It’s no secret how much we love Back to the Future, and we thought we knew everything there was to know about the classic film. But we found some facts that were not only obscure, but totally interesting too. And we get to enjoy a song from Biff too!



Toys in the Attic - Birthday gifts from our past

Do you still have any of the toys you got for your birthday when you were a kid? Even if you don’t you still have the memories.  Jay enjoyed his Star Wars Landspeeder and the Death Star that seemed to reproduce. Shua had the immortal Suckerman and a sweet Walkman. What gifts do you remember?

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-10.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Looks like you picked the wrong week to stop eating cereal. 40 years ago one of the funniest movies of all time was unleashed. Airplane! flew over Macho Grande and into our funny bones. We stay a mile high as we look back at memorable airplane video games and Evel Knievel  teaches us new ways to land. 

 

Look! Up in the sky! Airplanes, video games, and Evel Knievel!

 

In the NEWS

  • The 80’s ‘kid running from the government’ classic movie DARYL gets a sequel TV series
  • Ever wondered where the Ferris Bueller song “Oh Yeah!” came from? The writers reveal their inspiration
  • We say goodbye to comedy legend Carl Reiner




We Love Our Cereal

We love new ways to use cereal, and the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake recipe may be one of the sweetest ways to do it. General Mills releases several new cereals along with Kellogg’s and their superfood for kids. And the Roving Spoonster has us excited about Froot Loops Tropical. 



Let’s All Go to the Movies - Airplane!

In 1980, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker spoofed the forgettable movie Zero Hour! to create the comedy classic Airplane! It starred Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty, plus a collection of classically serious actors like Peter Graves, Lloyd Bridges, and of course Leslie Nielsen. We look back at the quotes, the jokes, and all the fun that inspired a whole new genre of comedy.  

 

TechnoRetro Arcade - Airplane games

 How many airplane video games do you remember? We start in the early days of gaming all the way back in 1970 with the first flying game ever, Jet Rocket. As the years went on, we saw graphics change but our joy of flying never dwindled. As long as we dream of soaring, they’ll keep simulating it.

 

Toys in the Attic - Evel Knievel

If you’re like us, you probably used your bikes for some pretty crazy stunts when you were little. You may have been inspired by the motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel. We look at his life and the cool toys that he inspired. Don’t try this at home, kids! 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-09.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Do you remember your first car? The freedom it gave us was the beginning of an important chapter of the TechnoRetro Dads’ lives. And the FM radio we listened to kept us entertained as we cruised down the road. 

 

A look back at our first cars and the FM Radio that we all listened to!

 

In the NEWS

  • Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water, it’s the 45th anniversary of the classic Spielberg movie Jaws
  • Sir Ian Holm passes away at 88
  • Cobra Kai is coming to Netflix
  • A new book focuses on the toys of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe




Toys in the Attic - Our first cars

You never forget your first ride. Jay had a VW Beetle and Shua had a...well, he’d like to forget. We remember what our first cars meant to us, and share some of the sweet wheels our earbuds had too. What did it mean to you and what ended up happening to it? 

 

Vinyl Scratchback - FM Radio

In the 70’s and 80’s there was almost no form of entertainment so accessible as the radio. We listened in our bedrooms, our living rooms, doing yardwork, in our headphones, and especially in our cars. And FM stations crowded the airwaves giving us the legendary music that is still popular today. Shua break down a short history of how FM was developed into what it was when DJs ruled the airwaves. Then we remember some of the stations that were big in the cities where we grew up. 

 

Saturday Mornings - Speed Buggy

Speed Buggy was a Hanna-Barbera cartoon that only lasted for 16 episodes, but it left a mark that keeps it in our memories today. Part Scooby Doo, part Josie and the Pussycats, it told the tale of a little dune buggy and his friends.

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-08.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Happy TechnoRetro Dads Day! Shane the Roving Spoonster joins Jay and Shua to talk cereal, take the ultimate Dads Quiz, and revisit the Rick Moranis classic, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

 

We celebrate the Papas and those who are fulfilling the Papa role!

 

In the NEWS

  • School House Rock is now available on Disney+
  • Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2020 has been officially cancelled

 

We Love Our Cereal

For the first time ever, The Roving Spoonster, Shane joins us to talk Dads and cereal. First, he shares news of each state’s favorite cereal. Did your favorite make the cut? Next, what can we do if our coffee creamer runs out? How about some cereal milk. Another casualty of cancellations is Battle Creek, Michigan’s National Cereal Festival. And have you ever tried to freeze your cereal? We’ll talk about some results. 

 

Ultimate Pop Culture Dad Quiz!

It’s Father’s Day week. Do you remember all the dads that helped to raise you? We’re talking about, of course, the ones you saw on TV and in the movies. How much do you remember about these retro Pops and what they did right (and wrong) when raising their kiddos. Shane and Jay go head-to-head in this fun game of Daddy-ness.

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies - Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

On June 23, 1989 you may have been sitting in a movie theater watching the premiere of Tim Burton’s Batman. But if you couldn’t get in, you may have checked out another movie that opened that day. Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids starred a nice, wide variety of popular actors from the time, including Ghostbuster’s Rick Moranis and Max Headroom himself, Matt Frewer. It tells the story of four kids that get miniaturized by their quirky, scientist dad Wayne Szalinski. They have to cut their way through the backyard to find a way to get big again. Shane joins in the discussion as we revisit this fun, family comedy. 

 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-07.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Take Off with Bob and Doug’s Strange Brew!

Superfriend Sheldon joins us as we look back at the movie Strange Brew, test our Canadian knowledge, and play the arcade game Root Beer Tapper.

 

Take off to the Great White North!

 

In the NEWS

  • Mad Magazine’s Al Jaffee retires at 99 years old!
  • Paul Hogan revisits his character Crocodile Dundee (sort of)
  • The trailer for Bill and Ted Face the Music arrives, and it’s wonderful!



We Love Our Cereal




Let’s All Go to the Movies - Strange Brew

In 2020, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley intercepted with the International Space Station, but in 1983 Bob and Doug McKenzie intercepted with the Elsinore Brewing Company in the movie Strange Brew.  This spinoff of their popular skit on SCTV hit theaters and showed the fictional brothers’ true love of beer. Sheldon Norton, Superfriend and Canadian, join Jay and Shua to reminisce about the goofy comedy and then give them a test to see how Canadian they actually are. 

 

TechnoRetro Arcade:  Bally Midway’s Root Beer Tapper

In 1983, Bally released an arcade game where you got to be a bartender! But you have the option of serving up some delicious, foamy root beer in this classic game where your coordination must be in tip top shape so you don’t drop the mugs. 

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-06.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

Jay and Shua get their tushies to Mars as they look back at Ah-nuld’s classic movie Total Recall! Plus, summer toys, and cereal!

Direct download: TechnoRetro_Dads_8-05.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

TechnoRetro Dads: A Summer of Monkeys and Chevys as we welcome Jovial Jay!

Fletch, Paul Simon’s Graceland, and a Secret of Monkey Island

 

Our good buddy shazbazzar is going to be taking some time off from the show. But never fear, the witty and effervescent Jay Shepard will be filling in!

 

In the NEWS

  • Mike Mignola has some great cereal art for charity
  • Rancho Obi-Wan now gives virtual tours
  • We are enjoying Josh Gad’s Reunited Apart shows on YouTube
  • It may just be a satirical story, but we would look forward to sequels from John Carpenter’s - They Live

 

We Love Our Cereal

Great stories, courtesy of our Roving Spoonster Shane! Kelloggs has heard our wishes and given us giant cereal for your snacking pleasure. A new, sweet cereal is released from the small company Magic Spoon. A new way to close cereal boxes. Plus, enjoying some mini pancakes as a cereal. Is it a good idea?

 

Vinyl Scratchback

Do you remember Paul Simon’s 1986 release, Graceland? We take a look back on the influence of this groundbreaking album, and discuss some of the more memorable songs. And do we recognize someone from that You Can Call Me Al video?

 

TechnoRetro Arcade:  The Secret of Monkey Island

In 1990 Lucasfilm Games released one of their biggest hits about a pirate named Guybrush Threepwood. Well, he wants to be a pirate. And you, as the player, will have to go on adventures and solve puzzles in this graphic adventure game reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies

The summer of 1985 was kicked off in the movie theater with one of our favorite Not Ready for Primetime Players, Chevy Chase. Fletch was one of Chase’s biggest, (and funniest) movies. Quotable lines and hysterical humor made this one a movie with years of rewatch potential.  

Direct download: TRDads_08.04.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 5:58am EDT

The Empire Strikes Back premiered in theaters 40 years ago today.  And since the number 40 has a nice ring to it, TechnoRetro Dads delve into the archives of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem as a soundtrack for the day.  In a strange turn of events, an alternative version of the radio show came across the airwaves as host Spacey Ace’em counts down the Top Ten from the week of May 21,  1980 and while the tunes sound familiar, the lyrics are a bit odd.  Count down the greatest hits of this week 40 years ago with a flair from that galaxy far, far away.  

 

10.  “Biggest Hope We Have” (Am Yozia)

Yozya, of a wrinkled and green species unrecorded in the Official Archives of the Galactic Empire, sings about his great, great, great, great uncle’s training of a farm boy from Tatooine during his self-imposed exile on Dagobah. 

 

9.  “Another Snow-Covered Brawl” (Pink Asteroid)

This controversial piece has been banned from educational academies throughout the Galactic Empire because of its alleged ties to the traitorous Rebel Alliance.   

 

8.  “Don’t Find a Friend in a Gambler” (Gordon Rogers and Buck Girard)

A duet about scoundrels, pirates, and honor among thieves that you’re going to have to hear to the end.

 

7.  “You May Be Right, I May Be Scruffy” (Joel Willbilly)

Willbilly hits hard with this raucous tune about a scoundrel with a high opinion of himself.  Perhaps a princess and a scoundrel could have a future.

 

6.  “Roll the Dice” (Dr. Bookie)

Known for their songs about fast podracers, fast ships, and fast money, “Roll the Dice” comes from the band’s latest album, Canto Blight.

 

5.  “With You I’m Left Behind” (C-3PO and R2-D2)

The second duet in the top ten this week features a protocol droid and an astromech singing a song you’ll hope never ends.

 

4.  “BespinTown” (Faux No)

From the album Villa Manilla, the lip-syncing pseudo-band Faux No tells the story of a city that will get you moving and grooving.

 

3.  “Frozen Love” (Iron Lung)

“Frozen Love” will warm the coldest hearts with a love song that will make you say, “I know.”

 

2.  “Fly the Slave 1” (Cross-2-4-Chris)

Cross-2-4-Chris knows about the relationship of a pilot and his ship.  While it’s not quite as romantic as his number one hit “Solo’s Falcon”, this song about Han Solo’s rival will have you hunting bounties in no time.

 

1.  “Call Me” (Blah N Di)

Force Time.  Enough said.

 

And that’s the Top Ten.  Of course, there are a few surprises along the way, so plug in your ear buds, EarBuds, and turn up the tunes.  We’re betting you’ll be crying before it’s over.

In case this wasn’t all you hoped it would be, tune in to the last Top40 Top Ten from May 25, 1977 here.

Direct download: TRDads_ESB40th_Countdown.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Where would we be without our Moms?  Well, nowhere, obviously.  I mean, people don’t just randomly occur by chance.  And no, storks are not the answer folks, regardless of what Papa Smurf told you about “once in a blue moon”.  

 

In the NEWS

  • Will Ryan Reynolds be Dirk the Daring?
  • Just how cool would it be to meet the creator of TRON and the man who wore the suit?
  • The cast and crew of The Goonies reunite!
  • Star Wars: Droids on one long YouTube video!

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and more and more people are jumping on the #chillyourbowl bandwagon as boxes disappear from grocery store shelves like they were toilet paper.  Discover new cereals for your taste buds while binging your favorite toons on your days off.  You can even order cereal (and more) from The Cereal Box, Inc.

 

TechnoRetro Arcade: Mothers

Atari brought a hip-hoppin’ punch-throwin’ Mom to the arcade with a Popeye vs. Donkey Kong game called Kangaroo.  PLUS: we find out the origins of Blanka from Street Fighter II — and see his mom!

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies

Moms in movies from the ‘70s and ‘80s were scary, sweet, tormented, and awesome.  Which ones do you remember?  Which ones would you like to forget?

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_08.03.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

May 25, 1977 — Star Wars dazzles audiences.

May 21, 1980 — The Empire Strikes Back hits a home run.

May 4, 2020 — TechnoRetro Dads pay tribute to the FORCE that became even more powerful with the sequel.  

 

In the NEWS

Disney+ says, “May the 4th Be with You” with:

  • Cool artwork
  • The Rise of Skywalker
  • Behind the scenes of The Mandalorian
  • The Clone Wars finale

 

And Yoda Is His Name-Oh

There was a Jedi, not too tall,
and Yoda was his name - oh!
Y - O - D - A -

Well, even if his name has too few letters to fit the song, even if he isn’t tall enough to ride certain attractions at Walt Disney World, and even if he is all wrinkled and green, Yoda proved to be the ultimate Jedi Master with his quirky personality, questionable syntax, and quotable words of wisdom.

We continue in our amazement of Yoda lifting Luke’s X-Wing from the swamp and examine why his pithy proverb uttered in The Empire Strikes Back has had such an impact on the world and the ‘Dads themselves.

JediShua remembers when Yoda was purple; shazbazzar thinks that the Hulk was, too.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and we think that Star Wars characters would, too.  JediShua and shazbazzar consider which cereals from our galaxy would most appeal to our friends from that galaxy far, far away.

 

TechnoRetro Arcade: The Empire Strikes Back

From the Atari arcade revamp of Star Wars to the home version of the “Battle in the Snow” to the immersive experience of on the Super NES, shazbazzar and JediShua remember when you could put yourself in the action of The Empire Strikes Back.

 

Thanks to Talented Friends and Friendly Talents

We think you’re funny!

  • Joey, Nathan, & Kelly from Animanicast
  • Author Antony Soehner
  • RetroZap Emperor Joe Tavano from Brews & Blasters
  • Dennis Keithly and Jay Krebs from Podcast Stardust
  • Roving Spoonster Shane in Grand Rapids with Trusty Sidekick Emma
  • RetroZap Writer Courtney Martin
  • The Specialist Chris Luby from The Geek State Podcast
  • Jovial Jay and JediShua from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Case Files and Superhero Suite
  • JediShua “Going to Dagobah”
  • Weird Al Yankovich “Yoda”
  • The Syzlaks “The Lando System”
Direct download: TRDads_08.02.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

After seven years of podcasting, did the TechnoRetro Dads call it quits?  Well, not yet at least.  Join shazbazzar and JediShua for the premiere of the eighth season of TechnoRetro Dads today, featuring musical cues from:

  • High Adventure
  • Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, & Martin Short
  • Ben C. Foster
  • Buckner & Garcia
  • R. Cade & The Video Victims
  • The Family Shua

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_08.01.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

Take time to enjoy the stuff you loved as a kid as the weather gets better outside and a lot of people are in the middle of Spring Break.  Check out what’s on TechnoRetro Dads this week:

  • These “Dad Jokes” are for the birds!
  • Strange Cereal News and a March Madness Cereal Bracket!
  • Saturday Mornings: Streaming ‘80s Cartoons
  • TechnoRetro Arcade: Games to Play Online
  • Vinyl Scratchback: Songs You Know by Heart
  • Let’s All Go to the Movies: Feel Good Flicks
  • Star Wars Scrapbook: Historical March Timeline

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.48.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

In the mid-80s, Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories was a weekly treat for fans of the far-out and freaky with its John Williams’ theme and oddball anthology style.  Every Monday night brought another mini-movie as science fiction crossed over with comedy, horror, drama, or fantasy.  Now that it’s back on AppleTV+, shazbazzar and JediShua renew their fervor for the series as the “third season” picks up where we left off more than thirty years ago.

 

In the NEWS

  • Netflix plans to bring back Kids in the Hall.
  • Amazon announces third season of Lost in Space.
  • Disney+ claims they will not pursue Tron series.
  • Remember the vibrant career of Max Von Sydow.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…but not everyone is a fan of cartoon cereal mascots.  Aldi is set to follow the trend of pulling cartoon characters from boxes of sugary cereal.  Syracuse alumnus kicks off a new business creating a brand of “healthy” kids’ cereals.

 

Saturday Mornings: Jonny Quest

Who knew that Jonny Quest was originally aired in a prime time slot in the ‘60s?  While it wasn’t actually Saturday morning fare, the short-lived series was ahead of its time in artistic style, story content, and pretty much everything except for the dog.  Somehow, Bandit must have sneaked onto the set unseen and the Quests couldn’t get rid of him.

 

Amazing Stories

From the John Williams theme to the stranger than Stranger Things vibe of the show, anthology series Amazing Stories touched a nerve among teens who were looking for science fiction/fantasy entertainment in the mid-1980s.  Now that the series is being continued on AppleTV+, the ‘Dads revisit the show they loved more than thirty years ago.

 

The Road to The Empire Strikes Back

Where would Mark Hamill go to plug the sequel to Star Wars?  A comedy variety show, of course.  Accompanied by the characters of Star Wars, Mark had a blast with the “argyle gargoyle” and the entire cast of The Muppet Show as Mark, Luke, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca invaded the Muppets’ stage in this unapologetic “vaudevillainous” stop on the press tour as the hype for The Empire Strikes Back continues to grow in February 1980.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.47.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Beneath your feet a superheated maelstrom is churning, burning, yearning to be borne to the surface through a crack in the crust and carried to new heights in a funnel-shaped mountain in hopes of bursting forth into our cruel, cool world.  Magma, lava, it’s all the same — just a different location.  Tune in for explosive eruptions on TechnoRetro Dads as we explore the hot topic of volcanoes.

 

In the NEWS

Nik Wallenda walks across the mouth of a volcano . . . on a tightrope.  And he did it just in time to be featured on this volcanic episode of TechnoRetro Dads.  Yep.  We’re that hot!

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…even in pancakes.  And the world seems to agree.  Cap’n Crunch has a new Berrytastic Pancake Mix you can make at home.  Or, if flipping flapjacks sounds like too much work, you can go to IHOP and enjoy their cereal pancakes.  Swiss Miss will soon release Lucky Charms hot chocolate you can heat over the cone of a volcano (if you’re daring).  Florida girl is a cereal hero who continues collecting boxes of cereal for the less fortunate in the Tampa area.

 

Joe Versus The Volcano

Thirty years ago, Tom Hanks was connived into agreeing to jump into a volcano for Lloyd Bridges because Robert Stack clouded his mind through masterful manipulation.  And just when it seemed that things couldn’t get any stranger, Meg Ryan showed up with Meg Ryan and Meg Ryan — all of whom were more than a tad bit interested in Tom Hanks.  Add some orange soda and an island big enough for Abe Vigoda and Nathan Lane and you’ve got a match Vegas would love to see.  In the aftermath of Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, we were given a red hot battle in Joe Versus the Volcano.

 

TechnoRetro Arcade: Volcanoes in Video Games

Whether it was the never-changing vector-graphic volcano in Battlezone or “Lethal Lava Land” in Mario 64, we lava the explosive eruptions and  magmaficently brilliant digital flows in video games at home and in the arcade.

 

Feedback

  • The Jeffries tubes on the Enterprise-D came from the Red October.
  • Less than Jake did a song for a Pac-Man cereal commercial.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.46.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

You can #chillyourbowl in the frigid waters of Russia with Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin in the first film adaptation of a Tom Clancy “Jack Ryan” novel.  

 

In the NEWS

  • Tony Soehner publishes the first book in a new series of Dungeons & Dragons novels.
  • Bob Iger leaves office and people want to know if he will pursue a political office.
  • Jif peanut butter gets into the digital graphics game with a bit of flavorful fun.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and when there’s gold in boxes of Lucky Charms, there’s even more to love.  But when buying a box of cereal means you have to pawn your wedding ring, we’re not overly excited. 

 

TechnoRetro Arcade: Video Game Cereals

From Donkey Kong to Pac-Man, cereals have been known to capitalize on licensing video games to garner more of the Saturday morning cereal lovers’ pastimes.

 

The Hunt for Red October

With an iconic soundtrack by Basil Poledouris and an all-star cast featuring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Joss Ackland, Tim Curry, Stellan Skarsgård, Courtney B. Vance, Jeffrey Jones, Fred Thompson, Sven-Ole Thorsen, and Gates McFadden, The Hunt for Red October preyed on our lingering fears from the Cold War and our interest in suspenseful action movies.  JediShua and shazbazzar remember and rewatch The Hunt for Red October thirty years later.

 

Feedback

Check out these voicemails and electronic-Ms from our EarBuds!

  • Onkl Mawks analyzes the voices of your hosts.
  • Chris the Arvadinian has a favorite arcade game.
  • Ben C. Foster shows his artistic talent in music and pen & ink drawings.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.45.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

How did two years of “Retro Day” pass without us noticing?  Join shazbazzar and JediShua as we make up for lost time in a week devoted to a mix tape of truly TechnoRetro tributes.  

 

In the NEWS

  • Masters of the Universe finds its voice(s)
  • Scott Bakula talks Quantum Leap
  • Rick Moranis and Joe Johnston to return for Shrunk.
  • Wil Wheaton hosts E-Sports game show.
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars is back!
  • New Amazing Stories trailer.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and magic.  However, the lines between science, magic, and downright witchcraft are getting blurry with the pink pebbles that may make blue poo as Post announces Magic Fruity Pebbles.

 

Vinyl Scratchback: Retro Mix Tape

JediShua and shazbazzar suggest five-song TechnoRetro Day mix tapes from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.  Several EarBuds chime in with their ideas, too!

 

TechnoRetro Arcade

Remember what it was like to go into the arcade at the mall or shopping center with a five-dollar bill?  With a bit of foresight based on hindsight (it is 2020, after all), JediShua and shazbazzar plan their TechnoRetro Day trip to the arcade.

 

Saturday Mornings

The ‘Dads dig into truly retro cartoons they dug as kids (even if they weren’t strictly Saturday morning fare).  With just a bit of controversy, their lists of TechnoRetro Day cartoons will have you reaching for a chilled bowl of your favorite cereal this Thursday.

 

The Road to the Empire Strikes Back

During the three year-long interval between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, the kids of the ‘70s needed something to keep them in that galaxy far, far away without losing their minds waiting for there heroes to return.  Thankfully, Kenner had the prescription to keep hypersensitive kids from going full-on hyperactive: Star Wars action figures, playsets, and vehicles.  Take a trip back in time as shazbazzar and JediShua relive the timeless toys from 1978, 1979, 1980, and beyond on the Road to the Empire Strikes Back.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.44.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Tune up and tune in for some cartoon tunes as animated bands set the stage for music and memories on this mid-February episode of TechnoRetro Dads.  

 

In the NEWS

  • The Academy Speaks Korean
  • Gear up for Retro Day

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and Buffalo does, too.  Check out The Cereal Spot where the bowls are chilled all winter!  Go to Kansas City and get you a super bowl of Mahomes Magic Crunch!  In Japan, you can even get a sweet box of Hershey’s Matcha Chocolate cereal.

 

Saturday Mornings

Listen to the bands as they play cartoon tunes on Saturday mornings from the 1960s to the early 1990s.  Some of these may be more obscure than others, but with a little help from EarBuds, shazbazzar and JediShua have pieced together a nice set list of songs from animated television.

 

Let’s All Go to the Movies: Witness

When an eight year-old Amish boy witnesses a murder as he travels to Philadelphia, John Book has to get involved for everyone’s safety as the case is investigated.  Remember Witness from 1985 starring Harrison Ford, Lukas Haas, and Kelly McGillis, and many more famous faces.

 

The Road to the Empire Strikes Back

From soundtracks to disco covers, the music of a galaxy far, far away lived on in the late ‘70s and 1980 as we all eagerly awaited the sequel to Star Wars.  Get out the turntable and spin some vinyl with JediShua and shazbazzar as we listen to everything from orchestral music, disco, and even read-along books on the Road to the Empire Strikes Back.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.43.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

The football champions have been crowned.  Grammy and Oscar have had their nights.  Once again, it’s time for TechnoRetro Dads with an episode that’s longer than a commercial for Super Mario Bros. 3.  

 

In the NEWS

  • Starbucks has secret drinks from a GFFA.
  • Galaxy’s Edge has new drinks, too.
  • New DeLoreans are coming.
  • Atari is in the hotel business.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…but not the way everyone eats it.  JediShua reveals why #ChillYourBowl is better than a recent TikTok challenge as shazbazzar unveils the best ice cream cereal ideas ever will soon be in the freezer at your local grocery store.

 

TechnoRetro Arcade

In 1990, Mario and Luigi got new powers and costume changes in Super Mario Bros. 3.  The U.S. release of this game brought in lots of cash for Nintendo after the longest commercial in video game history was shown in theaters under the name The Wizard.

 

Romantic Scenes from TechnoRetro Movies

With Valentine’s Day coming this week, it’s a great time to look back at some great movies from our younger years to highlight some of the most romantic scenes in the movies we love.  It shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that these movie scenes taught us life-long lessons about love.

 

Don’t Forget!

Although the GOLIVERSE marathon for Cure Childhood Cancer is over, you can still make your tax-free donation to help eliminate childhood cancer in our lifetime by making your gift here! 

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.42_.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Sure, you recognize Mom and Dad are palindromes, but did you notice the racecar?  It was a Toyota.  Yep, that was another one.  It could be expanded in context, too: A Toyota. Race fast, safe car. A Toyota.  Wow, that was long!  And we saw a Jawa sew DNA.  Okay, that really didn’t make much sense, but if it was an offworld Jawa, it might explain something about baby Yoda.  Since this is the last show before Palindrome Day, shazbazzar and JediShua wanted to remind you that next Sunday is 2020.02.02 (or 02.02.2020).  So get busy going backwards and forwards at the same time.  Wait, isn’t that what TechnoRetro Dads is all about?  

 

In the NEWS

 

TechnoRetro Arcade

Nintendo seems to have forgotten Stanley, the hero of Donkey Kong 3.  So have the rest of us, evidently.  Witness the child of Galaga and Donkey Kong below:

https://youtu.be/n3kjQzcp7Lk

 

Game Shows

From Wheel of Fortune to Jeopardy, game shows have been a part of our lives since childhood.  We remember hosts, games, prizes, and more from shows like Tic Tac Dough, Press Your Luck, Scrabble, Hollywood Squares, $10,000 Pyramid, $25,000 Pyramid, The Price is Right, The Gong Show, Name that Tune, Sale of the Century, Concentration, Card Sharks, Jokers Wild, Win, Lose, or Draw, as well as Double Dare, Remote Control, and Legends of the Hidden Temple.

 

The Road to The Empire Strikes Back

Comic books were essential for the continuing story of Luke Skywalker and his friends after Star Wars left theaters.  Part of the hype leading up to The Empire Strikes Back included catching up with old friends and meeting new ones in the pages of Marvel’s Star Wars comic books.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.41.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

The LSU Tigers are the undisputed champions of college football.  JediShua has had some experience with electronic and hard-hitting Big Toe football.  Scott Ryfun has an odd collection of football games.  The Mississippi State Bulldogs have an entertaining new coach.  And of all the games we're talking about this morning, football really isn't it.  But you would do well to take a RISK and tune in to TechnoRetro Dads right now!

 

In the NEWS

  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker nominated for the Academy Awards with Missing Link.
  • Disney is considering remaking Space Camp.
  • Quantum Leap looks like it might be making a comeback.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and Cheerios love our hearts.  Plus: Reese's Big Puffs have been spotted in the stores.  Is the picture on the front of the box a scale version of these enormous cereal puffs we've been hearing about?

 

TechnoRetro Arcade

JediShua and shazbazzar imagine what their home arcades could be like even as Shua is actually putting his together.

 

Saturday Mornings

Part of the fun of our youth was sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal on Saturday mornings before your friends (and maybe your family) got up.  Some EarBuds chime in on shows they remember.  

 

Risk: A Game of World Domination

Start with one continent and then expand outward while protecting your land from outside attackers in the classic game of Risk.  Draw your cards, move your pieces, roll the dice, get ready to fight in this game that continues to be popular after over sixty years.

 

The Road to The Empire Strikes Back

With no internet access to quench Star Wars' fans' thirst for information about the upcoming sequel, kids and adults relied on print media to provide sufficient bits of news to keep the hype going and growing on the long, long drive down the Road to The Empire Strikes Back.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.40.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Whether Mr. Cab Driver refuses to pick you up or Lady Cab Driver is caught in the Crosstown Traffic, Baby, You Can Drive My Car while we talk about cars this week on TechnoRetro Dads.  Take us along on your Monday morning commute for a road trip through five decades of love bugs, imperial slugs, with wheels, deals, and lots of banana peels.

 

In the NEWS

  • Disney+ Willow series in preproduction.
  • Legendary Visual Futurist Syd Mead dies at 86.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…but Mexico evidently doesn’t like iconic cartoon cereal mascots like Tony the Tiger.  However, Gene Simmons does enjoy his cereal — with ice cubes.

 

Herbie Goes Bananas (1980)

In the third sequel to Disney’s The Love Bug, Herbie has ended up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and has been inherited by Pete from his uncle Jim Douglas. As he goes to pick Herbie up with his friend DJ, the two are pickpocketed by an orphan boy named Paco.  In an unexpected twist, Paco also robbed some bad guys, who are after some Incan gold. In the stolen wallet was a piece of film that would lead the villains to the gold.  Seeking an escape, Paco hides in Herbie and gets onboard the cruise ship Sun Princess.  All our heroes meet up with Captain Blythe, Louise, and her anthropology student niece, Melissa. The captain tosses Herbie overboard after his mischievous antics and all seems lost.  But Herbie swims to shore, meets up with Paco, fights a bull, and helps Paco, Pete, and DJ race for the gold. 

 

JediShua’s New TechnoRetro Studio

The walls are up.  The shelves are installed.  The collectibles are being displayed.  Soon, JediShua will share the O.A.S.I.S. with family, friends, and EarBuds in a fun-filled room with absolutely no rabbits allowed — except on boxes of TRIX.  

 

The Road to The Empire Strikes Back

Forty years ago, young Shua and younger shaz anxiously awaited the sequel to the most amazing movie they had (and have) ever seen.  Join the TechnoRetro Dads each week as we remember the five month long drive down the Road to The Empire Strikes Back.

 

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Go online for more TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RetroZap.com, or TechnoRetroDads.libsyn.com.  Pick up your TechnoRetro Dads merchandise at TeePublic.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merchandise 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 podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Direct download: TRDads_07.39.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

As the smoke clears from shazbazzar’s ongoing battle with the chipmunks, Sheldon Norton and JediShua help clear shazbazzar’s vision by providing insights into some aftershocks of Star Wars that could have catapulted Disney into the modern age of science fiction with the last movie made “the old-fashioned way”.  It’s perfect 20/20 vision in the first episode of 2020 this Monday morning!

 

Sad NEWS

  • Jack Sheldon of SchoolHouse Rock fame dies at 88.
  • Caroll Spinney from Sesame Street dies at 85.

 

We Love Our Cereal…

…and dad jokes on cereal containers’ labels that our Roving Spoonster discovered over the holidays.

 

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Sheldon, Shua, and shaz recount their experiences watching The Rise of Skywalker for the first (second and third) time before studying some Star Wars Aftershocks from 1979.

 

The Black Hole

After the blockbuster success of Star Wars, filmmakers rushed headlong into the cinematic “space race” in hopes of capitalizing on the success of George Lucas’s zeitgeist.  Even Disney was not immune to the attraction of the stars above, embarking on a quest the Mouse had never before undertaken.  That’s how Disney found themselves pulled into the inescapable gravity of a huge budget and PG rating of The Black Hole.  In a quest to discover answers, Disney tells the story of how German scientist Hans Reinhardt maintains his ship, the Cygnus, next to a black hole, planning to plunge the ship into and through the dark monstrosity in his quest for knowledge: specifically, what caused the cause that created the known universe.  

 

EarBuds’ Toy Catalog

The results of the “toys for all” bracket of 2019’s toy catalog are in.  SPOILER ALERT: It’s Nerf or nothing!

 

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Direct download: TRDads_07.38.mp3
Category:TechnoRetro Dads -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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