Greetings, Programs!  

With disco on the airwaves, Datsuns in driveways, and home video gaming consoles earning their shelf space in dens around the world, the lives we lead today and the entertainment we enjoy forty years later can be traced back to a banner year on history’s calendar.  Of course, 1977 is recognizable as the year of Star Wars, but many more things we still enjoy today had their roots in a year that may well be our favorite (if we were choosing favorites, which we are not — just so you know).

In the NEWS…

Star Wars earns another cool statistic in the record books with two movies in the same franchise having top ten box office earners last year with The Force Awakens grossing the tenth most money in theaters and Rogue One earning its spot just a bit behind Finding Dory in just over two weeks in theaters.  One Day at a Time is being remade to stream online with a Cuban flair.  And for something new: Beyond has tapped into crossover territory with a TV premiere on FreeForm before its release as binge-bait with the remaining nine episodes streaming on Hulu before airing on television.

We Love Our Cereal

Some entrepreneurs in Memphis have taken the Cereal Bar idea on the road by merging a cereal cafe with a food truck.  The ‘Dads think this is a great idea, and if you’re in the Memphis area, we would like to hear if you’ve seen this cereal bars on wheels in the area.  Better yet, if you have tasted one of their creations, let us know what you thought about the experience!

Saturday Mornings

What got kids up early on Saturday mornings back in 1977 (well, other than hugemongous bowls of sugary sweet cereal)?  Saturday morning programming on television.  JediShua and shazbazzar remember the days when Saturday morning fare was different from what could be seen during the week.  In this episode, the ‘Dads remember The All New Superfriends as aired in 1977.  The most significant addition to this version of Superfriends was the Wonder Twins who could shape shift into various animals and phases of water as they faced trouble at home and around the world.

Toys in the Attic

As video arcades grew in popularity in the late ‘70s, the market was ripe for home versions of hit games in malls and shopping centers.  Just a few weeks after the Fairchild Channel F became a popular Christmas gift in 1976, the less colorful and somewhat less user-friendly RCA Studio II was released.  Its lifespan was quickly reduced by the powerhouse Atari VCS which emerged in fall of 1977.  JediShua and shazbazzar talk a bit about arcades and a bit more about home video games in this week’s “Toys in the Attic”.

History Lesson

Again, proving the point that 1977 was the epicenter of an earth-shaking, history-making events that have continued to impact the culture for forty years, shazbazzar and JediShua point to a couple of iconic premiers on television later this week forty years ago.  Fantasy Island was first seen on television on Friday, January 14th and the Coneheads pointed their heads to the stars for the first time on Saturday Night Live on January 15th as alien characters began to show up on favorite television shows.  

Do you want to get in touch with TechnoRetro Das?  Let us know what you’re looking forward to in 2017 by calling our voice mail line at (209) 878-7323 or sending us an electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy!

As we remember 2016 and look forward to 2017, we are all reminded of the royal losses we’ve suffered over the past year.  From the Goblin King himself, David Bowie, last January to Prince to our final farewell to our Princess, Carrie Fisher, we’ve all faced some harsh realities over the past twelve months.  JediShua and shazbazzar are joined with long-time friends Craig Batts and Jack Crabtree to celebrate Carrie Fisher and the impact she made on a generation over the past forty years.  The true heroine of Star Wars, Carrie Fisher portrayed Princess Leia with a snippy, quippy, snarkiness that endeared her to fans as anything but a damsel-in-distress.  Over the years, our Princess proved her power in films, books, panels, and interviews.  More than a pop icon, Carrie Fisher opened her life like a book (and in books), giving hope to hundreds, if not thousands, who struggle with hardships in life.  At the age of sixty, she was taken from us.  Still, her life and legend will touch generations.

We Love Our Cereal

You’re going to love what General Mills has in store for you!  Purchase any three specially marked Big G cereals and get a free ticket to Rogue One from General Mills.  Find out more on their website.

Looking Ahead

Let’s face it, 2016 wasn’t all bad.  The Cubs did win the World Series, although a year later than prophesied in the ‘80s.  However, for those who seem to have lost hope, we look forward to some exciting accomplishments and events sure to come in 2017.  From space exploration to a solar eclipse (another prophecy from 1989), we’re picking up good vibrations in our expectations for the future in the next twelve months.  Let us know what you’re looking forward to in 2017 by calling our voice mail line at (209) 878-7323 or sending us an electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

After tuning in to this week’s episode, keep your earbuds at the ready and check out Rogue One again with shazbazzar, Steve Glosson, and Scott Ryfun as they provide a running commentary on Rogue One (and a variety of other things) on the first publicly released commentary of the new Star Wars movie.  You can find it at Geek Out Loud or My Star Wars Story.

Share and enjoy the hope!