Retroist Retro Podcast

The Atari Lynx is a great "what if" in the history of hand-held consoles. Far from perfect, it was an interesting alternative to the Donkey Kong-sized gorilla that was the Game Boy. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I take a look back at the rise, fall, and legacy of the Atari Lynx.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss the 1983 cult classic TV show, Automan. This TRON-influenced show was short-lived, but it is well-remembered by people who watched it at the time.

In 1995, the techno-thriller, "The Net," hit theaters. It was a box office success, but it was also way ahead of its time on issues related to privacy and security that are still important today. On this episode of the Retroist, I take a look at this Nineties classic.

In 1967, Rankin/Bass' Mad Monster Part was released in theaters. A couple of years later they would start showing it on TV and for many it became a Halloween tradition. The newest episode of the Retroist Podcast is all about this underrated holiday classic.

On the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast, I take a look back at the 1985 horror comedy classic, Re-Animator, starring Jeffrey Combs.

GI Joe: The Movie went straight to video in 1987. It introduced a slew of new fun characters and has one of the best GI Joe vs. Cobra fights ever animated in the first five minutes.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was one of the definitive cartoons of the eighties. While it accomplished its goals of selling toys, it also brought a very talented group of people together to create an enduring and well-remembered TV show.

GI Joe hit comic shelves in 1982 and would run for over a decade. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss the book, the talent behind it, and its rise and fall.

The resurgence of GI Joe in the 1980s was a high water mark for toys during that decade. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I take a look at the history of the figures leading up to this monumental toy release.

I am happy to announce the next season of the Retroist Podcast is on its way. Here is what you can expect to hear this season.

To finish this season of the Retroist, I asked some people to share some of their own memories of subjects I covered during this season. I put them together in a new episode I am calling the "Memories Special."

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I take a look at the history of the pizza-producing powerhouse Pizza Hut from its humble origins to its current status as a globally recognized food brand.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk about the ground-breaking game, King's Quest. This was a genre redefining game brought to the world by the brilliant Roberta and Ken Williams.

The LaserDisc lasted for over two decades and was very influential on the optical formats that would follow in its footsteps. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss the LaserDisc from its inception to its demise just after the turn of the millennium.

Quincy ME was a groundbreaking show with a passionate and charismatic lead actor, Jack Klugman. It is one of my favorite TV shows and I am happy to cover it as my 250th episode of the Retroist Podcast.

The McRib is a fascinating bit of food science that refuses to be defeated. Time and again when it has been counted out, it starts appearing again. On this episode I discuss its history, creations and ability to endure.

The Atari Jaguar didn't last long, but it was an interesting attempt by an iconic company to jump back into an industry they helped to define. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss this too short-lived console.

In Search Of was a show that dealt with the mysterious and unexplained phenomena. Hosted by Leonard Nimoy, it was a popular show at the time and a cult hit now. It was also more influential on modern television than you realize.

Batman '89 was a cultural phenomenon. Its a good film, but the deeper you got into Batman and embraced Batmania, the more enjoyable it is. So join me as I jump back to 1989, put on my cowl and talk about Batman.

Defender is a fast-paced and innovative game, that belongs up there in the pantheon of most influential early arcade games. Not only was it a mega-hit, but it put into motion game trends that would help to define modern gaming.

In this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss the 1991 classic, The Rocketeer. This cult classic was epic in scope and has a slew of dedicated fans. I am one of them and couldn't wait to cover it in an episode.

In 1988, Die Hard would hit theaters and action films would never be the same again. It is a film that would alter our heroes, the expectations of our villains, and would eventually make people question their definition of Christmas films.

On today's New episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss Mr. Mom. A hit film that had a good run on cable television and entertained a generation. In recent years it has lost some of its momentum. I hope I can steer some people back to it.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss the 1978 sitcom, Diff'rent Strokes. Almost everyone I talk to has heard of this show, but I am surprised how many have not yet seen an episode. I hope I can change that.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch has not always received the respect other Halloween films have gotten. It is time to abandon your expectations of a Michael Myers kill-fest and embrace the genius of a film that combines, Stonehenge, microchips and the catchiest horror film jingle ever made.

Teen Witch is a messy earnest mixture of teen fantasy, rap music, and magic. No wonder this 1989 film has earned a reputation as a cult classic.

In 1988, Freddy's Nightmare started being broadcast on TVs across America. A lot of people freaked out that a show this racy could make it onto over-the-air television and feared that it would confuse and desensitize youth. This, of course, just made the show more appealing to the youth they were trying to protect.

Fright Night is a 1985 horror classic that expertly combines horror, humor and a bit of self-awareness. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I discuss the creation, success and enduring popularity of this amazing film.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss the Inhumanoids. This toyline and animated series combined, humor, horror, sci-fi and animation like no other. It is well worth your time.

The Mattel Aquarius is merely a blip in the history of computers. But to some people, this was their first machine. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast I take a look at the Mattel Aquarius. A computer that wanted to be more than it turned out to be.

The Kodak Disc was a technological marvel. It excelled at capturing the imagination and money of a whole lot of people. Sadly it didn't excel at taking photos. Nowadays people look back on it as an icon of the eighties, but many people might not realize what a costly failure it was for the company that made it.

Happy Thanksgiving! On today's episode of the Retroist Podcast, I would like to talk to you about the late eighties holiday classic, Garfield's Thanksgiving.

I finally return to the arcade, this time covering the vector-based masterpiece Tempest. I might be terrible at this game, but I am in love with its aesthetics.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk about the 1987 TV horror show, Werewolf. This was a one season wonder produced by Frank Lupo that was part of the Fox Networks inaugural season. Unfortunately it just didn’t last. I start off by talking about how I found the show, but also what it…

On the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss the baseball comedy classic, Major League. This is a fun summer film about America's sport. I hope listening to the show might persuade you to check it out,

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I tackle the 1988 cult classic, Mac and Me. Despite knowing that his film is unintentionally funny, I find it charming and worthy of watching unironically.

On this week's Retroist Podcast I discuss the 1980 comedy classic, "The Private Eyes," starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway. An underrated classic that I hope you will check out.

On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I discuss the eighties comedy classic, "Trading Places." It is a perfect film to watch this holiday season. Even if you don't listen to the show, I hope this reminds you to rewatch the movie.

On today's show I talk the groundbreaking early computer game, Hunt the Wumpus. I begin the show talking about how accessible the game was to a young me and how it was the highlight of my early time in my High School Computer Club. After that I move onto the game itself.

Welcome to the 2018 edition of the Retroist Halloween Special Podcast. On today’s show, I finally shut up and turn the microphone over to other people who tell their Halloween stories. The Retroist Podcast is divided into two sections. A smaller section where I tell a story related to the subject of the podcast and…

On today's show, I share with you a few of my favorite from the past on the Retroist Halloween Commercial Specials Podcast. From food to haunted mansions, I play a wide array of ads, all of them focused around this most creepy of holidays.

More of the night he came home!

Listen to the season 11 premier episode of the Retroist Podcast, CHiPs. Join Ponch, Jon and the rest of the California Highway Patrol as they fight crime, have fun and look great doing it.

Welcome to the Retroist Season 11 Fall Preview! On today's show I hope to give you a glimpse into the new season and entertain you a bit.

This week’s Retroist Podcast is about the classic toy from World’s of Wonder, Lazer Tag. I start the show with a story about how my friends and I spent a good part of an amazing summer playing Lazer Tag together. It is a cherished memory that would not have happened without Lazer Tag. Then I…

This week’s Retroist Podcast is about the classic sitcom, Night Court. I begin the show talking about how Harry Anderson inspired my love of magic, even though I am not that good at it. I was not planning on doing a Night Court podcast this season. It was a subject I tried to record a…

This week’s Retroist Podcast is about the 1985 cult film classic, “Gymkata” I begin the podcast talking about my first exposure to the film. How I found the concept of combining gymnastics and karate compelling at first, but ultimately came to find this idea strange. Finally I summarize my own martial arts style and how…

This week’s Retroist Podcast is about a show that recently returned after a long break, “Roseanne.” on the Retroist Roseanne Podcast I start off talking about why I watched Roseanne during its first run and why I will be checking out the reboots. I tried recording this show a few years ago and was never…

This week’s Retroist Podcast is all about the 1978 comedy-thriller, “Foul Play”. I start off by talking about how I briefly lived my dream of reenacting a scene from this movie after I moved to California. It was glorious. Then I talk about the writer/director, the cast, the locations, the soundtrack, the TV series, and…

This week on the Retroist Podcast I tackle a film I have attempted to record a few times in the past, Three Amigos. I start off talking about quoting and emulating films will always be popular and how the infamous Three Amigos salute was banned in my school. Which naturally just made it a lot…