Retroist
@retroist.com
I host the Retroist Podcast and write the Retroist which focuses on nostalgia. I like slightly old stuff and I typo too much. You can find me at https://www.retroist.com & https://patreon.com/retroist.
The 90s were a wild time for 1-900 numbers. They were trying everything to get people to call in and pay money. One of the more unusual (with a great cast of characters) was one that wanted you to pay for a good cry, 1-900-9099-CRY. www.retroist.com/p/was-there-...
This is a magnificent eighties commercial for 7 Up starring Pac-Man and a sound-a-like version of Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carrnes with 7 Up lyrics.
In 1983, the United States was having a croissant moment. Everyone was selling them including McDonald's which tested the McCrescent. It was a great idea, but unfortunately they chose the wrong time of day to serve it. A mistake their biggest rival wouldn't make. www.retroist.com/p/mcdonalds-...
Relax by the pool, the beach, or the tennis court with a cold glass of beef broth on ice.
In 1975, a paper cup design, “Orange and Yellow Flowers,” was unleashed upon the world. While not as well-remembered as the trendy “Jazz” design, it would be a staple in homes and restaurants for decades. www.retroist.com/p/orange-and...
Over on Patreon this week I am taking a look at the history of the SilverHawks. This show and its toys have lived in the shadow of the ThunderCats since they started, but I think they deserve to be discussed and rewatched. www.patreon.com/retroist/pos...
In the late Eighties, the department store Zellers ran this impressively animated Batman commercial.
The Video Store Podcast is back with a brand new person behind the counter. This week @kenpriebe.bsky.social has four kid's movies to take home and enjoy with your family this summer. Just make sure you rewind them before returning them. www.videostorepodcast.com/p/the-best-k...
I am sorry to announce that the Retroist Podcast is no longer available via Spotify. All past episodes have been removed from the service and no future episode will be posted there. I know this is inconvenient to many people and I apologize. It is still available via RSS and other platforms.
I like looking at and reading about cakes. Especially the style of cakes of my youth. So at some point I started collecting Wilton Cake Decorating Yearbooks. I might not have room for the pans, but its fun to learn how they are made and see the results. www.retroist.com/p/wilton-cak...
Early Cherry Coke advertising was creative, silly, and just fun to watch.
On a new episode of the Retroist Podcast I am talking about what I consider one of the great American sports movies, The Bad News Bears. While my time spent in Little League didn't have quite as many colorful characters, I found a lot of the film very relatable. www.retroist.com/p/retroist-b...
Slightly older technology is all around us still working perfectly and is a joy to see in action.
Colorforms began with vinyl scraps stuck to a bathroom wall in NJ, then grew into a toy found in millions of homes. The company has tried action figures, VHS tapes, and computer software, but the original idea has barely changed. Today, I took a look at their history. www.retroist.com/p/colorforms
Describe yourself in 3 fictional characters
Isaac's Haunted Beard@isaacshauntedbeard.bsky.social · 2w agoDescribe yourself in 3 fictional characters
Many decades later and I am still jealous of this kid and his battery-powered DeLorean (and cool shades).
Costumed characters like Baby Gee could make a trip to Toys R Us feel like more than shopping. Most stores today are designed to get you in and out, but meeting a mascot in the aisle made the place feel like its own little world.
Here is the schedule card they game out to people who worked at World Cup in 1994. As you can see they had 2 training sessions. I don't remember them being particularly long or intense. I worked every one of these games.
